Jeremy Linder

Weyerhaeuser Co. announced yesterday that its Warrenton lumber mill would be sold to Oregon based Hampton Affiliates, a company with several other lumber mills in the Northwest. The announcement couldn't come at a worse time, with the holidays approaching and the local job market soft enough that the employees will have a tough time finding a new job anytime soon. I do hope that Hampton will retain at least some of the current Warrenton saw mill employees during the planned renovation which will take place prior to the mill being re-started. 

From the Oregonian:

The purchase and sale agreement, announced Monday, will result in the lay offs of 94 workers, in addition to 46 employees indefinitely laid off in March.

 The sale will likely be completed in January 2010, when Hampton plans to begin upgrades to the mill, according to the Portland-based company's press release.

 Weyerhaeuser, based in Federal Way, Wash., acquired the mill, which produces wide-dimension Hemlock lumber, in 2002, said Greg Miller, a spokesman. The company, the largest private landowner in Oregon, owns about 900,000 acres in the state and still has seven manufacturing facilities, specializing in Douglas Fir and engineered wood products.

 Weyerhaeuser plans to concentrate its operations on Douglas fir products, Miller said.

 "We believe we have a competitive advantage in Douglas fir," Miller said. "It's a win-win. We have an owner in Hampton who's interested in manufacturing in the Warrenton area." Hampton announced it would idle the mill for nine to 12 months for extensive machinery upgrades. Employees will receive benefits and severance packages.

 "We regret the effect the closure fo the Warrneton mill will have on its current employees, their families adn the local community," said Steve Zika, Hampton's CEO in a press release. "However, the significant capital we put into the facility will improve recovery and add flexibility, which will benefit all stakeholders in the long-term."