Mill closure due to lack of log supply

Re: Status Quo Not an Option for Forest Industry, Opinion, Jan. 28

Western Forest Products’ Somass mill was specifically referenced in this article.

This mill was indefinitely curtailed in July 2017 due to a lack of suitable log supply and the need to improve efficiencies in light of the U.S. imposition of softwood duties on high-value products.

The decision was not in any way connected to log exports as Arnold Bercov suggests — Somass produced western red cedar and, by law, cedar logs cannot be exported from B.C.’s public tenure. The curtailment of the mill was a difficult decision and was not made lightly. All affected hourly employees were offered voluntary severance and provided support in exploring alternative job opportunities within our operations.

As B.C.’s largest coastal lumber manufacturing company, Western Forest Products employs over 3,500 employees and contractors in dozens of coastal communities. Since 2012, Western has made over $300 million in strategic investments which has allowed us to reduce our log exports. In 2017, our company directed more than 90 per cent of the logs we handle to domestic manufacturing.

While we do not agree with the statements in Bercov’s article, when it comes to manufacturing, we agree that the B.C. coast can do more. That is why our company is committed to building a competitive lumber manufacturing business and to consume more B.C. logs at home.

Don Demens, CEO and President, Western Forest Products