A new major player bursts onto the MDF scene

MacMillan Bloedel, the largest forest products manufacturer in Canada, is predicted to be one of the dominant players in the medium density fiberboard (MDF) market by the end of 1998. From zero presence in the market in 1996, MacMillan Bloedel is expected to produce 135 million board feet annually by the end of 1997. This phenomenal production growth is predicted to further rise to more than 230 million board feet by the end of 1998. The company invested $120 million in a 300,000 sq. ft. MDF plant in Clarion, PA. It produced its first MDF panel on Nov 20, 1996, under the 'Northern Gold' brand.