A new lumber mill in Chilliwack will add another 25 employees after unveiling its expansion on Thursday.
The Ledcor Chilliwack Cant Mill is adding a second shift and doubling its production, officials said during a tour of the facility.
“Over the last year, we have been constructing this facility to meet local and global market demand for cants, wood chips and bio-mass,” said Paul McElligott, President, Ledcor Resources and Transportation Ltd.
The Ledcor Chilliwack Cant Mill processes logs from the Cariboo-Chilcotin, Vanderhoof, Thompson Rivers and Cascades forest districts by manufacturing multi-dimensional cants, quality wood chips and dry hog fuel.
Cants are typically a 4”x 4” to 2”x8” square wood product at 8 to 13 feet in length. However, the Chilliwack mill has the ability to create products of varying size. Ledcor sells its cants to customers in Canada, the United States and China.
“I’m impressed by how well this facility exemplifies what the province is doing to diversify B.C.’s markets, create jobs and grow the forestry sector,” said Steve Thomson, BC Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations who toured the mill Thursday. “I welcome Ledcor’s innovative approach toward utilizing this often over-looked fibre supply and ensuring that every inch of the felled tree is put to use.”
Chilliwack MLA John Martin was also on had for the tour. “I commend Ledcor for locating this pioneering cant mill on the Fraser River in Chilliwack,” said Martin. “It is the only saw mill in the area and it is creating many new local jobs. Ledcor is a great addition to our diverse local economy.”
Ledcor began construction of the new mill in 2012. Ledcor’s forestry division, includes fellers, truckers, mill operations and management employees over 100 people.