New Limerick mill expected to achieve full operating capacity within a year
Courtesy / Mills Administration
Gov. Janet Mills toured LP Houlton’s newly converted mill this week.
There was no official groundbreaking ceremony a year ago for the $150 million conversion of Louisiana-Pacific Corp.’s (NYSE: LPX) mill in New Limerick, with COVID precautions in place.
Things were different this week, when LP Houlton hosted Gov. Janet Mills and U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, for the newly converted mill’s grand opening.
“For decades, workers at LP Houlton have produced Maine-made building materials used in homes across the nation and around the world,” Mills said in a news release. “LP Houlton’s conversion will continue that proud legacy with the manufacture of LP’s signature building products, all while benefitting the local supply chain.”
LP Houlton recently began manufacturing the company’s flagship siding and trim product following the mill conversion’s completion earlier this year.
The pressing of the mill’s first siding board took place in late March and expects to achieve full operating capacity within a year.
LP’s expansion is expected to result in the need for approximately 30% additional wood fiber to meet capacity, benefitting loggers, truckers, and other stakeholders across Maine’s forest products industry.
“This conversion will not only help to provide a stable work environment for employees at LP Houlton but will benefit local businesses and stakeholders throughout Maine’s forest products industry,” said Heather Johnson, commissioner of the Department of Economic & Community Development.
Louisiana-Pacific Corp. is based Nashville, Tenn. The County facility is commonly called “LP Houlton” due to its proximity to the larger city, although it’s actually located in New Limerick.
LP Building Solutions first announced it would expand the LP Houlton facility in February 2021. The conversion was completed in May, resulting in the first LP Houlton production of its SmartSide trim and siding.
LP’s expansion will add approximately 220 million square feet of operating capacity to manufacture the product, enough to support the construction of about 100,000 homes annually.
SmartSide, an advanced engineered wood siding used on the exterior of homes.
The conversion is expected to increase sustainably and locally sourced annual fiber consumption and substantially increase shipping volumes.
“This new production line strengthens Maine’s position as a leader in engineered wood products,” said Collins.
In January 2021, Houlton LP was among three company facilities in North America being considered for the investment. Collins said she learned from the company’s chairman and CEO, Brad Southern, and other company officials. that the advantages Houlton offered included its location on the East Coast, its substantial supply of aspen, and access to an existing rail line to bring raw material in and ship finished product out.
“This investment secures and grows good-paying, rewarding jobs,” Collins said.
Due to increased demand for home construction products, production at the Houlton mill increased substantially during 2020, from 100 employees working five days a week to 160 working 24/7. The conversion to SmartSide production added a 90,000-square-foot facility to house new equipment to trim and finish the siding. Part of an existing building was also renovated for the new production line.
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