ANNOUNCES TEMPORARY PRODUCTION CURTAILMENTS Western Forest Products Inc. will have temporary production curtailments at three of its sawmills to align production volumes to match current customer demand. Western will curtail its Duke Point sawmill for two weeks and its Saltair sawmill for one week in June. The Company will also reduce operating levels from 120 hours per week to 80 hours per week at its Chemainus sawmill.
"The temporary production curtailments are necessary due to challenging market conditions," said Don Demens, Western's President and CEO. "The challenge of weak markets is compounded by the disproportionate impacts of softwood lumber duties on high value products, including Western Red Cedar."
The curtailment is expected to reduce production by approximately 15 million board feet. Western has an annual lumber capacity in excess of 1.1 billion board feet.