Sinclar Group Forest Products Ltd. will permanently reduce its sawmill and planer production from two shifts to one at Nechako Lumber Co. in Vanderhoof effective the end of October, the company said Wednesday.
A "continuing lack of certainty around economical log supply," was cited as the reason.
“We are deeply sorry for the impact this decision will have on our employees, their families, and the community of Vanderhoof,” Sinclar President Greg Stewart said in a statement.
Stewart said the industry will continue to be challenged without urgent, and meaningful government action to address the predictability of economic fibre flow in the province.
“This shift-reduction is not an anomaly,” said Stewart. “The problems facing the forest industry in BC are significant, complex, and diverse. They require a cooperative collective response from all governments, First Nation titleholders, stakeholders, and forestry companies.”
Nechako Lumber will continue operating on two shifts until October 27, after which it will reduce to one shift.
The Premium Pellet operation in Vanderhoof will continue to run. Sinclar will work with employees, and the communities of Vanderhoof and the Saik’uz First Nation to make the transition as smooth as possible, the company said.
