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Conifex to temporarily reduce operations at Fort St. James mill

Dec. 3, 2018 – Conifex Timber Inc. announced that it intends to temporarily reduce operating capacity at its Fort St. James, British Columbia sawmill starting January 1, 2019, due primarily to log costs and current lumber market conditions. This is expected to continue until about  mid-2019, resulting in an estimated 25 per cent reduction in Conifex’s British Columbia lumber production during such period and  a temporary workforce reduction of approximately 70 employees.

December 3, 2018  By Conifex Timber Inc.


“Moving to a single line configuration at Fort St. James in Q1 and Q2 lowers cash production costs and helps mitigate the combined impact of fibre supply issues and low lumber prices,” said Ken Shields, Conifex chair and CEO. “This is a difficult decision but we believe it’s the best option for ongoing sustainability at Fort St. James given current market conditions. We will be seeking to mitigate the impacts on our employees as much as  possible.”

Conifex expects  that a majority  of  its  lumber production  will  be sourced  from  the  lower cost  U.S. South supply region in the first half of 2019.


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