By NATHAN WILK/KLCC News
An Oregon timber company plans to spend around $120 million to expand its manufacturing site in Springfield.
Rosboro was founded in Springfield in 1939. Today, it claims to be the largest producer of glue-laminated timber products in North America. Now, the company said it will construct two new mills on its Springfield campus, and expand its timber-drying operation there.
“We’ve run out the current footprint that we have, and our ability to support the market that we’ve built,” said Rosboro chief executive officer Brian Wells, “and we need to do something to invest in the future.”
Wells said the dry-kiln expansion is almost complete, and both of the new mills should be operational by the end of 2026. He said altogether, this could create up to 100 new union jobs.
“These timber dollars really did have a heavy, heavy hand in building Oregon up to what it is,” said Wells. “And my belief is that we should hold on to that legacy as a community and as a state, and lean into it.”
In February of this year, Rosboro laid off 25 workers when it closed down its stud mill in Springfield. Wells said due to market conditions and government regulations, that facility was making a product that wasn’t profitable.
“We’re in a situation now, and have been for about two years, where it costs more to acquire the log that you would turn into stud lumber than you can sell the finished stud lumber for,” he said.
Wells said the company will now retool the mill, so the company can manufacture a different product there in the future, called laminating stock. Wells estimates this will create up to 40 new jobs, and will be ready by early 2026.
