Despite some of the industry headwinds — not the least of which the impending threat of 25% tariffs by the Trump 2.0 administration — one of the major players in the North American value-added forest sector is making inroads into Kamloops.

Stella-Jones has confirmed to Radio NL that its establishing a new operation in Mission Flats.

“Stella-Jones is in the final stages of development of a new utility pole peeling facility in Kamloops,” said the company in a statement to Radio NL.  “We will peel utility poles shipped in primarily by rail and also by truck from the lower mainland.”

The operation is going to be somewhat small-scale, but does represent Stella-Jones’ first foray into Kamloops.

“We plan to employ a team of 9 employees,” said the company as part of its statement to Radio NL.

The hiring process through the company’s website has not yet been activated.

Stella-Jones is a Quebec-based supplier of treated lumber products, mostly utility poles and railway ties.

The company currently has three different operations in British Columbia, including New Westminster, as well as Prince George and Galloway, a small community east of Cranbrook in the East Kootenay.

It runs operations out of 45 communities in Canada and the United States, including several operations in the southeastern US.

With Kamloops to become #46 on its list of communities, Stella-Jones’ utility pole peeling operation is being established on the north side of Mission Flats Road, in the industrial area directly to the east of the Kruger Pulp Mill.

“Once peeled, the poles will be stored for air seasoning, after which they will be shipped to our treating facilities,” said Stella-Jones.

The company is also expected to establish a small office near the site as well.

“The commissioning of this facility is expected for the first quarter of 2025,” said Stella-Jones.

Total value of the investment has not been revealed.