West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. will indefinitely curtail its sawmill in Lake Butler, Florida, by the end of this month. The decision follows challenges posed by high fiber costs and weak lumber markets, company said in a statement.
The curtailment will affect approximately 130 employees and reduce West Fraser's U.S. lumber production by an estimated 110 million board feet. The company plans to offer impacted workers opportunities at other locations.
High fiber costs and a low-price commodity environment have made profitable operation difficult. West Fraser sees this move as a step toward aligning its U.S. lumber capacity with current market demand. The company also expects to record an impairment charge for the third quarter of 2024 related to the curtailment.
