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Hood Industries, Inc. will invest $245 million upgrading its existing sawmill operations in Waynesboro, Ms., to enhance the facility’s capabilities.
Built in multiple phases on the existing site, the project will be executed in close collaboration between the Hood team, Comact and Piche to ensure the existing facility remains operational throughout the construction process. This phased approach is designed to keep production losses to a minimum, providing as little disruption to employees, timber suppliers and customers as possible. Operations at the modernized mill are set to begin in early October 2026, after which demolition of the existing facility will commence.
“We have partnered with both Comact and Piche on a successful modernization project at our facility in Bogalusa, La.,” says Jay Galloway, president of Hood Industries. “As we began to explore our options for upgrading the Waynesboro facility it became obvious to continue the partnership with these two companies. Their technical expertise, collaborative approach, and proven ability to deliver cutting-edge and reliable solutions made them a natural fit as we continue to invest in the future of our operations.”
The Waynesboro facility will feature a fully integrated sawmill provided by Comact along with two new continuous dual path kilns and a new gas burner installed on the existing continuous dry kiln will increase drying capacity and energy efficiency. The planer mill will be upgraded with lumber handling equipment from Piche to include a planer infeed system, trimmer and sorter line with a lumber stacker. In addition, Comact will provide a Miller planer and GradExpert system in the planer mill. Comact’s AI-powered Smart Vision tools will be integrated throughout the process to continuously monitor operations and optimize throughput.
The Comact team is proud to continue working collaboratively with Hood on this critical modernization project in Waynesboro. “Building on the strong relationship and trust we’ve developed over previous projects, our team is fully committed to delivering an integrated solution that enhances reliability, performance, and long-term value of their Waynesboro facility. We have set clear goals to deliver this project on-time and on-budget, ensuring Hood Industries can count on Comact for excellence and accountability at every stage,” said Simon Potvin, CEO of Comact.
The team at Piche is also pleased to partner once again with Hood Industries on this important modernization project in Waynesboro. Since 2020, this is the third major project with Hood Industries. “Building on the trust and successful results achieved together at Bogalusa and Silver Creek, our team is committed to delivering lumber handling systems that combine efficiency, reliability, and innovation,” said Jean-Benoît Piché, president and CEO of Piché. “We look forward to supporting Hood with solutions that ensure smooth installation and startup, and that create long-term value for their operations and their people.” “This investment is about more than a new mill—it’s about building a sustainable future for our company, our employees, and the Waynesboro community,” Galloway said.
Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance through the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive, or MFLEX, program. MDA also is providing assistance for road and infrastructure improvements. Wayne County and AccelerateMS are assisting with the expansion, as well.
Gov. Tate Reeves said, “This nearly quarter-billion-dollar investment by Hood Industries is the latest win in Mississippi’s record-breaking economic development efforts. The things we’re accomplishing in the state are truly impressive, and our momentum is real. Mississippi is a wise investment—that’s why more and more companies are choosing to do business and expand here. It’s another great day for our state.”
Hood Industries is a blend of wood manufacturing and distribution concerns that includes two plywood and three lumber manufacturing plants and 23 specialty wood product distribution operations, located in 18 states serving the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest and Southwest United States. From its corporate headquarters to our facilities, Hood employs over 1,300 people.
