Weyerhaeuser to Shut Sections of Two Mills


Federal Way, Washington, USA, 01 October 2007 -- /PRNewswire/ -- In connection with its ongoing strategic review, Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE:WY) today announced it will convert its Dodson, Louisiana, plywood operation to a 100% veneer manufacturing operation, effective 26 October 2007. The company will also stop veneer production at its Colbert, Georgia, mill within the next 30 days. The Colbert site will continue manufacturing Parallam(R) using veneer supply from Dodson and other Weyerhaeuser veneer operations, beginning 01 November.

These operating posture changes will affect about 70 employees at Colbert and less than 50 at the Dodson site.

"Today's announcement is part of the ongoing effort to strengthen Weyerhaeuser's residential wood products portfolio," said Cathy Slater, vice president of Veneer Technologies. "There's a shrinking demand for plywood and an increasing availability of alternative products. We made the decision after a thorough review of short-term and long-term demand for our plywood panels and to further integrate dry veneer into our engineered lumber products."

"Shutting sections of the two mills was a difficult decision, but the reality of current markets requires that we allocate our capital with great prudence to ensure all manufacturing operations remain well positioned to serve our customers," Slater said. "Weyerhaeuser's employees work diligently to make our mills competitive and today's announcement is a reflection of the challenging business environment we face. We recognize the impact this decision has on employees, and we will do our best to work with state and local leaders to assist in the transition."

Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world's largest forest products companies, was incorporated in 1900. In 2006, sales were USD 21.9 billion. It has offices or operations in 18 countries, with customers worldwide. Weyerhaeuser is principally engaged in the growing and harvesting of timber; the manufacture, distribution, and sale of forest products; and real estate construction, development, and related activities. Additional information about Weyerhaeuser's businesses, products, and practices is available at http://www.weyerhaeuser.com/.

Source: Weyerhaeuser Company