In response to the COVID-19 outbreak West Fraser is taking steps to protect its employees and respond to changing market conditions. As the demand for forest products has begun to decline, the following changes to operating schedules at West Fraser’s manufacturing operations have also been implemented.
Effective March 23, lumber production will be reduced at western Canada sawmills by approximately 18%, or 12 million board feet per week and lumber production at the company’s U.S. South sawmills will be reduced by approximately 24%, or 15 million board feet per week.
These reductions will be implemented through various means including reduced operating hours, elimination of overtime, elimination of shifts and curtailment of operations. Shipping will be maintained as needed to fulfill order commitments. These temporary reductions are expected to stay in place until at least April 6.
Effective March 23, plywood production will be temporarily suspended at West Fraser’s Quesnel plywood facility until at least April 6. This will reduce the company’s plywood production by 5,000 msf per week.
The scheduled maintenance shut for the company’s jointly-owned Cariboo Pulp and Paper mill in Quesnel, British Columbia has been deferred due to risk stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak. Absences due to COVID-19 policy are increasing at some of the company’s other pulp mills and it is possible that curtailment of operations at these mills may be necessary due to key technical resources not being available.
Actions are underway to reduce planned capital spending for 2020 by $75 million through the delay and deferral of projects that had not yet been started. West Fraser is regularly monitoring market conditions and contractor availability. Further potential steps on capital expenditure are being evaluated as the situation unfolds.
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.
