MONTREAL, PQ - Treated lumber supplier Stella-Jones (TSX: SJ) signed a definitive agreement to acquire Ram Forest Products Inc. and Ram Forest Group Inc., based in Vandorf, Ontario, just north of Toronto. The original agreement in principle was announced April 29, 2015.
Through its subsidiaries, Ram Forest Products Inc. and Trent Timber Treating Ltd., Ram Forest Group manufactures and sells pressure treated wood products and accessories to the retail building materials industry. Ramfor Lumber is a lumber purchasing entity serving Ram Forest Products and Trent Timber Treating.
Established in 1975, RAM Forest produces treats wood with Alkaline Copper Quaternary (ACQ) preservative to protect against rot, decay and termite attack. Products include dimension lumber for decks and fences; posts and timbers for decks, fence posts and landscaping; and wood accessories like fence caps, lattice and balusters for railings, as well as heavy duty items like highway guardrail posts, highway sign posts and retaining walls. ACQ treated plywood is also manufactured for sheathing applications. Plywood and lumber are also treated with a fire retardant chemical to provide products with fire and flame spread ratings where required for building code compliance.
RAM Forest residential wood products are sold through a network of retail building product dealers and big box retailers throughout Ontario. Commercial products are distributed through building product wholesalers and retailers throughout eastern Canada.
Stella-Jones, which trades on the Toronto stock exchange, (TSX: SJ) is North America's largest supplier of railroad ties and timbers, and utility poles, and sells residential lumber to retailers and wholesalers for outdoor applications, as well as industrial products for construction and marine usage. It manufactures wood products at 28 plants. In its quarter ended March 31, 2015, Stella-Jones reported $340.7 million, up 32.3% from the last year.
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