Office of the Premier
NANAIMO - Premier Christy Clark, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson helped Lee Doney, chair, Western Forest Products, celebrate $30 million in new capital investment in the Duke Point sawmill.
Of the $30 million, $28 million will be invested in Western Forest Products’ Duke Point sawmill to modernize the sawmill, planer mill and install new autograding technology to improve productivity and reduce production costs. The company is investing $2 million in its Chemainus and Ladysmith sawmills. These investments are part of the company’s $125-million capital strategic investment program, which Western expects to improve its competitiveness and gain access to new markets.
Duke Point is one of seven sawmills that Western Forest Products has on Vancouver Island. The company also has two remanufacturing facilities and is North America’s largest cedar lumber manufacturer. The company ships products to 28 different countries and provides jobs to 2,000 employees and 1,500 contractors.
(flickr.com) Quotes:
Premier Christy Clark ─
“Forestry plays a vital role in Vancouver Island's diverse economy. By making investments and staying competitive, Western Forest Products is ensuring jobs stay right here in Nanaimo - jobs people can depend on to raise a family.”
Lee Doney, chair, Western Forest Products ─
“Our harvesting strategies and continued demand for our western red cedar and specialty lumber products allows us to make the needed strategic capital investment at this time. We recognize we need to continue to invest in our operations to maintain our strong competitive position.”
Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations ─
“The forest sector is a mainstay of B.C.’s economy and it’s encouraging to see Vancouver Island’s largest forest company continue to invest in forestry’s future.”
https://www.facebook.com/BCJobsPlan/posts/10153180467003241Quick Facts:
- Western Forest Products’ mills have a combined total production capacity of 1.1 billion board feet.
- Western Forest Products plants 9.5 million trees each year in Coastal B.C.
- On average, over 200 million trees are planted each year by all forest companies throughout B.C.
Learn More:
Western Forest Products: http://www.westernforest.com
Media Contacts:
Sam Oliphant
Press Secretary
Office of Premier
250 952-7252
Media Relations
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261
