The machinery of the latter two mills will be dismantled and the sites sold. West Fraser Timber indefinitely suspended operations at the Huttig sawmill in January 2024 and at the mill in Lake Butler in September 2024. These decisions were made due to the limited supply of log wood and a weak lumber market.
As for the 100 Mile House sawmill, reliable access to a sufficient volume of economically viable log wood is no longer possible. Low demand for softwood lumber as well as higher duties and additional tariffs have exacerbated the situation. The closure will impact around 165 employees at the site and reduce West Fraser’s capacity by 160 Mbft a year (approx. 377,000 m³).
The decision to permanently close the Augusta sawmill is the result of weak demand for lumber, and the loss of economically viable sales channels for byproducts. Combined, these two factors have impacted the site’s long-term viability. Approximately 130 employees will be affected by the closure, and West Fraser’s capacity will be reduced by 140 Mbft a year (around 330,000 m³).
West Fraser Timber also confirms that its replacement mill in Henderson, Texas, has commenced operations and that the adjacent mill has ceased operations. The company announced the brownfield investment in May 2023 with a completion date in the second quarter of 2024. The Henderson sawmill has a capacity of 275 Mbft a year (approx. 650,000 m³).
