Finning is closing its equipment and parts sales and service building here but will keep employees in the community.

鈥淲ith the unfortunate decline in the forestry industry and volume of local business, we have made the difficult decision to close our Houston location in early 2024,鈥� a Nov. 23 statement from the company indicated.

It鈥檒l be putting its property up for sale.

As for Finning鈥檚 22 Houston employees, 鈥渁ll of them have been given options to continue their employment at Finning. The majority of them will be able to stay in Houston and work with us,鈥� the company said.

Remaining employees in Houston will become field technicians and those doing parts deliveries.

鈥淎 parts drop box will be available for customers and we are looking at other solutions within the community to deliver parts and larger components or attachments,鈥� the company added.

鈥淔or larger service repair requests, we will support customers at our other locations in B.C.鈥�

The company stressed that all of its Houston employees will be given an option to remain with the company.

鈥淭heir work is commendable and if they choose to stay with us, there is a place for them,鈥� the company said.

The impending closure leaves Terrace as the only Finning location in the northwest.

Just this fall, the Houston Finning outlet celebrated 52 years of business in the community with a community barbecue.

An international company, Finning is the world鈥檚 largest Caterpillar sales and service company. It was founded in B.C. 90 years ago. Its head office is in Vancouver and its Canadian headquarters are in Edmonton.