VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Western Forest Products Inc. (TSX: WEF) ('Western” or the 'Company”) announced today that it plans to reduce lumber production in its British Columbia (B.C.) sawmills by approximately 30 million board feet during the period from October to December, 2024. For the full year of 2024, the Company estimates total lumber production will be reduced by approximately 90 million board feet, which includes approximately 30 million board feet in the third quarter of 2024. The total estimated lumber production reduction for 2024 equates to approximately 10% of the Company's annual lumber capacity.

The temporary curtailments are due to a combination of market challenges including weaker lumber demand and higher U.S. softwood lumber duty rates, and factors relating to the B.C. operating environment creating a lack of available economic log supply at certain sawmills.