Q2 2026 Canfor Corp Earnings Call
Operator: Good morning. My name is Michelle, and I will be your host today. Welcome to Canfor Corporation's Q2 analyst call. At this time, all lines have been placed to mute to prevent any background noise. A Q&A session will be available after today's presentation. During this call, Canfor's Chief Financial Officer will be referring to a slide presentation that is available in the investor relations section of the company's website. The company would like to point out that this call will include forward-looking statements, so please refer to the press release for the associated risk of such statements. I would now like to turn the meeting over to Susan Yurkovich, Canfor Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer. Please go ahead, Susan.
Operator: Good morning. My name is Michelle, and I will be your host today. Welcome to Canfor Corporation's Q2 analyst call. At this time, all lines have been placed to mute to prevent any background noise. A Q&A session will be available after today's presentation. During this call, Canfor's Chief Financial Officer will be referring to a slide presentation that is available in the investor relations section of the company's website. The company would like to point out that this call will include forward-looking statements, so please refer to the press release for the associated risk of such statements. I would now like to turn the meeting over to Susan Yurkovich, Canfor Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer. Please go ahead, Susan.
Speaker #1: A Q&A session will be available after today's presentation. During this call, Canfor's Chief Financial Officer will be referring to a slide presentation that is available in the Investor Relations section of the company's website.
Speaker #1: Also, the company would like to point out that this call will include forward-looking statements, so please refer to the press release for the associated risks of such statements.
Speaker #1: I would now like to turn the meeting over to Susan Yurkovich, Canfor's president and chief executive officer. Please go ahead, Susan.
Speaker #2: Thanks, Michelle. Good morning, everyone. Thanks for joining our Q2 results conference call. I'll start off with a few comments before I turn things over to Pat Elliott, Canfor's Chief Financial Officer.
Susan Yurkovich: Thanks, Michelle. Good morning, everyone. Thanks for joining our Q2 results conference call. I'll start off with a few comments before I turn things over to Pat Elliott, Canfor's Chief Financial Officer. I'm also joined by Stephen MacKie, our Chief Operating Officer, Kevin Pankratz, our Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and Brian Yuen, our Vice President of Pulp and Paper Sales, who are available and can help with questions following our remarks. Our lumber business generated solid EBITDA in Q2, with improved pricing driven by leaner inventories, industry capacity rationalizations over the last several years, and ongoing transportation constraints in the US South. While supply reductions have supported lumber pricing in 2026, we do remain cautious on our near-term outlook as demand continues to be impacted by global economic uncertainty, ongoing trade disputes, and persistent affordability challenges.
Susan Yurkovich: Thanks, Michelle. Good morning, everyone. Thanks for joining our Q2 results conference call. I'll start off with a few comments before I turn things over to Pat Elliott, Canfor's Chief Financial Officer. I'm also joined by Stephen Mackie, our Chief Operating Officer, Kevin Pankratz, our Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and Brian Yuen, our Vice President of Pulp and Paper Sales, who are available and can help with questions following our remarks. Our lumber business generated solid EBITDA in Q2, with improved pricing driven by leaner inventories, industry capacity rationalizations over the last several years, and ongoing transportation constraints in the US South. While supply reductions have supported lumber pricing in 2026, we do remain cautious on our near-term outlook as demand continues to be impacted by global economic uncertainty, ongoing trade disputes, and persistent affordability challenges.
Speaker #2: I'm also joined by Stephen MacKie, our chief operating officer, Kevin Pankratz, our senior vice president of sales and marketing, and Brian Ewan, our vice president of pulp sales, pulp and paper sales, who are available and can help with questions following our remarks.
Speaker #2: Our lumber business generated solid EBITDA in the second quarter, with improved pricing driven by capacity rationalizations over the last several years and ongoing transportation constraints in the US South.
Speaker #2: While supply reductions have supported lumber pricing in 2026, we do remain cautious on our near-term outlook as demand continues to be impacted by global economic uncertainty, ongoing trade disputes, and persistent affordability challenges.
Speaker #2: Pulp markets also remain under significant pressure, with elevated inventories and a structural shift in market dynamics contributing to weak pricing over the last several quarters.
Susan Yurkovich: Pulp markets also remain under significant pressure, with elevated inventories and a structural shift in market dynamics contributing to weak pricing over the last several quarters. Despite these headwinds, we are seeing improvements in our underlying performance, supported by the significant changes we've made to our operating platform over the last several years. While we're encouraged by our Q2 results, we remain focused on strengthening our platform and positioning the business to navigate the challenges facing our industry. As part of these efforts, we recently announced the closures of our Northwood Pulp Mill later this year, along with two sawmills in Sweden and our Fox Creek sawmill in Alberta. These are incredibly difficult decisions that impact our employees, their families, and our local communities. We've made changes across our platform that are gut-wrenching, but we are putting our business on a more sustainable footing.
Susan Yurkovich: Pulp markets also remain under significant pressure, with elevated inventories and a structural shift in market dynamics contributing to weak pricing over the last several quarters. Despite these headwinds, we are seeing improvements in our underlying performance, supported by the significant changes we've made to our operating platform over the last several years. While we're encouraged by our Q2 results, we remain focused on strengthening our platform and positioning the business to navigate the challenges facing our industry. As part of these efforts, we recently announced the closures of our Northwood Pulp Mill later this year, along with two sawmills in Sweden and our Fox Creek sawmill in Alberta. These are incredibly difficult decisions that impact our employees, their families, and our local communities. We've made changes across our platform that are gut-wrenching, but we are putting our business on a more sustainable footing.
Speaker #2: Despite these headwinds, we are seeing improvements in our underlying performance, supported by the significant changes we've made to our operating platform over the last several years.
Speaker #2: While we're encouraged by our second quarter results, we remain focused on strengthening our platform and positioning the business to navigate the challenges facing our industry.
Speaker #2: As part of these efforts, we recently announced the closure of our Northwood pulp mill later this year, along with two sawmills in Sweden and our Fox Creek sawmill in Alberta.
Speaker #2: These are incredibly difficult decisions that impact our employees, their families, and our local communities. We've made changes across our platform that are gut-wrenching, but we are putting our business on a more sustainable footing.
Speaker #2: The changes will allow us to utilize the economically viable fiber supply across our operating regions more effectively and support a stronger, more competitive platform going forward.
Susan Yurkovich: The changes will allow us to utilize the economically viable fiber supply across our operating regions more effectively and support a stronger, more competitive platform going forward. In the case of Northwood, reducing our pulp capacity will improve our cost structure, lower our capital intensity, and enhance the long-term competitiveness of our Intercon facility and specialty paper business, which continues to perform well. In our lumber business, the closure of Urshult, Orrefors, and along with Fox Creek sawmills, will allow us to optimize fiber procurement efforts, support our cost structure, and overall profitability as we concentrate production in fewer, more productive facilities. As we optimize our operating platform, we're also investing in higher value opportunities. Earlier this month, we completed the acquisition of PinkWood, which we believe will strengthen our asset base in Western Canada, further diversify our earnings profile through increased exposure to value-added products.
Susan Yurkovich: The changes will allow us to utilize the economically viable fiber supply across our operating regions more effectively and support a stronger, more competitive platform going forward. In the case of Northwood, reducing our pulp capacity will improve our cost structure, lower our capital intensity, and enhance the long-term competitiveness of our Intercon facility and specialty paper business, which continues to perform well. In our lumber business, the closure of Urshult, Orrefors, and along with Fox Creek sawmills, will allow us to optimize fiber procurement efforts, support our cost structure, and overall profitability as we concentrate production in fewer, more productive facilities. As we optimize our operating platform, we're also investing in higher value opportunities. Earlier this month, we completed the acquisition of PinkWood, which we believe will strengthen our asset base in Western Canada, further diversify our earnings profile through increased exposure to value-added products.
Speaker #2: In the case of Northwood, reducing our pulp capacity will improve our cost structure, lower our capital intensity, and enhance the long-term competitiveness of our intercon facility and specialty paper business, which continues to perform well.
Speaker #2: In our lumber business, the closure of Ershult, or for and along with Fox Creek sawmills, will allow us to optimize fiber procurement efforts, support our cost structure, and overall profitability as we concentrate production in fewer, more productive facilities.
Speaker #2: As we optimize our operating platform, we're also investing in higher-value opportunities. Earlier this month, we completed the acquisition of Pinkwood, which we believe will strengthen our asset base in Western Canada and further diversify our earnings profile through increased exposure to value-added products.
Speaker #2: Taken together, these actions reflect our continued focus on building a stronger, more resilient company, positioned to create long-term value through the cycle. With that, I'll turn it over to Pat to provide an overview of our financial results.
Susan Yurkovich: Taken together, these actions reflect our continued focus on building a stronger, more resilient company, positioned to create long-term value through the cycle. With that, I'll turn it over to Pat to provide an overview of our financial results.
Susan Yurkovich: Taken together, these actions reflect our continued focus on building a stronger, more resilient company, positioned to create long-term value through the cycle. With that, I'll turn it over to Pat to provide an overview of our financial results.
Speaker #3: Thanks, Susan, and morning, everyone. In my comments this morning, I'll speak to our second quarter financial highlights and, as always, a summary of this is included in our overview slide presentation in the investor relations section of our website.
Pat Elliott: Thanks, Susan, and morning, everyone. In my comments this morning, I'll speak to our Q2 financial highlights, and as always, a summary of this is included in our overview slide presentation in the investor relations section of our website. Our lumber business generated adjusted EBITDA of CAD 145 million in the Q2, CAD 116 million higher than the previous quarter. These results have been adjusted to exclude one-time items totaling CAD 16 million, comprised of restructuring and impairment charges, net of a CAD 7 million recovery of previously recorded inventory write-downs. Results included CAD 37 million of adjusted EBITDA in our European lumber business, reflecting moderately higher pricing, increased shipments, and modest log cost relief. In North America, improved lumber pricing, increased volume, and cost structure improvements supported solid earnings, particularly in the US South.
Pat Elliott: Thanks, Susan, and morning, everyone. In my comments this morning, I'll speak to our Q2 financial highlights, and as always, a summary of this is included in our overview slide presentation in the investor relations section of our website. Our lumber business generated adjusted EBITDA of CAD 145 million in the Q2, CAD 116 million higher than the previous quarter. These results have been adjusted to exclude one-time items totaling CAD 16 million, comprised of restructuring and impairment charges, net of a CAD 7 million recovery of previously recorded inventory write-downs. Results included CAD 37 million of adjusted EBITDA in our European lumber business, reflecting moderately higher pricing, increased shipments, and modest log cost relief. In North America, improved lumber pricing, increased volume, and cost structure improvements supported solid earnings, particularly in the US South.
Speaker #3: Our lumber business generated adjusted EBITDA of $145 million in the second quarter, $116 million higher than the previous quarter. These results have been adjusted to exclude one-time items totaling $16 million comprised of restructuring and impairment charges, net of a $7 million recovery of previously recorded inventory write-downs.
Speaker #3: Results included $37 million of adjusted EBITDA in our European lumber business, reflecting moderately higher pricing, increased shipments, and modest log cost relief. In North America, improved lumber pricing, increased volume, and cost structure improvements supported solid earnings, particularly in the US South.
Speaker #3: Our pulp and paper business reported an adjusted EBITDA loss of $12 million, $4 million lower than the prior quarter, reflecting the impact of planned maintenance downtime and weakness in global pulp markets.
Pat Elliott: Our pulp and paper business reported an adjusted EBITDA loss of CAD 12 million, CAD 4 million lower than the prior quarter, reflecting the impact of planned maintenance downtime and weakness in global pulp markets. As Susan mentioned, we announced the closure of our Northwood Pulp Mill later this year, driven by a structural shift in pulp market fundamentals and challenges securing economically viable fiber supply. As a result, we anticipate recording restructuring costs of approximately CAD 30 million in the Q3. In addition, we announced the closure of our Fox Creek sawmill due to challenging market conditions, elevated duties, and declining fiber availability in the region. As a result, we anticipate recording an asset write-down and impairment charge of approximately CAD 35 million, also in the Q3.
Pat Elliott: Our pulp and paper business reported an adjusted EBITDA loss of CAD 12 million, CAD 4 million lower than the prior quarter, reflecting the impact of planned maintenance downtime and weakness in global pulp markets. As Susan mentioned, we announced the closure of our Northwood Pulp Mill later this year, driven by a structural shift in pulp market fundamentals and challenges securing economically viable fiber supply. As a result, we anticipate recording restructuring costs of approximately CAD 30 million in the Q3. In addition, we announced the closure of our Fox Creek sawmill due to challenging market conditions, elevated duties, and declining fiber availability in the region. As a result, we anticipate recording an asset write-down and impairment charge of approximately CAD 35 million, also in the Q3.
Speaker #3: As Susan mentioned, we announced the closure of our Northwood pulp mill later this year, driven by a structural shift in pulp market fundamentals and challenges securing economically viable fiber supply.
Speaker #3: As a result, we anticipate recording restructuring costs of approximately $30 million in the third quarter. In addition, we announced the closure of our Fox Creek sawmill due to challenging market conditions, elevated duties, and declining fiber availability in the region.
Speaker #3: As a result, we anticipate recording an asset write-down and impairment charge of approximately $35 million, also in the third quarter. Turning to our balance sheet, Canfor ended the second quarter with available liquidity of approximately $1.2 billion and net debt, excluding the duty loan, of $316 million.
Pat Elliott: Turning to our balance sheet, Canfor ended Q2 with available liquidity of approximately CAD 1.2 billion and net debt, excluding the duty loan, of CAD 316 million. Available liquidity improved by CAD 215 million in Q2, supported by solid earnings and a seasonal working capital unwind. We anticipate capital spend of approximately CAD 210 million in 2026, including approximately CAD 35 million for our pulp business and the remaining spend associated with our Bruza facility in Sweden and our Iron Mountain facility in Arkansas. Following completion of these projects, capital spend will moderate, supported by our strong lumber platform and right-sized pulp footprint. With that, Michelle, we are now ready to take questions from the analysts.
Pat Elliott: Turning to our balance sheet, Canfor ended Q2 with available liquidity of approximately CAD 1.2 billion and net debt, excluding the duty loan, of CAD 316 million. Available liquidity improved by CAD 215 million in Q2, supported by solid earnings and a seasonal working capital unwind. We anticipate capital spend of approximately CAD 210 million in 2026, including approximately CAD 35 million for our pulp business and the remaining spend associated with our Bruza facility in Sweden and our Iron Mountain facility in Arkansas. Following completion of these projects, capital spend will moderate, supported by our strong lumber platform and right-sized pulp footprint. With that, Michelle, we are now ready to take questions from the analysts.
Speaker #3: Available liquidity improved by $215 million in the second quarter, supported by solid earnings and a seasonal working capital unwind. We anticipate capital spend of approximately $210 million in 2026, including approximately $35 million for our pulp business and the remaining spend associated with our Bruga facility in Sweden and our Iron Mountain facility in Arkansas.
Speaker #3: Following completion of these projects, capital spend will moderate, supported by our strong lumber platform and right-sized pulp footprint. And with that, Michelle, we are now ready to take questions from the analysts.
Operator: Thank you. We will now take questions from financial analysts. If you have a question, please press star one one on your telephone keypad and wait for your name to be announced. If you'd like to withdraw your question at any time, please press star one one again. Our first question is going to come from Ben Isaacson with Scotiabank. Your line is now open.
Operator: Thank you. We will now take questions from financial analysts. If you have a question, please press star one one on your telephone keypad and wait for your name to be announced. If you'd like to withdraw your question at any time, please press star one one again. Our first question is going to come from Ben Isaacson with Scotiabank. Your line is now open.
Speaker #4: Thank you. We will now take questions from financial analysts. If you have a question, please press star 11 on your telephone keypad and wait for your name to be announced.
Speaker #4: If you'd like to withdraw your question at any time, please press star 11 again. And our first question is going to come from Ben Isaacson with Scotiabank.
Speaker #4: Your line is now open.
Speaker #1: Great, thank you very much, and good morning everyone. Two questions, both on closures. First, could you give a little bit more color on the Fox Creek closure, and specifically the Alberta fiber basket?
Ben Isaacson: Great. Thank you very much, good morning, everyone. Two questions, both on closures. First, could you give a little bit more color on the Fox Creek closure and specifically the Alberta fiber basket? How rapidly is it-
Ben Isaacson: Great. Thank you very much, good morning, everyone. Two questions, both on closures. First, could you give a little bit more color on the Fox Creek closure and specifically the Alberta fiber basket? How rapidly is it-declining, are there any other assets in your portfolio that are at risk or are on the fence?
Speaker #1: How rapidly is it declining? And are there any other assets in your portfolio that are at risk, or are on the fence?
Ben Isaacson: Declining, are there any other assets in your portfolio that are at risk or are on the fence?
Speaker #5: Hey, good morning, Ben. It's Stephen here. Thanks for the question. Well, maybe I'll sort of work backwards, but I would say there's no other assets in our Alberta portfolio that are at risk.
Stephen MacKie: Hey, good morning, Ben. It's Stephen here. Thanks for the question. Well, maybe I'll sort of work backwards, I would say there's no other assets in our Alberta portfolio that are at risk. We think that this move, as difficult as it is, really a result of the wildfires that we've experienced in Alberta over recent years, that impact of the fiber supply, along with some other sort of regulatory constraints, that are being applied on the land base. When we look at our overall portfolio of assets in Alberta, this strengthens it and we're confident that we've got sufficient fiber supply to support the remaining facilities.
Stephen Mackie: Hey, good morning, Ben. It's Stephen here. Thanks for the question. Well, maybe I'll sort of work backwards, I would say there's no other assets in our Alberta portfolio that are at risk. We think that this move, as difficult as it is, really a result of the wildfires that we've experienced in Alberta over recent years, that impact of the fiber supply, along with some other sort of regulatory constraints, that are being applied on the land base. When we look at our overall portfolio of assets in Alberta, this strengthens it and we're confident that we've got sufficient fiber supply to support the remaining facilities.
Speaker #5: We think that this move is difficult as it is, really a result of the wildfires that we've experienced in Alberta over recent years and that impact of the fiber supply, along with some other sort of regulatory constraints.
Speaker #5: And that are being applied on the land base. And when we look at our overall portfolio of assets in Alberta, this strengthens it and we're confident that we've got sufficient fiber supply to support the remaining facilities.
Speaker #1: That's great. And then, just a broader question: You've done a lot of footprint rationalization recently, and presumably, you're only shutting those assets that are losing money.
Ben Isaacson: That's great. Just a broader question. You've done a lot of footprint rationalization recently, presumably you're only shutting those assets that are losing money. If that's correct, what is the uplift to normalized EBITDA? How do all these closures improve the earnings power for the company?
Ben Isaacson: That's great. Just a broader question. You've done a lot of footprint rationalization recently, presumably you're only shutting those assets that are losing money. If that's correct, what is the uplift to normalized EBITDA? How do all these closures improve the earnings power for the company?
Speaker #1: And so, if that's correct, then what is the uplift to normalized EBITDA, or how do all these closures improve the earnings power for the company?
Pat Elliott: Hey, Ben, it's Pat. Yeah, hard and probably not proper to give you too good a guidance other than to say, clearly there's a lot of this that's been baked in since we started rationalizing in 2023, I guess I would just guide to there's more to come. We mentioned Fox Creek with the Northwood closure, that pulp cost structure changes materially. We're still doing an upgrade and finishing an upgrade at Bruzja in Sweden. We're still doing an upgrade at our Iron Mountain facility in Arkansas. As we get into 2027, I would just say that there's more to come, I just have to wait for those results, it's still more to come.
Pat Elliott: Hey, Ben, it's Pat. Yeah, hard and probably not proper to give you too good a guidance other than to say, clearly there's a lot of this that's been baked in since we started rationalizing in 2023, I guess I would just guide to there's more to come. We mentioned Fox Creek with the Northwood closure, that pulp cost structure changes materially. We're still doing an upgrade and finishing an upgrade at Bruzja in Sweden. We're still doing an upgrade at our Iron Mountain facility in Arkansas. As we get into 2027, I would just say that there's more to come, I just have to wait for those results, it's still more to come.
Speaker #3: Hey, Ben. It's Pat. Yeah, hard and probably not proper to give you too good a guidance here other than to say clearly there's a lot of this that's been baked in since we started rationalizing in 2023.
Speaker #3: But I guess I would just guide to there's more to come. You mentioned Fox Creek. With the Northwood closure, that pulp cost structure changes materially.
Speaker #3: We're still doing an upgrade and finishing an upgrade at Brøynes in Sweden. We're still doing an upgrade at our Iron Mountain facility in Arkansas.
Speaker #3: So as we get into 2027, I would just say that there's more to come. And so I just have to wait for those results.
Speaker #3: But it's still more to come.
Speaker #1: That's great. Thank you.
Ben Isaacson: That's great. Thank you.
Ben Isaacson: That's great. Thank you.
Operator: Thank you. The next question will come from Sean Steuart with TD Cowen. Your line is open.
Operator: Thank you. The next question will come from Sean Steuart with TD Cowen. Your line is open.
Speaker #4: Thank you. And the next question will come from Sean Stewart with TD Cowen. Your line is open.
Speaker #6: Thanks. Good morning, everyone. Pat, just to build on that last response—when you say more to come, you're talking about savings to come in '27, not necessarily more closures, correct?
Sean Steuart: Thanks. Good morning, everyone. Pat, just to build on that last response, when you say more to come, you're talking about savings to come in 2027, not necessarily more closures, correct?
Sean Steuart: Thanks. Good morning, everyone. Pat, just to build on that last response, when you say more to come, you're talking about savings to come in 2027, not necessarily more closures, correct?
Speaker #3: Yes, thank you for clarifying. That's exactly right, Sean. Thank you.
Pat Elliott: Yes. Thank you for clarifying. That's exactly right, Sean. Thank you.
Pat Elliott: Yes. Thank you for clarifying. That's exactly right, Sean.
Sean Steuart: Thank you.
Sean Steuart: Okay. Wanted to make sure. You guys had really strong Q2 lumber price gains in North America, which outpaced comps and the published benchmarks. I know there was disproportionate strength for wider dimension stuff in the south, any further comment you can give on mix that might have helped this quarter and if mix was a factor, is that a sustainable trend into the H2?
Pat Elliott: Okay.
Speaker #6: Okay. Okay. I wanted to make sure. You guys have really strong Q2 lumber price gains in North America, which outpaced comps and the published benchmarks.
Sean Steuart: Wanted to make sure. You guys had really strong Q2 lumber price gains in North America, which outpaced comps and the published benchmarks. I know there was disproportionate strength for wider dimension stuff in the south, any further comment you can give on mix that might have helped this quarter and if mix was a factor, is that a sustainable trend into the H2?
Speaker #6: I know there was disproportionate strength for wider-dimension stuff in the South, but any further comment you can give on mix that might have helped this quarter? And if mix was a factor, is that a sustainable trend into the back half of the year?
Susan Yurkovich: Yeah. Hi, Sean, it's Kevin here. Yeah, I think, you noted the wide widths, especially in 6 inch and 10 to 12 inch, and we're seeing it across all species too there, Sean. We'll expect those spreads to maybe moderate somewhat because it is out of the normal pattern, but we expect that to continue through Q3 and typically come off there by Q4.
Kevin Pankratz: Yeah. Hi, Sean, it's Kevin here. Yeah, I think, you noted the wide widths, especially in 6 inch and 10 to 12 inch, and we're seeing it across all species too there, Sean. We'll expect those spreads to maybe moderate somewhat because it is out of the normal pattern, but we expect that to continue through Q3 and typically come off there by Q4.
Speaker #7: Yep.
Speaker #3: Yeah. Hi, Sean. It's Kevin here. Yeah, I think you noted the wide width, especially in six-inch and 10 and 12-inch. And we're seeing it across all species too, there, Sean.
Speaker #3: So, we might expect those spreads to maybe moderate somewhat, because it is out of the normal pattern. But we expect that to continue through Q3, and then typically come off there by Q4.
Speaker #1: Okay, that helps. Thanks, Kevin. Susan, the recent iJoyce acquisition you touched on in Alberta, just outside Calgary—I know it's a small deal, but can you clarify the company's broader interest in EWP expansion?
Sean Steuart: Okay. That helps. Thanks, Kevin. Susan, the recent I-joist acquisition you touched on in Alberta just outside Calgary. I know it's a small deal, but I guess, can you qualify the company's broader interest in EWP expansion? Is this a precursor to M&A interest in other deals, on that side of the business?
Sean Steuart: Okay. That helps. Thanks, Kevin. Susan, the recent I-joist acquisition you touched on in Alberta just outside Calgary. I know it's a small deal, but I guess, can you qualify the company's broader interest in EWP expansion? Is this a precursor to M&A interest in other deals, on that side of the business?
Speaker #1: Is this a precursor to interests M&A interest in other deals on that side of the business?
Speaker #2: Yeah. We're constantly looking at things. This is a really good fit for us. Of course, we operate in Alberta. We provide a lot of furnish to that facility already.
Susan Yurkovich: Yeah. We're constantly looking at things. This is a really good fit for us. Of course, we operate in Alberta. We provide a lot of furnish to that facility already, so we know these folks, culturally, are a really good fit for us. We think it adds nicely to our portfolio. We're continuing to look at a number of opportunities. We're fortunate that we have a balance sheet where we can be opportunistic. Of course, we're being prudent, but we like this acquisition, and we see opportunity to grow that business.
Susan Yurkovich: Yeah. We're constantly looking at things. This is a really good fit for us. Of course, we operate in Alberta. We provide a lot of furnish to that facility already, so we know these folks, culturally, are a really good fit for us. We think it adds nicely to our portfolio. We're continuing to look at a number of opportunities. We're fortunate that we have a balance sheet where we can be opportunistic. Of course, we're being prudent, but we like this acquisition, and we see opportunity to grow that business.
Speaker #2: So, we know these folks are, culturally, a really good fit for us. We think it adds nicely to our portfolio, and we're continuing to look at a number of opportunities.
Speaker #2: We're fortunate that we have a balance sheet where we can be opportunistic. Of course, we're being prudent, but we like this acquisition and we see opportunity to grow that business.
Speaker #1: Organically or through M&A or both?
Sean Steuart: Organically or through M&A or both?
Sean Steuart: Organically or through M&A or both?
Speaker #2: Would you like as usual? We're looking at all kinds of things. And when we're ready to share something with you, we'll be happy to do so.
Susan Yurkovich: Would you like as usual, we're looking at all kinds of things, and when we're ready to share something with you, we'll be happy to do so.
Susan Yurkovich: Would you like as usual, we're looking at all kinds of things, and when we're ready to share something with you, we'll be happy to do so.
Speaker #1: Got it. Okay, understood. One last one. The Northwood closure—I understand the context. I guess the question is: How concentrated, let’s say over the last few years, how concentrated were the losses in the pulp segment at Northwood versus Intercon?
Sean Steuart: Got it. Okay. Understood. One last one. The Northwood closure, I understand the context. I guess, the question is, let's say over the last few years, how concentrated were the losses in the pulp segment at Northwood versus Intercon, and can you give some context on broader benefits tied to residual procurement for Intercon going forward, as Northwood's taken out of the mix?
Sean Steuart: Got it. Okay. Understood. One last one. The Northwood closure, I understand the context. I guess, the question is, let's say over the last few years, how concentrated were the losses in the pulp segment at Northwood versus Intercon, and can you give some context on broader benefits tied to residual procurement for Intercon going forward, as Northwood's taken out of the mix?
Speaker #1: And can you give some context on broader benefits tied to residual procurement for Intercon going forward, as Northwood's taken out of the mix?
Speaker #3: Yep. I would do it. I'll start, Sean, and my colleague Stephen and I might help me here. So yeah, I think we didn't procurement was done jointly.
Pat Elliott: Yeah, I'll do it. I'll start, Sean, and my colleague, Stephen, might help me here. Yeah, I think the procurement was done jointly, I guess is what I would say. It's a balanced losses, if you call it that. The opportunity here of sort of tightening the supply, reducing kind of some of that further distanced fibers like residual supply and/or whole log supply, in combination with kind of, I guess, an increased focus on a smaller site, really allows us to generate, I would say, material synergy and material improvement to that structure. Again, not ready to quantify that. We'll see that as we get into 2027. I'd just say that it's a material step down in the cost structure for Intercontinental Pulp Mill relative to the balanced portfolio we have today.
Pat Elliott: Yeah, I'll do it. I'll start, Sean, and my colleague, Stephen, might help me here. Yeah, I think the procurement was done jointly, I guess is what I would say. It's a balanced losses, if you call it that. The opportunity here of sort of tightening the supply, reducing kind of some of that further distanced fibers like residual supply and/or whole log supply, in combination with kind of, I guess, an increased focus on a smaller site, really allows us to generate, I would say, material synergy and material improvement to that structure. Again, not ready to quantify that. We'll see that as we get into 2027. I'd just say that it's a material step down in the cost structure for Intercontinental Pulp Mill relative to the balanced portfolio we have today.
Speaker #3: I guess is what I would say. So it's a balanced losses, if you call it that. The opportunity here of sort of tightening the supply, reducing kind of some of that further distanced fibers like residual supply and/or whole log supply in combination with kind of, I guess, an increased focus on a smaller site really allows us to generate, I would say, material synergy and material improvement to that structure.
Speaker #3: Again, not ready to quantify that. We'll see that as we get into 2027. But I just say that it's a material step down in the cost structure for Intercon, especially paper, relative to the balanced portfolio we have today.
Speaker #5: Yeah. I think the only thing I would add there, Sean and Pat, is just that it proportionally changes our mix quite dramatically as well.
Stephen MacKie: Yeah, I think the only thing I would add there, Sean and Pat, is just that it proportionately changes our mix quite dramatically as well and leverages the greater exposure to the paper business, which has been quite solid and stable and has generated positive returns for a long period, a number of years. I think it reduces our exposure to market pulp, which, along with the cost structure improvements that Pat referenced, are going to position that business, we think quite well going forward.
Stephen Mackie: Yeah, I think the only thing I would add there, Sean and Pat, is just that it proportionately changes our mix quite dramatically as well and leverages the greater exposure to the paper business, which has been quite solid and stable and has generated positive returns for a long period, a number of years. I think it reduces our exposure to market pulp, which, along with the cost structure improvements that Pat referenced, are going to position that business, we think quite well going forward.
Speaker #5: And leverages the greater exposure to the paper business, which has been quite solid and stable and has generated positive returns for a long period—a number of years.
Speaker #5: So I think it reduces our exposure to market pulp, which along with the cost structure, improvements that Pat referenced, are going to position that business, we think, quite well going forward.
Speaker #1: That's great, detail. Thanks, Stephen. That's all I have. Appreciate it.
Sean Steuart: That's great detail. Thanks, Stephen. That's all I have. Appreciate it.
Sean Steuart: That's great detail. Thanks, Stephen. That's all I have. Appreciate it.
Operator: Thank you. Our next question will come from Ketan Mamtora with BMO Capital Markets. Your line's open.
Operator: Thank you. Our next question will come from Ketan Mamtora with BMO Capital Markets. Your line's open.
Speaker #4: Thank you. And our next question will come from Ketan Mentora with BMO Capital Markets. Your line is open.
Speaker #7: Thank you. And thanks for taking my question. Maybe to start with, on the European lumber business, really nice improvement in the second quarter. Can you talk about sort of what is driving the strength there and sort of what trends you are seeing so far in July?
Ketan Mamtora: Thank you. Thanks for taking my question. Maybe to start with, on the European lumber business, really nice improvement in Q2. Can you talk about what is driving this trend there and what trends you are seeing so far in July?
Ketan Mamtora: Thank you. Thanks for taking my question. Maybe to start with, on the European lumber business, really nice improvement in Q2. Can you talk about what is driving this trend there and what trends you are seeing so far in July?
Speaker #3: Sure, Katen. Yeah, so it's kind of a balanced—it's a balanced trend, I’d say. As I said in my comments, we saw both improvement in the lumber price, and we saw a reduction in the log cost.
Pat Elliott: Sure, Ketan. Yeah, it's a balanced trend, I'd say. As I said in my comments, we saw both improvement in the lumber price. We saw a reduction in the log cost. I think you'll know for the last number of quarters, we've seen rapid escalation of the log cost in Sweden, in our operating area. That is starting to moderate as we hoped and suggested that it would do. I think as we look to the rest of the year, Q2 is probably a good proxy for where we'll be. I think there's continuing pressure. That fiber supply is pretty balanced in South Sweden. The markets, obviously, as the markets here in North America are subject to the broader global situation. We do think that we've entered a period where we can have sustained earnings for the remainder of 2026.
Pat Elliott: Sure, Ketan. Yeah, it's a balanced trend, I'd say. As I said in my comments, we saw both improvement in the lumber price. We saw a reduction in the log cost. I think you'll know for the last number of quarters, we've seen rapid escalation of the log cost in Sweden, in our operating area. That is starting to moderate as we hoped and suggested that it would do. I think as we look to the rest of the year, Q2 is probably a good proxy for where we'll be. I think there's continuing pressure. That fiber supply is pretty balanced in South Sweden. The markets, obviously, as the markets here in North America are subject to the broader global situation. We do think that we've entered a period where we can have sustained earnings for the remainder of 2026.
Speaker #3: I think you'll know that for the last number of quarters, we've seen rapid escalation of the log cost in Sweden, in our operating area. That is starting to moderate, as we hoped and suggested that it would do.
Speaker #3: And I think as we look to the rest of the year, Q2 is probably a good proxy for where we'll be. I think there's continuing pressure.
Speaker #3: That fiber supply is pretty balanced in south Sweden. And the markets, obviously, as the markets here in North America, are sort of subject to the broader global situation.
Speaker #3: But we do think that we've kind of entered a period where we can have sort of sustained earnings for the remainder of 2026.
Speaker #7: Understood. And Pat, generally in Q3, just seasonally, volumes are lower in Europe. That should still be sort of consistent with the seasonal trend.
Ketan Mamtora: Understood. Pat, generally Q3, just seasonally, volumes are lower in Europe. That should still be consistent with the seasonal trend?
Ketan Mamtora: Understood. Pat, generally Q3, just seasonally, volumes are lower in Europe. That should still be consistent with the seasonal trend?
Speaker #1: Yeah, exactly. There's usually 100 million or more feet that come out as a result of the July downtime in Sweden.
Pat Elliott: Yeah, exactly. There is usually 100 million or more feet that come out as a result of the July downtime in Sweden.
Pat Elliott: Yeah, exactly. There is usually 100 million or more feet that come out as a result of the July downtime in Sweden.
Speaker #7: Understood. Okay, that's helpful. And then, switching to North America, can you talk about the transportation and freight bottlenecks? What was the order of magnitude, roughly?
Ketan Mamtora: Understood. Okay, that is helpful. Switching to North America. Pat, can you talk about the transportation freight bottlenecks? Just order of magnitude, how much of a drag that was on your results? How much of an impact on cost? Just on the lumber side.
Ketan Mamtora: Understood. Okay, that is helpful. Switching to North America. Pat, can you talk about the transportation freight bottlenecks? Just order of magnitude, how much of a drag that was on your results? How much of an impact on cost? Just on the lumber side.
Speaker #7: How much of a drag was that on your results? How much of an impact did it have on costs, just on the lumber side?
Kevin Pankratz: On the cost. Well, yeah, for sure. On transportation, we did not have any real issues at all in Canada. It was predominantly a US South situation and largely in trucking. It is probably hard to quantify the cost, but obviously we are dealing with fuel surcharges that are somewhat embedded in the pricing. I think that helped supported the elevated pricing in SYP and partially offset there, Ketan, with increased rail shipments that allowed us to reach to markets and customers. I do not really see trucking has moderated somewhat, but it is still at an elevated level of tightness, and we do not really see that fundamentally changing for the balance of the year. As far as the cost go, it is hard to quantify other than the fuel surcharges that are still elevated.
Kevin Pankratz: On the cost. Well, yeah, for sure. On transportation, we did not have any real issues at all in Canada. It was predominantly a US South situation and largely in trucking. It is probably hard to quantify the cost, but obviously we are dealing with fuel surcharges that are somewhat embedded in the pricing. I think that helped supported the elevated pricing in SYP and partially offset there, Ketan, with increased rail shipments that allowed us to reach to markets and customers. I do not really see trucking has moderated somewhat, but it is still at an elevated level of tightness, and we do not really see that fundamentally changing for the balance of the year. As far as the cost go, it is hard to quantify other than the fuel surcharges that are still elevated.
Speaker #3: On the cost? Well, yeah, for sure. So on transportation, we did not have any real issues at all in Canada. It was predominantly a US South situation and largely in trucking.
Speaker #3: It's probably hard to quantify the cost, but obviously, we're dealing with fuel surcharges that are somewhat embedded in the pricing. I think that helps support the elevated pricing in SYP.
Speaker #3: And partially offset their Catan was the increased rail shipments that allowed us to reach to markets and customers. And so I don't really see the I mean, the trucking has moderated somewhat, but it's still at an elevated level of tightness.
Speaker #3: And we don't really see that fundamentally changing for the balance of the year. But as far as the cost goes, it's kind of hard to quantify, other than the fuel surcharges that are still elevated.
Speaker #7: Okay. No, that's helpful. And then just last one from me. On that Thinkware acquisition, is there any part of the business that's exposed to kind of the tariffs that were just recently announced?
Ketan Mamtora: Okay. No, that's helpful. Just last one from me. On that PinkWood acquisition, is there any part of the business that's exposed to the tariffs that were just recently announced?
Ketan Mamtora: Okay. No, that's helpful. Just last one from me. On that PinkWood acquisition, is there any part of the business that's exposed to the tariffs that were just recently announced?
Speaker #2: No. I joist are not subject to tariffs.
Susan Yurkovich: No. I-joists are not subject to tariffs.
Susan Yurkovich: No. I-joists are not subject to tariffs.
Speaker #7: Okay.
Ketan Mamtora: Okay. All right. Thank you.
Ketan Mamtora: Okay. All right. Thank you.
Speaker #2: They're not paying tariffs now, and they are not subject to the 338 or 301.
Susan Yurkovich: They're not paying tariffs now, they are not subject to the 338 or 301.
Susan Yurkovich: They're not paying tariffs now, they are not subject to the 338 or 301.
Speaker #7: Got it. Okay. No, that's helpful. I'll turn it over. Good luck.
Ketan Mamtora: Got it. Okay. That's helpful. I'll turn it over. Good luck.
Ketan Mamtora: Got it. Okay. That's helpful. I'll turn it over. Good luck.
Kevin Pankratz: Thanks.
Kevin Pankratz: Thanks.
Speaker #3: Thanks.
Operator: Thank you. As a reminder, to ask a question, please press star 11 on your telephone. Our next question comes from Hamir Patel with CIBC Capital Markets. Your line's open. Hamir, your line is now open.
Operator: Thank you. As a reminder, to ask a question, please press star 11 on your telephone. Our next question comes from Hamir Patel with CIBC Capital Markets. Your line's open. Hamir, your line is now open.
Speaker #4: Thank you. And as a reminder, to ask a question, please press *11 on your telephone. Our next question comes from Hameer Patel with CIBC Capital Markets.
Speaker #4: Your line is open. Hameer, your line is now open.
Hamir Patel: Just related to Northwood. How do you think about long-term environmental liabilities associated with the pulp business?
Hamir Patel: Just related to Northwood. How do you think about long-term environmental liabilities associated with the pulp business?
Speaker #5: Just related to Northwood, how do you think about long-term environmental liabilities associated with the pulp business?
Operator: Hamir, can you repeat your question because we only heard about half of it?
Susan Yurkovich: Hamir, can you repeat your question because we only heard about half of it?
Speaker #2: Hameer, can you repeat your question? Because we only heard about half of it.
Speaker #5: Sure. Yeah. Pat, in your prepared remarks, you referenced the Q3 restructuring charges related to the Northwood mill. How should we think about the longer-term environmental liabilities associated with the site?
Hamir Patel: Sure, yeah. Pat, in your prepared remarks, you referenced the Q3 restructuring charges you will recognize related to the Northwood Pulp Mill. How should we think about longer-term environmental liabilities associated with the site?
Hamir Patel: Sure, yeah. Pat, in your prepared remarks, you referenced the Q3 restructuring charges you will recognize related to the Northwood Pulp Mill. How should we think about longer-term environmental liabilities associated with the site?
Speaker #3: Yeah, Hameer, a lot of that will have to do with what happens to the site in the longer term, and at this point, we're just focused on sort of a safe wind-down of Northwood pulp.
Pat Elliott: Yeah, Hamir, a lot of that will have to do with what happens to the site in the longer term. At this point, we are just focused on a safe wind down of Northwood Pulp Mill. We will see, but I think that is quite a ways out in terms of dealing with that. Too early to say yet, Hamir.
Pat Elliott: Yeah, Hamir, a lot of that will have to do with what happens to the site in the longer term. At this point, we are just focused on a safe wind down of Northwood Pulp Mill. We will see, but I think that is quite a ways out in terms of dealing with that. Too early to say yet, Hamir.
Speaker #3: We'll see. But I think that's quite a ways out in terms of dealing with that. So too early to say yet, Hameer.
Speaker #5: Okay, fair enough. Then, Susan, we've seen one of your peers decide to shrink its corporate presence in D.C. and consolidate functions in the U.S.
Hamir Patel: Okay. Fair enough. Susan, we have seen one of your peers decide to shrink its corporate presence in BC and consolidate functions in the US. Just given some of your own portfolio changes, do you see some cost-saving opportunities to perhaps do something similar?
Hamir Patel: Okay. Fair enough. Susan, we have seen one of your peers decide to shrink its corporate presence in BC and consolidate functions in the US. Just given some of your own portfolio changes, do you see some cost-saving opportunities to perhaps do something similar?
Speaker #5: Just given some of your own portfolio changes, do you see some cost-saving opportunities to perhaps do something similar?
Speaker #2: We have no plans to move our corporate office.
Susan Yurkovich: We have no plans to move our corporate office.
Susan Yurkovich: We have no plans to move our corporate office.
Speaker #5: Okay, great. That's all I had. I'll turn it over.
Hamir Patel: Okay, great. That's all I had. I'll turn it over.
Hamir Patel: Okay, great. That's all I had. I'll turn it over.
Speaker #4: Thank you. I am showing no further questions at this time. I will now turn the call back over to Susan for closing remarks. Susan, go ahead.
Operator: Thank you. I am showing no further questions at this time. I will now turn the call back over to Susan for closing remarks. Susan, go ahead. Thanks, Michelle, and thanks, all, for joining the call, and we'll see you next quarter. Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes today's conference call. Thank you very much for your participation. You may now disconnect.
Operator: Thank you. I am showing no further questions at this time. I will now turn the call back over to Susan for closing remarks. Susan, go ahead.
Speaker #2: Thanks, Michelle. And thanks to all for joining the call. We'll see you next quarter.
Susan Yurkovich: Thanks, Michelle, and thanks, all, for joining the call, and we'll see you next quarter.
Susan Yurkovich: Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes today's conference call. Thank you very much for your participation. You may now disconnect.
