Brink Forest Products places bid to acquire Canfor’s shuttered sawmill operations in Northern B.C.

FORT ST. JOHN -- Brink Forest Products, a prominent timber company based in Prince George, has announced a bid to acquire four sawmills recently closed by Canfor.

The announcement follows a Letter of Intent submitted earlier this month, although a price has yet to be publicly disclosed.

Brink, in collaboration with a consulting firm and with Canfor’s agreement, examined the renewable timber rights to facilitate the acquisition of the four mills.

John Brink, the owner of the company, emphasized the long-standing strategic partnership with Canfor in a statement, which has spanned over 30 years.

"Canfor has been a strategic partner for over 30 years, and their sawmills are vital to the survival of our operations. With their impending exit from Northern B.C., we had to make a bold move or risk losing thousands of jobs that depend on this supply chain," said Brink.  

He highlighted the critical role the mills play in the survival of Brink’s local operations.

"This acquisition is essential for Brink and the communities we’ve served for 50 years," said Brink.

During an episode of the ‘On The Brink’ podcast, he expressed frustration with Canfor and called on the public and politicians to support timber manufacturing in the province to prevent the mills’ assets from being sold to American producers.

The company stated that it has a longstanding tradition of working with First Nations and local communities to ensure their interests are prioritized.Discussions with community leaders and the United Steel Workers Union look to explore job creation opportunities associated with the acquisition, according to the statement.

Earlier this month, Canfor announced the closure of its mills in Fort St. John and Vanderhoof, following the winding down of operations in Houston and Bear Lake.

Canfor has confirmed receiving interest from several parties and is currently considering its options.

“As per normal business practice, further public disclosure will follow only if and when there is a material event to disclose,” said Canfor in a press release.

During the UBCM convention last week, Fort St. John City Council met with Canfor representatives, who cited delays in the provincial permitting process for timber harvesting as a key factor in the closure, which affected 220 jobs in the city.

“This is not just about saving Brink Forest Products—it’s about preserving the livelihoods of thousands of families in Northern B.C.," said Brink.