
More than a year after announcing an “indefinite curtailment,” Norbord has announced today the permanent closure of its sawmill in 100 Mile House.
Norbord shared that news in its third quarter financial update, despite saying the past three months were “Norbord’s strongest quarter ever,” as stated by president and CEO Peter Wijnbergen. Norbord earned $204 million in Q3, from July to September.
During the pandemic, Norbord says “it became clear that the 100 Mile House OSB mill was unlikely to have a role to play in the future,” saying the mill was its highest-cost operation. It cited a shortage in lumber caused by the mountain pine beetle epidemic and wildfires in recent years, and says the annual allowable cut has been cut in half in the region in the past several years.
The Norbord mill in 100 Mile House produced oriented strand board (OSB), commonly used for walls, floors and roofing.
It employed 160 people before curtailing in August of 2019.
Mayor of 100 Mile Mitch Campsall said at the time when the curtailment was announced it would be “devastating” for his community.