A Masardis, Maine lumber mill will soon expand its capacity with a new conveyor system and high-speed log debarker with loan backing approved by the FAME (Finance Authority of Maine) board, a state business finance agency designed to support Maine business ventures according to recent news reports.
The Maibec sawmill was approved for a $944,000 loan by TD Bank with the FAME board providing 90% loan insurance backing on May 17th. By replacing older equipment at the mill dating back more than 45 years, the mill plans to expand production by as much as 25% by building a new drying kiln. Nate Whitney, manager of the mill said that the new conveyor will replace the old 1970s equipment that’s more susceptible to down time.
The new high-speed log debarker the sawmill is purchasing will replace a machine dating back to the 80s, one of three debarking machines the mill currently has.
The Maibec sawmill in Maine is part of the Maibec company of Quebec City owned by the Tardif family. Originally built in the 1960s as the Levesque mill, the Masardis mill is currently the largest output in Aroostook County employing 145 people. The mill produces dimensional spruce and fir lumber for wholesale markets on the East Coast.
Whitney said 2 x 4’s are at an all time high, and that he believes the market is the strongest it’s been in 12 years. Bruce Wagner, FAME CEO said in a media release that the board is happy to assist the company in better optimizing its lumber mill by facilitating the transaction, and pleased to support the mill’s plans for continued operations and improved efficiencies.
REA JET U.S. provides coding solutions for the wood industry including our high resolution inkjet technology for printing on dimensional lumber. Why use roller wheels and stamps when innovative technologies make high resolution, legible lumber grading far less laborious while delivering superior quality? Count on REA JET for all of your wood marking and coding solutions.