Weyerhaeuser to Open and Close Lumber Mills in Washington

Federal Way, Washington, USA, 14 December 2006 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE:WY) today announced it will revamp its lumber operations in Washington to be more competitive. This strategy includes closing its Green Mountain sawmill in Toutle and building a new, more efficient lumber mill at the existing lumber finishing operation in Longview.

Rob Taylor, Weyerhaeuser's iLevel lumber technologies vice president, said Weyerhaeuser is pleased about the opportunity to build a world-class sawmill in the area.

"The new mill will allow us to improve efficiencies and strengthen our wood products segment to better serve our customers," he said.

When completed, the new iLevel Longview operation will employ approximately 230 people, including lumber, finishing, shipping, and related activities. The new facility will produce lumber for West Coast and Northeast residential homebuilding markets. The company plans to begin construction in January 2007 and start up operations in mid-2008.

Taylor said the Longview site in southwest Washington was selected as the best location for the new lumber mill.

"It has good rail and transportation links, good proximity to customers, will be relatively easy to construct, and will provide room for future growth," Taylor said. "The announcement indicates the level of confidence Weyerhaeuser has in the ability of this community to provide the people and resources for a new mill."

After the new mill comes on line in 2008, Weyerhaeuser will permanently close its Green Mountain mill in Toutle, affecting approximately 130 hourly and salaried positions in the company's iLevel St. Helens unit, which includes the Longview-area lumber and finishing operations. Weyerhaeuser will provide 60 days of pay to departing employees.

The company will provide the affected employees with closure benefits, consistent with company policy and the applicable union agreements.

"Our first priority is to support our associates," said Taylor. "They have earned our appreciation and will be treated with respect and dignity throughout this process."

Weyerhaeuser currently operates iLevel lumber mills in eight states and four provinces in Canada. Weyerhaeuser is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of lumber products.

Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world's largest integrated forest products companies, was incorporated in 1900. In 2005, sales were USD 22.6 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/

Source: Weyerhaeuser Company