Resolute Invests $13 Million in La Doré Wood Products Facilities in Quebec

Resolute Forest Products Inc., La Doré, Que., Canada, this week announced major investments totaling $12,956,700 in its La Doré wood products facilities, located in the Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec. The announcement was made during a press conference attended by Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, as well as dignitaries and company employees.

The investments will be used to integrate new technologies into the manufacturing processes io sustain the facilities' continuously enhanced performance in an ever-changing competitive environment. Also through these investments, energy efficiency will be improved as operational processes are modernized.

"This is a significant investment for the future of our La Doré facilities," said Yves Laflamme, president and CEO. "We can count on innovation, regional solidarity, and the pride our people have in their work to overcome the challenges facing our industry."

Laflamme also mentioned the efforts of workers, elected representatives, and governments, as well as regional economic, education, and development organizations, to improve future prospects in the forest products industry.

Resolute employs close to 250 people at the La Doré sawmill, planer mill and finger-jointing facility, and more than 2,000 in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region.

"We will rebuild the infeed section of the sawmill and add multiple programmable logic controllers, allowing the potential of each log to be better identified, used appropriately and optimally cut," explained Gilbert Demers, division VP, Wood Products – Sawmills and Engineering. "We are also initiating the launch of a new lumber packaging system in the planer mill, using prototypes developed by manufacturers from the region. Finally, we are completing the project by adding two new electric boilers to generate the quantity of steam required for drying."

Resolute Forest Products is a global leader in the forest products industry with a diverse range of products, including market pulp, tissue, wood products, newsprint, and specialty papers, which are marketed in close to 70 countries. The company owns or operates some 40 manufacturing facilities, as well as power generation assets, in the U.S. and Canada. Resolute has third-party certified 100% of its managed woodlands to internationally recognized sustainable forest management standards.