Modernizing a critical system at West Fraser Nacogdoches
Addressing an aging system
West Fraser is a diversified wood products company operating more than 50 facilities across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. With a focus on sustainable forestry practices, the company manufactures a wide range of wood-based products, including lumber, engineered wood, pulp, newsprint, and renewable energy. The West Fraser mill in Nacogdoches, Texas, specializes in the production of Oriented Strand Board (OSB), a crucial material used in residential construction, remodeling, and industrial applications.
To maintain high production standards, the Nacogdoches mill needed to address a longstanding issue: an aging, rubber-tire-supported debarking drum that had reached the end of its lifecycle. Frequent maintenance demands and declining reliability were impacting operational efficiency. To continue meeting production targets, the mill sought a high-performance, low-maintenance solution that could integrate with its existing infrastructure.
A high-capacity debarking upgrade
To meet these needs, Valmet supplied a state-of-the-art debarking drum engineered for consistent, high-capacity performance. The new system delivers efficient bark removal with minimal wood loss, significantly reducing maintenance requirements while boosting throughput. Along with the debarking drum, the project included a comprehensive drive system—complete with motor, reducer, sprockets, chain, and platforms—as well as new rubber tire support units designed to enhance stability and reliability.
Valmet’s debarking solutions are known for their robust performance across varying climates and wood species. For the Nacogdoches mill, this meant upgrading to proven technology without the need for major structural changes. Valmet also provided installation advisory services, collaborating closely with the mill’s selected contractor to support a smooth implementation. This hands-on approach helped minimize downtime and ensured the system was optimized from day one.
Achieving operational excellence
The installation of the new debarking drum brought immediate and measurable improvements to the mill’s operations. Maintenance needs were significantly reduced, and overall reliability and uptime increased—helping the mill meet its production goals more consistently.
Throughout the project, Valmet maintained open communication and close collaboration with the West Fraser team and their contractor. This partnership ensured a smooth installation process, minimized downtime, and helped the new system deliver strong performance right from the start.
Watch the installation in action
Want to see the debarking drum installation? Take a look at some behind-the-scenes footage from the installation process below.
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