Canfor Southern Pine Upgrading its Kershaw County Facility

May 3, 2018

Alex Clark
Deputy Director of Marketing & Communications
South Carolina Department of Commerce
(803) 737-0685
aclark@sccommerce.com
www.SCcommerce.com

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Canfor Southern Pine, a leading integrated forest products company, today announced it will upgrade its existing Camden, S.C. sawmill in Kershaw County. The company is projected to invest $40 million in the project.

Canfor Southern Pine, a leading manufacturer of high-quality Southern yellow pine lumber, operates 14 manufacturing locations in the Southern U.S. In addition to its Camden facility, the company has operations in Conway, Darlington and Marion, S.C., with corporate offices in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Canfor currently employs approximately 650 people throughout South Carolina.

The company’s Camden facility has been in operation since 1983 and manufactures dimension lumber. To accommodate its continued growth, Canfor will be installing a new planer mill, as well as new equipment throughout the sawmilling operation to address critical areas that limit production capacity. The expansion will begin this year and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2019.

QUOTES

“We appreciate the commitment of both the state and local governments. Their partnership was critical in the decision process of the board as they move forward with the $40 million capital investment.” –Canfor Southern Pine President Fred Stimpson

“The Camden facility has always been one of our top-performing mills. This $40 million capital investment will increase capacity by 50 percent, making it our highest-producing facility in the Southern U.S. The project will also further enhance our first quartile performance in safety and quality. With this major investment, the Camden plant will continue to be a stable and significant employer in this region, paying good wages and benefits to our valuable employees.” –Canfor Southern Pine Vice President of U.S. Operations (East) Keith McGregor

“South Carolina’s pro-business environment and abundance of natural resources make it a perfect fit for a firm like Canfor Southern Pine. I congratulate the company leadership on this exciting new investment and thank them for their continued commitment to our state.” –Gov. Henry McMaster

“Our forestry industry is a thriving part of South Carolina’s economy, and it’s a thrill to see one of our longtime existing industries expanding in South Carolina. I look forward to supporting Canfor Southern Pine as they continue to make a positive impact in our state.” –Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt

“Canfor’s expansion is a boon for the state’s already-strong forest products manufacturing sector and reflects the company’s confidence in the future of South Carolina’s well-managed timberland. The abundance of fast-growing and privately-managed wood in South Carolina makes the Palmetto State ripe for these kinds of capital investments, which is also good news for family forest owners.” –S.C. State Forester Scott Phillips

“What a great day for Kershaw County and Canfor as they announce this important expansion. The Canfor team, led by Tim Papa and Bob Byrd, plays a vital role in our community, and their continued success proves that working together benefits us all. Congratulations Canfor and to our hard-working economic development team on this great news.” –Kershaw County Council Chairman Julian Burns

FIVE FAST FACTS

• Canfor Southern Pine is upgrading its existing Kershaw County facility.
• $40 million of capital investment.
• Canfor Southern Pine is a leading integrated forest products company.
• The company will be installing a new planer mill, as well as new equipment throughout the sawmilling operation.
• The expansion will begin this year and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2019.

About S.C. Department of Commerce

As South Carolina's leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing business grow. S.C. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as BMW, Boeing, Continental, Giti Tire, LPL Financial Holdings, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Samsung, Toray and Volvo Cars and also supports startups, small and existing business, innovation and rural development initiatives. S.C. Commerce partners with the S.C. Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment opportunities within the state. With a strong international footprint, since 2011, the Palmetto State has ranked among top three in the nation for attracting jobs through foreign investment on a per capita basis, according to IBM-Plant Location International. Additionally, in five of seven years, the state has won the Gold Shovel Award from Area Development magazine; and, in 2017, the state was recognized as Business Facilities' State of the Year. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.

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