West Fraser Timber announced it will permanently close its lumber mills in Augusta, Georgia, and 100 Mile House, British Columbia, by the end of 2025 following an orderly wind-down.
The decision comes amid timber supply challenges and a soft lumber market.
The 100 Mile House mill can no longer reliably access an adequate volume of economically viable timber. Compounding factors include weak softwood lumber demand, higher duties, and additional tariffs. The closure will affect approximately 165 employees and reduce West Fraser’s lumber capacity by 160 million board feet.
Similarly, the Augusta mill's long-term viability has been compromised by challenging lumber demand and loss of economically viable residual outlets. The closure will impact around 130 employees and reduce capacity by 140 million board feet.
West Fraser plans to mitigate the impact on affected workers by offering job opportunities at other company facilities where possible.
Additionally, the indefinite curtailment announced in 2024 for West Fraser’s lumber mills in Huttig, Arkansas, and Lake Butler, Florida, is now permanent. These mills will be dismantled, and the sites sold. The company's replacement mill in Henderson, Texas, has started operations, while adjacent facilities have ceased theirs.
This restructuring aims to better position West Fraser in a challenging industry environment marked by weak lumber demand, high tariffs, and timber supply constraints. The company expects to record restructuring and impairment charges in Q4 2025 related to these changes.
West Fraser is a diversified wood products company with over 50 facilities across Canada, the U.S., the U.K., and Europe. It produces lumber, engineered wood products, pulp, newsprint, wood chips, and other residuals for various applications including construction, industrial uses, and paper products.
