Weyerhaeuser's Tri-Wall Box Plant Opens New Addition


Exeter, California, USA, 11 May 2007 -- To meet increased demand for bulk packaging, Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE: WY) has expanded the square footage of its Tri-Wall box plant in Exeter, California, by 50%.

The improved facility, now nearly 300,000 square feet and the largest bulk bin facility in the Weyerhaeuser system, annually manufactures approximately 40,000 tons of heavy duty corrugated boxes that are three fluted layers thick. The boxes are used for packaging meat and poultry, dairy products, processed and frozen foods, and fresh produce, including melons and citrus.

"The USD 16 million, 100,000 square-foot addition improves our capabilities to meet a growing market demand for high-strength, high-performance bulk bin products," said Rick Goddard, director of bulk sales.

With a current workforce of about 100 people, the addition makes way for adding up to 30-40 more employees, said Doug McCarty, the plant's site manager. Since making the expansion announcement in March 2006, 39 new employees have been hired at family wage-earning jobs.

The addition holds a 500-foot-long corrugator that combines the three layers of containerboard. Other improvements include an upgraded four-color press, auxiliary equipment, scrap system, and wastewater treatment system.

"Being environmentally responsible, we have invested in a water treatment system so that process water can be treated and reused thereby reducing our water usage," McCarty said. "Also, waste paper is recaptured and recycled to make new paper."

Weyerhaeuser employs nearly 3000 people in California, operating from 25 facilities.

More information about Weyerhaeuser's Tri-Wall is on the Web at www.triwall.com.

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.