This blog includes an excerpt from Forisk’s Q3 2026 Forisk Research Quarterly. This uses data from Forisk’s North American Mill Capacity Database, a database of over 2,350 wood-using mills in North America. For more information on the Forisk Research Quarterly, mill database, or Forisk’s other products, please visit forisk.com or contact Nick DiLuzio at ndiluzio@forisk.com.

Introduction

North American softwood lumber production rose 1% in Q1 2026 but fell 4% year-over-year according to WWPA. Forisk tracks over 2,350 wood-using mills in North America in the North American Mill Capacity Database. This update provides a summary of sawmill investment activity as reported in Forisk’s Q3 2026 edition of the Forisk Research Quarterly. Several mills opened in the US South, and lumber manufacturers in the US North and West are investing. Canadian sawmill closures continue.

Sawmill Activity in the US South

According to Forisk’s mill database, sawmill expansions and openings in the US South would add 2.1 BBFT capacity from 2026 – 2028, net of closures. Harrigan Lumber restarted a second shift in Monroeville, AL. Rex Lumber completed a rebuild of the Brookhaven, MS sawmill, increasing capacity by 25 MMBF. The Lumber Manufactory plans a second sawmill in Colbert County, AL. Olla Hardwoods purchased and restarted the former Hunt FP Olla hardwood sawmill in LA. Pine Plantation Products in Metcalfe, GA and Doman Estill in Estill, SC started up.

Update for US North, US West, and Canada

The Robbins family plans to rebuild the Robbins Lumber Searsmont, ME sawmill after a fire that killed three people and injured twelve people. J.D. Irving installed a robotic shavings bagging system at the Dixfield, ME sawmill. J.D. Irving plans to double the capacity of the Ashland, ME sawmill from 130 MMBF to 250 MMBF. Tahoe Forest Products plans to rebuild the sawmill in Carson City, NV by 2027. Patrick Lumber completed the sawmill expansion in Philomath, OR earlier this year by adding two continuous dry kilns and optimizing loading processes.

In Canada, Carrier Forest Products will indefinitely curtail operations at their Big River, SK sawmill on October 16, 2026. Western Forest Products curtailed the Cowichan Bay, BC sawmill on May 11, 2026 and extended the curtailment until at least September. Interfor added a second shift to the Grand Forks, BC sawmill. In addition, Canfor will permanently close the Fox Creek sawmill in Alberta.

Figure: North American Sawmill Project Updates, Q3 2026
Data Source: Forisk North American Mill Capacity Database

 

To learn more about the Forisk Research Quarterly and the North American Mill Capacity Database, click here or email Nick DiLuzio at ndiluzio@forisk.com.