Sawmills Bracing For Impact From Pulp Mill Closure

Sawmills Bracing For Impact From Pulp Mill Closure

Friday, October 07, 2005 at 15:05

A forest industry expert says northern sawmills are in for a tough time if the Prince Albert pulp and paper mill shuts down.

Council of Saskatchewan Forest Industries executive director Brock Folkerson says without Weyerhaeuser’s pulp facilities, he’s not sure who will buy wood chips from the province’s sawmills.

Folkerson says anywhere from 30 to 40 per cent of any given log is chipped, and that is where most sawmills make their profits.

He adds he can think of five companies that have the capacity to take over the Prince Albert operation. However, he doubts any of them would restart the paper-making facilities, but would focus on the pulp.

Folkerson says it’s still early in the game, but he gets the impression that positive developments in this matter are on the horizon.

He notes the mill’s machinery is relatively new, and that could play a big role in a potential sale.