Reduced demand for dimensional lumber in China has resulted in Western Forest Products closing its Ladysmith, BC, Sawmill effective Friday.
According to company spokesperson Amy Spencer, the mill will be shut down temporarily.
The mill, which has 85 employees, is expected to continue to run some maintenance and shipping shifts, so it’s unclear how many employees will be affected.
Western’s other mill in Ladysmith, the Saltair mill, is not affected by the closure.
As well, the California Redwood Company announced Thursday it’s closing the Korbel, CA, sawmill in February affecting 106 workers.
The company, a subsidiary of Green Diamond Resources, has been trying to sell the mill since mid-October. In a news release, California Redwood President Douglas Reed said only that there is no purchaser at this time.
The company has been cutting back operations since May. Reed said employees affected will be provided employment counseling and other resources.
