West Fraser Idles Alabama OSB, Arkansas Mills After $80M Q3 Loss
VANCOUVER – October 29, 2026 -- West Fraser Timber will indefinitely curtail its Huguley OSB mill in Lanett, Alabama and its lumber mill in Leola, Arkansas, and expects a $200 million to $220 million asset impairment loss in the fourth quarter of 2026. The company also reported a third-quarter net loss of $80 million, or $1.03 per diluted share.
Two U.S. mills to come offline in Q4 after orderly wind-downs
The curtailments will cut annual OSB capacity by 500 million square feet (3/8-inch basis) and Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) lumber capacity by 225 million board feet. West Fraser attributed the decision to continued weakness in demand for wood products used in new home construction and in repair and renovation.
CEO Sean McLaren said the company has "no near-term visibility" on a demand recovery. He also cited higher energy-related input costs.