“With respected industry authorities forecasting construction of around 1.2 million housing starts in 2014, builder confidence is growing and opportunities are increasing,” said Brad Thorlakson, president and CEO of Tolko. “The reopening of this mill positions Tolko as a consistent, cost-competitive, stable source of supply to the market, underscoring the company’s commitment to producing, high-quality products.”
The Athabasca mill is a state-of-the-art facility with the longest continuous press in North America, capable of producing residential sheathing, value-added panels and specialty industrial panels, as well as laminated strand lumber in the future.
“As market conditions improve, we anticipate Athabasca will enjoy a very strong market position, with the ability to adapt to changing economic conditions, while providing long-term stable employment,” said Thorlakson. “In addition, reopening the mill after the devastation caused by the 2011 wildfire is an affirmation of Tolko’s commitment to supporting the recovery of the Slave Lake Region.”
With the mill reopening, Tolko has created approximately 150 jobs in the community, a number of which were rehires, as well as indirect employment for contractors and suppliers. When the mill is fully ramped up it will have created a further 150 jobs in the woodlands' and trucking.
Tolko Industries Ltd. is a private, Canadian-owned forest products company based in Vernon, British Columbia. With more than 3300 employees, Tolko is a major producer and marketer of lumber, veneer, plywood, oriented strand board and kraft papers, with manufacturing operations across western Canada.