Weyerhaeuser Continues Chase Of Willamette

Dogged in its pursuit of the reluctant takeover target, Weyerhaeuser Co. has extended its $5.5 billion tender offer for Willamette Industries until Dec. 5.

Weyerhaeuser noted that about 47Vo of Willamette's 110 million shares were tendered under the $50-ashare offer. Another 37o is owned by Richard Clark, who is interested in selling shares to settle his late father's estate.' He informed Weyerhaeuser that he might sell for $55 a share, but Weyerhaeuser replied that it would negotiate only with Willamette.

Two weeks later, after estimating its own per-share value in the $60s,

Willamette indicated it would be willing to sit down at the bargaining table if Weyerhaeuser submitted a written offer in the high $50s.

The next day, Weyerhaeuser defended its current bid, explaining that it was based on estimates that a merger would save $300 million and that Willamette has refused to disclose information to help identify additional savings. However, Weyerhaeuser said it was open to meeting with Willamette "at any time to discuss any information that you have regarding synergies achievable in the context of a business combination today."

Groups Grapple With Post-Sept. 11 Scheduling

In the immediate aftermath of the Sept. I I attacks. many organizations canceled or postponed their events out of respect for the attack victims and concerns about airline safety.

Some groups that initially decided to postpone had to make difficult decision about their events as fallout from the attacks reverberated throughout the industry.

APA-The Engineered Wood Association canceled its annual meeting that had been rescheduled for Nov. 4-7 in San Diego, Ca. The meeting had originally been set for Sept. l4-17.

APA president David Rogoway noted that low attendance commitments, a sputtering market and continued uncertainty about the safety offlying led to the decision. "It is a disappointment to the staff, the board and the member and supplier company representatives who had indicated they planned to attend," Rogoway said. "However we felt in the end that a poorly attended meeting would not be in the interests of the membership or the industry."

Meetings of the board of trustees as well as other advisory committees will be rescheduled. Architectural Woodwork Institute moved its annual meeting in Boston from Sept. l3-15 to Nov. 15-17.

Newly elected president Doug Mock said, "Our response to these events should include moving forward with our meeting and conference."

The Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau hosted its rescheduled annual meeting Nov. 2 in Richmond, B.C. The original meeting had been set for Sept. 1415 in Whistler, B.C.

The Certified Forest Products Council has decided to reschedule its conference and showcase, originally set for Sept. 26-28, for April 25-21,

2002 in Atlanta, Ga.

North American Wholesale Lumber Association was among the groups sticking with its original show date. Despite 257o decline in attendance from last year's show, the Oct. 11-13 Traders Market in Dallas, Tx., did attract about 1,500, many making their first airline trip since Sept. I 1.

New Trade Center ln South

Workers have moved into Roy O. Martin Lumber Co.'s new Alexandria, La., office building named the "ROMEX World Trade Center."

The 40,000-sq. ft. facility was designed to be the center of the company's exporting business, with wood products being sent to Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Approximately 80 employees are expected to work at the building once it is fully operational. A grand opening is planned for the week of Thanksgiving. In addition to office space, the building will house a library with an archives section chronicling the 78year history of the company.

Expo Begins Online Sales

Home Depot has launched a new Web site to test-market online sales for its Expo Design Centers.

The pilot test of Expo.com began Sept. 27, offering 200 products, including kitchen faucets, bath and decorative hardware, ceiling fans and light fixtures. During the test, products will be shipped via United Parcel Service from the Plano, Tx., Expo. Depot has 33 Expos in I I states.