West Fraser, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, this week announced Ted Seraphim's plan to retire as CEO at the end of the second quarter of 2019. West Fraser also announced the appointment of Ray Ferris, EVP and COO, as president and COO, effective immediately. Ferris will be appointed CEO upon Seraphim’s retirement next year.

Hank Ketcham, chairman of West Fraser's Board of Directors, said: that "this is an important step in the implementation of our CEO succession plan. Ray has worked closely with Ted for many years and has demonstrated tremendous leadership in executing our operating and capital plans."

Seraphim added that "his leadership, experience and proven commitment to people, safety, operational excellence, and maintaining our culture will continue to drive our company forward. I know that I speak on behalf of all our employees in saying how pleased we are that Ray will be our next CEO."

Ferris has been with the company since 1997 and has progressed through a series of key leadership roles. He was appointed West Fraser's EVP and COO in 2016 and before that served in several executive positions, including: VP, wood products; VP, solid wood; and VP, lumber operations. He holds an engineering degree and has extensive manufacturing experience in the forest industry.

West Fraser is a diversified wood products company producing lumber, LVL, MDF, plywood, pulp, newsprint, wood chips, and energy with facilities in western Canada and the southern U.S.

More information about West Fraser is available online.