Monday, March 18, 2024
Timberlab Inc. (Timberlab), a subsidiary of Swinerton Incorporated (Swinerton) and leading national provider of holistic mass timber systems, unveils its plans to construct and operate a state-of-the-art cross-laminated timber (CLT) manufacturing facility in Oregon’s mid-Willamette region. This strategic initiative represents a significant milestone in the firm’s mission to accelerate the mainstream adoption of mass timber construction across the United States
“Timberlab’s objective has been to remove pinch points in the mass timber industry so that timber structures are affordable and widely usable in the U.S. construction market,” states Timberlab President Chris Evans. “Over the last four years, we have added two CNC facilities in Portland, OR, and Greenville, SC, focused on expanding the supply chain for mass timber. The increase in mass timber demand, coupled with our successes over the last seven years, is driving us to continue to expand the supply chain by adding our new CLT manufacturing facility in Oregon.”
Supported by an investment from Swinerton, plans for the 250,000-square-foot CLT manufacturing facility is poised to support the growing demand for sustainable construction alternatives nationwide. With an anticipated annual output of 100,000 cubic meters of finished CLT products, the facility will integrate automated processes and is expected to create 100 manufacturing jobs at full capacity – becoming one of the largest facilities in the U.S. This endeavor and its employment opportunities will contribute to the region’s economic development while fostering a skilled workforce dedicated to advancing sustainable construction practices.
Swinerton, initially through another subsidiary, Swinerton Builders, has been a pioneer in mass timber construction since 2014 and has continuously pushed industry boundaries through advancements in structural design, engineering, and material procurement. In 2020, the firm’s dedication to sustainability and innovation led to the opening of its first mass timber fabrication facility in Portland, OR, and the formal launch of Timberlab in 2021. As mass timber construction continued to grow across the U.S. in 2023, Timberlab expanded its operations by opening an East Coast mass timber fabrication facility in Greenville, SC. The progression into manufacturing aligns seamlessly with both firms’ strategic visions and missions.
The mid-Willamette Valley is the heart of the Pacific Northwest Mass Timber Tech Hub designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) in 2023. Timberlab has ongoing collaboration with leading academic research programs at Oregon State University, the University of Oregon, and the Tall Wood Design Institute. Building this state-of-the-art manufacturing facility near these resources will drive innovation and position Timberlab, Swinerton, and the State of Oregon as catalysts in mass timber construction.
“As early adopters of mass timber construction, we swiftly recognized the importance of managing the entire supply chain to ensure timely delivery, exceptional quality, and competitive pricing for our clients. Our new CLT manufacturing facility and two existing fabrication facilities bring us significantly closer to our vision,” says Swinerton Chief Executive Officer David Callis. “These facilities and our turnkey in-house design, procurement, and detailing services have positioned Timberlab, Swinerton, and the industry to make significant strides toward a sustainable built environment. I am thrilled about what this move means for sustainable construction in the U.S.”
Tags: CLT facility, Timberlab, wood, wood and panel, woodworking, woodworking and manufacturing, woodworking USA
