Sinclar Announces Permanent Production Curtailment at Nechako Lumber

Sinclar Group Forest Products Ltd. is curtailing its lumber operations at Nechako Lumber Co. in Vanderhoof as a result of the continuing lack of certainty around economical log supply.

Effective Monday, October 30, 2023, Nechako Lumber Operations will permanently reduce its sawmill and planer production from two shifts to one shift.

“We are deeply sorry for the impact this decision will have on our employees, their families, and the community of Vanderhoof,” said Sinclar President Greg Stewart.

Stewart added that the industry will continue to be challenged without urgent, and meaningful government action to address the predictability of economic fibre flow in the province.

“This shift-reduction is not an anomaly,” said Stewart. “The problems facing the forest industry in BC are significant, complex, and diverse. They require a cooperative collective response from all governments, First Nation titleholders, stakeholders, and forestry companies.”

Nechako Lumber will continue operating on two shifts until October 27, after which it will reduce to one shift. The Premium Pellet operation in Vanderhoof will continue to run. Sinclar will work with employees, and the communities of Vanderhoof and the Saik’uz First Nation to make the transition as smooth as possible.

About Sinclar Group Forest Products

Sinclar Group Forest Products is a family-owned and operated group of companies in the Central Interior of British Columbia that produce lumber, homes, engineered wood products and wood pellets. Sinclar also runs bioenergy systems that sustainably convert residual wood into energy, powering our communities while reducing carbon emissions. Sinclar operations include Apollo Forest Products (Fort St. James), Lakeland Mills (Prince George), Nechako Lumber Co. (Vanderhoof), Premium Pellet (Vanderhoof), and Winton Homes & Cottages (Prince George).

Contact:

Nadine Nygaard – Executive Coordinator – nadine.nygaard@sinclar.com – (778) 349-2828

Source: Sinclar Group Forest Products Ltd.