About Us
The company was founded by Olav and Elna Haavldsrud in 1953 as Olav Haavaldsrud Timber Company. Having immigrated to Canada from Kongsberg Norway, Olav and Elna (joined by their four sons - Walter, Burt, Norman and Carl) first purchased a small pulp log manufacturing plant that provided eight foot logs to Quebec and Ontario Paper Company (now Abitibi). The company quickly grew to include the sawmill in order to utilize larger logs from the Nagagami Forest. The Haavaldsrud sawmill, closed in 2015
In the summer of 2016, the mill was purchased by a number of private investors including Frank Dottori, known for founding forestry industry giant Tembec. The random length sawmill's owners include WRC Timber Inc., the Missanabie Cree, the Chapleau Cree, and the Netamisakomik Anishinabek (Pic Mobert) First Nations.
We take pride in the work that we do at Hornepayne Lumber (HP Lumber) to produce a quality product while caring for the forest. We employ over 100 talented people … and we're hiring.
Our Mission & Values
We are a community-based venture building its own future. Our corporate mission is to be a profitable, low cost forestry company, converting forest resources into competitive and innovative quality projects while protecting the environment and creating positive long term social, cultural and economic benefit for the region and its people, employees and shareholders. We advocate a non-discriminatory policy as well as favouring the employment of local and regional residents.
Our core values – People, Pride, Integrity, Responsibility, Innovation, and Teamwork – inspire our actions and guide the behaviour of employees and contractors working within our operations.
We also believe that to be a world leader in our field, our safety goals must includes eliminating all injuries, occupational illnesses, unsafe practices and incidents of environmental harm from our activities. We believe that our work is never so urgent that we cannot take the time to do it safely and in an environmentally responsible manner.
Our People
In the summer of 2016, the mill was purchased by a number of private investors including Frank Dottori, well-known for founding forestry industry giant Tembec. In November 2017, the Missanabie Cree, the Chapleau Cree, and the Netamisakomik Anishinabek (Pic Mobert) First Nations became significant shareholders of the mill.
Missinabie Cree First Nation
Chapleau Cree First Nation
Netamisakomik Anishinabek (Pic Mobert) First Nation
WRC Timber Inc.
FRANK A. DOTTORI, Chair of WRC Timber- Frank Dottori requires no introduction in the forestry business. This industry giant founded Tembec Inc., growing it from a shutdown pulp mill in Temiscaming (QC) to a international company with revenues/assets of approx $4.0 billion ,with 55 mfg units in Canada, Europe, USA, Chile and over 10,000 employees. The company, with Dottori at the helm, was recognized for its focus on innovation, employee relationships, and environmental policies. Since retiring in 2005, Frank continues to invest in worthwhile communities and ventures. He acted as President/CEO of HP Lumber from 2013 until 2018. Frank is a recipient of the Order of Canada, and is a member of the Rainforest Alliance. He holds a BaSc, in chemical engineering from the University of Toronto.
Our Affiliates
White River Forest Products
100 kilometers south of Hornepayne, Ontario, White River Forest Products LTD is located in White River, ON
Hornepayne Power
Beside the mill in Hornepayne is Hornepayne Power Inc., formerly Becker Cogen which was also purchased in 2016
Element5
Mass timber structures
MFS
Maygwayyawk Forestry Services
Jointly owned by Pic Mobert First Nation and WRFP, MFS is a stump to dump contractor working in the White River area.