Over recent weeks, Western Forest Products (WFP) has implemented several measures to reduce lumber production. The first step, implemented at the beginning of November, was to cease softwood lumber production at the 175m-bdft Alberni Pacific (APD) sawmill in Port Alberni. The closure is initially planned for a period of six months. The group cites the limited availability of roundwood as justification for this measure. Previously, operations at the Cowichan Bay sawmill had resumed in mid-October after a two-week market-related shutdown. The Ladysmith sawmill was closed for a week in October due to an insufficient supply of small-diameter wood. According to Nanaimo News, the temporary mill closure affects a total of 100 employees.
In early December, the group then announced plans to cut back softwood lumber production by 20m bdft by the end of the year. According to the company, the intention behind the production cutbacks is to adjust lumber stocks to the recent low level of demand. The production cutback is to be implemented via corresponding measures at all six WFP sawmills in the province of British Columbia. The mills have a combined production capacity of 980m bdft.
