There are more signs of recovery in B.C.’s forestry industry, as a sawmill in Radium Hotsprings that has been closed since spring 2009 is set to restart in a little over a week.
Canfor Corp. (TSX:CFP) closed its sawmill in Radium Hotsprings in 2009 because of poor market conditions, throwing about 150 people out of work.
The mill was a major employer in the town and its closure had a devastating impact on the community, said Doug Singer, president of the United Steelworkers Union local 1-405, which represents mill workers.
“The restart of the Radium mill is absolutely huge,” Singer told Business in Vancouver. “It’s great news for the community, for the families, for the union.”
In May, BIV reported Canfor planned to spend $38.5 million upgrading the Radium Hotsprings sawmill. The upgrade included a new planer mill and new biomass energy system that will use hog fuel from the mill to produce heat for its drying kiln.
Singer said that approximately 125 of his members are being recalled to work. The new planer mill is scheduled to restart October 14 with one shift, and the sawmill is expected to restart October 29 for one shift. A second sawmill shift is expected to be added in November.
Canfor could not be reached for comment.
