West Fraser indefinitely curtails Lake Butler, Fla., sawmill

VANCOUVER — West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. says it’s indefinitely curtailing its sawmill in Lake Butler, Fla., by the end of the month.

The Vancouver-based company says the decision is because of high fibre costs and soft lumber markets.

West Fraser says the curtailment will affect about 130 employees, though it will mitigate the impact by providing work opportunities at other locations.

The company says high fibre costs at Lake Butler and the current low-price commodity environment have made it difficult to operate the mill profitably.

It expects to take an impairment charge in the third quarter associated with the curtailment.

At the beginning of this year, West Fraser said it was closing a sawmill in Maxville, Fla., and indefinitely closing another in Huttig, Ark.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.

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The Canadian Press