West Fraser's sawmills boost profits

West Fraser’s sawmill division achieved a turnover of Can$ 713 million (€ 513 million) in the 3Q 2014. This is 23% more than in the same period last year. The sales increase of the Canadian integrated forestry company can be explained with a 6% rise in softwood lumber shipments (to now 2.4 million m³), lumber prices being 8-30% higher than in 3Q 2013 as well as with favourable exchange rate effects and the acquisition of three sawmills. This also led to a leap in profits. The operating profit from July to September jumped 77% from last year’s results to Can$ 101 million (€ 70.9 million). The EBITDA margin rose from 14% to 18%.

Across all divisions, the West Fraser Group achieved an operating profit of Can$ 111 million (€ 77.9 million, +52% compared to Q3 2013) on sales of Can$ 1.03 billion (€ 723 million, +17%).