Canfor has announced plans to permanently shut down its Estill and Darlington sawmills in South Carolina this August, citing prolonged market weakness and sustained financial losses.
Approximately 290 employees will be impacted by the closures, which will reduce Canfor’s U.S. lumber production capacity by 350 million board feet annually. The decision comes after extended efforts to sustain the facilities in the face of persistently poor market conditions.
"We understand the significant impact this difficult decision will have on our employees," said Lee Goodloe, President of Canfor Southern Pine." This outcome is in no way a reflection of the dedication and hard work of our teams."
Canfor says it will provide severance payments and explore redeployment opportunities within its broader operations to support affected workers.
The move underscores the challenges currently facing the lumber industry, particularly in the U.S. South, where demand volatility and pricing pressure continue to strain profitability.
Canfor is a global leader in low-carbon forest products including lumber, pulp, and renewable energy. Headquartered in Vancouver, it operates more than 50 facilities across Canada, the U.S., and Europe.
