Sean McLaren

The head of West Fraser Timber says he expects the company will continue to experience unpredictable challenges such as inflation risks and labour constraints. However, CEO Sean McLaren told analysts that West Fraser is encouraged by lower mortgages rates in the U.S. and the continued easing of inflationary pressures. “While demand markets were challenging in 2023 and there are near-term uncertainties across our business,” said McLaren, the company is optimistic about continued demand growth for the products West Fraser makes. …“We have now been through a 10-year period in which total North American lumber supply has been essentially flat, with shrinking supply in BC, offsetting the gains in the U.S. south. And this has occurred during a number of strong up years for lumber demand and pricing,” he said. …“In our view, challenges to meaningful supply additions in the North American lumber industry will persist for the foreseeable future.”