LAC-MEGANTIC, Quebec – Tafisa Canada recently completed construction of a 6,500-square-meter (70,000-square-foot) facility to produce a new line of “luxury lacquered panels.”

The $42 million project, included installation of European finishing technology, which Tafisa said is the “first of its kind” in North America and will create 10 new jobs. The company said the automated system will produce panels that are resistant to fingerprints, micro scratches and UV rays. 

Tafisa is rolling out its new product under the name LUMMIA. The initial launch features 19 solid colors and prints in two finishes: High Gloss and Perfect Matt.

Tafisa, which operates the largest particleboard and thermally fused laminate manufacturing plant in North America, said the addition of lacquered panels expands the decorative surface palette it offers architects, designers and secondary wood product manufacturers.

Funding for the project included a $2.5 million grant from the Quebec Ministry of Forests and a $10 million loan from the Essor program of Invest Quebec. In addition, the City of Lac-Megantic contributed financially to the project through an economic development program that offers businesses a subsidy of up to 15% of the property value of the building added to the valuation roll.

Louis Brassard, CEO of Tafisa Canada, said the decision to invest in the new finishing plant was based on growing demand for high-end lacquered panels. “Our new plant, on North American soil, is excellent news for manufacturers and distributors as it will significantly shorten product delivery times and strengthen the local supply chain,” he said.

“With the launch of LUMMIA, Tafisa continues to solidify its position as the North American manufacturer offering the most comprehensive range of particleboards, decorative panels (TFL) and laminate panels (HPL) available to industry professionals under one roof,” said Christine Couture, LUMMIA Business Unit Manager at Tafisa Canada. She added that LUMMIA’s launch will be supported by an extensive complementary line of matching products.

The LUMMIA project comes six months after Tafisa spent $23 million to modernize its original press at its Lac-Magnatic mill.