Business and Industrial

A towering structure of girders marks the spot where Imperial Cannery used to be located along the Steveston Waterfront. Marine industrial machinery and other material have been incorporated into the Lower Mainland community’s boardwalk. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

QUINN’S QUIPS: Steveston is a perfect blend of history and trendiness

This is something that could be done here in Port Alberni

 

Forestry is still an important resource industry for the province of British Columbia. (PHOTO COURTESY ABCFP)

FORESTRY WEEK: Island Wood Industries forum comes to Alberni Valley

Tseshaht First Nation will host one-day VIEA event

 

Greg Willmon, left, from Devon Transport Ltd. of Nanaimo meets with Mike Surrell to talk about the transfer of ownership of Lady Rose Marine Services to Willmon and his partner Barrie Rogers. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

New owner says ‘business as usual’ for marine service to Bamfield

Greg Willmon said decision to purchase ailing Lady Rose Marine Services was easy

 

Kamal Sanghera, left, co-owner of San Group of Companies, shakes hands with Wahmeesh Ken Watts, elected chief councillor of Tseshaht First Nation, after signing a memorandum of understanding over forestry and cultural issues with the nation. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

San Group, Tseshaht First Nation sign MOU

The company is interested in growing its relationship with Tseshaht on forestry and cultural issues

Kamal Sanghera, left, co-owner of San Group of Companies, shakes hands with Wahmeesh Ken Watts, elected chief councillor of Tseshaht First Nation, after signing a memorandum of understanding over forestry and cultural issues with the nation. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Crofton mill was the scene of a Wednesday night fire. (File photo by Don Bodger)

5 Crofton mill workers treated for smoke inhalation after Wednesday night fire

One firefighter also treated for heat stress from fire in the mechanical pulp mill operation

Crofton mill was the scene of a Wednesday night fire. (File photo by Don Bodger)
Cairam “Khai” Allam is a welder/ fabricator with Canadian Maritime Engineering in Port Alberni, B.C. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

PROGRESS 2021: Port Alberni welder wanted to work for CME, so she learned new trade

Shipbuilding company has more than doubled in two years, predicts more growth

Cairam “Khai” Allam is a welder/ fabricator with Canadian Maritime Engineering in Port Alberni, B.C. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
The Mount Rainier is moored at Port Alberni Port Authority’s Berth 3 to receive a load of raw logs on May 28. Berth 3 will become busier after San Group announced June 2 it has reached a deal to ship finished lumber products. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

PROGRESS 2021: Lumber returns to Port Alberni’s deep sea port

San Group, Port Alberni Port Authority announce multi-million-dollar shipping deal

The Mount Rainier is moored at Port Alberni Port Authority’s Berth 3 to receive a load of raw logs on May 28. Berth 3 will become busier after San Group announced June 2 it has reached a deal to ship finished lumber products. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
The boat launch at the Water Street Wharf will be closed Thursday, June 3, 2021 so the Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC) can work on its pier. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Boat launch closes June 3 for spill response base construction

Parking lot behind Port Boat House will also be affected

The boat launch at the Water Street Wharf will be closed Thursday, June 3, 2021 so the Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC) can work on its pier. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
San Group owners Kamal Sanghera, left, Suki Sanghera and Paul Deol (from the Langley operation) announce $100 million in investments in their Port Alberni forestry operations on June 2, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

San Group will invest $100M in four forestry-based projects in Port Alberni

Deal includes $50M to start shipping lumber instead of raw logs from Island port

San Group owners Kamal Sanghera, left, Suki Sanghera and Paul Deol (from the Langley operation) announce $100 million in investments in their Port Alberni forestry operations on June 2, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
New Bare Bones restaurant owner Lance Dodding, his wife Matraca and son Ryker pose with previous owners Steve and AC Evans. Dodding is renovating the restaurant and expanding the outdoor patio at the historic church building on Johnston Road in Port Alberni. (FACEBOOK PHOTO)

BUSINESS BEAT: New family takes over Bare Bones restaurant

Popular Port Alberni eatery undergoing renos, including a new outdoor patio

  • May 26, 2021
New Bare Bones restaurant owner Lance Dodding, his wife Matraca and son Ryker pose with previous owners Steve and AC Evans. Dodding is renovating the restaurant and expanding the outdoor patio at the historic church building on Johnston Road in Port Alberni. (FACEBOOK PHOTO)
The bulk carrier ‘Port Alberni’ is berthed at CentrePort in Wellington, New Zealand on Monday, April 12, 2021. The carrier is 174 metres long by 29 metres wide, flies under a Hong Kong flag and was carrying logs. (CHARMEAD SCHELLA/Special to the News)

Logging ship a trip down memory lane for transplanted Canadian

The 174-metre ‘Port Alberni’ is registered in Hong Kong

The bulk carrier ‘Port Alberni’ is berthed at CentrePort in Wellington, New Zealand on Monday, April 12, 2021. The carrier is 174 metres long by 29 metres wide, flies under a Hong Kong flag and was carrying logs. (CHARMEAD SCHELLA/Special to the News)
Frank Ludwig in the control room of his home studio. (Photo submitted)

The Day They Closed The Old Mill Down in song

Former member of Trooper captures the essence of small town struggles and triumphs

Frank Ludwig in the control room of his home studio. (Photo submitted)
Michael Tremblay. Darren Hull photography

Charting The Course

Michel Tremblay navigates work and adventure

  • Mar 29, 2021
Michael Tremblay. Darren Hull photography
Port Alberni mayor Sharie Minions listens as San Group owner Kamal Sanghera explains the chop line inside one of the buildings at San’s remanufacturing plant on Stamp Avenue in Port Alberni. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Port Alberni unmoved by plea to reduce tax rate for light industry

San Group says 2021 increase ‘unfair’ penalty to company that is investing in the city

Port Alberni mayor Sharie Minions listens as San Group owner Kamal Sanghera explains the chop line inside one of the buildings at San’s remanufacturing plant on Stamp Avenue in Port Alberni. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
The Port of Nanaimo has signed a 50-year-agreement with DP World around short-sea shipping operations at Duke Point Terminal. (News Bulletin file photo)

Lease ‘important first step’ in $105-million Nanaimo port expansion project

Port of Nanaimo and DP World sign 50-year shipping operations agreement for Duke Point

The Port of Nanaimo has signed a 50-year-agreement with DP World around short-sea shipping operations at Duke Point Terminal. (News Bulletin file photo)
Raw logs are loaded onto a logging ship from a log sort down the Alberni Inlet in March 2019. SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News

Port Alberni light on industrial land

Report finds few suitable locations for new industry

Raw logs are loaded onto a logging ship from a log sort down the Alberni Inlet in March 2019. SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News
Marc Bodin is general manager of Paper Excellence Canada’s paper mill in Port Alberni. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Port Alberni paper mill capitalizes on convenience food trend

Diversification was needed for the mill to thrive, says G.M.

Marc Bodin is general manager of Paper Excellence Canada’s paper mill in Port Alberni. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Paper Excellence Canada will be investing $13 million in its Port Alberni paper mill to streamline production of food-grade paper. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

EDITORIAL: Port Alberni ending year with positives in business

Port Alberni will wrap up 2020 with a $13-million gift from Paper Excellence

Paper Excellence Canada will be investing $13 million in its Port Alberni paper mill to streamline production of food-grade paper. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Paper Excellence Canada will be investing $13 million in its Port Alberni paper mill to streamline production of food-grade paper. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Paper Excellence invests $13M in upgrades for Port Alberni paper mill

Project will see paper mill increase production of food grade paper

Paper Excellence Canada will be investing $13 million in its Port Alberni paper mill to streamline production of food-grade paper. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Freighter anchored off Kin Beach in Chemainus. (Photo by Don Bodger)

MP to host expert panel for virtual town hall on freighter anchorages issue

Residents can participate through MacGregor’s website or Facebook page Dec. 3

Freighter anchored off Kin Beach in Chemainus. (Photo by Don Bodger)