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‘Strategic investment’ Irving says of sawmill, woodlands purchase

How much the transaction will cost has not been confirmed, but J.D. Irving is buying woodlands and a sawmill from B…

How much the transaction will cost has not been confirmed, but J.D. Irving is buying woodlands and a sawmill from Bowater.

The company announced it had reached a deal with Bowater to buy roughly 91,000 hectares of land on the upper section of the Miramichi River. The transaction will also see Irving acquire the Baker Brook sawmill near Edmunston, which produces softwood lumber and provides employment for 87 people.

According to a report by Canadian Press, Irving has said it will continue to operate the Baker Brook sawmill under the current union contract.

“New Brunswick is home and we are committed to doing everything we can to ensure that the local jobs and operations remain competitive in the global marketplace,” Jim Irving, president, said.

“This is a strategic investment in a sustainable wood supply that will help secure the future and continued investment in our softwood and hardwood sawmills in the province and will also support our pulp, paper and tissue operations in Saint John, St. George and Moncton.”