Log Shortage Leads Canfor to Close Sawmill
Canfor-operations-canalflats.jpg

VANCOUVER - The Canfor (TSX:CFP) sawmill in Canal Flats, British Columbia, which has a two-shift production capacity of 180 million board feet, will permanently close in November 2015. Employees will be transferred to other sawmills. 

The company anticipates the mill will cease operations on November 9, 2015.

"A lack of economically available fibre supply for our Canal Flats operation, combined with depressed market conditions in the oil and gas and lumber markets that it serves, have brought operating losses we can no longer sustain," said Canfor President and CEO Don Kayne. "We recognize this decision will be difficult for our employees and the community of Canal Flats, and we are committed to doing what we can to ease that transition."

An integrated forest products company based in Vancouver, BC with interests in Alberta, North and South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi,  Canfor produces primarily softwood lumber and specialized wood products. Canfor also owns a 51.0% interest in Canfor Pulp Products Inc., one of the largest producers of market northern bleached softwood kraft pulp. 

.

Have something to say? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Profile picture for user billesler
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.