Consultants Forum Advertise
Subscribe
Close

  • Free for qualified executives and consultants to industry

  • Receive quarterly issues of Area Development Magazine and special market report and directory issues

Subscribe Now
Renew

Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Boise Cascade Upgrades-Increases Capacity At Plywood Mill In Florien, Louisiana

04/10/2015
Boise Cascade will make a $43 million capital investment to upgrade and increase capacity at its plywood mill in Florien, Louisiana.

The Florien mill is one of three major manufacturing sites Boise Cascade operates in Louisiana. Other locations include a plywood mill in Oakdale and an engineered wood products mill in Alexandria. The expansion is scheduled to begin this summer.

In Florien, Boise Cascade will replace two dryers and substantially increase its capacity for manufacturing veneer products, with the company also adding log yard storage space and new press equipment that will boost capacity. The Florien mill supplies veneer for Boise Cascade’s Alexandria engineered wood products mill, where the company produces such items as I-joists and laminated veneer lumber. The company also produces veneer for plywood manufactured in Florien and Oakdale and used for concrete forms, sheathing and subfloors.

“Having spent the last seven years of my career working with our employees at our three Louisiana locations, I am very pleased to have Boise Cascade invest in its future here and in the future of our Louisiana employees,” Boise Cascade’s Mike Brown, Wood Products Operations Manager said. “With over 1,150 Louisiana employees and a Louisiana payroll of over $3.8 million per month, Boise Cascade sees Louisiana as an integral part of the company’s future. This investment will enable us to continue to provide great jobs for Louisianians starting almost immediately.”

The company is expected to utilize Louisiana’s Industrial Tax Exemption incentive. After beginning the expansion this summer, Boise Cascade anticipates completion of the dryer installations by the end of 2016 and completion of the additional upgrades in 2017.

“Boise Cascade’s $43 million investment reaffirms its commitment to Sabine Parish and to the Village of Florien,” said President Scott Martinez of the North Louisiana Economic Partnership. “It is a testament to the great business climate and work ethic found in North Louisiana. Their 400 existing jobs continue to have a tremendous economic impact for this rural community.”

Governor Bobby Jindal said, “Louisiana’s outstanding workforce, technology and experience in the forestry and wood products sector continue to pay big dividends for our state. We’re proud that industry leaders like Boise Cascade recognize the leadership, talent and resources Louisiana provides to their businesses. This reinvestment in a major facility in Northwest Louisiana demonstrates a huge vote of confidence by Boise Cascade in its Louisiana workforce. More people than ever before have a job in our state today. Major capital expansions like this one in Florien also confirm that we are on the right path in providing a best-in-the-nation business climate that will benefit Louisiana families for generations to come.”

Exclusive Research