Exhibit 99.1
For Immediate Release
WEST FRASER ANNOUNCES CLOSURE OF FRASER LAKE SAWMILL
VANCOUVER, B.C., January 22, 2024 West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. (West Fraser or the Company) (TSX and NYSE: WFG)
announced today that it will permanently close its sawmill in Fraser Lake, British Columbia, following an orderly wind-down. Todays decision is the result of West Frasers inability to access economically viable fibre in the region.
The closure of Fraser Lake Sawmill will impact approximately 175 employees. West Fraser expects to mitigate the impact on affected employees by providing work
opportunities at other West Fraser operations.
We do not make these decisions lightly, said Sean McLaren, President & CEO, West
Fraser. We know this announcement has a significant impact on our employees, their families, our suppliers and the local community, who all rely on a healthy forest industry.
The mill closure will reduce West Frasers Canadian lumber capacity by approximately 160 million board feet.
Todays announcement, combined with our recent decision to indefinitely curtail operations at Huttig, Arkansas and close our sawmill in Maxville,
Florida better align our capacity with demand and available sources of economic fibre, said McLaren. We believe these initiatives, along with the decision to divest three pulp assets and acquire Spray Lake Sawmills in 2023 make West
Fraser stronger through the cycle.
West Fraser anticipates recording restructuring and impairment charges of approximately $81 million in the
fourth quarter of 2023 related to facility closures and curtailments due to availability of economic fibre sources in British Columbia.
About West
Fraser
West Fraser is a diversified wood products company with more than 60 facilities in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe.
From responsibly sourced and sustainably managed forest resources, the Company produces lumber, engineered wood products (OSB, LVL, MDF, plywood, and particleboard), pulp, newsprint, wood chips, other residuals, and renewable energy. West
Frasers products are used in home construction, repair and remodelling, industrial applications, papers, tissue, and box materials. For more information about West Fraser, visit www.westfraser.com.