Prince George, B.C. - West Fraser Timber has posted it’s second quarter results. It registered a small profit of $3 million. That doesn’t mean the lumber industry is getting better, the profit has more to do with changing accounting methods on its inventory.  

West Fraser’s sales in the second quarter were $823 million, compared to $948 million in sales during the same period last year.

Still, as small as the profit may be, it is much better than the $14 million dollar loss reported in the second quarter of 2007.

Canfor also reported a profit, ($65 million) although it too was based on accounting changes and some one time gains including a $36 million dollar insurance payout for the North Central Plywood plant.

Neither Canfor nor West Fraser expect to see any improvement in the forest industry until at least 2009.