Anthony-Domtar plant is in business

The Soo's newest manufacturing business is now officially in business, after the $20-million Anthony-Domtar plant was certified by a U.S. auditing agency to begin making I-joists.

The engineered-wood manufacturer received its certification last week from the American Plywood Association-Engineered Wood Systems (APA-EWS) auditing agency and is now ready to take orders and to ship product via truck or rail.

A joint project of Domtar Inc. of Montreal and Anthony Forest Products Co. of El Dorado, Arkansas, the 80,000-square-foot Soo plant is able to produce more than 50 million lineal feet a year of product manufactured from black spruce wood chips.

The plant manufactures high-quality solid sawn flange I-joists, which are mostly used in the U.S. housing market.

It is expected to employ about 50 people and to add $3 million a year to the local economy.

Scientists and quality control technicians from APA-EWS tested the product at the Soo plant to ensure it complied with the APA's PRI-400 technical standard for I-joists. "The quality of the raw materials, cooperation of the professional staff and the commitment to manufacture and distribute Power Joist, helped in record time to meet our quality standards," said Dr. Borjen Yeh of the APA.

Further information is available from the joint venture's website, http://www.anthonydomtar.com.

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