Canfor‘s acquisition of Slocan Forest Products last year has helped it consolidate its position as Canada’s top lumber producer, according to new industry rankings just published.
The top 30 lumber producers rankings, researched by industry consultant RE Taylor & Associates Ltd, shows that larger companies increased their output in 2004 and continue to dominate the sector. Many built new mills and acquired other companies.
Canfor, Canada’s largest lumber producer for the sixth year in a row, had a total output of 4.61 billion board feet during 2004, 1.7 billion board feet up on 2003. West Fraser Timber, which has just acquired Weldwood, remains second with a production of 2.46 billion board feet.
Canada’s lumber output grew by 7.6% or 2.3 billion board feet in 2004 – enough timber to build more than 160,000 new single-family homes.
US exports increased by 8.7% to feed an 8% expansion in US consumption.
