In a strategic move aimed at streamlining its operations, West Fraser announced the successful completion of the sale of its Quesnel River Pulp mill and its Slave Lake Pulp mill.
The assets have been acquired by an affiliate of a fund managed by Atlas Holdings, marking a significant shift in West Fraser's portfolio.
Following the fulfillment of customary regulatory reviews and meeting closing conditions, the mills will now be under the operational purview of Millar Western Forest Products, a member of the esteemed Atlas family of manufacturing and distribution businesses since 2017.
Sean McLaren, President & CEO of West Fraser, expressed gratitude towards the dedicated employees of the company and the communities of Quesnel and Slave Lake, acknowledging their substantial contributions over the years. "The sale of these two pulp assets, along with the disposition of Hinton Pulp earlier this year, enables West Fraser to focus its resources on becoming the premier building products company in North America," he stated.
Both the Quesnel River Pulp and Slave Lake Pulp mills specialize in the production of Bleached Chemi-Thermomechanical pulp ("BCTMP"), a vital component in the manufacturing of various paper products.
West Fraser, known for its diversified wood products operations, boasts a network of over 60 facilities across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. The company prides itself on responsibly sourcing and managing forest resources to produce an array of products including lumber, engineered wood products (OSB, LVL, MDF, plywood, and particleboard), pulp, newsprint, wood chips, and renewable energy sources. These products cater to a wide range of sectors including home construction, industrial applications, paper manufacturing, and packaging materials.
With this strategic divestment, West Fraser aims to consolidate its focus on its core strengths while optimizing its operational efficiency. For more information about West Fraser and its operations, visit www.westfraser.com.
