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Norbord Europe Ltd, the engineered wood panel manufacturer, has become part of the Canada-based West Fraser organisation.
Norbord’s well-known brand names – SterlingOSB Zero, CaberFloor and CaberWood MDF will remain as part of the West Fraser organisation, and operations will continue as usual at the three UK plants in Cowie and Inverness, Scotland; and South Molton, Devon, with no change in personnel.
David Connacher, marketing manager, said: “We are delighted to be working within the West Fraser family. It gives us the opportunity to continue growing, developing and maximising our European business as we have been doing for many years. It is very much business as usual and our customer-facing teams are communicating this positive message to our key partners.”
West Fraser is a diversified wood products company with more than 60 facilities in Canada, the United States and Europe. From responsibly-sourced and sustainably- managed forest resources, West Fraser produces lumber, engineered wood (OSB, LVL, MDF, plywood, particleboard), and other products including pulp, newsprint, wood chips and renewable energy. West Fraser’s products are used in construction, repair and remodelling, industrial applications, papers, tissue and box materials.
At the time of the acquisition, Raymond Ferris, President and Chief Executive Officer of West Fraser, said: “Norbord’s OSB production is a perfect complement to the West Fraser portfolio, enabling us to deliver a wider range of wood products, and making us a more complete, efficient and valuable partner for our customers.
“Norbord is the largest global OSB producer with a well-earned reputation for cost and margin performance, and for expanding the use of OSB in new applications and industries. The Norbord business will also bring additional geographic diversity, and an expanded opportunity set, from its well-established positions in the United Kingdom and Western Europe. This Transaction gives us additional financial flexibility to pursue strategic growth opportunities, and better positions our company to deliver value to shareholders through the cycle. Our companies have complementary operating cultures, with a common priority on safety, sustainability and cost management, and we are thrilled to welcome Norbord’s talented employees to West Fraser. We look forward to drawing from best practices across the operations as we pursue the significant strategic opportunities this Transaction will unlock.”
