West Fraser Timber plans further cuts to output in British Columbia (West-Fraser-Timber)

VANCOUVER _ West Fraser Timber (TSX:WFT) plans additional production cuts at certain operations, primarily over the holiday period, on top of what has already been announced for its U.S. and Canadian operations.

The company said Monday that the latest production curtailments will reduce production at certain B.C. sawmills by approximately 35 million board feet.

That's on top of current curtailments that reduce Canadian output by 435 million board feet on an annualized basis and cut output in the United States by 600 million board feet on an annualized basis.

West Fraser Timber also said Monday that weaker markets have also resulted in West Fraser curtailing production at its two pulp mills and further curtailments at its fibre-panel manufacturing facilities.

The company joins a host of other Canadian forestry companies that have recently announced reductions to production that will span the holiday period.

West Fraser didn't announce how many people would be affected by the latest curtailments.

Its shares closed Monday at $30, up 54 cents, at the Toronto Stock Exchange prior to the announcement after markets closed.

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