West Fraser Solar Farm Ribbon Cutting
October 11, 2024


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West Fraser Lumber Mill Solar Farm Ribbon Cutting

Center are Plant Manager Clay Garrett and New Boston Mayor Ron Humphrey holding the scissors, surrounded by West Fraser Corporate and local officials.

West Fraser Solar Farm Ribbon Cutting made for a great day in New Boston, TX. We learned about the serious commitment West Fraser Lumber has made to our community. Over time, many of us have driven past their facility and said - "Oh, there's West Fraser", without realizing who they are and what they're doing with their New Boston facility.

Special thanks to New Boston Mayor Ron Humphrey, Bowie County Judge Bobby Howell and Sharon Elkins from Gary VanDeaver's Office for attending today's special event.

It was a pleasure to be part of their Solar Farm Ribbon Cutting Ceremony today. Below is a great Recap of West Fraser and we just wanted to include some of their growth and contribution to our New Boston area.

About West Fraser
West Fraser’s story began in 1955 when its founders, three brothers—Sam, Bill and Pete Ketcham—pooled their resources to buy a small, 12-employee mill in Quesnel, British Columbia, Canada. From those humble roots, West Fraser grew by investing in its people, its mills and its communities. The company has now grown to be one of the world's largest producers of diversified renewable wood products with over 60 locations and approximately 10,800 employees in North America, the U.K. and Europe. West Fraser promotes sustainability across its operations and its products are used in home construction, repair, remodelling, industrial applications and more. West Fraser’s first expansion into the U.S. market was in 2000. Today, West Fraser’s U.S. operations include 4,000 U.S. employees in 27 divisions spanning across 11 states. In East Texas, West Fraser owns five mills.

About West Fraser New Boston
The mill has been in operation since January 1981 and was acquired by West Fraser 2007. Since acquiring the mill, West Fraser has made significant capital investments to increase the operation’s production and environmental performance. From West Fraser’s acquisition, the mill’s production has increased approximately 100% and we are looking for continued growth in the coming years. The $8.1 million solar farm is an important source of green energy to support the increased production, supporting West Fraser’s sustainability commitments and demonstrating the company’s confidence in the strong future of the New Boston mill. The New Boston mill solar farm is the first system of its kind to come online in the West Fraser family, further demonstrating the company’s commitment to growth in the region

About the New Boston Solar Farm
West Fraser is committed to reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, with a goal to reduce overall emissions from energy used at its mills by approximately 46% by 2030. The New Boston mill delivers the following benefits:
• Providing a safe and secure energy supply, meeting approximately one third of the mill’s energy needs.
• Reducing the mill’s requirements from the grid will benefit the overall grid demand during peak events.
• Making a positive environmental impact by reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the annual emissions of more than 970 typical U.S. homes (source: EPA).
• Delivering local economic benefits through the more than $1 million in tax stimulation and of the $8.1 million project cost, a large amount of which has been spent on local and regional contractors and suppliers, infusing wages into the local economy

Some Pictures of the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

West Fraser Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for their Solar Farm

Plant Mgr Clay Garrett with Travis Oldershaw, West Fraser, Vice President of US Wood Procurement (US Corporate Office, Cordova, TN)

Plant Manager Clay Garrett with Shenandoah Johns, West Fraser, Chief Environmental and Sustainability Officer (Corporate Office, Vancouver, British Columbia)

L to R: Andy Zellers, President of Influent Energy - Solar Farm Contractor, Kansas City, MO; Travis Oldershaw, West Fraser, Vice President of US Wood Procurement; Plant Manager Clay Garrett; New Boston Mayor Ron Humphrey & Shenandoah Johns, West Fraser, Chief Environmental and Sustainability Officer (Corporate Office, Vancouver, British Columbia).