West Fraser To Idle Mills In Georgia, British Columbia
West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. announced in early November it will permanently close both its Augusta, Ga. and 100 Mile House, British Columbia sawmills by the end of 2025 following an orderly wind-down. The decision is the result of timber supply challenges and soft lumber markets, according to the company.
The 100 Mile House lumber mill is no longer able to reliably access an adequate volume of economically viable timber, the company states, adding that challenging softwood lumber demand, higher duties and additional tariffs have compounded the situation. The mill closure will impact 165 employees at the site and reduce West Fraser’s capacity by 160MMBF.
The closure of the Augusta sawmill is a result of challenging lumber demand, and the loss of economically viable residual outlets, which combined has compromised the mill’s long-term viability, the company explains. The closure will impact 130 employees at the site and reduce West Fraser’s capacity by 140MMBF.
West Fraser also announced that the 2024 indefinite curtailment of its sawmills in Huttig, Ark. and Lake Butler, Fla. will now be permanent, and the mills will be dismantled and the sites sold. The company also confirmed its replacement Henderson, Tex. mill has commenced startup and the adjacent mill has ceased operations.
Latest News
U.S. Housing Starts Dip In September, Both Single-Family & Multi-Family Soften
U.S. housing starts dropped 8.1% in September from August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.439 million, including a drop in single-family starts of 4.7% to 892,000 and a decline in multi-family starts of 13.1% to 530,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development monthly new residential construction report…
Interfor To Acquire Chaleur Forest Products
Interfor has announced today that it has reached an agreement with an affiliate of the Kilmer Group to acquire 100% of the equity interests in the entities comprising Chaleur Forest Products. Chaleur owns two modern and well-capitalized sawmill operations located in Belledune and Bathurst, New Brunswick, with a…
Sawmills Announce Personnel Changes
The Westervelt Co. recently announced a change of leadership in the wood products business. Mark Richardson has been promoted to Vice President and General Manager, Wood Products, effective January 1, 2023. He will be promoted into the role currently held by Joe Patton, who recently announced his retirement after a 24 plus year career with the company…
Hancock Acquires Madison Lumber
Two of New England’s top performing eastern white pine manufacturing facilities will be stronger together as Hancock Lumber announced plans to acquire Madison Lumber Mill of Madison, NH. Hancock Lumber’s eastern white pine operations will expand to four mills with its first sawmill acquisition in more than 20 years…
Find Us On Social
Newsletter
The monthly Timber Processing Industry Newsletter reaches over 4,000 mill owners and supervisors.
Subscribe/Renew
Timber Processing is delivered 10 times per year to subscribers who represent sawmill ownership, management and supervisory personnel and corporate executives. Subscriptions are FREE to qualified individuals.
Advertise
Complete the online form so we can direct you to the appropriate Sales Representative.