Log shortage blamed for Weyerhaeuser plywood mill shut down
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COLUMBIA FALLS, Mont. - Weyerhaeuser plans to permanently close its lumber mill and plywood mill in Columbia Falls, Montana, by the end of the summer. It will also close its Columbia Falls, Montana, main office.


Weyerhaeuser will continue to operate its three other mills in Montana: a lumber mill in Kalispell, a plywood mill in Kalispell, and a medium-density fiberboard mill in Columbia Falls.

"For some time now our operations in Montana have been running below capacity as a result of an ongoing shortage of logs in the region," said Doyle R. Simons, president and chief executive officer. "These closures will allow us to align the available log supply with our manufacturing capacity, including adding shifts at our Kalispell facilities. These moves will improve the operating performance of our remaining mills and best position these mills for long-term success."

Some 100 jobs will be eliminated as a result of the mill closures, now planned for late August or early September.

The mill closures follow a decision earlier this year to move corporate positions that do not support manufacturing in Montana to Weyerhaeuser's Seattle headquarters. As a result, the company also plans to close its main office in Columbia Falls at the end of the year.

After the mill closures and office moves, Weyerhaeuser expects to employ about 550 people in Montana.

Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world's largest private owners of timberlands, began operations in 1900. It owns or control more than 13 million acres of timberlands, primarily in the U.S., and manages additional timberlands under long-term licenses in Canada. It is also one of the largest manufacturers of wood and cellulose fibers products. In February 2016, Weyerhaeuser merged with Plum Creek Timber Company. Last year, Weyerhaeuser and Plum Creek together generated $8.5 billion in net sales and employed nearly 14,000. It trades under WY at the New York Stock Exchange.

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Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.