Boise Cascade subsidiary Boise Alljoist receives C$800,000 from Canadian and New Brunswick governments to buy new equipment, boost I-joist production quality

Allison Oesterle

EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick , November 14, 2012 (press release) – Boise Alljoist Ltd., a manufacturer of wood I-joists for the residential and commercial construction industry, has received federal and provincial government support to buy new equipment.

“Our plan to rebuild New Brunswick focuses on creating economic opportunities in communities like the Saint-Jacques neighbourhood of Edmundston and in the Madawaska region,” said Economic Development Minister Paul Robichaud. “This investment will allow the operation to acquire new equipment and reduce costs.”

The equipment is intended to increase sales as well as production quality and efficiency.

“This project is about helping a company that is determined to build its future in Northern New Brunswick and to grow its business, create and support jobs for the people in this region, our province and our country,” said Bernard Valcourt, associate minister of National Defence and minister of state for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and La Francophonie. “This investment in Boise Alljoist is an example of our government's commitment to support the forestry sector in Atlantic Canada by encouraging innovation, productivity and the opening of new markets for an industry that is so important for our region.”

The funding will enable the company to purchase equipment with scanning and automated technologies for lumber grading and to optimize the I-joist production line. The new equipment and other plant modifications will enhance the company's productivity and sorting process while increasing quality and improving the overall efficiency of the plant.

The federal government, through ACOA, is providing a repayable contribution of $500,000 through its Business Development Program. The provincial government is investing $300,000 through its Northern New Brunswick Economic Development and Innovation Fund.

“We are very pleased today to receive this financial support to help us achieve our modernization project,” said Daniel Grandmaison, plant manager at Boise Alljoist. “The project will improve the visual appearance of our products, optimize our use of raw materials and increase the cutting precession of the beams. All this will result in cost reductions for our processing and ensure our competitiveness.”

Boise Alljoist Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Boise Cascade in Boise, Idaho. The Saint-Jacques plant employs more than 80 people and is the only Canadian plant of the Boise Cascade group.

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