Millar Western Closes Boyle Lumber Operation
EDMONTON, ALBERTA - Millar Western will implement an indefinite shutdown at its Boyle lumber operation and has issued severance notices to operation employees. 
 
Current market conditions and the Boyle mill's cost structure have made it uneconomical to continue to operate the facility at this time. The operation will therefore undergo a phased shutdown, with the wind-down of site activities to start in December and be completed in February. 
 
Boyle employees have been advised of the shutdown timing and are being provided with information about the severance compensation and other support they will receive. "We recognize the impact this closure will have on our people, whose dedicated service has been very highly valued, as well as on our contractors, suppliers and the community of Boyle, whose support over the years has been greatly appreciated," said President and CEO Craig Armstrong.  
 
Millar Western says it will monitor market conditions and review the Boyle facility's future operation as circumstances warrant. The company's Whitecourt and Fox Creek lumber mills will continue to operate at full capacity.
 
Millar Western is a privately-owned forest products company headquartered in Edmonton and operating dimension lumber and high-yield pulp facilities in Whitecourt, Fox Creek and Boyle, Alberta.

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About the author
Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.