West Fraser to acquire U.S. operation

VANCOUVER — West Fraser Timber announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the operations of the Gilman Companies from the Howard Gilman Foundation and other shareholders for approximately US$430 million. The Gilman Companies are composed of six sawmills and a finger‑joint mill in Florida and Georgia as well as an administrative office in St. Marys, Ga. The deal, which is expected to close in the third quarter, is part of West Fraser’s broader strategy of U.S. expansion.