Sierra Pacific Industries Announces New Sawmills
Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) plans to build a new sawmill complex, including two new sawmills located adjacent each other on the east side of its existing site in Eugene, Ore., eventually operating under one roof and ultimately replacing the existing sawmilling facilities.
The two sawmills will include a stud mill, patterned after SPI’s mill in Shelton, Wash. and consuming logs 5-16 in. diameter, and a cutting mill (large log mill) that will process logs 16 in. and larger.
The log mix will be similar to the current mix; however, the cutting mill is designed to extract greater value from each log, including dimension lumber, rough and surfaced timbers, shop, VG, clears, etc.—designed similarly to SPI’s four cutting mills in California.
The location allows SPI to complete the construction off-line while continuing to run its three existing facilities and maintain full employment of more than 300, before moving into the new facilities as they are completed.
The new sawmill complex will become one of the largest single site lumber producers in the U.S with an annual production capacity of 650MMBF, compared with the existing capacity at Eugene of more than 350MMBF.
The new sawmill project timeline anticipates completion between 2025 and 2026, contingent on securing appropriate permits and approvals.
“Sierra Pacific is energized about this opportunity to continue to provide quality, renewable wood products to meet the anticipated increased demand for housing and other societal needs,” comments Todd Payne, SPI President of Lumber. “This project will make our Eugene mill site one of the largest and most modern sawmills in the United States, continuing to build our momentum in growing our position in a critical market while maintaining our commitment to sustainably grown and manufactured wood products, and our talented, hard-working crew members.”
SPI acquired the Eugene site (formerly Seneca) as part of a larger 2021 acquisition and began plans for growth and expansion almost immediately. Construction of a new trucking facility and new engineering, technology and fabrication facility are underway, with completion expected this fall. These new facilities will expand efficiencies for the site and support the design, fabrication and construction of the new sawmills.
“These investment decisions by SPI are a reflection of our confidence in the need for sustainable building products, as well as that of our Oregon crew members and communities,” says SPI CEO Mark Emmerson. “We pride ourselves in our partnerships with our communities and the positive community impacts of our operations.”
Latest News
Hilmer Andersson Goes With Valutec
Hilmer Andersson Goes With Valutec Swedish family-owned sawmill company Hilmer Andersson has invested 4 million Euros in wood dryers from Valutec, including a FB continuous kiln and three batch kilns. “Over the years we have developed more and more from a traditional...
Pyramid Mountain Closing Sawmill
Reports in late March indicate that Pyramid Mountain Lumber plans to close its Seeley Lake, Mont. sawmill. Pyramid announced its board of directors and shareholders unanimously voted “with the heaviest of hearts” to shut the mill and wind down operations as a result of a financial crisis that is worse than challenges the mill weathered in 2000, 2007 and 2015.
The Issues: Oregon Facing Danger Signs
Oregon Facing Danger SignsArticle by Dan Shell, Senior Editor, Timber Processing April 2024 The state may be the top U.S. lumber producer right now, but log supply in Oregon the past 30 years or so has been an uneasy balance of private, federal (Forest Service and...
Ransford Automates Post-Pointing Line
Charles Ransford & Son is a producer of British timber products operating on a 38 acre site at Bishops Castle in Shropshire, with fencing and landscaping products represent the lion’s share of its production. The 55 employees work on a single shift, dealing predominantly with redwood.
Robbins Lumber Lists Hancock Sawmill Site For Sale
Robbins Lumber has listed its 100-acre sawmill complex in Hancock, Maine for sale with a price of $2.5 million. This site was acquired from Pleasant River Lumber in 2023 by Robbins. Included in the property sale are kilns, a planer mill, truck scale and a 42,000 sq. ft. sawmill with an attached machine shop. The property also includes a fully leased apartment building.
Roseburg Names Orozco To Direct Strategic Business
Roseburg has annouced that Nadine Orozco has been promoted to Director of Strategic Business Development. She has served as manager of strategic business development since 2022, and has been deeply involved in key company projects, including the recent sale of Roseburg’s Simsboro, La., particleboard plant to Kronospan and the company’s historic $700 million investment in Oregon manufacturing.
Find Us On Social
Newsletter
The monthly Timber Processing Industry Newsletter reaches over 4,000 mill owners and supervisors.
Subscribe/Renew
Timber Processing is delivered 10 times per year to subscribers who represent sawmill ownership, management and supervisory personnel and corporate executives. Subscriptions are FREE to qualified individuals.
Advertise
Complete the online form so we can direct you to the appropriate Sales Representative.