August, 1983 -- The shutdown of Number
1 press at the MacMillan Bloedel Aspenite plant at 8:49 a.m. on
August 24th, marked the start of a $14.8 million modernization program
at the Hudson Bay Division.
Built at a cost of $3 million in 1961, the plant
was rebuilt after a fire in January 1965, and a $4 million expansion
in 1968 saw the addition of a second press line, more than doubling
production.
Since that first press load was produced by Wizewood Ltd. in
September of 1961, the 14 escapement, Onsrud-Berthelsen press has
produced over one million loads of aspenite or the equivalent of some
eleven thousand carloads of building material.
On hand for the shut-down of "old No. 1" on Wednesday,
was one of the first press operators John Kostiuk and Elof Herlen
who ran the last press load. Other plant personnel whose employment
at the plant goes back to the sixties were Ken Spark and Jay Hitchcock.
Resident manager John Didula said that for the balance of August,
the plant will be able to operate the Number 2 line with the press
installed in 197-.
In September, crews will remove old installations
and machinery which is to be replaced or modified. For a 10 week
period commencing September 26th, a modernization crew which at
times will reach a total over 100, will be working around the clock.
It is expected they will complete the job early in December. Didula
said a tentative start-up date has been set for the week of December
12th.
With over 100 outside workers involved in the project, it is
expected there will be some pressure on housing accommodations. To
complicate matters, the annual influx of hunters will coincide with the
peak employment at the plant.
Cancel Tours --- Commencing immediately, all plant
tours will be suspended. Didula explained it would too hazardous
to have tours passing through the plant during construction. It
was felt that in the interest of safety, all tours should be cancelled.
Woodroom --- One of the main areas of modernization
will be the present woodroom. A complete change will take place
in this area as new waferizers are installed and the size of wafers
changes from 1 1/2 inches to 3 inches. The four existing 24 inch
waferizers will be replaced by two new 34 inch machines. The new
sized wafer will provide for better productivity and utilization
while adding considerably to the quality of the product.
Dryers --- This is another area that will undergo considerable change. One double-size dryer will be added while three of the four units will have burners converted from natural gas to solid fuel for greater utilization of waste material.
Storage Bins --- Two storage bins will be changed completely to accommodate the larger size wafers. The present screw transport will be changed to "live
bottom" bins. Didula was enthusiastic about this new concept which was designed by PS & E Engineering of Prince Albert, who are considered industry leaders in the design of live bottom bins.
No. 1 Line --- With a change to larger wafers, the 22 year old "Elephant Trunk" farmers will be replaced completely. New farming heads will provide more
accurate metering of the wafer flow, to produce a more uniform panel.
Present trim saws on the discharge end of the press will be
replaced by more automated units which will trim panels on all four sides.
Construction --- While a number of firms will be involved in the modernization project, PS & E of Prince Albert will be responsible for the metal work. Metal Fab of Saskatoon will handle the electrical work. MacMillan's own personnel will be doing the necessary millwright work to assist outside crews wherever possible.
John Didula thought the extra activity during the modernization should have a considerable impact on the economy of Hudson Bay.
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