Uniboard reports its $350 million particleboard plant modernization program is going as planned at Val-d’Or, Quebec; originally announced in June 2022, this is the third phase of its modernization for its particleboard and TFL mill. More than $100 million was invested in Phase 1 and Phase 2, which were completed in 2017 and 2020, respectively. Uniboard broke ground on Phase 3 in September of 2022.

The first part of Phase 3 is a new distribution complex, which will be operational late this summer. Installation of the new particleboard line will begin in early 2024 and is expected to come on stream in the first quarter of 2025.

The new line will expand Val-d’Or’s annual particleboard production capacity from 360,000 M3 (205MMSF) to 550,000 M3 (310MMSF). The line will offer a range of panel formats and thicknesses. Val-d’Or uses 100% post-industrial wood residuals primarily sourced from black spruce softwood, known for making a light colored panel with excellent machining and cutting properties. Val-d’Or is also an FSC chain-of-custody certified facility.

Rainier Veneer, Inc., Spanaway, Wash., announced that Plant Manager Jim Herold retired the first of June after 25 years as manager. Previously Herold worked at Roseburg Forest Products where he was plant manager of the Dillard plywood mill. He began his career at RFP after graduating from Oregon State University in 1974.

Rainier Veneer was plant built in 1992 on a 60 acre location 20 miles south of Tacoma. It became one of the largest softwood veneer manufacturing companies throughout the West Coast.

As good as he was a plant manager, Herold was an even better athlete. He was a champion wrestler at Astoria High School and Pacific University in the early 1970s. He transferred to Oregon State University to complete an impressive academic career, graduating in 1974.

Herold plans to travel and spend time with his family during retirement.

Hank Ketcham, Chairman of West Fraser’s Board of Directors, announced that Ray Ferris, current West Fraser President and Chief Executive Officer, plans to retire on December 31, 2023.

Ferris has been with West Fraser for over 26 years in increasingly senior positions culminating in his appointment as President and Chief Operating Officer in 2018 and as a director of the Company in 2019.

During his tenure as Chief Executive Officer the company has grown substantially in sales, profits, product mix and geographic diversification. In addition, Ferris has driven the strong commitment to continual improvement in our safety, environmental and people programs.

Sean McLaren, current Chief Operating Officer, will be appointed to President and Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2024. McLaren has been with West Fraser and its predecessor companies for 35 years. West Fraser has benefited immeasurably from Ferris’ strong leadership and the Board enthusiastically looks forward to continued growth and success under McLaren’s leadership.

Bruks Siwertell Group has signed an acquisition contract for North American heavy machinery specialist, West Salem Machinery (WSM), effective July 1, 2023. The Oregon-based engineering and manufacturing company will continue to operate under its current name as a separate internal division within Bruks Siwertell.

“For our customers, the acquisition will deliver a broader product range of market-leading technology, uniquely able to match operational needs. Together with our Wood Technology business units in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Asia, it will also ensure our capability to meet customer demands for sustainability and digitalization,” says Peter Jonsson, CEO, Bruks Siwertell Group.

“We are looking forward to pursuing growth opportunities as part of a larger group with a global footprint,” continues Mark Lyman, CEO, West Salem Machinery. “We will work in close collaboration with all Bruks Siwertell Wood Technology units, complementing, strengthening and expanding our combined product and service portfolios for customers worldwide. WSM’s personnel will be fully retained and welcomed into the Bruks Siwertell Group.”

“The acquisition of WSM is a positive, strategic move that will immediately expand our presence in the U.S., and extend our global product and service offering, with an even more favorable mix of products, systems and services,” Jonsson explains. “Bruks Siwertell is a leading supplier of woodyard systems in the U.S., and by combining our industry presence and WSM’s, we can better reach both local and national U.S. industries, and beyond into international markets.

“All our brands share many core qualities, recognized and relied upon throughout installations worldwide. WSM is a company focused on high-quality, customized machinery manufacturing and its acquisition will perfectly fit not only with our equipment range, but also our company values. WSM personnel are an integral part of the acquisition, and we welcome Mark Lyman and his team to the Bruks Siwertell family,“ Jonsson says.

Founded in the Pacific Northwest, WSM started operations by supplying machinery to sawmills in the region and expanded into the recycling industry. Today, WSM is an engineering company, employing 70 personnel, with products that include grinders, shredders, hogs, hammer mills and screens, delivering everything from single machine installations to full-scale production lines.

The contract was signed on June 30, 2023. Following the acquisition, the Bruks Siwertell Group will have close to 500 employees.