ere we are at Christmas 2009.  This is the time of year where we traditionally reflect on the year past and look forward to the future.

2009 will go down in history as the worst lumber markets of all time.  Housing starts in the US, which is by far the biggest importer of Canadian softwood including cedar, fell from a high of 2,500,000 to under 500,000.  This has been devastating to the  industry with mill and supplier closings all across Canada.  The mills that did remain running are all costing money.  Port Alberni has been hit hard in the downturn.  Somass has not run at all for 6 months; logging has been curtailed, Port Machine has filed for bankruptcy, the other smaller mills are just hanging on; and, we have taken some severe losses.  Reflecting on 2009 is not a pleasant experience.

Looking forward to 2010 is difficult.  So far there are no clear signs that this is behind us and that we aren’t heading into more of the same.  Some of the things affecting CML are beyond our control.  Things like the high Canadian dollar or lack of credit availability are things we can’t change.  Cutting costs and working safely are things we can strive towards.

We at CML are going to be facing some decisions in 2010 that will affect the long term viability of our operations.  There is a future for a versatile medium sized sawmill which can change cuts and species quickly and has planer and sorting facilities attached. 

We have faced adversity before and have come through by creating a leaner, meaner facility.  I am confident we will figure out a way through this challenge and have prosperity in our future.

Thank you to everyone for their hard work and dedication throughout 2009.  Thank you to the Coulson family for giving us the tools and support to keep operating in these difficult times.