New Technology will Help Lewis Mouldings Meet Growing Demand for Fiber Fuel Bricks
September 8, 2014 – Weymouth, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Lewis Mouldings is ramping up production of Fiber Fuel, a firewood alternative that has become a hit across the Maritimes since the family-owned firm launched the product in 2008.
Over the course of three generations, Lewis Mouldings has grown steadily to become a leader in Atlantic Canada’s pine manufacturing industry. They are one of the largest employers in the region and export their finger-jointed mouldings for windows and doors to building supply companies across the Eastern seaboard.
A few years ago, they identified a need to make better use of wood waste from their operations. They began compressing leftover sawdust and woodchips into solid bricks to fuel wood and coal stoves, fireplaces and campfires. Unlike firewood, Fiber Fuel bricks are free from bugs, bark, dirt, glue and moisture, which makes them easier to light and safer to burn. They’re convenient to carry and stack and produce net zero carbon emissions.
To meet growing demand for the product, Lewis Mouldings is installing its second wood fibre “briquetter” machine, which compresses dry wood waste into bricks. They are also adding a biomass dryer to dehydrate wet wood residue so that it can be used for the bricks as well. The new technology has the potential to eliminate all of the company’s wood waste and increase production of Fiber Fuel by 400%.
The Government of Canada is providing a $307,500 repayable contribution through ACOA’s Business Development Program (BDP) to support the expansion project. The Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), and Greg Kerr, Member of Parliament for West Nova, were onsite at Lewis Mouldings today to announce the contribution, which includes $70,000 for the purchase and installation of the second briquetter and $237,500 for the biomass dryer. The Government of Nova Scotia is investing $123,000 towards the purchase of this equipment through the Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism.
Quick Facts:
- The Lewis family established Lewis Mouldings and Wood Specialities Limited in 1990, after more than 50 years in the lumber business in Weymouth.
- Lewis Mouldings is one of the region’s largest employers with more than 75 employees.
- Fiber Fuel is sold in 50 dealers in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
- Each Fiber Fuel brick weighs approximately two pounds and burns for 80 to 100 minutes.
- A pound of Fiber Fuel has more BTUs than a pound of conventional firewood, meaning that less volume of the product is required to generate the same BTUs.
Quotes:
“Forward-thinking companies across our region embrace export to expand their markets and grow their businesses. Lewis Mouldings is no exception, exporting the bulk of its wood specialities across the Eastern Seaboard. Our Government has made opening new markets a priority in order to create jobs and economic opportunities for hard-working Canadians in every region of the country.”
- The Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
“Through decades of quality manufacturing and value-added product development, Lewis Mouldings has grown to become one of our community’s great success stories. Our Government is pleased to support Lewis Mouldings as it continues to grow with the expansion of its innovative Fiber Fuel brand.”
- Greg Kerr, Member of Parliament for West Nova
“This is a company that sees the potential for expansion, and is seizing the opportunity. It takes dedication, vision and courage to undertake this kind of endeavour, and I commend their effort. That’s why the Nova Scotia Government supports businesses throughout the province that are ready to grow and drive our economy forward.”
- Clare-Digby MLA Gordon Wilson, on behalf of Nova Scotia Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Michel Samson
“Lewis Mouldings is very excited to work with our federal and provincial partners as we expand the production of Fiber Fuel. Support for new products like Fiber Fuel helps manufacturing companies like ours enhance their competitiveness by embracing innovation and technology.”
- Jamie Lewis, General Manager, Lewis Mouldings
Associated Links:
Contacts:
Kelsie Corey
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
613-941-7241
Alex Smith
Director, Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-9417/902-830-3839 (cell)
E-mail: Alex.Smith@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Toby Koffman
Media Relations Advisor
Economic and Rural Development and Tourism
902-424-4482
E-mail: koffmatg@gov.ns.ca
Jamie Lewis
General Manager
Lewis Mouldings
902-837-7393 ext. 24 / 902-841-0116 (cell)
E-mail: jlewis@lewismouldings.com
