J.D. Irving's Truro Sawmill in Nova Scotia, also known as Sproule Lumber, completes extensive modernization to boost productivity, efficiency

Sample article from our Wood & Building Products

July 20, 2023 (press release) –

The Truro Sawmill, also known as Sproule Lumber, recently completed a major upgrade which will greatly improve operations and productivity. The extensive modernization project, spanning over a year, encompassed improvements to nearly every area of the mill.

During the seven-week shutdown, the mill underwent intensive mechanical, civil and electrical work, with more than 100 contract workers involved at the peak. J.D. Irving, Limited employees also offered their support, assisting with fire watch and cleaning tasks throughout the shutdown period.

Key upgrades included the replacement of outdated equipment with new, state of the art machines. Replacing these machines results in faster saw operation thanks to larger motors and advanced scanning technology. These upgrades will also result in better log recovery. This refers to how many board feet that can be recovered from the log and how many chips the log can provide to ensure maximum usage of every log. The new machine scans the logs and sends data to ensure the log is cut appropriately to maximize value. 

A new planer and associated infeed and sticker handling systems were installed, further streamlining the production process. The trimmer/sorter line underwent multiple upgrades, allowing it to run up to 180 boards per minute. The sorter was expanded with 15 additional bins for dressed lumber and a second stacker was relocated from Deersdale. These machines will ensure that the sorting process of boards by length will be faster and smoother. To complete the upgrades, the mill also added an automated wrapper to allow for less manual labor and a safer workplace. 

The Truro team has embraced the challenge of implementing this upgrade with enthusiasm and determination. With these improvements, the Truro Sawmill stands as a frontrunner in the industry, equipped with cutting-edge technology and improved capabilities. The upgrade is expected to enhance overall efficiency, quality and solidify the mill's position as a leader in lumber production.

Interested in joining an industry leading team? Check out current opportunities here: https://careers.jdirving.com/

* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistrubte or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.

See our dashboard in action - schedule an demo
Jason Irving
Jason Irving
- SVP Enterprise Solutions -

We offer built-to-order wood & building products coverage for our clients. Contact us for a free consultation.

About Us

We deliver market news & information relevant to your business.

We monitor all your market drivers.

We aggregate, curate, filter and map your specific needs.

We deliver the right information to the right person at the right time.

Our Contacts

1990 S Bundy Dr. Suite #380,
Los Angeles, CA 90025

+1 (310) 553 0008

About Cookies On This Site

We collect data, including through use of cookies and similar technology ("cookies") that enchance the online experience. By clicking "I agree", you agree to our cookies, agree to bound by our Terms of Use, and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. For more information on our data practices and how to exercise your privacy rights, please see our Privacy Policy.