Boise plans to add Wash. mill to Inland Region operations

In September, Stimson said it planned to lay off 67 workers at the Arden mill in November, and eventually close the facility.  John Sahlberg of Boise Cascade said Tuesday that if the deal goes forward, that likely won’t happen.

Boise Cascade said the transaction is contingent on the results of the due diligence process and the completion of detailed documentation. Details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Currently, Boise Cascade’s  Inland Region operates a La Grande sawmill, a particleboard plant near Island City, a stud mill and plywood plant in Elgin, a mill in Pilot Rock and a mill and plywood plant in Kettle Falls, Wash.

The Arden mill processes pine and cedar into lumber and decking products.

“It is Boise Cascade’s intent to operate both the Kettle Falls Lumber operation and the Stimson Lumber mill, although the operating configuration has yet to be finalized,” said Inland Region manager Tom Insko.

Insko said the combination of the two mills will increase efficiencies and enhance the product mix capabilities of  Inland Region lumber operations.

Boise Cascade said purchase is anticipated to close around Dec. 31.

Stimson Lumber Co. is a forest products and natural resources company based in Portland. It operates in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Boise Cascade manufactures engineered wood products, plywood, lumber and particleboard and distributes a broad line of building materials, including wood products manufactured by the company.