The $30 million sawmill started operating in June and today employs 60 people, producing over 100 million board feet of quality, environmentally certified softwood lumber per year. Ashland Sawmill is one of the most modern sawmills in North America and operates the fastest trim line on the continent.
The softwood lumber produced at this new facility will provide customers their choice of products that are environmentally certified under the Forest Stewardship (FSC) Council or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) programs. The majority of the lumber produced will be sold to major retail lumber yards located throughout the US Eastern Seaboard.
The round wood log supply for the new sawmill will be procured sustainably from the company's Maine freehold woodlands as well as other woodlot and timberland owners in the state.
"We have proudly been part of Aroostook County for over 65 years,” said Jim Irving, Co-CEO of J.D. Irving, Limited. "Today is a great day for our operations in Maine as we welcome 60 new employees to the team. They are working in one of the most modern mills in North America, using the best technology. We appreciate the support of the 84 Maine contractors who worked with us on the project. We are continuing to hire in the state for our forestry operations, requiring over 125 people between now and 2016 and value the partnerships we have with the University of Maine system and local community colleges that are providing the skilled workforce of the future.”
