JASPER, Texas - Texas Cross Laminated Timber will expand its operations into a long vacant former Texas plywood mill, adding 60 jobs and the possibility of 250 more in the future.

 

Based in Magnolia, Arkansas, Texas Cross Laminated Timber specializes in CLT (of course) but also makes wooden mats and building panels from yellow pine. 

 

Executive Director of the Jasper Economic Development Corporation Eddie Hopkins told KJAS News that equipment has been ordered and it's already on its way to the 92-acre property. Hopkins said the mill would employ 60 shortly after operations begin, with that number potentially growing to meet demand.

 

CLT is a prefabricated panel of wooden boards fastened together perpendicularly to one another, with structural adhesives. It is being hailed by environmentalists and many engineered wood firms have added it to their product lineups, as CLT buildings are faster to construct, more energy efficient, and are comprised completely of renewable materials.

 

Engineered wood leader Katerra recently opened a $150 million CLT operation in Washington - the largest of its kind in North America.