In response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic West Fraser is providing an update on production adjustments implemented to address changing operating, supply chain and market conditions.
Effective April 6, West Fraser will further reduce its SPF production by 30 to 40 million board feet of production per week which represents between 45 and 60% of SPF production. SYP production will continue in line with the reductions previously announced on March 19. West Fraser plans to continue to operate its power generation assets at its Canadian sawmill sites during this period.
Effective April 6, plywood production at West Fraser’s three manufacturing sites will be further adjusted on an ongoing basis. It is expected that curtailments of at least 5,000 msf of plywood production will continue. MDF and LVL production may also be reduced, primarily through the reduction of operating hours.
Effective April 20, West Fraser will take approximately 4 weeks of downtime at its Cariboo Pulp and Paper joint venture pulp mill resulting in an approximate reduction in NBSK production of 30,000 tonnes of which West Fraser’s share is 15,000 tonnes. The downtime is necessitated by decreased fibre availability as a result of widespread sawmill curtailments in British Columbia and the other effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mill operations and employees. During this downtime, the cogeneration facility at Cariboo is expected to continue to operate.
West Fraser is a diversified wood products company producing lumber, LVL, MDF, plywood, pulp, newsprint, wood chips, other residuals and energy with facilities in western Canada and the southern United States.
