Nova Scotia is providing a $3-million repayable loan to through the Industrial Expansion Fund to help Elmsdale Lumber Company purchase new technology and equipment.
Over the past five years, production at the mill has increased by almost 50 per cent and it has had to expand capacity to meet demand. It must expand and modernize its manufacturing and production operations to remain competitive. The new equipment will allow the mill to fill more orders by sorting and stacking lumber to 99 different specifications.
"Now that the economy is turning around and things are starting to percolate again, the timing is right for us to make this investment," said Robin Wilber, president and owner of Elmsdale Lumber. "The new equipment will allow us to modernize our current operations and build new technology into our processes going forward, which will ensure our stability for many years to come."
The mill, one of the largest in the province, supports sustainable forestry practices and produces 25 million board feet of lumber annually, about 90 per cent of which is for use in local markets.
Elmsdale Lumber employs more than 50 people and has an annual payroll, including benefits, of $2.2 million. It also purchases more than $8 million of goods and services from local suppliers each year.
