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NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release: August
11, 2003
Capacity will be replaced
Vernon, BC – Tolko Industries announced today
that they will replace the capacity that was lost at its Louis Creek
plant during the recent fire. “We are currently exploring
the most cost-effective, long-term opportunities of replacing capacity,
and examining the potential of existing and new locations,”
said Mike Harkies, General Manager, BC Operations. “We intend
to ensure that whatever option is chosen will have economy of scale,
leading-edge technology and globally competitive production capabilities
to meet the needs of the marketplace.”
The total destruction of the Louis Creek sawmill/planer
operations is making the situation analysis an arduous and complex
process, and it will likely be four to six weeks for Tolko’s
preliminary recommendations. It is anticipated that the entire process
of capacity replacement will take as long as twenty-four months
to complete. The analysis is further complicated by industry uncertainties
and current economic conditions.
Tolko also announced that a donation assistance fund
has been set up to assist the Louis Creek employees impacted by
the fire. Vern Parkstrom, Area Manager at Louis Creek, says Tolko
will match the funds donated by employees at all Divisions and will
look at ways to encourage other stakeholders to assist. “We
hope this gesture will let the Louis Creek employees know that the
thoughts of their fellow employees are with them,” says Vern.
“Once the funds are raised, we intend to send them to the
North Thompson Relief Fund for distribution.”
Vern went on to say that opportunities are being
explored for employment at Tolko’s other operations. Employees
interested in relocating to other communities were given an opportunity
to indicate their interest at the crew meeting held on Monday, August
11, 2003.
For more information:
Sheila Catlin
Senior Corporate Communications Coordinator
Phone: 250-545-4411
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