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Canfor
Canfor
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Canfor Corporation is a Canadian integrated forest products company based in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Key Information

History

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The company traces its roots to the late 1930s when brothers-in-law John G. Prentice and L.L.G. "Poldi" Bentley and their families left their native Austria just before the outbreak of World War II. They settled in Vancouver and built a small mill that was the beginning of the more than 75-year-old company.

In 2006, the company was subject to a proxy fight between billionaires Jim Pattison and Stephen A. Jarislowsky, who owned 30% and 18% of the firm's shares, respectively. Pattison won and ousted CEO Jim Shepherd over Canfor's poor performance and declining share price, which saw Jim Pattison appointed interim CEO.[1]

Canfor's operating loss through Q2, 2025 has culminated to approximately $233.8 million dollars. [2] The company's share price on August 4th, 2025 sits at a 5 year low. [3]

Canfor's operating loss for 2024 was $942.2 Million, as indicated by their Q4 2024 Quarterly Results, in addition to an operating loss of $532 Million in 2023 .[4]

Poldi Bentley's son Peter Bentley (1930-2021) was the Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors. Canfor produces softwood lumber, specialty wood products, and engineered wood products. Canfor also owns a controlling share in Canfor Pulp Limited, which produces northern softwood kraft pulp and kraft paper in BC.[5]

As of 2016, the company has an annual production capability of 5.9 billion board feet of lumber, 1.1 million tonnes of northern softwood market kraft pulp, approximately 220,000 tonnes of BCTMP and 140,000 tonnes of kraft paper.[6][7]

Operations or offices are located in:[8]

  • Camden, SC - yellow light
  • Conway, SC - yellow light
  • DeRidder, LA - green light
  • El Dorado, AR - yellow light
  • Elko, BC - green light
  • Radium, BC - red light
  • Fulton, AL - red light
  • Graham, NC - red light
  • Grande Prairie, AB - green light
  • Hermanville, MS - yellow light
  • Jackson, AL - red light
  • Moultrie, GA - yellow light
  • Myrtle Beach, SC - yellow light
  • Prince George, BC - red light
  • Thomasville, GA - yellow light
  • Washington, GA - yellow light
  • Wynndel, BC - red light

On November 15, 2018 Canfor announced that it had entered into an agreement to acquire a 70% share of the Vida Group, a wood products company based in Sweden. The prior owners of Vida maintain a 30% share and manage day-to-day operations.[9]

Canfor formerly owned the Englewood Railway on Vancouver Island, but sold it to Western Forest Products in 2006.[10]

Canfor has 6,380 employees as of 2016.[11]

Canfor is a member of the Forest Products Association of Canada.

References

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from Grokipedia
Canfor Corporation is a Canadian integrated forest products company and a global leader in the manufacturing of low-carbon wood solutions, including structural lumber, premium boards, engineered beams, pulp, paper, and bioproducts, with operations spanning Western Canada, the Southeastern United States, and Sweden. Founded in the 1930s as a family-owned sawmill operation on the banks of the Fraser River in British Columbia, Canada, the company has grown into a major producer of sustainable forest products, emphasizing the use of every fiber to meet evolving global needs while prioritizing environmental stewardship. Canfor's commitment to is central to its operations, with 100% of its managed forests certified to Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) or (FSC) standards, full reliance on sources, and the planting of over 1 billion seedlings in the past two decades to support efforts. The company delivers high-quality products to worldwide markets, focusing on low-carbon alternatives for , , and applications, and maintains a strong emphasis on safety, diversity, inclusion, resilience, and customer success as core values. Headquartered in , British Columbia, Canfor operates numerous mills and facilities, contributing significantly to the North American lumber industry and exporting to key international markets.

Overview

Company Profile

Canfor Corporation is an integrated forest products company founded in , , , originating from operations established in the 1930s along the . As a global leader in the production of low-carbon wood products, the company focuses on sustainable manufacturing processes that emphasize renewable energy sources and certified , with 100% of its managed forests adhering to SFI® or FSC® standards. Publicly traded on the under the symbol TSX: CFP, Canfor generates high-value outputs such as and pulp, serving international markets with an emphasis on environmental responsibility. The company employs approximately 6,300 people as of late 2025, following the closure of two sawmills in that affected about 290 positions; it supports its position as a key player in the sustainable forestry sector. Guided by core values that prioritize first, diversity and inclusion, , resilience, and customer success, Canfor integrates these principles into its operations to foster and long-term viability in the global products industry.

Products and Services

Canfor's primary products include , such as dimensional sourced from , the , and —which include recent expansions through its Vida AB's acquisition of sawmills in Central in 2025—which provides strength and reliability for applications like framing, trusses, and sheathing. These products are complemented by boards and paneling with straight, fine grain for interior and exterior uses, as well as outdoor products like decking, balusters, , and fascia boards designed for durability in exterior environments. In products, Canfor manufactures glue-laminated timber (glulam) beams, including Power Beam®, 24F-V4, and PRG series, primarily from , suitable for residential, commercial, and such as headers, beams, and columns. These offerings extend to treated glulam for exterior applications and prefabricated building components for efficient and needs. The pulp and paper segment features northern bleached kraft (NBSK) pulp produced at facilities in , using lodgepole pine, , and subalpine fir to deliver high strength, brightness, and versatility for applications in tissue, packaging (including liquid packaging and ), printing and writing papers, and non-woven products. Specialty papers and pulps are also available for food containment, electrical components, filters, décor, and release papers, meeting health, safety, and environmental standards. Emerging bioproducts include industrial-grade wood pellets produced at facilities in (217,000 tonnes annually), and Vida Energy in Sweden (65,000 tonnes annually), used for heating, generation, and export to , , and . Additional bioproducts encompass biofuels like renewable bio-oil from via for and marine uses, and from cogeneration supplying and heat. Service offerings include custom milling and value-added processing, including by companies such as DSL Remanufacturing, which handles specialty orders in various sizes, grades, and dimensions for Canadian and U.S. markets, as well as distribution via , rail, and marine networks to support global delivery. All Canfor products adhere to chain-of-custody certifications, with 100% of managed forests certified to Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) or ® (FSC®) standards, ensuring traceable, responsibly sourced fiber across solid wood, pulp, and lines; additional PEFC certifications cover select sawmills and pulp mills.

History

Founding and Early Development

Canfor's origins trace back to 1938, when Austrian immigrants John G. Prentice and his brother-in-law Leopold "Poldi" Bentley, fleeing the rise of Nazi Germany, established Pacific Veneer Company as a family-owned operation on the banks of the Fraser River in Vancouver, British Columbia. Initially focused on producing furniture veneers from coastal timber, the company quickly pivoted to plywood production to meet wartime demand, employing 28 workers at startup and expanding to over 1,000 by 1939 through production of Douglas fir plywood for aviation and marine uses. This early emphasis on coastal logging and sawmilling laid the foundation for Canfor's growth, with acquisitions like Eburne Saw Mills in 1940 and logging operations in the Fraser Valley in 1943 strengthening its position in British Columbia's resource sector. Following , Canfor pursued strategic expansions into interior forests, acquiring timber rights in the Nimpkish Valley on in 1944 to form the Englewood Logging Division and entering the shingles market in 1948 via the purchase of Huntting-Merritt, becoming the province's largest red cedar producer. The company formalized its identity in 1947 as Canadian Forest Products Limited, incorporating earlier assets and focusing on integrated wood products. By the and , Canfor integrated pulp operations, starting with the 1951 acquisition of Pulp Company's Port Mellon mill and extending to major facilities like Prince George Pulp and Paper in 1965, alongside sawmill developments in the District, such as the 1963 Chetwynd Division. These moves diversified production beyond lumber into pulp and paper, capitalizing on post-war economic recovery and resource demands. Under the leadership of Poldi Bentley's son, Peter Bentley, who became president in 1975, Canfor modernized its operations and prepared for broader market access. In 1983, nearly 45 years after its inception, the company transitioned to public status as , listing on the to support further scaling while retaining family influence in governance.

Growth and Key Acquisitions

Canfor's expansion accelerated in the late 1990s with the acquisition of Northwood Inc. in 1999, which positioned the company as Canada's largest producer of lumber and kraft market pulp, incorporating key assets like the and . This move significantly boosted Canfor's domestic production capabilities and market share in . In 2004, Canfor acquired Slocan Forest Products Ltd., a major competitor, which more than doubled its annual lumber production capacity to over 5 billion board feet and solidified its leadership in the North American lumber industry. The integration of Slocan's operations enhanced operational efficiencies and expanded Canfor's footprint across . Canfor entered the U.S. market in 2006 through the acquisition of Companies Inc. in , adding 140 million board feet of Southern lumber capacity and marking the beginning of its Southern U.S. expansion strategy. Subsequent acquisitions, such as Scotch Gulf Lumber in 2013, Southern Lumber in 2014, and Anthony Forest Products Company in 2015, further strengthened this presence, focusing on high-value Southern production. To diversify internationally, Canfor invested in the European market in by acquiring a 70% majority stake in Sweden's VIDA Group, one of the country's largest sawmilling operations, which expanded its global footprint and access to European timber resources. This ownership has since increased to 77%. In 2021, Canfor made a strategic in Arbios Biotech, a aimed at developing innovative biomass-to-biofuel technologies, supporting its sustainability goals through biotech advancements. In 2025, Canfor's subsidiary VIDA AB completed the acquisition of AB Karl Hedin Sågverk for approximately $164 million, adding three sawmills in central and increasing VIDA's annual production capacity by 230 million board feet. Alongside these acquisitions, Canfor has pursued through mill upgrades, such as the 2022 modernization of its Urbana sawmill in and the 2024 completion of a new facility in Axis, , to enhance efficiency and output. These developments have contributed to the evolution of Canfor's subsidiaries and affiliates.

Operations

Facilities and Geographic Reach

Canfor maintains an extensive network of facilities across and , focused on production, pulp , and related operations, with a total of 66 sites supporting its global . In , the company operates 34 locations, including 16 sawmills and two pulp mills, strategically positioned in resource-rich regions to optimize timber access and logistics. These facilities span and the , enabling efficient sourcing from diverse forest areas and distribution to major markets. In 2025, Canfor permanently closed two sawmills in due to ongoing market challenges. In Canada, Canfor's operations are concentrated in British Columbia and Alberta, where it runs seven sawmills, two pulp mills, and supporting infrastructure such as a paper mill, a specialty lumber facility, and a green energy plant. The pulp mills, located in the Prince George area of British Columbia, include the Northwood Pulp Mill and the Intercontinental Pulp Mill, which together produce premium bleached softwood kraft pulp from northern softwood fibers. Canfor also manages over 12 million hectares of certified forestland in Canada as of 2022, adhering to Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards to ensure sustainable harvesting practices across its tenures. In the United States, Canfor oversees 15 facilities, including 9 sawmills in the Southeastern states of , , Georgia, , , and . A representative example is the modern in Axis, , which exemplifies the company's investment in advanced processing capabilities for southern . These U.S. operations complement Canadian production by providing access to fast-growing southern timber, enhancing overall output diversity. Canfor extends its geographic reach into through its ownership of the Vida Group, which operates 33 facilities including 18 across , , , and central . This presence allows the company to source Scandinavian softwoods and serve European markets directly, with key sites such as the Alvesta in focusing on high-value wood products. In 2025, Vida completed the acquisition of three from AB Karl Hedin Sågverk, adding approximately 230 million board feet to its annual production capacity. Vida's infrastructure also includes value-added facilities for and , broadening Canfor's operational footprint beyond . Overall, these facilities underscore Canfor's integrated approach to forest products, with annual production from North American exceeding representative capacities like 300 million board feet per site where applicable.

Production and Supply Chain

Canfor sources its fiber primarily from sustainably managed forests in , the , and , adhering to certifications such as SFI, PEFC, and FSC for chain-of-custody tracking from harvest to finished product. operations employ crews and mechanized , including feller bunchers and skidders, to conduct cut-block that minimizes environmental impact while ensuring efficient timber extraction. Harvested logs are transported from forest sites to processing facilities via truck, barge, or rail, with annual harvesting rights supporting approximately 8.4 million cubic metres of timber in and , as of December 2024. In the sawmilling process, logs arrive at facilities where they undergo sorting based on , size, and quality to optimize yield. Debarking removes the outer bark using mechanical ring debarkers, followed by scanning with curve-sawing technology to detect defects and guide precise cutting. The logs are then sawn into cants or boards, trimmed to remove irregularities, and sorted into grades before entering kiln-drying chambers heated by or to reduce moisture content to market standards, typically 19% or less. Final planing smooths surfaces and grades the lumber for , with residuals like chips and bark redirected to pulp production or energy generation. These operations yield an annual capacity of over 6 billion board feet across Canfor's sawmills, as of 2025. Pulp production at Canfor utilizes wood chips from sawmill residuals as feedstock, processed through the kraft chemical pulping method to separate fibers. In continuous digesters, such as Kamyr s, chips are cooked with (sodium hydroxide and ) under heat and pressure to dissolve , producing brown stock pulp. This is followed by washing to remove spent chemicals, bleaching via an enhanced elemental chlorine-free (ECF) sequence for brightness and purity, and drying into sheets or reels of northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) pulp. Canfor's two NBSK mills generate approximately 780,000 tonnes of NBSK annually as of 2025, with the kraft recovery recycling chemicals to improve . The integrates these production stages with optimized for reliability and cost. Inland movement of logs, , and pulp relies on rail and networks, coordinated with partners to handle volume fluctuations and ensure on-time delivery. Exports to key markets in and occur primarily by ocean shipping from coastal ports, supported by sales offices in regions like , , and for . Inventory management strategies, including buffer stocks at distribution centers, mitigate risks from market volatility, such as price swings, by aligning production rates with order backlogs.

Corporate Structure

Subsidiaries and Affiliates

Canfor Corporation maintains a network of key subsidiaries and affiliates that support its global operations in , pulp, and wood products. A significant international subsidiary is Vida AB, in which Canfor holds a 77% ownership stake following additional share acquisitions in December 2024. Vida AB operates as Sweden's largest privately owned sawmill group, with 15 sawmills and additional facilities for wood processing, packaging, and value-added products across , , and , contributing to Canfor's presence in since the initial 70% acquisition completed in 2019. In September 2025, Vida AB completed the acquisition of three sawmills from AB Karl Hedin Sågverk, expanding its operations in Central Sweden and adding approximately 230 million board feet to its annual production capacity. Canfor also has a 54.8% interest in Canfor Pulp Products Inc., a publicly traded affiliate focused on the production of northern bleached kraft (NBSK) pulp at mills in Prince George and Taylor, . This partnership enables Canfor to leverage integrated supply chains for pulp and products while sharing market exposure in Western Canada's pulp sector. In addition to these primary entities, Canfor holds interests in U.S.-based mills through its wholly owned Canfor USA Inc., which oversees sawmill and engineered wood operations across the Southeastern United States, including recent acquisitions to expand southern pine production capacity.

Ownership and Governance

Canfor Corporation is a publicly traded company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CFP), with its ownership primarily controlled by a major shareholder and a mix of institutional and public investors. As of December 31, 2024, The Jim Pattison Group holds the largest stake at 53.8%, providing significant influence over strategic decisions. Institutional investors own approximately 10.61% of shares as of July 2025, including notable holders such as Vanguard funds (approximately 1.08%), alongside smaller positions from other entities. Retail and other public shareholders account for the remainder, ensuring broad but minority participation in ownership. The Board of Directors, consisting of 10 members, provides oversight and strategic guidance, with expertise spanning forestry, finance, government, and international business. John R. Baird serves as Chairman since 2016, bringing experience as a former Canadian cabinet minister. Other key members include Ryan Barrington-Foote, President of The Jim Pattison Group, reflecting the major shareholder's involvement; Santhe Dahl, Chair of Canfor's subsidiary Vida AB; Dieter Jentsch, a banking executive; Dallas Ross, founder of Kinetic Capital Partners; Fred Stimpson, former President of Canfor Southern Pine; Sandra Stuart, former President and CEO of HSBC Bank Canada; Dianne Watts, former Mayor of Surrey and Member of Parliament; Cheryl Yaremko, CFO of GCT Global Container Terminals; and Susan Yurkovich, who also serves as President and CEO. The board emphasizes diversity, with women comprising 50% of its members (five out of ten), including prominent roles held by Dahl, Stuart, Watts, Yaremko, and Yurkovich. Canfor maintains robust governance practices aligned with ethical standards and regulatory requirements, including annual reporting on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters through its Sustainability Report. The 2024 report, released in April 2025, highlights progress in sustainable forest management certifications and , underscoring the 's commitment to transparency and . Shareholder engagement is facilitated through annual general meetings, with the 2025 meeting held on May 8, resulting in the election of all nominated directors. The board operates under a Manual that promotes independent oversight, ethical conduct, and alignment with long-term value creation. The executive team supports the board in operational and strategic execution, led by Susan Yurkovich as President and since January 2025, with prior experience in global business development at Canfor. Key executives include Stephen Mackie, and President & CEO of Canfor Pulp; Måns Johansson, President of Canfor Europe; Pat Elliott, and Corporate Secretary; David Trent, Senior Vice President of Business Development; Katy Player, Senior Vice President of People; and Kevin Pankratz, Senior Vice President of & . This structure emphasizes expertise in , international operations, and financial oversight to navigate the forestry industry's challenges.

Sustainability and Responsibility

Environmental Practices

Canfor maintains 100% certification of its managed forests under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI®) or (FSC®) standards, ensuring sustainable harvesting practices that promote long-term forest health. In North American operations, 100% of sourced fiber adheres to the SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard, while Swedish forestry activities are fully certified under the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) standard. As part of efforts, the company resulted in 62 million seedlings planted in 2024 alone and over one billion in the past two decades. To address its , Canfor has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, supported by (SBTi)-approved near-term and long-term reduction targets established in 2024. Operations are powered by nearly 80% sources, contributing to lower across manufacturing facilities. The company's low-carbon wood products, such as , stored approximately two million tonnes of carbon in 2024. Canfor implements programs to protect and , particularly in riparian zones and habitats. In , best management practices minimize and to conserve fish habitats and maintain , while broader efforts focus on emulating natural forest structures to support . Similar initiatives in emphasize certified that preserves ecosystems, including corridors and diversity across managed lands. In line with 2025 sustainability priorities, Canfor has invested in biomass energy through facilities like the 18 MW Canfor Green Energy cogeneration plant in Grande Prairie, Alberta, which generates renewable electricity and heat from wood residuals, and pellet production sites in Houston, British Columbia, and Sweden that repurpose sawmill by-products into biofuels. These efforts advance circular economy principles by reducing waste; for instance, the Arbios Biotech joint venture converts low-value biomass and residuals into renewable bio-oil for applications like aviation fuel, minimizing landfill use and promoting resource reuse.

Community and Social Initiatives

Canfor maintains a strong commitment to employee development and diversity, fostering an inclusive through targeted programs. The company operates the Indigenous Talent Program to attract and support Indigenous candidates, aiming to build a that reflects the diversity of the communities in which it operates by 2030. Additionally, 100% of Canadian salaried employees have completed Indigenous Cultural training to promote understanding and respect. Canfor also provides via Canfor , offering skills to empower employees across its operations, including in through its subsidiary Vida AB, which was recognized as a top career company in 2025 for its focus on employee growth. Safety remains a core priority, with a goal of achieving a zero-incident supported by comprehensive occupational health and programs. The company's philanthropy efforts are channeled through the Good Things Come From Trees program, which allocates approximately $2 million annually to support initiatives in , environmental , and across North American operating areas. Key examples include $100,000 in high school scholarships to encourage careers in and , and $50,000 to Be Pro Be Proud for virtual reality-based workforce development programs exposing students to industry opportunities. In , the program has funded over $1 million in contributions to local sports associations, enhancing vitality. These efforts align with Canfor's broader strategy to invest in long-term projects that build resilient communities, including disaster recovery support; for instance, in early 2025, the program provided more than $110,000 to organizations like the and to aid recovery from severe storms affecting regions near Canfor's Southern U.S. operations. In June 2025, Canfor announced the permanent closure of its Darlington and Estill sawmills in , effective August 2025, impacting approximately 290 employees; the company committed to supporting affected workers and communities through transition assistance. Canfor advances economic reconciliation with Indigenous communities, particularly in British Columbia, by fostering partnerships that promote mutual benefits and align with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Truth and Reconciliation Commission 92. The company directs 6.13% of its Canadian operations spending to Indigenous vendors as of 2024, supporting local economies. Notable initiatives include transferring tenures to First Nations groups, such as the 2024 agreement leading to the completion of the Mackenzie Timber Supply Area license sale to the McLeod Lake Indian Band and Tsay Keh Nation in the third quarter of 2025. Canfor has committed to selling up to half of its timber licenses to First Nations in recent years, contributing to by empowering Indigenous-led management and sustainable economic development.

Financial Performance

Canfor Corporation's experienced substantial growth from C$2.26 billion in to a peak of C$7.68 billion in , primarily propelled by rising global demand and strategic expansions in production capacity. This trajectory reflected the company's increasing integration into North American markets, where prices and housing-related demand served as key economic drivers, with compounding through acquisitions and operational efficiencies that boosted output volumes. Profitability at Canfor has followed cyclical patterns tied to macroeconomic conditions, particularly U.S. housing market fluctuations. During the 2008 global financial crisis, the company reported a net loss of $94.2 million in the third quarter alone, exacerbated by a sharp decline in U.S. starts and collapsing prices that led to reduced volumes and EBITDA drops of nearly $30 million quarter-over-quarter. The 2010s marked a recovery phase, with the rebound in U.S. driving operating profits, such as $18 million in the first quarter of 2011, as demand for softwood surged amid post-recession homebuilding growth. However, from 2022 onward, a downturn in lumber markets—characterized by softening U.S. demand, elevated interest rates, and oversupply—resulted in significant losses, including an operating loss of $532 million for the full year 2023. Canfor's emphasized consistent returns during periods of strength, with regular quarterly payouts maintained through the profitable , underscoring amid housing-driven booms. These distributions were supported by robust cash flows but faced pressures in recent years due to market volatility, leading to scaled-back or paused payments for its pulp subsidiary amid broader challenges, though the core corporation continued selective payouts into 2023 before further adjustments. Key operational metrics highlight the scale of these trends: annual production capacity had expanded to approximately 6.6 billion board feet as of , though subsequent curtailments reduced it to around 5.5 billion board feet by ; pre-2025 levels remained manageable at around million in total for , reflecting prudent leverage amid cyclical risks.

Recent Results and Outlook

In the first three quarters of 2025, Canfor Corporation recorded an operating loss of $487.9 million and a net loss of $405 million, primarily attributable to persistently low prices and elevated production s amid weak global . These challenges were exacerbated by overcapacity in the and pulp sectors, as well as higher log costs in key regions like , leading to adjusted EBITDA losses across both segments. In June 2025, Canfor announced closures of its Darlington (South Carolina) and Estill (South Carolina) sawmills, reducing U.S. capacity by 350 million board feet annually and affecting approximately 200 employees, as part of efforts amid weak . As of November 12, 2025, Canfor's share price stood at approximately C$12 CAD on the , reflecting a five-year low influenced by ongoing market volatility and sector-wide pressures from subdued activity. The company allocated $250 million in capital expenditures for 2025, directed toward automation upgrades and facility expansions in and the to enhance operational efficiency and long-term capacity. Looking ahead, Canfor anticipates a recovery in 2026 driven by stabilization in the U.S. housing market, which could bolster demand following expected supply adjustments of 1-1.5 million tons globally. However, potential risks include escalating U.S. trade tariffs on softwood , affecting about 15% of the company's capacity, and disruptions from wildfires impacting timber supply in and the U.S.

References

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