Skeena Sawmills in Terrace, British Columbia, has reopened, bringing back over 170 employees after a temporary closure. The sawmill and pellet plant started operating in May and June respectively. Company plans to expand production soon, CEO Greg DeMille said to Terrace Standard. The company awaits a decision on a $17.5 million government aid package, which would bring key improvements.
If the grant application is successful, Skeena Sawmills will install a dry kiln at the sawmill to ensure more of its products are dry. This enhancement will optimize the quality of their timber offerings. Additionally, the company aims to focus on supplying rig mats, which are square timbers, to the energy industry. These rig mats provide a stable foundation for moving equipment, catering to the specific needs of the sector.
Furthermore, a press will be installed at the pellet plant to extract water from fiber, replacing costly natural gas-heated blowers. This innovation will enhance efficiency and reduce production costs, making the manufacturing process more sustainable.
The sawmill has a capacity of approximately 120 million board feet of lumber production annually.
