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Sexton Lumber shuts mill

Oct. 2, 2013, Bloomfield, N.L. - Sexton Lumber has shutdown its Bloomfield sawmill for a lack of logs. The mill is the largest in the province and employs 79 workers.

The company told The Telegram it asked the provincial government for an additional 40,000 cubic metres of timber in order to keep the mill open. It claims the request was denied, however, the Provincial Government is telling a different story.

The Provincial Government claims it offered additional timber in the amount of 100,000 cubic metres to the company through Corner Brook Pulp and Paper. They expect the sawmill will only be shut down for a matter of weeks.

"Sexton Lumber is a major player in our forest sector," said the Honourable Tom Marshall, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency in a press release. "We value this operation and its contribution. Our officials continue to work with Sexton Lumber to stabilize the wood supply. Some time is needed to rebuild the sawlog inventory."

Since the closure of Abitibi-Bowater in 2009, the Provincial Government has been seeking alternative uses for the paper mill facilities and forest resources in central Newfoundland through a Call for Expressions of Interest. The province has not yet reached a decision.

October 2, 2013  By  Amie Silverwood