$150-Mil Wood Plant Near Completion

BOISE, ID-Trus Joint, a locally-based company, along with several other partners, soon will complete a new, engineered wood products mill in Kenora, Ontario.

The plant will make the Weyerhauser Company businesses’ TimberStrand laminated strand lumber for structural framing and industrial applications. The $150 million investment in northwestern Ontario represents the company’s confidence in the future of engineered wood products compared to traditional sawmill products.

Construction started earlier this year on what will become the company’s third laminated strand lumber mill and the largest of its kind in the world. With nearly 400,000 sf already under roof, development is expected to continue through the winter months without delays.

The project will be completed next summer and operation will begin in October 2002. UMA Group Limited (Vancouver, B.C.) is the lead engineer on the project with Comstock Canada Limited (Burlington, Ont.) as the prime contractor for construction activities.

Trus Joist is a leading manufacturer and marketer of engineered lumber products, which provide value for the customer, the builder and the environment. Employment at the plant is expected to number approximately 215 including management and hourly workers.

Weyerhaeuser, headquartered in Federal Way, WA, is one of North America’s largest forest products companies. For the third quarter of 2001, the company reported net earnings of $91 million compared to $199 million for the same period last year.