Industry News News
Canfor to permanently reduce production capacity at Plateau Sawmill

Constraints on the timber harvesting land base have led Canfor to permanently reduce production at its Plateau Sawmill in Vanderhoof, B.C.

Canfor said yesterday it will drop 150 million board feet of capacity and resize the facility to adjust for the available, sustainable timber supply in the region. The sawmill will partially close and will eliminate one of its three production lines, and then undergo a $14-million project to enhance manufacturing flexibility and efficiency of the two remaining production lines.

Following the closures and updates, the mill’s new annual production capacity will be 370 million board feet.

“As the allowable annual cut has decreased in the region, it is necessary to resize the facility to align with the sustainable fibre supply,” said Don Kayne, President and CEO, Canfor. “I want to thank our Plateau employees for their ongoing dedication and hard work, and we are committed to providing comprehensive support to those employees impacted by today’s announcement, including offering jobs at other Canfor facilities. We will work to minimize the impacts this decision has on our employees, their families, our contractors and the community.”

Around 70 workers at the facility will be impacted by the changes, which are expected to happen once the log inventory is depleted this spring.

Canfor is offering affected workers employment opportunities at other Canfor locations, as well as relocation and transition support. The company is also establishing a support fund, working with the District of Vanderhoof, to identify ways to support the community.