Top North American lumber producers in 2013: large companies continue to expand

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The latest Wood Markets (WM) annual survey of the Top 20 North American softwood lumber producers shows the gains that the US and Canada had in 2013. As the lumber demand continued to increase in US key export markets, softwood lumber shipments surged an overall 5.1% up to 30.0 billion board feet (70,7 million cubic metres). Canadian production picked up from unsatisfactory levels in 2012, up to an increase of 4% and 23.5 billion bf (55,4 million cubic metres). Corporate acquisitions were again a big part of the story as the Canadian buying frenzy continued in the U.S. South – more than 25 mills have been purchased by Canadian firms in the South that all started in the mid-2000s, says the WM report. 

The report underlines the fact that the top 20 Canadian companies managed to increase their market share of total Canadian lumber exports, from 79,8% in 2012 to 80,5% in 2013. Canfor has once again remained the top Canadian lumber producer with an output of 4.2 billion bf (or 9,91 million cbm), a 9% increase over 2012. West Fraser retained the second position with a total lumber production of 3,6 bbf (8,49 million cbm). Tolko and Resolute Forest Products were on the third and fourth, while Interfor gained two positions in one year up to the fifth place, due to production gains at its BC Interior SPF mills. All together, these five companies produced a total of 12,1 bbf (28,5 million cbm) or 51% of all Canadian lumber shipments. 

The top 20 US sawmills production increased quite strongly: from 16,6 bbf (39,1 million cbm) in 2012, to 17,9 bbf (42,2 million cbm) in 2013, an 8,2% gain. Moreover, their market share of US production increased in the same period from 58% to 60%. The top five largest lumber producers in US were in order: Weyerhaeuser, Sierra Pacific, Georgia-Pacific, West Fraser and Hampton Affiliates. These five companies produced 10 bbf (23,5 mil. cbm) or 33% of the US total production. All regions in the US recorded production increases in 2013, with the US West leading the upsurge in output with a 6,1% gain; the US South registered a 5,1% increase.

Sawmill acquisitions were active in 2013, says the WM report, with one announced by Interfor (Tolleson Lumber) and West Fraser (Travis Lumber). 

'With prospects of steady to stronger lumber demand and prices through most of 2014, there is persuasive evidence companies are increasing efforts to expand output by adding shifts, re-opening closed mills or buying sawmills (and expanding these!). More of this is expected for 2014, as sawmill companies continue to gear up for the potential of a lumber “super-cycle” that is expected as early as 2015 but more likely 2016' the report concludes.

CANADA TOP SOFTWOOD LUMBER PRODUCERS IN 2013 (Million BF)

Rank

Company

No. of Mills

Production %Change
2012 2013
2012 2013
1 1 Canfor 14 3,857 4,207 9%
2 2 West Fraser 12 3,466 3,571 3%
3 3 Tolko 8 1,975 1,935 -2%
4 4 Resolute 16 1,442 1,480 3%
7 5 Interfor 5 826 872 6%
  Total Top 5 55     4,3%
Total Top 20 106     4,9%
Total Canada   22,581 23,486 4.0%
Top 5 as a % of Canada Shipments 51,2% 51,4%  
Top 20 as a % of Canada Shipments 79,8% 80,5%  

Notes: Includes lumber produced only at primary sawmills and excludes U.S. production. (Source: Wood Markets)    

USA TOP SOFTWOOD LUMBER PRODUCERS IN 2013 (Million BF)

Rank

Company

No. of Mills

Production %Change
2012 2013
2012 2013
1 1 Weyerhaeuser 15 3,060 3,290 8%
2 2 Sierra Pacific 12 1,932 1,984 3%
5 3 Georgia-Pacific 16 1,182 1,602 36%
3 4 West Fraser 14 1,488 1,582 6%
4 5 Hampton 6 1,497 1,500 0%
  Total Top 5 63  9,159 9,958 8,7%
Total Top 20 121  16,571 17,931 8,2%
Total US
  28,547 29,995 4.0%
Top 5 as a % of US Shipments 32,1% 33,2%  
Top 20 as a % of US Shipments 58,0% 59,8%  

Notes: Includes lumber produced only at primary sawmills and excludes all Canadian and offshore production. (Source: Wood Markets)  

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