As a result of planned capital projects, Tolko’s Lakeview mill in Williams Lake has experienced downtime in March and will continue into April, the company said Friday.
The sawmill shut down on March 14 and is anticipated to commence operations during the week of April 7.
Tolko said the planer has continued to run during this time, however, it will take a two-week shutdown starting April 7 to allow the rough inventory to build up again.
The project is essential to ensure the long-term competitiveness of the mill and to allow for increased value extraction from the product once operational, thereby reducing the potential of layoffs in future market downturns, the company added.
“The Lakeview sawmill capital project was scheduled for a five day turnaround,” said Ryan Oliver, Lakeview plant manager. “However due to unforeseen delays, the sawmill will be down for approximately three weeks."
Oliver said the delay has also contributed to the shutdown of the planer.
"We have notified employees of the interruption and have transferred many to our Soda Creek operation in order to minimize wage loss. The project team is working very hard to get everyone back to work as quickly as possible.”
Mark Stevens, general manager Cariboo, said the upgrades are essential to Tolko's continued success in Williams Lake.
“They will substantially improve our cost effectiveness, product quality and value, positioning us to be competitive within the lumber manufacturing industry for the long term," Stevens said. "We remain open in our communications and we will continue to do so as we move forward.”
Tolko’s Soda Creek planer will also experience downtime in April
While the sawmill will continue to operate, the Soda Creek planer operations will shut down on April 19 to complete capital upgrades, and restart is slated for May 5.
Tolko said the project is essential to ensure the long term competitiveness of the mill and to allow for increased value extraction from the product once operational, thereby reducing the potential of layoffs in future market downturns.
“We have discussed the closure with employees and have advised our co-products (shavings and chips) customers of the timing and duration of the shutdown as well,” said Mike Dextrase, Soda Creek plant manager. “We realize shutdowns can be a stressful time for everyone and we are working together to minimize the impact this has on employees, our customers and the community.”
Reiterating his comments on the Lakeview upgrades, Stevens said the upgrades at Soda Creek will ensure continued success.
“They will substantially improve our cost effectiveness, product quality and value, positioning us to be competitive within the lumber manufacturing industry for the long term," Stevens said. " We remain open in our communications and we will continue to do so as we move forward.”