EUGENE — Sierra Pacific Industries is planning to add a new cutting and stud mill to replace its existing sawmill facilities, making it when finished one of the largest in the U.S. with yearly production capacity of 650 million board feet, the company has announced.
The new sawmill project is estimated to be completed between 2025 and 2026, the company said said.
The company’s existing capacity is over 350 million board feet. Officials expect the new facility to continue to employ around 300 Eugene workers and to support other indirect jobs.
“Sierra Pacific is energized about this opportunity to continue to provide quality, renewable wood products to meet the anticipated increased demand for housing and other societal needs,” Todd Payne, Sierra Pacific Industries president of lumber, said in a news release announcing the expansion. “This project will make our Eugene mill site one of the largest and most modern sawmills in the United States, continuing to build our momentum in growing our position in a critical market while maintaining our commitment to sustainably grown and manufactured wood products, and our talented, hard-working crew members.”
Sierra Pacific Industries began plans for expansion after it acquired the site along Oregon Highway 99W in 2021, officials said.
The company is currently constructing a new trucking facility and engineering, technology and fabrication facility to be completed in the fall to support the construction of the new sawmills.
Operations will move to the new facilities once complete.