LAVAL, QUEBEC, CANADA—Engineered wood product manufacturer Uniboard announced its plans for the construction of a new medium density fiberboard (MDF) and high density fiberboard (HDF) plant in Moncure, N.C., are moving full steam ahead.

“Construction of our new Moncure facility continues to advance on schedule,” stated James Hogg, CEO of Uniboard. “Not only will it be the biggest and most cost-efficient mill in North America, it will also have the most technologically advanced equipment capable of producing the highest quality panels you can depend on.’’ The plant will have an annual production capacity of 226 million square feet, ¾- inch basis.

Eighty percent of the foundation is complete and 50% of production and warehouse areas are also complete, he explained. “Most floors that are under the roof have been poured and most heavy equipment has been set in place.”

Strategically located in North Carolina, the state-of-the-art facility will be a jewel in flexibility, Hogg added. “It will be able to produce multiple grades, thicknesses and sizes for manufacturers of flooring and molding, kitchen cabinetry, office and residential furniture, and store fixtures. The Chatham County plant will also supply material to laminate flooring manufacturer Pergo, Uniboard’s sister company.

Uniboard’s facility will be part of the Moncure mega-site, which currently offers particleboard and thermo-fused melamine panels, providing true one-stop-shop capabilities for our customer, noted Hogg. “As a distributor or if you buy direct, how many panel companies can bring this type of flexibility to the game?” Start-up is planned for fourth quarter 2009.

The facility will supply the majority of Pergo’s HDF requirements; however, “as the facility will offer a wide range of HDF, we also will be able to supply all flooring manufacturers that use an HDF base,” he added, “regardless of the type of engineered floor.

“More than 104 new jobs will be created by the Moncure HDF/MDF facility,” continued Hogg, “which is welcome economic news for Chatham County.”

He added, there will be no impact on Uniboard’s Canadian operations. “The facility will ensure supply security and better coverage for our customers. Moncure will be the most cost-efficient, technologically advanced manufacturing facility in North America, which can ship by truck or rail. It positions Uniboard, with two HDF/MDF plants, as a leading player in North America.”

For more information on Uniboard and its products, call 450.973.7270.