Kamloops’ Kruger mill thriving as forestry sector struggles

KAMLOOPS — The forestry sector in British Columbia has been dealing with curtailments, realignments and mill closures across the province.

Kruger Specialty Papers acquired the Kamloops pulp mill in June of 2022. At that time officials stated that the pulp mill fit perfectly into their future plans for the company. Fast forward to January 2023, and as mills across B.C. are struggling, Kruger is still turning a profit.

“As you can appreciate, it is a difficult time for the forest product industry here in B.C. — especially given the challenges right now with fiber availability. However, despite that, the Kamloops mill is looking very sound financially, and we really believe it has a strong future,” said Kristin Dangelmaier, Environment and Technical Manger for Kruger Kamloops.

Mills like Aspen Planers in Merritt, which has been shuttered for nearly two months, credit a lack of steady log supply for their challenges. While Kruger has felt those challenges, they have been able to keep a steady stream of fiber arriving in Kamloops.

“The Kamloops facility has the assets and the grade-mix and the production line that really fits well with Kruger’s business plan. And we know that working together closely with government and First Nations, we can really see a path forward through this current fiber challenge,” added Dangelmaier.

Despite the fact that over the past few weeks, more than 800 jobs have been lost in the British Columbia forestry sector, the mill in Kamloops has an eye to recruitment.

“Thousands of folks across the province, workers and their families and communities are directly impacted. We are really fortunate here — we are in a really good position. And… we are actually looking to recruit. That is a great testament to what we see as a future here in Kamloops,” said Dangelmaier.

The Kamloops pulp mill directly employs 340 full-time workers, while also supporting hundreds of spin-off industries like truckers and other contractors.