West Fraser Curtails Florida Operations
Originally Published by: HBS Dealer — September 30, 2024
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West Fraser Timber will indefinitely curtail its sawmill in Lake Butler, Florida, by the end of September 2024. The decision is the result of high fiber costs and soft lumber markets, per the company.
West Fraser's Lake Butler curtailment will affect about 130 employees.
The indefinite curtailment of Lake Butler Sawmill will impact approximately 130 employees and reduce West Fraser's U.S. lumber capacity by approximately 110 million board feet. West Fraser expects to mitigate the impact on affected employees by providing work opportunities at other company operations, the company said in a press release.
High fiber costs at Lake Butler and the current low-price commodity environment have impaired the ability to profitably operate the mill.
West Fraser anticipates taking an impairment charge in the third quarter of 2024 associated with the announcement.