B.C.-based West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. says it plans to indefinitely curtail work at its northern Alberta mill.

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. says it will indefinitely curtail its oriented strand board (OSB) mill in High Level, Alta., in Spring 2026 following an orderly wind-down and consumption of the mill’s existing log supply.

The company added that the decision is the result of a significant weakening of OSB demand and is expected to reduce West Fraser’s capacity by 860 million square feet (3/8-inch). West Fraser expects to mitigate the impact on the approximate 190 affected employees at the site by providing work opportunities at other company operations, where available.

In addition to the closure in the Alberta town of a little over 4,000 residents, West Fraser stated that the idling of one of its production lines at its Cordele, Georgia OSB facility since late 2023 will continue indefinitely. The idled production line at Cordele has a capacity of 440 million square feet (3/8-inch).

The most significant uses for West Fraser’s North American OSB products are residential construction (sheathing, sub-flooring, roof decking, etc.), repair and remodelling and industrial applications. The High Level mill has been operated under West Fraser since the OSB line of business was acquired in 2021.

West Fraser expects to record an approximately $200 million asset impairment loss in the fourth quarter of 2025 in connection with the indefinite curtailment of the High Level OSB mill.

West Fraser is a diversified wood products company with more than 50 facilities in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe.
 
Source: dailyhive.com