Western Forest Products Completed Saltair Sawmill Kiln Upgrade

With the addition of the new kiln, the sawmill now has four kilns for drying lumber.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Western Forest Products (WFP) announced that it has successfully completed the installation of continuous dry kiln at its Saltair sawmill. With the addition of the new kiln, the sawmill now has four kilns for drying lumber.

The $12 million investment was aimed at enhancing the sawmill’s lumber drying capacity and reducing consumption of energy. It must be noted that the company has invested approximately $42 million towards modernizing the single-line sawmill on the B.C. coast since 2013.

As part of its broader strategy, WFP plans to make capital investment of around $35 million to add two more kilns at the facility, each with a capacity of 70 million board feet per annum. One of these kilns will be installed at the Duke Point sawmill, while the other one will be built at its Chemainus mill. The proposed investment is expected to sustain nearly 3,500 jobs and provide support to communities across the province.

Steven Hofer, president and CEO, Western Forest Products noted that the investments highlight the company’s strategic shift towards accelerating the production of value-added products. The new kilns are expected to deliver significant efficiency and productivity gains, Hofer added.

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