J.D. Irving investing $16.8M in northern New Brunswick operations
by Canadian Manufacturing Staff
Company spending on forestry equipment, mill upgrades and forestry control and planting
ST JOHN, N.B.—New forestry regulations in New Brunswick have paved the way for more spending in the province’s sector, this time a $16.8-million investment by J.D. Irving, Ltd.
According to the firm, it plans to spend the money on forest and mill operations in northern New Brunswick after the provincial government announced last month a new forestry sector strategy.
The company plans to spend $7.3-million increased on silviculture and tree planting on its freehold woodlands near St. Leonard, N.B., near the northeastern Maine border, and another $6-million on forestry equipment.
The investment in new equipment will see J.D. Irving buy 11 new harvesting machines from A.L.P.A. Equipment Ltd. of Balmoral, N.B.
J.D. Irving also plans to spend $3.5-million to upgrade its sawmills in St. Leonard and nearby Kedgwick, N.B.
Of the total $3.5-million, the company said $2.5-million will go toward a new chip screen and conveyor system at its St. Leonard sawmill, and the remaining $1-million will be spent on dry kiln modernization at its Kedgwick operations.
J.D. Irving expects the investments to create 74 jobs in the province.
Last month the company announced plans to invest $450-million in its pulp operations in New Brunswick.
Another firm, Twin Rivers Paper Company Inc., also announced plans last month to invest in its operations in the province after the forestry strategy was introduced.
