Weyerhaeuser Co is to sell 115,000 acres of timberland and close two sawmills next year with the loss of 350 jobs.
The timberland in western Washington will be sold to Boston-based Hancock Timber Resource Group for US$211m and the mills will be shut in Enumclaw and Snoqualmie.
The company says the measures are necessary for it to remain as competitive as possible in the face of a weak lumber market and increasing costs, including import duties.
Blob Weyerhaeuser has been named as one of America’s safest companies by Occupational Hazards magazine.
The forest products giant was selected following recommendations by industry professionals and associations, recognition in state and local awards, and the magazine’s research into the occupational health and safety philosophy/programmes of the company.
