Video: Western Forest Products mill produces all kinds of wood products but the mill has gone through some tough times over the past decade. Brian Coxford has that part of the story.
Two people have died after a multiple shooting Wednesday morning at the Western Forest Products mill in Nanaimo.
The mill has undergone a series of restructuring operations over the past decade, beginning with the closure of its Silvertree sawmill in 2005.
Western Forest Products later acquired Cascadia Mills and Englewood.
The mill processes five types of sustainable wood products, including western red cedar, hemlock/fir, Douglas fir, yellow cedar and Sitka spruce.
The company exports their products around the world to markets including the UK, Japan, India, Australia and Australia.
In 2009 and 2010, in response to weak worldwide lumber markets, there were further layoffs of approximately 700 people. The company’s headquarters was also moved from Nanaimo to Vancouver.
The company also has sold off a number of “non-core” assets since 2008 in an effort to pay down long-term debt.
Global News has covered layoffs at Western Forest Products mills in the past:
Video: Employees of Western Forest Products receive notice that their layoffs from the mill in Gold River, BC have been extended. Archive video.
Video: 700 people are served notice that they won’t be returning from Christmas layoffs in the Western Forest Products mill in Nanaimo. 2009 archive video.
The company was set to announce its first quarter results on May 7, 2014.
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