Tolko to reopen mill in northern Alberta
Optimism about market conditions has a Vernon company preparing to reopen a mill.
Tolko Industries announced Tuesday that its oriented strand board and engineered wood products mill in Slave Lake, Alta. is expected to start production by early 2014. It was closed in 2009 because of poor sales.
“Before we could commit to the significant financial and human resource investment required to restart the mill, we had to determine, to the greatest degree possible, that current improvements in market conditions are sustainable,” said Brad Thorlakson, Tolko president.
“We are confident about the future of the industry and look forward to positive years ahead.”
Once fully operational, the mill will employ about 150 people directly, a contractor logging workforce, and generate a large number of indirect employment opportunities in the community.
“We have carefully maintained the facility during the curtailment, and will be executing additional capital projects to ensure a successful restart,” said Jim Baskerville, vice-president of oriented strand board.
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