West Fraser

At West Fraser, we believe strong communities are built by investing in people – including the next generation. That’s why we’re proud of our long-standing support of Girls Inc., an organization that helps girls grow into strong, smart and bold leaders. That shared commitment is at the core of our partnership – and now, the Memphis chapter is honoring one of our own. Charmaine Kyles, Corporate Electrical Project Engineer, was recently named the SMART Woman of the Year – a recognition of her leadership, integrity and example. “It’s an honor to be recognized by an organization doing such meaningful work,” said Charmaine. “Girls Inc. is creating space for girls to lead – and I’m grateful to be part of that mission.” We’re thrilled to celebrate Charmaine – and to stand alongside Girls Inc., an organization that equips girls with the knowledge and skills to create positive change in their lives and to become leaders who will change the world.

We’re pleased to celebrate the creation of a new First Nations Woodland Licence to be held by LBN Forestry which is owned by the Lake Babine Nation. The new licence announced by the Government of British Columbia is created from timber tenures contributed by West Fraser, LBN Forestry and the Government of B.C., and will be for the Smithers area. It marks a key milestone in the growing partnership between West Fraser and LBN Forestry and reflects a new model for timber tenures and collaboration in B.C.’s forest sector. The licence builds on two previous agreements between West Fraser and LBN Forestry: a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) signed in April 2024, and a Log Supply and Forest Management Agreement (LSFMA) signed in January 2025. The LSFMA will see logs harvested under the licence supplied to West Fraser’s Pacific Inland Resources mill in Smithers. Thank you to Chief Wilf Adam and the Lake Babine Nation and to Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar, together we are redefining what B.C.’s forest sector looks like in the 21st century: rooted in respect, sustainability, shared success and moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation. Read the full news release: https://lnkd.in/g2s_7PcB

With extreme summer heat posing a serious health risk in many of the regions where we operate, our teams are taking proactive steps to stay safe during the season. At our OSB mill in Cordele, Georgia — proudly known as the Watermelon Capital of the World — employees recently paused for a watermelon break as part of local efforts to stay cool and hydrated. And the fruit isn’t just a refreshing treat — it’s also a longstanding part of the region’s economy and culture, much like forestry. Initiatives like this are one part of a broader focus on prevention, education and preparedness. From shaded rest areas and scheduled breaks to safety protocols, West Fraser is committed to the health and well-being of employees across all our operations.

Between July 7 - 10, our Quesnel sawmill proudly hosted the Construction Foundation of BC’s Discover Trades Camp – Young Women in Trades. Over four action-packed days, girls aged 10–13 got hands-on experience in skilled trades like carpentry, plumbing, masonry, electrical, and sheet metal. “Thank you to West Fraser for your continued support – it truly makes camps like this possible,” said Lisa Scott, Catalyst Apprenticeship Promotion and Progression, Construction Foundation of British Columbia. “Watching these girls gain confidence as they explored new tools and trades was incredible. The skills they built – and the memories they made – will stay with them.” Other activities included our Quesnel team touring the group through the sawmill, to learn how logs are manufactured into lumber as well as a visit to our log sorting facility. We are pleased to create awareness of the importance of the trades to the forest sector and support the development of the next generation of employees.

At West Fraser, supporting and investing in the growth and success of our people is a core value of our company — including those just beginning their careers. We’re proud to share that Andy Chen, a summer student at our Slave Lake Veneer mill in Alberta, has been selected by the Forest Products Association of Canada for its 2025 Green Dream Internship Program. This national program offers students a chance to deepen their knowledge of Canada’s forest sector, share their experience and receive a $1,000 scholarship to support their studies. Each year, West Fraser provides approximately 600 student placements, internships and apprenticeships across our operations in North America and Europe. Congratulations to Andy on this achievement — and to all the students gaining hands-on experience and shaping the future of our industry.

Several West Fraser mills were recently recognized for safety excellence by two leading industry associations. “At West Fraser, safety is a core value and our safety culture is built on continuous improvement,” said Kevin Burke, Executive Vice-President, North American Operations. “Congratulations to our teams for this well-earned recognition.” The Engineered Wood Association inducted our Grande Prairie, Nacogdoches and Joanna OSB mills into its 2024 Incident Free Honor Society. Grande Prairie also earned first place in the Annual Safety & Health Award (Division II – OSB) and Nacogdoches received a 3-Year Safety Award (2022–2024) in the same category. Additionally, the Southern Forest Products Association recognized our Blackshear, Georgia; Angelina, Texas; and McDavid, Florida sawmills with John Edgar Rhodes Sawmill Safety Excellence Awards. Thank you to our teams for making safety a daily priority. Pictured: Our team at Blackshear, Georgia, one of our mills recently recognized with an industry safety award.

This week, we’re celebrating two holidays — and the people and places that make us a strong West Fraser. To our Canadian teams and communities — Happy Canada Day! To our American teams and communities — Happy Fourth of July! Wherever you’re celebrating, we wish you a safe and restful holiday.

In recognition of Women in Engineering Day today, West Fraser proudly spotlights two of our team members at our OSB mill in Inverness, Scotland, who are involved in “Girls do STEM” at the local high school. Lily Carmichael, Mechanical Fitter and Linda McDermott, HR Manager, together with our local engineering team, developed a four-week curriculum that concluded with a site tour of the mill. One of the activities was “Planks to Project,” in which students received a kit of pre-cut boards, nuts, rods and bolts with no instructions, allowing the students to build whatever they imagined. We are proud to help encourage more young women to enter the engineering profession and take advantage of the many STEM career paths offered, such as those at West Fraser.

To better meet customer needs, our Western Canadian treated wood products have united under West Fraser’s industry-leading HiLine® family of products. HiLine® is a trusted brand known for its premium quality, and this rebrand ensures customers receive a consistent, high-quality product they can rely on. This strategic move provides greater operational flexibility, enabling West Fraser to respond more effectively to market demands and deliver added value to customers.  https://hilinetreated.com/

At West Fraser, we believe that inclusive teams are stronger teams—and that everyone deserves to feel safe, valued and supported at work. This June, we recognize Pride Month and reaffirm our commitment to building a culture where all employees can thrive. Across our operations, teams are marking Pride Month through celebration, education and awareness.