Global wood industry companies react to coronavirus threat

Wood business companies are responding to the threats of Coronavirus. Here is a tracking of the most recent developments:

• Koppers joined Urban League in ‘All One Pittsburgh’ COVID-19 Campaign.
• Sherwood suspended all unnecessary travel, purchased laptops for the organization, and asked to work from home until better news received from the CDC.
• Stella-Jones Inc. provided an update on its North American operations in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic and orders issued by Canadian provincial and U.S. state authorities.
• Lathams Limited  is closely monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 virus and will continue to refine its contingency plans as more information becomes available.
• ICC’s survey of U.S. code officials shows trends in code compliance during COVID-19.
• West Fraser provided an update on production adjustments implemented to address changing operating, supply chain and market conditions.
• FSC has updated the derogation that allows certification bodies unable to conduct on-site audits to either postpone the audit or replace it with desk audits. Internal auditors of group and multi-site certificates will soon be given similar options.
• Arctic Paper continue to closely monitor the Public Health challenges of Covid-19 and are committed to following the Local Government regulations and guidelines that have been issued and constantly revised over the last weeks across Europe. The company has put several measures in place to safeguard the well-being of our staff, the transportation partners and our clients.
• Hamburger Containerboard GmbH switched some of the company’s employees to teleworking. Besides many other measures, its production is closed for suppliers to protect our staff from external infections.

Previous announcements:

• FSC International its first, virtual global board meeting, where the board members met from their homes instead of gathering in Argentina.
• The Lovesac Company extends store closures and enhances financial flexibility.
• Sappi created COVID-19 Resource centre.
• Columbia Pulp began to plan how to execute an orderly suspension of manufacturing activities.
• Conifex announces COVID-19 response measures.
• EGGER UK’s Hexham management team has been implementing the safe and controlled temporary shutdown of its main production facilities.
• Canfor Pulp Products Inc. and Canfor Corporation each announced that they will take COVID-19 precautionary measures for the companies’ upcoming Annual General Meetings (AGMs) on April 23, 2020.
• Kruger Specialty Papers announced the temporary shutdown of its Brompton facility in Canada, effective Friday, April 3, for an indefinite period of time. The Company came to this difficult decision due to unfavorable market conditions that deteriorated very rapidly with the COVID-19 outbreak, affecting the Mill’s operations and financial performance
• ND Paper is continuing its day-to-day functions in the US.
• Progroup  observing the safety precautions, do everything in its power to continue to produce.
• James Latham Depots and related business are temporary closed because of COVID-19 outbreak.
• HS Timber Group took measures in the context of COVID-19.
• ECMA – European Carton Makers Associations: Folding cartons: a vital piece of the retail supply chain during Covid-19 crisis.
• Weyerhaeuser Company provided an update on actions it is taking in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Sappi Europe’s CEO informed that all its production facilities across Europe continue to operate. The company is continuing to serve our customers despite the extraordinarily difficult circumstance we are all operating under.
• Bruks Siwertell is monitoring the development of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) situation closely and taking all necessary measures to help limit its spread and impact on its operations.
• Stella-Jones provided an update on its North American operations in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic and orders issued by Canadian provincial and U.S. state authorities. The company confirmed that while certain government authorities have ordered the closure or minimization of all non-essential business operations in regions where it operates, the Corporation falls within the exemptions for essential workplaces, businesses that provide priority services and activities and workforces that carry out critical manufacturing.
• Huhtamaki has withdrawn its outlook for 2020 (published on February 13, 2020). This is due to the unprecedented situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on trading conditions.
• Komatsu Forest temporarily shuts down production due to Covid-19.
• UFP Industries shared an update on the impact of COVID-19 on its business operations.
• West Fraser Announces Additional COVID-19 Production Adjustments.
• Mitsubishi HiTec Paper informed that the Coronavirus is currently affecting the company’s business operations. Its dedicated task force is continuously monitoring the situation and taking the necessary measures to protect employees, customers and partners, whilst still ensuring that the operation runs as smoothly as possible.
• Structurlam’s operations will continue to respect all requirements put forward by WorkSafe BC and its provincial and federal health authorities. The company’s leadership team is monitoring the instructions from both the provincial and federal governments closely.
• UAB Juodeliai continues its operations without significant interruptions.
• Koehler Group consider it as duty to maintain production in order to manufacture system-relevant goods, secure jobs and make our contribution to avert damage to Germany as a center of commerce and industry.
• Norbord Inc. announced that effective March 30, 2020 it will commence reducing production across its portfolio of North American oriented strand board (OSB) mills in response to the demand impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 19, 2020 identified the wood products industry as an “essential critical infrastructure workforce” in the nation’s response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
• Resolute Forest Products provided an update on the impact of the COVID-19 situation to its business. The company remains as committed as ever to the health and safety of its employees, business partners and communities by adhering strictly to the guidelines and measures put in place by government authorities
• Roseburg to continue to operate under Oregon “Stay Home” order.
• Kruger Inc., as a provider of goods and services that consumers and businesses rely on for their everyday needs, announced that it will be maintaining all of its operations that have been declared essential by Canadian and U.S. authorities or COVID-19 government guidelines, including the manufacture of tissue products, food packaging and containerboard, newsprint, publication and specialty papers, as well as recycling services, the bottling of beverages and the production of electricity.
• Cascades Inc., a leader in eco-friendly recovery, packaging and hygiene solutions, together with prioritising the health and wellbeing of our employees, is adhering to the guidelines provided by government officials in Canada and the United States. Given the essential nature of our packaging and hygiene products, all its facilities continue to operate.
• Case Paper has been tasked to remain open so we can continue supplying the essential life sustaining industries that we serve such as food, pharmaceutical, and packaging.
• James Donaldson Group has made the decision to close all its UK branches and sites from March 24, 2020.
• Northwest Hardwoods has made several changes in how it operate in order to protect the health and safety of our employees.
• Rayonier Advanced Materials announced lumber and newsprint downtime in response to COVID-19 market demand impact; other company’s facilities to operate normally.
• Kronospan is taking comprehensive measures in line with the official country recommendations and local governments in the countries where it operates, whilst ensuring ongoing supply and deliveries of both raw materials and finished products.
• PEFC extends transition period for 2020 standards due to COVID-19.
• Western Forest Products announced that effective March 23, 2020 it will curtail its manufacturing facilities currently operating in British Columbia due to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on operating conditions.
• Logset closed production for the month of April.
• Lenzing suspends 2020 guidance due to COVID-19 crisis.
• Domtar continuing to operate.
• International Paper’s mills and converting plants are operated by highly trained employees who are considered “essential workers.” Disruptions in the availability of its products would create significant hardships for consumers across the country and around the world.
• EGGER has been impacted by the Coronavirus crisis.
• Crown Van Gelder (CVG) is adhering to all regulations and guidelines from government authorities related to containment of the Corona (COVID-19) virus.
• Clearwater Paper Corporation, a premier supplier of quality consumer tissue, away-from-home tissue, parent roll tissue and bleached paperboard, today shared an update on the company’s recent operations during the COVID-19 situation.
• Kadant Inc. issued statement around the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and its impact on Kadant’s operations around the globe.
• Kadant, a global supplier of high-value, critical components and engineered systems used in process industries , provided business update on COVID-19.
• Hamburger Containerboard GmbH informed that the company is up and running at full capacity to keep up the critical infrastructure of Europe.
• The European Pallet Association eV (EPAL) provided an update on the current situation of COVID-19.
• West Fraser is taking steps to protect its employees and respond to changing market conditions. The company announced COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan.
• Pinnacle Renewable Energy advised that the Company is responding in order to minimize the risks from the COVID-19 health threat. CEO Rob McCurdy, having previously announced his retirement effective May 5, 2020, is now committed to remain with Pinnacle through this crisis until October 31, 2020.
• Komatsu Forest is closely following and complying with the directives from the national government to help to reduce the risk for the spreading of the virus infection.
• Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc. has not been directly impacted by the current COVID-19 outbreak at this time. Also, the company have not experienced any difficulty in sourcing raw materials. Still, it is taking precautionary measures.
• Interfor announced it will implement a number of initiatives in order to adjust its business to operating conditions being impacted by COVID-19.
• Columbia Forest Products made a number of decisions as Coronavirus experience continues to evolve.
• Tilhill reassured its clients, staff, contractors and suppliers that the company’s top priority is to protect the wellbeing of everyone whilst ensuring it continue to work ‘business as usual’, adhering to Government Guidelines.
• Papyrus understands the importance and informed about the measures that the company have taken to protect employees, customers and other partners and to safeguard the business operations.
• European Commission  sent to Member States for consultation a draft proposal for a State aid Temporary Framework to support the economy in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak, based on Article 107(3)(b) TFEU to remedy a serious disturbance across the EU economy
• Toscotec remains fully operational in compliance with COVID-19 Regulations.
• James Latham announced appropriate action to reduce the risk of infection amongst the company’s staff.
• BSW Timber has implemented the Government & NHS guidelines to protect its workforce and these will remain in place until such time that the situation changes or improves.
• Roseburg has implemented the steps to protect our employees, our clients and the public, effective immediately.
• Saint-Gobain is closely monitoring ongoing developments regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) in the UK and Ireland and following the latest available advice to prevent the spread of the virus.
• International Timber is adopting a rigorous and precautionary approach to make sure we can operate as normally as possible and following the latest advice from the Government and the NHS. The company has also been renewing our business continuity plans to make sure our business is prepared.
• Millar Western taking special measures during COVID-19 outbreak.
• Kesla has made some procedures inside the company to ensure the safety of the staff and to lower the infection wave in Finland. Procedures include among others increased hygiene, possibility to work from home and minimizing internal and external contacts.
• EFI closes offices from 18 March onwards and until 1 April (or further notice).
• Tolko has implemented additional control measures that limit access to its site including screening all suppliers and trucks entering its facilities and minimizing physical contact in its shipping departments.
• APA has taken additional steps to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Association employees who can perform their work from home are being asked to do so for at least the next two weeks.
• Sunpine is not accepting visitors.
• FSC  has updated the derogation that allows certification bodies unable to conduct on-site audits to either postpone the audit or replace it with desk audits. Internal auditors of group and multi-site certificates will soon be given similar options.
• Pölkky Oy in Finland has made changes to its operations to protect the health and business of the employees, customers and stakeholders. When possible, its staff works remotely, and we the company will have all meetings with the customers and stakeholders as distance meetings.
• Twin Rivers Paper Company  is monitoring the global and national responses to the Coronavirus epidemic.
• Tolko Industries is monitoring reports of COVID-19 on an ongoing basis, as well as the recommendations of public health authorities. For the moment, only those visitors who are required for the company’s business operations to continue are permitted on site.
• Cordes Gmb in Germany announced preventive measures on March 13, 2020. It keeps business closed.