Canfor Southern Pine Inc. will construct a state-of-the-art sawmill complex for manufacturing and processing wood products in the Axis community near Mobile, Alabama. The $210 million project is expected to retain 130 jobs.

The new sawmill, which will replace the company’s existing facility in Mobile, will produce 250 million board feet per year. The investment also includes a biomass-fueled lumber drying system to help Canfor meet sustainability and decarbonization goals. The facility is planned to open in the third quarter of 2024.

“We are excited to be making this investment in a new state-of-the-art sawmill complex that will be built with next-generation, innovative technology and transform our workplace to offer employees a modern facility that will operate for generations to come,” said Tony Sheffield, president of Canfor Southern Pine. “This investment will allow us to continue our legacy of operations and long-term commitment to Mobile County, enhance our manufacturing ability to better align with the high-quality products our markets demand, and importantly, it’s an investment in our people.”

Canfor is one of the world’s largest producers of sustainable lumber, pulp and paper, and is a North American leader in green energy production. The company has operations in Western Canada, the southern United States, and Sweden, and sales offices globally. Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, the Canfor has a workforce of over 7,000 employees.

“The expansion of Canfor is a strategic investment in the community, sawmill industry and economy of South Alabama,” Governor Kay Ivey said. “As one of the most heavily forested states in the nation, Alabama has ample opportunity to attract significant new capital investment in the forest industry, and it’s apparent we’re doing just that.” “Mobile, and all of Alabama, has been proud to be the host of Canfor’s U.S. headquarters, and we look forward to seeing their continued, nation-wide success after this highly-anticipated and much-needed facility growth,” she added.

“This expansion reinforces Canfor’s commitment to the Mobile area, this community and their local workforce,” said Mobile Chamber President and CEO Bradley Byrne. “We’re grateful they’ve chosen to continue investing in our local economy.“Canfor is an outstanding employer with a strong track record as a community partner.”