Hammond Cedar sawmill, a fixture of the B.C. coastal lumber industry since 1908, is closing as part of a reorganization of Interfor Corp香蕉视频直播檚 coastal operations.
The current Maple Ridge sawmill was built in 1963, and has been down to a single shift for some time as cedar producers have been 香蕉视频直播渄isproportionately impacted香蕉视频直播� by the latest round of U.S. softwood lumber duties, Interfor CEO Duncan Davies said in a statement released Tuesday evening.
The closure is to take effect before the end of 2019, after current inventory of logs and lumber are processed and shipped.
香蕉视频直播淲e recognize the impact this decision will have on our employees who have contributed so much to the business over the years,香蕉视频直播� Davies said. 香蕉视频直播淲e will be working closely with them to mitigate the impacts of the closure and to identify job opportunities at other Interfor mills as well as outside the company.香蕉视频直播�
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The reorganization includes efforts to increase log supply to Interfor香蕉视频直播檚 last B.C. coast sawmill, Acorn in Delta, which cuts hemlock and Douglas fir mainly for the Japanese housing market, said Ric Slaco, Interfor香蕉视频直播檚 vice president and chief forester.
Selling the Hammond site on the bank of the Fraser River is part of the plan to improve the company香蕉视频直播檚 financial situation, as the B.C. industry struggles with log shortages, high costs and the imposition of duties of about 20 per cent on U.S. lumber exports.
The B.C. government香蕉视频直播檚 latest forestry changes include banning the export of cedar and cypress logs, as well as changes to log export limits from Crown land. Interfor will focus on selling cedar logs domestically rather than milling, Slaco said.
tfletcher@blackpress.ca
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