G-P Wrapping up Construction at Clarendon OSB Mill

Georgia-Pacific, Atlanta, Ga., USA, this week announced it has begun the final construction phase at its nearly complete oriented strand board (OSB) facility at Clarendon, S.C. The mill was part of the acquisition last May from Grant Forest Products that also included an operating plant at Allendale, S.C., and another operating plant at Englehart, Ont., Canada. The acquisition totaled approximately $400 million.

"We expect it will take most of this year to complete construction on the plant," said Mark Luetters, president – Georgia-Pacific wood products. "We are currently planning to start the plant in December 2011. Having now operated an identical plant at Allendale, we believe we will be able to quickly and efficiently begin producing OSB."

Luetters said G-P will spend an additional $30 million to complete the facility. The amount includes a construction crew of more than 100 people, plus the purchase and installation of the remaining equipment and infrastructure. Once completed, both Clarendon and Allendale (which also employs about 150 people) will supply markets across the eastern U.S. with the versatile building material used in residential construction.

Applications for about 150 permanent positions, including management, craft, and production roles at the facility, will be accepted through the company's website beginning April 11.

TAPPI
http://www.tappi.org/