“The expansion we’re announcing today shows our confidence in both the market and the personnel we have,” Fargey explained. “The staff is committed here and the community has shown a commitment to Western Archrib and that gives us confidence moving forward.”
The move will see changes to buildings and equipment in different phases. Boissevain General Manager Sid Braybrook, who has been traveling back and forth to Edmonton discussing the moves, said it is about being competitive in an increasingly competitive market, in part because of expansion of services. He said at one time, they could not use wood products for construction of buildings of over four stories. Now, however, cross-laminated timber is used for much larger, some proposed as high as 21 stories.
“There are a lot of new companies out there,” Braybrook stated. “We have to be more efficient, we have to compete globally. The stuff is coming from other countries and we compete with them.”
This means becoming more efficient and cost effective. To do this, the company is planning changes in different areas at different times.
One of the big moves being made this year is an addition to shop three. This will entail adding 88 feet by 80 feet (7,040 sq. ft.) to the north end of the building, and a 54 ft. by 40 (2,160 sq.ft.) addition on the southwest end, which should start in October. This is also where they will be putting their Hundegger K2 CNC framing. As Braybrook explained, this piece of machinery will mean they will not have to mark and check beams prior to framing. It will also allow for greater accuracy. The equipment is to be installed in 2020.
Another planned change is adding a new finger-joint machine in shop one in 2020-21. It creates the interlocking joints between two pieces of wood, which are then glued when a beam is being made. Braybrook said they need the new equipment to make the process faster, which is necessary for new business conditions. They need to put out about 20,000 feet through it a day, which is not possible now.
“The machine we are using is old.”
They are also pulling down the grading shed this fall. They are presently working on their north lumber shed to accommodate their grading needs on a temporary basis. Eventually, they are proposing to move grading to shop two.
Also, they will be working with Boissevain-Morton on improving the situation on Egan Street, which runs through Western Archrib property. Better drainage is one of the issues that needs to be addressed.
Braybrook added they are working on a succession plan for retiring employees. Western Archrib in Boissevain has long been known as a long-term employer, with many staff staying well beyond 40 years. They need to groom younger employees to replace the greying heads when needed. Braybrook said they could get new people, or move present employees into higher positions.
“There needs to be a team of people to drive this to the next level,” he explained.
In the end, they want to increase their product by 50%. In 2018, they produced 3.2 million FBM (foot board measure). The plan is to produce 4.9 million FBM by 2022. The buildings and new equipment will be part of this. However, they are looking to expand the workforce. They had almost 60 people on site this summer, but their normal is around 52. They want to go up to around 73 people. There will be two eight-hour shifts every working day – Braybrook said some plants go 24 hours a day. These jobs will be skilled work too, so he said wages should be good.
Overall, this is good news for one of the oldest industries in Boissevain.
“We will not work harder, but more efficiently,” Braybrook said. “We will be working gradually and making changes. We have a great endorsement from ownership to expand the business.”
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff