Katerra’s new mass timber factory will produce the largest volume of CLT in North America

On Sept. 23, Katerra announced the grand opening of its 270,000-sf cross-laminated timber (CLT) factory. The facility will produce the largest volume of CLT in North America.

The new factory reflects Katerra’s technology-first approach and incorporates advanced geometric and biometric scanning of lamstock, an on-site kiln for precise moisture control, and artificial intelligence to further improve safety and reduce waste.

“CLT perfectly embodies Katerra’s guiding principles for product development – it is technologically advanced, sustainable, and offers meaningful cost and time reductions,” said Michael Marks, CEO and Co-Founder, Katerra, in a release. “We have invested in creating the largest capacity CLT factory in North America because we believe deeply in the potential of CLT and want to see this great material advance to the mainstream.”

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The factory occupies 29 acres in Spokane Valley, Wash., and provides easy access to rail lines and interstate highways. At full operation it will employ 105 people with an annual manufacturing capacity capable of providing thousands of apartments, student housing units, and more than 11 million square feet of floors and roofs.