Georgia-Pacific is investing $191 million in upgrades at its oriented strand board (OSB) mill in Englehart in northeastern Ontario.
A new log processing system will be installed at the facility, which will sort and debark logs and cut them into strands to prepare them for drying in preparation for OSB production. A new and expanded finished goods warehouse will also be constructed. The company said in a July 15 news release that the improvements will reduce costs and downtime.
Design and engineering work has started, and the project is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2027.
"By enhancing the log processing system and warehouse at the mill, we show our commitment to continuous improvement and our dedication to reinvesting in the mill, the town of Englehart, the surrounding communities, and our preferred partners," said John Beers, the company’s president of structural panels, in a statement. "These improvements will continue our focus on staying competitive and ensures Englehart is an environmentally conscious, 21st century mill."
Atlanta-based Georgia-Pacific is a global leader in manufacturing paper-based packaging, cellulose and building products.
The funding comes on the 15th anniversary of the company’s acquisition of the Highway 11 facility in 2010 from Grant Forest Products in a court-ordered insolvency sale. The first board was produced at Englehart in 1983.
"This investment strengthens our operational capabilities and positions the Englehart mill for greater productivity in the years ahead,” said David Neal, the company’s executive vice-president of building products, in a news release. “While we implement these improvements, the dedicated local team will continue operating the facility, ensuring we are able to meet current market demand."
