Conveyors and mechanics for Quebec sawmills — from Saguenay to Mauricie
CFI Industries fabricates and maintains drag chain conveyors for chips, bark and biomass, elevators and sawmill structures in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Mauricie, North Shore and Lower St. Lawrence. CWB welding on operating sites, recurring mechanics, wear part fabrication in our workshop.
Why Quebec sawmills choose CFI
An operating sawmill is a demanding mechanical environment: wood dust, abrasive bark, constant vibration, weather exposure for outdoor conveyors, variable loads. Parts wear quickly, shutdowns are costly, and lumber margin pressure leaves little room for improvisation.
Our approach for the forestry sector: structured preventive maintenance to anticipate wear, fabrication of wear parts (drag flights, slides, bearings) in our workshop for fast delivery, on-site structural CWB welding for major repairs that can't be disassembled.
We work from Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, in immediate proximity to several major forestry client sawmills and independent sawmills. Our regional emergency response time is 4 h. For more distant sites (Mauricie, North Shore), 8-12 h depending on logistics.
Our offering for sawmills and forestry industry
Drag chain conveyors for chips
Design and fabrication of drag chain conveyors for wood chips, bark and sawing residues. Adapted to abrasive conditions, hardened or stainless steel drag flights, hot-dip galvanized structures for outdoor use.
Biomass and pellet elevators
Bucket elevators for vertical transfer of forest biomass, dried chips and wood pellets. Capacities adapted to small and medium-sized pellet plants. Installation and preventive maintenance included.
CWB structural welding on operating sites
Repair of conveyor frames, saw supports, operating platforms, without disassembly. CWB W47.1 certified welding, qualified procedures for wood-dust zones (fire prevention measures included).
Recurring mechanics and wear parts
Sawmill preventive maintenance program: drag flight replacement, belt alignment, bearing lubrication, gear reducer repair. Standard wear parts in stock for 24-48 h delivery.
Forestry sector challenges — and our responses
Can you fabricate replacement drag flights?
Yes — it's one of our recurring productions. Hardened steel for standard materials, stainless for corrosive or food applications (pellets for litter for example). Lead time 5-10 business days on common dimensions, faster if urgent.
How do you manage fire risk during welding in sawmills?
Strict procedure: hot work permit, fire watch minimum 30 min after work end, spark screens, direct access to extinguishers and fire hose. All our welders are trained on hot work in combustible environments. No incident since 2010.
Do you work with major forestry client?
Yes, several times on Resolute sawmills in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and Mauricie. We understand the specifications and operational constraints of their sites. Cognibox compliance up to date, complete quality files.
Can you build pellet/wood pellet projects?
Yes — dried chip conveyors to press, pellet elevators at output, handling to storage silos. This type of project combines our forestry conveyor expertise and our silo knowledge. Free technical visit to scope the work.
Sawmills and forestry players who trust us
We work with sawmills of all sizes and players across the Quebec forestry value chain:
- — major forestry client (Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and Mauricie sawmills)
- — Independent sawmills of Saguenay and North Shore
- — Wood pellet producers
- — Biomass cogeneration plants
- — Chip suppliers for pulp and paper
- — Primary contractors for major paper mills
Sawmill project in planning?
Free technical visit to your sawmill. Detailed quote including wear part fabrication, structural welding and preventive maintenance plan. Standard lead time 4-8 weeks depending on complexity.
Request a quote