Business
West Fraser Announces COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan
West Fraser Announces COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan Canada NewsWire VANCOUVER,...
About this update from West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.
[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n\n\nWest Fraser Announces COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan\n\n/* Style Definitions */\nspan.prnews_span\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\na.prnews_a\n{\ncolor:blue;\n}\nli.prnews_li\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\np.prnews_p\n{\nfont-size:0.62em;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\nmargin:0in;\n}\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCanada NewsWire\nVANCOUVER, March 19, 2020\n\n\n\nVANCOUVER, March 19, 2020 /CNW/ - In response to the COVID-19 outbreak West Fraser is taking steps to protect its employees and respond to changing market conditions.\nThe health and safety of our employees, their families and the communities we work in are vitally important. West Fraser has taken a series of actions to ensure a safe and productive working environment. West Fraser has implemented changes to mitigate potential exposure at our worksites, with a focus on thorough cleaning, strict travel limitations, health education and appropriate social and physical distancing at all Company sites.\nAs the demand for forest products has begun to decline, the following changes to operating schedules at West Fraser's manufacturing operations have also been implemented.\nLumber\nEffective March 23, lumber production will be reduced at western Canada sawmills by approximately 18% or 12 million board feet per week and lumber production at the Company's U.S. South sawmills will be reduced by approximately 24% or 15 million board feet per week. These reductions will be implemented through various means including reduced operating hours, elimination of overtime, elimination of shifts and curtailment of operations.  Shipping will be maintained as needed to fulfill order commitments.  These temporary reductions are expected to stay in place until at least April 6.  \nPanels\nEffective March 23, plywood production will be temporarily suspended at the Company's Quesnel plywood facility until at least April 6. This will reduce the company's plywood production by 5,000 msf per week.\nPulp and Paper\nThe scheduled maintenance shut for the Company's jointly‑owned Cariboo Pulp and Paper mill in Quesnel, British Columbia has been deferred due to risk stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak.  Absences due to COVID-19 policy are increasing at some of the Company's other pulp mills and it is poss...