Canfor
Canfor is a global manufacturer of low-carbon forest products, delivering sustainable lumber, pulp, paper and bioproducts to markets worldwide.
Last updated October 16, 2026
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Overview
Canfor Corporation is a Canadian integrated forest-products company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. Its business is centered on the manufacture and sale of softwood lumber, specialty wood products, engineered wood products, northern softwood kraft pulp, and kraft paper. Although the supplied industry classification places Canfor under energy, the company described by the authoritative Wikipedia subject is a forestry and forest-products enterprise rather than an oil-and-gas company. The company's roots date to the late 1930s. John G. Prentice and his brother-in-law L.L.G. "Poldi" Bentley, together with their families, left Austria shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War and settled in Vancouver. They established a small sawmill that became the foundation of the business later known as Canfor. Over time, the company developed from a regional sawmilling operation into an integrated producer with activities spanning timber processing, lumber manufacturing, pulp, paper, and engineered wood. Canfor's principal product base is softwood lumber, supplied for construction, renovation, industrial, and other wood-using applications. Its specialty and engineered wood activities broaden the company beyond commodity sawmilling, while its controlling interest in Canfor Pulp Limited links the group to northern softwood kraft pulp, paper, and related fibre products. The company has also expanded internationally. In 2018, Canfor announced an agreement to acquire a 70 percent interest in Vida Group, a Swedish wood-products company. The existing Vida owners retained 30 percent and continued managing day-to-day operations, giving Canfor a substantial European manufacturing platform while preserving local management involvement. Canfor has experienced periods of significant strategic and financial pressure. In 2006, shareholders Jim Pattison and Stephen A. Jarislowsky became involved in a proxy contest. Pattison prevailed, and chief executive Jim Shepherd was removed after criticism of the company's performance and declining share price; Pattison then served as interim chief executive. The episode demonstrated the influence that large shareholders could exert over Canfor's governance and direction. The company has operated mills and offices in Canada and has maintained an international footprint through its United States and Swedish activities. It formerly owned the Englewood Railway on Vancouver Island, selling the railway to Western Forest Products in 2006. Canfor is also a member of the Forest Products Association of Canada. The available reference material identifies a workforce of approximately 6,380 employees in 2016 and, for that period, annual capacity of about 5.9 billion board feet of lumber, 1.1 million tonnes of northern softwood market kraft pulp, approximately 220,000 tonnes of BCTMP, and 140,000 tonnes of kraft paper. These figures describe historical capacity rather than a current operating forecast. Canfor's brand positioning is therefore that of a large, integrated forest-products manufacturer with roots in British Columbia and a portfolio serving construction, industrial, packaging, pulp, and engineered-wood markets. Its identity is associated with the conversion of sustainably managed forest fibre into standardized commodity products and higher-value specialty materials. The supplied sources do not provide enough information to state a current chief executive, current ownership structure, current website, or current detailed operating results with confidence. Canfor describes itself as a global leader in the manufacturing of low-carbon forest products, delivering sustainable, high-quality wood solutions to markets worldwide. Its portfolio spans structural lumber, interior finishes, outdoor living products, engineered wood (including glue laminated timber and I-joists), and pulp and paper crafted from premium northern fibres, alongside bioproducts. The company reports 51 communities across Canada, the US and Europe, 66 operations and offices, and a workforce of over 6,500 employees. Its history began in the 1930s with a single, family-owned operation on the banks of the Fraser River in British Columbia, Canada, and it traces its origins to the 1938 founding of Pacific Veneer by John Prentice and Poldi Bentley. The company's roots date to the late 1930s. John G. Prentice and his brother-in-law L.L.G. "Poldi" Bentley, together with their families, left Austria shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War and settled in Vancouver. In 1938 they established Pacific Veneer, a small mill with 28 employees, on the banks of the Fraser River in British Columbia; by 1939 the mill had grown to employ 1,000 men and women supplying Douglas Fir plywood and increasingly innovative materials for aviation and marine applications. Over time, the company developed from a regional sawmilling operation into an integrated producer with activities spanning timber processing, lumber manufacturing, pulp, paper, and engineered wood. Canfor describes itself as a global leader in the manufacturing of low-carbon forest products, delivering sustainable, high-quality wood solutions to markets worldwide. Its portfolio spans structural lumber, interior finishes, outdoor living products, engineered wood (including glue laminated timber and I-joists), and pulp and paper crafted from premium northern fibres, alongside bioproducts. The company reports 51 communities across Canada, the US and Europe, 66 operations and offices, and a workforce of over 6,500 employees, and uses the brand line "Better by nature."
History
Canfor traces its origins to the late 1930s, when John G. Prentice and his brother-in-law L.L.G. "Poldi" Bentley, together with their families, moved from Austria to Vancouver shortly before the Second World War. They established a small mill that formed the basis of the company. The business subsequently grew into an integrated forest-products manufacturer with substantial sawmilling, lumber, pulp, paper, and engineered-wood capabilities. The company's development reflects the industrial structure of British Columbia's forest economy. Canfor's core activity became the manufacture of softwood lumber, while its broader portfolio included specialty wood products and engineered wood. Through its controlling interest in Canfor Pulp Limited, the group also participated in the production of northern softwood kraft pulp and kraft paper. Historical capacity figures cited for 2016 included approximately 5.9 billion board feet of lumber, 1.1 million tonnes of northern softwood market kraft pulp, 220,000 tonnes of BCTMP, and 140,000 tonnes of kraft paper. The same reference material identified approximately 6,380 employees in 2016. Canfor also owned the Englewood Railway on Vancouver Island for a period. In 2006, it sold that railway to Western Forest Products. The year was additionally important for corporate governance. Billionaire investors Jim Pattison and Stephen A. Jarislowsky, reported as holding substantial share positions, engaged in a proxy fight. Pattison won the contest, Jim Shepherd was ousted as chief executive after criticism of the company's performance and declining share price, and Pattison served as interim chief executive. The company later expanded its international reach through the Swedish Vida Group. On November 15, 2018, Canfor announced an agreement to acquire 70 percent of Vida. The previous owners retained a 30 percent holding and continued to manage daily operations. The transaction added a European wood-products platform while maintaining continuity in local management. Canfor is headquartered in Vancouver and has operated in Canada and other international markets, including the United States and Sweden. It is identified as a member of the Forest Products Association of Canada. The available historical material describes Canfor as an active integrated forest-products company, but does not establish a complete current list of executives, current ownership arrangements, or current production capacity. Accordingly, those fields are left limited where the references do not provide reliable detail. Canfor's story began in the 1930s with a single, family-owned operation on the banks of the Fraser River in British Columbia, Canada. A foundation of innovation and strength was built in 1938 when John Prentice and Poldi Bentley established Pacific Veneer, a small mill with 28 employees; by 1939 the mill grew to employ 1,000 men and women supplying Douglas Fir plywood and increasingly innovative materials for aviation and marine applications. In the 1940s the company expanded: Eburne Saw Mills Limited was purchased in 1940 and upgraded to cut hemlock and balsam, and in 1943 a group of small logging operations in the Fraser Valley, referred to as the Harrison operations, were acquired. In 1944 the purchase of timber rights in the Nimpkish Valley on Vancouver Island, becoming the Englewood Logging Division, ensured a stable log supply, and by 1948 Canfor solidified its position as a leader. The company states that many things have changed since Canfor was founded, but its commitment to always be better remains the same, and that it has grown to be a global leader in the manufacturing of low-carbon forest products. Canfor's story began in the 1930s with a single, family-owned operation on the banks of the Fraser River in British Columbia, Canada. John G. Prentice and his brother-in-law L.L.G. "Poldi" Bentley, together with their families, moved from Austria to Vancouver shortly before the Second World War. A foundation of innovation and strength was built in 1938 when John Prentice and Poldi Bentley established Pacific Veneer, a small mill with 28 employees; by 1939 the mill grew to employ 1,000 men and women supplying Douglas Fir plywood and increasingly innovative materials for aviation and marine applications. In the 1940s the company expanded: Eburne Saw Mills Limited was purchased in 1940 and upgraded to cut hemlock and balsam, and in 1943 a group of small logging operations in the Fraser Valley, referred to as the Harrison operations, were acquired. In 1944 the purchase of timber rights in the Nimpkish Valley on Vancouver Island, becoming the Englewood Logging Division, ensured a stable log supply, and by 1948 Canfor solidified its position as a leader. The business subsequently grew into an integrated forest-products manufacturer with substantial sawmilling, lumber, pulp, paper, and engineered-wood capabilities. Canfor is headquartered in Vancouver and has operated in Canada and other international markets, including the United States and Sweden. It is identified as a member of the Forest Products Association of Canada. The company states that many things have changed since Canfor was founded, but its commitment to always be better remains the same, and that it has grown to be a global leader in the manufacturing of low-carbon forest products. The available historical material describes Canfor as an active integrated forest-products company, but does not establish a complete current list of executives, current ownership arrangements, or current production capacity. Accordingly, those fields are left limited where the references do not provide reliable detail.
- 2018
Agreement to acquire 70 percent of Vida Group
[1]On November 15, 2018, Canfor announced an agreement to acquire a controlling 70 percent interest in Sweden-based Vida Group, while the prior owners retained 30 percent and operational management.
- 2006
Englewood Railway sold
[1]Canfor sold its former Englewood Railway operation on Vancouver Island to Western Forest Products.
- 2006
Proxy fight changes leadership
[1]Jim Pattison prevailed in a proxy contest involving Stephen A. Jarislowsky, after which Jim Shepherd was removed as chief executive and Pattison became interim chief executive.
- 1948
Canfor solidifies leadership position
[3]By 1948 Canfor solidified its position as a leader in the forest-products industry.
- 1944
Nimpkish Valley timber rights purchased
[3]The purchase of timber rights in the Nimpkish Valley on Vancouver Island, becoming the Englewood Logging Division, ensured a stable log supply.
- 1943
Harrison logging operations acquired
[3]A group of small logging operations in the Fraser Valley, referred to as the Harrison operations, were acquired in 1943.
- 1940
Eburne Saw Mills Limited purchased
[3]Eburne Saw Mills Limited was purchased in 1940 and upgraded to cut hemlock and balsam.
- 1939
Mill workforce grows to 1,000
[3]By 1939 the mill had grown to employ 1,000 men and women supplying Douglas Fir plywood and increasingly innovative materials for aviation and marine applications.
- 1938
Pacific Veneer founded
[3]John Prentice and Poldi Bentley established Pacific Veneer, a small mill with 28 employees on the banks of the Fraser River in British Columbia, forming the foundation of Canfor.
Founding mill established in Vancouver
[1]John G. Prentice and L.L.G. "Poldi" Bentley, together with their families, established a small mill in Vancouver that became the foundation of Canfor.
Products and positioning
An integrated Canadian forest-products manufacturer serving construction, industrial, pulp, paper, and engineered-wood markets through a portfolio of sawmilling and fibre-processing operations. Global leader in the manufacturing of low-carbon forest products; brand line 'Better by nature.'
Lumber
Softwood lumber
Softwood lumber is Canfor's central manufacturing line and is produced for construction, renovation, industrial, and other wood-using applications. Historical reference material identifies lumber as the company's largest stated production capability, with approximately 5.9 billion board feet of annual capacity in 2016.
Wood products
Specialty wood products
Canfor's specialty wood-products activities extend beyond standard commodity lumber. They serve applications requiring particular grades, dimensions, specifications, or performance characteristics, although the supplied sources do not identify a complete product catalogue.
Engineered wood
Engineered wood products
Engineered wood products are manufactured materials designed for consistent structural or application-specific performance. They complement Canfor's sawmilling business by converting wood fibre into products with more controlled specifications than conventional sawn lumber. The portfolio includes glue laminated timber and I-joists, delivering strength, versatility and enhancing structural integrity and sustainability in residential, commercial and industrial mass timber applications. Portfolio including glue laminated timber and I-joists, delivering strength, versatility and enhancing structural integrity and sustainability in residential, commercial and industrial mass timber applications.
Pulp
Northern softwood kraft pulp
Through its controlling share in Canfor Pulp Limited, the group produces northern softwood market kraft pulp. Historical material cites approximately 1.1 million tonnes of annual capacity in 2016, a figure that should not be treated as a current capacity statement.
Pulp
BCTMP
Bleached chemi-thermo-mechanical pulp is another fibre product associated with Canfor's pulp interests. The reference material cites approximately 220,000 tonnes of annual BCTMP capacity in 2016.
Paper
Kraft paper
Kraft paper is produced within Canfor's pulp-and-paper activities. Historical reference material lists approximately 140,000 tonnes of annual kraft-paper capacity in 2016.
Lumber
Structural Lumber
Sourced from Western Canada, the Southeastern United States and Sweden, delivering strength and reliability for versatile construction applications.
Wood products
Interior Finishes
Premium-quality boards and paneling ideal for a range of applications, often featuring a straight, fine grain to meet a variety of architectural styles.
Wood products
Outdoor Living
Products bringing natural wood beauty and lasting performance to any yard, patio, or porch, from decking and fencing to balusters and finishing details.
Pulp and paper
Pulp & Paper
Crafted from premium northern fibres, offering superior reinforcement, flexibility and tailored brightness with durability and strength.
Bioproducts
Bioproducts
Bioproducts form part of Canfor's portfolio alongside lumber, engineered wood, and pulp and paper.
Brand decisions
2018
Acquisition agreement for Vida GroupM&ABackground
Canfor pursued international expansion in wood products through Sweden-based Vida Group.
Action taken
Canfor announced an agreement to acquire 70 percent of Vida. The former owners retained 30 percent and continued managing day-to-day operations.
Aftermath
The agreement gave Canfor a controlling interest in a Swedish wood-products business while retaining the previous owners in a minority and operating role.
2006
Governance response to shareholder proxy contestOtherBackground
A proxy fight between major shareholders Jim Pattison and Stephen A. Jarislowsky took place amid criticism of Canfor's business performance and declining share price.
Action taken
Pattison won the contest, Jim Shepherd was removed as chief executive, and Pattison assumed the interim chief executive role.
Aftermath
The contest produced a significant change in Canfor's leadership and shareholder governance dynamics.
2006
Sale of Englewood RailwayM&ABackground
Canfor formerly owned the Englewood Railway on Vancouver Island.
Action taken
Canfor sold the railway to Western Forest Products.
Aftermath
The sale removed the railway operation from Canfor's portfolio.
Recent events
Canfor wins Financial Wellness award[6]
Reported:
Canfor won the Financial Wellness category at Benefits Canada’s 2021 Workplace Benefits Awards for its support of employees’ savings and retirement goals.
Canfor makes final investment decision for Prince George biofuel plant[7]
Reported:
Canfor announced a final investment decision on the first phase of a biofuel plant at one of its paper mills in Prince George, British Columbia. The plant is planned to convert sawmill residues, primarily bark, into biocrude.
Canfor announces Canadian sawmill production curtailments[8]
Reported:
Canfor announced plans to curtail approximately 115 million board feet of production capacity at its Canadian sawmills during the third quarter of 2021, citing supply-chain challenges and a transportation backlog caused by extreme wildfire conditions in Western Canada. The curtailments were to begin July 26.
Vida Group to acquire three Swedish sawmills from Bergs Timber[9]
Canfor announced that its 70-percent-owned subsidiary, Vida Group, would purchase three sawmills in Sweden from Bergs Timber for $43 million. The transaction was expected to close in the third quarter of 2020.
Canfor completed its acquisition of Elliott Sawmilling[10]
Canfor completed its acquisition of Elliott Sawmilling, located in Estill, South Carolina. The US$110 million acquisition had been announced in November 2018 and was completed in two phases.
- Unconfirmed
Canfor provided PPE supplies to Northern Health[11]
Reported:
Canfor provided Northern Health with personal protective equipment supplies, including N-95 masks, coveralls, eye protection and gloves, after Northwood Pulp Mill’s turnaround was delayed.
Great Pacific Capital announces deal to take Canfor private[12]
Reported:
Canfor said it had decided to become a private company in a deal with Great Pacific Capital, which already owned 51% of Canfor and would purchase the shares it did not already own for $16 per share. The deal was valued at $980 million.
Sources12 sources
- 1Canforen.wikipedia.org
- 2Canfor — Lumber, Pulp, Paper & Sustainable Wood Productscanfor.com
- 3History — Canforcanfor.com
- 4About Us — Canforcanfor.com
- 5Company — Canforcanfor.com
- 6Canfor获得金融健康奖benefitscanada.com
- 7Canfor就Prince George生物燃料工厂作出最终投资决定castanet.net
- 8Canfor宣布加拿大锯木厂减产newswire.ca
- 9Vida Group将收购Bergs Timber旗下三家瑞典锯木厂woodworkingnetwork.com
- 10Canfor完成对Elliott Sawmilling的收购woodworkingnetwork.com
- 11Canfor向Northern Health提供个人防护装备myprincegeorgenow.com
- 12Great Pacific Capital宣布收购Canfor剩余股份并将其私有化dailyhive.com
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