New investment strengthens mills' potential
By Boundary Sentinel
The sawmill in Grand Forks will be getting an overhaul over the next year-and-a-half as International Forest Products Ltd. (Interfor) pumps $24 million into the region. The company’s announcement came last Wednesday, Nov. 2 when general manager Andrew Horahan unveiled their decision to invest $19 million in Grand Forks and $5 million in the Castlegar mill. Construction will commence in the first quarter of 2012 and will be completed in mid-2013. Horahan outlined the plan for Grand Forks that involves the installation of a new small log line to replace the existing two-line facility, along with the funding to complete the installation of an automated lumber grading system. The grading system installation has already begun at the planer. It is not clear if these new lines and automated systems will result in job loss, and Horahan was unavailable for comment prior to publication. When completed, the Grand Forks and Castlegar mills will operate with a combined capacity of 375 million board feet on a full two-shift basis. The investment in Castlegar includes a series of projects and the installation of an automated lumber grading system focused on increasing productivity at the mill.
Both mills were acquired by Interfor in April of 2008. This investment, according to the company, will solidify their position in the region and will help support jobs and economic activity.
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