Western Forest Products announces $29M investment towards its B.C. operations
by CM Staff
These capital investments represent an increase of $13 million over and above the $16 million of capital investments discussed in the Company’s first quarter 2022 MD&A.
VANCOUVER — On Jul. 6, Western Forest Products Inc. announced capital investments totaling approximately $29 million towards its B.C. operations. The investments are part of the Company’s ongoing commitment to support value-added manufacturing on the B.C. Coast and grow its value-added wood products business. These capital investments represent an increase of $13 million over and above the $16 million of capital investments discussed in the Company’s first quarter 2022 MD&A.
Specifically, the investments include:
$12.3 million in a new continuous kiln at the Saltair sawmill in Ladysmith, B.C., allowing for increased capacity for continuous drying of lumber, while reducing energy consumption.
$7.9 million at the Duke Point facility in Nanaimo, B.C., to optimize the centralized planer facility with new equipment, including a machine stress rated lumber grading machine. The MSR machine provides strict lumber grade quality control with known values for strength and stiffness for lumber utilized in engineered products, including roof trusses, glulam and mass timber. The sawmill and planer have undergone a previous multi-phase strategic capital investment of over $45 million since 2015 to modernize the facility.
$8.3 million in other capital investments in the Company’s B.C. operations, including new kiln control systems at the Saltair sawmill and our Value-Added Division in Chemainus, B.C. to increase supply of kiln dried finished products for customers.
“Congratulations to Western Forest Products on these substantive value-added investments on Vancouver Island. These projects will strengthen our province’s position as a world leader in mass timber and developing value-added wood products. When we work together towards achieving clean growth, we are supporting our StrongerBC Economic Plan, helping to fill the jobs of tomorrow while building an economy that works for everyone.” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation.
“Investing to upgrade Western’s operations is great news for forestry workers, communities and the industry as a whole. These capital investments support our government’s vision to increase innovative, made-in-BC manufacturing and get more value out of every tree harvested.” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests.
