Industry News News Equipment Wood Panels
Roseburg to install robotic equipment at Ontario MDF plant

The federal and Ontario governments are putting $3 million into new technology for Roseburg Forest Products Canada’s medium-density fibreboard (MDF) plant in Pembroke, Ont.

A $1.5-million contribution from Natural Resources Canada’s Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program and another $1.5 million from Ontario’s Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program will support the installation of robotic equipment at the value-added plant.

The project will see the installation and production of two MDF moulding lines with custom-made robotized stacking, packaging and labelling stations. The new technology will increase the plant’s capacity, improve safety and “upskill” 18 jobs into specialized positions, such as robot operators, Natural Resources Canada said in a news release.

Alexandre Ouellette, Pembroke MDF plant manager for Roseburg Forest Products, said in the release they are deeply grateful for the support to modernize dated equipment and improve workflow and funcitionality. “Automating our stacking and packing processes with robotics has allowed us to expand from three shifts to four while creating a safer, more efficient and more modern work environment for our team members,” Ouellette said.

“Canada’s forest sector has provided economic opportunity and secure livelihoods for Canadians in communities right across the country,” Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said. “The federal government is committed to supporting this sector to implement innovative technologies and processes to increase efficiency and capacity, lower emissions and create good, sustainable jobs. By investing in the Roseburg Forest Products facility in Pembroke, we are ensuring that local communities continue to reap the benefits of the sustainable use of Canada’s forest resources.”