Work Progressing at Elko Sawmill Project

July 2013
Upgrades to the sawmill’s debarker including new barker infeed roll, centering belt conveyor and refurbished barker infeed conveyor are complete. As well, west line cut-to-length infeed transfer decks are now tied into the west debarker.

The main planermill building is now complete, along with all maintenance shops and interior offices.

The equipment for the main line (“Line 1”) has been fully installed and tested and is now running at full capacity. Kilns are up and running. Work on Line 2 is progressing. The existing sorter is being refurbished and re-installed in the new building and will also be tied into new Comact equipment for the Cut N2 line.

Previous update May 2013
The main planermill building (51,600 sq ft) is nearing completion. Interior offices are also nearing completion.

Main sorter line equipment (Comact, SEC, NCL Engineering) has been installed, including package outfeed, sorter infeed, Gradex(TM) and trimmer. Preliminary runs of lumber through planer have begun. Concrete for kilns and chip system is complete. Construction and installation of sawdust suction system for planer is progressing.

Previous Update March 2013
It’s been a busy month for the Elko site Planermill upgrade.

The concrete building foundations and equipment foundations for the entire planermill portion of the project was completed. Building erection has started at the planer infeed and is approximately one-third complete.

Mechanically, the tilt hoist and SEC stick collection system were installed, as well as the operating floor equipment for planer infeed and planer outfeed. The assembly of the main sorter is complete and is also progressing for the main stacker.

Previous Update February 2013
The BID Group’s work at Canfor’s Elko Sawmill in the Kootenay Region of BC is underway.

The Elko project consists of upgrades to the sawmill, increased kiln drying capacity and construction of a greenfield planer mill complex. Includes a Comact GradExpert and a Gilbert Planer Machine. Our Nechako Mechanical division is fabricating the structural steel, main sorter, lumber infeed and package handling equipment. Our SEC division is building the tilt hoist and lumber stacker as well as designing controls for the lumber infeed and package handling equipment.

BID currently has 20 direct and contract employees on site and that number is expected to peak at about 100 before completion in June of this year. On-site leaders are Phil White and Kris Redekop.

BID, Comact USA, Expands to South Carolina

Comact, a subsidiary of the BID Group of Companies, announced today that it will be establishing a new Comact USA manufacturing facility in South Carolina. The strategic location places Comact USA in the heart of one of the world’s busiest forestry areas. Ultimately, the new location will drastically decrease time-to-market and related costs, as compared to products that would otherwise be shipped from one of BID/Comact’s Canadian locations.

“We are thrilled to be expanding our Comact team into the Southeast USA,” said Brian Fehr of the BID Group. “We are already filling orders now and we are excited to hit the ground running with this expansion.”

The new manufacturing branch will be located in St. George, South Carolina – approximately 40 miles (65km) northwest of Charleston. Initially, workers at the new facility will build handling equipment for the forest sector. With over 40,000 square feet of manufacturing space, BID Group is slated to invest over $3 million for property purchase, building improvements and capital equipment.

“International companies have come to recognize South Carolina as the right place to do business, and today’s announcement by the BID Group is another indication of that fact. We know what businesses from around the globe need in order to do well. We celebrate The BID Group’s decision to invest $3 million and create 40 new jobs here in Dorchester County,” said Gov. Nikki Haley.

“South Carolina continues see its manufacturing and agribusiness sectors grow and create jobs. The BID Group’s investment builds on our state’s success in those sectors and strengthens our Canadian economic ties. Every one of the new jobs The BID Group creates will have an impact in Dorchester County and beyond,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.

About Comact
With over 50 years of experience, Comact has established itself as a leader in a variety of equipment manufacturing, optimization and engineering solutions for the forest industry. Comact services include automated controls and optimization, engineering, fabrication and field crews. In April 2013, Comact was acquired by and became a subsidiary of The BID Group of Companies, based in BC.

About South Carolina Department of Commerce
As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing businesses grow. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as Boeing, Bridgestone, Continental, Monster.com, Heinz, ZF Group, BMW and Google Inc. and also supports small and existing business, rural development initiatives and community development. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com