World-Class Sawmill Being Built Near DeRidder, LA
DERIDDER, La. (May 14, 2023) – Canfor is investing $160 million in a new state-of-the-art greenfield sawmill complex in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana. The facility is Canfor’s first Louisiana investment, first U.S. greenfield project and 16th U.S. operation.
The modern, high-tech mill complex is being built near the community of DeRidder. Outfitted with best-in-class equipment and the latest in technological innovations, it will process southern yellow pine from Louisiana and Texas’ abundant forests and produce a wide variety of high-value wood products for our customers. Benefitting from the state’s long history of wood products manufacturing, the plant will help Canfor to access new and existing markets, provide additional sustainable product for our global customers, and drive economic growth in the region.
Quick Facts
Employment & Economic Contributions
- At full operations of two shifts per day, the mill will create 130 new direct family-supporting jobs
- Approximately 386 additional indirect jobs (across the logging, maintenance and industrial services, construction and retail sectors) will result, for a total of 516 new jobs for Beauregard Parish and the Southwest Region
- Construction employs a further 175 people
- Annual sales and use tax impact to the Parish will total approximately $400,000
- Our commitment to supporting sustainable communities includes sourcing goods, supplies, services and talent, locally
Timber Supply & Production
- Timber will be sourced from the sustainable, high-value resource in the DeRidder region
- An estimated 1 million tons of sawtimber, or 38,000 truckloads of logs, will be required each year to meet the mill’s annual production capacity of 250 million board feet of lumber
Design
- The modern, high-tech mill will feature manufacturing capacity and flexibility to produce a wide variety of premium high-value wood products
- The complex will include a log yard, sawmill, lumber drying kilns, finishing planer, lumber storage and a rail spur
Markets
- Located strategically with proximity to the robust Texas home market, along with rail and port access
Timeline
- Construction of the sawmill is currently underway
- Facility start-up will be phased with commissioning of early components beginning in late 2022 and full operations in early 2023