Vancouver-based West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. has announced that it will permanently close its lumber mills in Augusta, Georgia, and in 100 Mile House, British Columbia, by the end of 2025. The decision, per the company, “is the result of timber supply challenges and soft lumber markets.”
West Fraser says the 100 Mile House lumber mill is no longer able to reliably access an adequate volume of economically viable timber. “Challenging softwood lumber demand, higher duties and additional tariffs have compounded this situation. The mill closure will impact approximately 165 employees at the site and reduce West Fraser’s capacity by 160 million board feet,” the company writes.
The closure of the Augusta lumber mill is due to “challenging lumber demand, and the loss of economically viable residual outlets, which combined has compromised the mill’s long-term viability.” The closure will affect approximately 130 employees at the site and reduce West Fraser’s capacity by 140 million board feet…