As North America’s largest lumber manufacturer, West Fraser supplies the truss market with mechanically graded lumber, dimension lumber, and premium products such as Prime, Select Structural, and HiLine.
Founded nearly seven decades ago
West Fraser began operations in 1955 when brothers Sam, Bill, and Pete Ketcham founded a small planing mill in Quesnel, British Columbia, Canada. The trio went on to develop mills throughout the region. Today, West Fraser is the largest wood products manufacturer in the world, with over 60 mills in the US, Canada, the UK, and Europe. Our entire product line is derived from responsibly sourced and sustainably managed forests, and is used in home construction, repair, and remodeling.
Mechanically graded lumber
North American truss manufacturers have come to rely on West Fraser for a steady supply of mechanically graded lumber to manufacture high-performing roof and floor trusses. Of West Fraser’s 32 North American lumber mills, 14 produce machine stress-rated lumber (MSR) and machine evaluated lumber (MEL), using both SYP and SPF.
Machine-graded lumber: The finer points
West Fraser was one of the first lumber manufacturers to move from visual grading to machine grading over 20 years ago. Visually graded lumber is assessed by humans who visually inspect each piece for defects and grade it accordingly, based on predetermined standards. In comparison, machine-graded lumber is evaluated using automated systems that utilize sensors and algorithms to measure characteristics such as density, moisture content, and knot size to assign a grade. Machine grading also tends to result in greater consistency and speed than human inspection. Regardless of how your lumber is graded, each piece of lumber is grade stamped, indicating its grade, dryness, mill number, and accrediting agency.
Engineered wood: A long legacy of leadership and innovation
Oriented strand board (OSB) is a significant component of West Fraser’s product offering. Our company pioneered taller panels, beginning with 9’ and 10’ TallWall in 1996, followed by Windstorm and QuakeZone, engineered for high-wind and seismic areas, respectively. These three brands revolutionized homebuilding, not just by addressing geographical considerations, but by dramatically reducing net costs in build time, materials, labor, and waste.
Meeting your needs
Builders, engineers, component manufacturers, and contractors all count on West Fraser to supply their businesses and fuel their growth. The company’s focus on consistent quality, value, and managing a stable supply chain across North America underscores everything it makes and does for our valued customer base. For more information on how our products can meet your needs, please contact us at 916-276-7226 and/or gregory.bates@westfraser.com.