Canfor B.C. Sawmills Back to Normal Operation After Week-Long Curtailment

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The B.C. area sawmills of Canfor Corporation has resumed operations after a week-long curtailment. The temporary week-long production curtailment announced on April 24^th was implemented effective April 29^th. The workers are back on job on Monday, May 6^th, company press release said. It must be noted that all B.C. mills except Wynnwood underwent production curtailment last week.

Michelle Ward, Director of Corporate Communications, Canfor expressed regrets for the impacts of curtailment on its employees, their families and communities. Further, he appreciated the hard work of all employees and contractors across all its operations. Doug Singer, President, United Steelworkers Union noted that all B.C. lumber companies were forced to take downtime due to drastic drop in sales. Further, he clarified that there is no confirmation on any further curtailments, as of now.

The curtailment has reduced the company’s lumber output by approximately 100 million board feet.

As per sources, Canfor has announced an additional temporary curtailment at two B.C. sawmills- Fort St. James and Mackenzie starting May 6^th. 

The company had reported an operating loss of $70 million during the first quarter of the current year. Its B.C.-based lumber business segment faced significant challenges, mainly on account of declining lumber market prices and difficult operating conditions. However, the company remained hopeful that solid performance from other key markets will help it to offset the losses from B.C. operations.