APRIL 2026
Western Archrib is moving ahead with a major expansion in Sturgeon County after securing $2.3 million in federal funding through Natural Resources Canada’s Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program. The funding will support commissioning the company’s new 160,000-square-foot mass timber plant. This is a significant step in scaling Western Archrib’s manufacturing capacity and modernizing its operations.
For Western Archrib, this is not just an equipment upgrade or facility expansion. The project will shift the company from manual processing to a fully automated manufacturing line, increasing production capacity from 12 million board feet to between 30 to 35 million board feet annually. That scale-up positions the company to play a larger role in supplying advanced wood products, including mass timber panels, to support construction and housing needs in Alberta and across Canada.
The project also signals the continued evolution of Western Archrib as a value-added manufacturer. With a total capital investment of more than $80 million, the new plant reflects a long-term commitment to productivity, competitiveness and innovation in Sturgeon County. It is the kind of investment that strengthens not only one company’s future, but also the broader supply chain tied to advanced wood manufacturing and building materials.
“We are grateful for the Government of Canada’s support through the IFIT program. This investment enables Western Archrib to modernize our Sturgeon County facility into a fully automated mass timber manufacturing operation, significantly expanding our production capacity and strengthening Canada’s advanced wood supply chain. This partnership helps ensure we remain competitive, innovative and well positioned to support housing and infrastructure needs across the country.
Frank Gannon
Vice President, Stakeholder Engagement, Western Archrib
This expansion is a strong example of a local business building for the future – investing in automation, increasing output and helping strengthen Canada’s advanced wood products sector from right here in Sturgeon County. As the company grows, so does its contribution to a more competitive, resilient and value-added regional economy.
Sturgeon County is proud to celebrate Western Archrib’s continued growth and the momentum this project brings to our local economy.
