
The impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is being felt by the forestry industry.
Western Forest Products announced on Monday that it will be curtailing manufacturing at its facilities in British Columbia for at least a week as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Throughout the one-week curtailment period, WFP will be re-evaluating business and operations but that the shipment of lumber products will “continue to meet” customer requirements, the company said in a press release.
Curtailments at Western Forest Product’s Ladysmith and Cowichan Bay sawmills are expected to continue into the second quarter because of a limited supply of logs and weak market demand.
“The health and safety of our employees remains our top priority. Western has taken steps to mitigate potential exposure to COVID-19 throughout our operations by implementing strict health and safety protocols,” Don Demens, company president and chief executive officer, said in a press release issued Monday.
Western Forest Products has sawmills in Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Cowichan Bay, Ladysmith, and Chemainus.