West Fraser Posts $61 Million Loss Amid Ongoing Market Volatility

The company recorded sales of $1.434 billion for the quarter, an improvement over the $1.334 billion reported in the first three months of the year. While the bottom line remains in the red, the firm achieved an adjusted EBITDA of $59 million, a significant rebound from the $(66) million loss recorded in the first quarter. President and CEO Sean McLaren attributed the progress to productivity gains and the successful ramp-up of the modernized Henderson, Texas sawmill, which more than doubled its output during the period.

Operational discipline remains a central theme, as the company completed the wind-down of its High Level, Alberta, OSB mill to focus on more efficient facilities. Despite these efforts, external pressures persist. Resin and wax costs rose by $13 million due to global energy market volatility, and management is currently assessing the potential impact of new 50% tariffs on Canadian goods announced by the U.S. administration, set to take effect in August. While core segments—including lumber and engineered wood products—reported positive adjusted EBITDA, the company maintains a cautious outlook, citing interest rate uncertainty and a persistent housing supply deficit in the United States as key variables for the remainder of the year.