Paragon Wood Products reopens Lumby mill

Paragon Wood Products has reopened its Lumby sawmill in British Columbia.

The mill on Shuswap Avenue had been closed for 1 year.

Before the mill was focused on cedar, but now the company has shifted to new activities involving pine and fir dimensional lumber.

The company has also shifted their focus from the U.S./Canadian market to an Asian market.

Many of the reasons Paragon closed the Lumby operation still exist today, including the recession in the U.S., international competition and difficulties accessing timber.

Andrew Powell, one of the owners of the family run business, said, "We’ve been struggling with ideas of what to do. It’s a large asset just to have sitting there."

Many of the reasons Paragon closed the Lumby operation still exist today, including the recession in the U.S., international competition and difficulties accessing timber.

“The high (Canadian) dollar is also not helping us,” said Powell.

“Our biggest challenge will be keeping quality up and costs down.”

13 of the former workers have been brought back to work this week. 5-7 employees might be recalled. The mill will run on a single-shift only.

Paragon used to have five mills at one time, but in recent years, most of them have been closed, including in Lavington and Grindrod. Its Lake Country operation remains open.

Source:

Paragon reopens its Lumby sawmill (Vernon Morning Star)