Canfor Sawmill to Resume Full Operations After Production Cuts

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Canfor Houston sawmill has returned to full operations, putting an end to the production curtailments that began last summer.

Announcing the decision, Rosemary Silva, Canfor external relations senior advisor noted that it currently has limited staff performing special projects and preparatory maintenance work. The company is encouraged by the market outlook and that it has decided to make adjustments in operations to reflect the weather and transportation conditions in the B.C., after closely monitoring the global market situation, Silva added.

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The production cuts had begun late July 2021, when the mill was temporarily shut for a period of two weeks, due to bottlenecks in railway system on account of wildfire situation in southern B.C. region. The extremely dry weather conditions forced authorities to limit the speed of trains. Consequently, the company announced Friday closures beginning end-August last year, citing challenging market conditions.

Not only the Houston facility was impacted, but also the other company facilities in the B.C. and Alberta regions.

A couple of weeks ago, Canfor had announced purchase of Alberta-based Millar Western Forest Products Ltd., which is expected to add approximately 630 million board feet of capacity and generate at least $25 million in annual synergies.