Fraser Paper shuts down two sawmills

Fraser Papers is temporarily closing two New Brunswick mills to save money because of the high Canadian dollar and low demand for wood products.

The two-week shutdown will affect sawmills in Juniper and Plaster Rock. The shutdown will begin June 17 and is expected to last two weeks.

Fraser Papers vice-president Pierre McNeil said the closure will affect 340 New Brunswick workers.

"Many people are saying, 'Well the market won't improve in two weeks, what are you going to do then?' and that's why I'm going to meet the key players and look at what are the different scenarios we have in front of us."

Fraser Papers recently announced a $3-million upgrade to the Juniper facility.

The company also has operations in Maine, New Hampshire and Quebec, as well as a pulp mill in Edmundston, N.B.