PWP Holds on to Bakersfield, Sells Rest of Plants to Stella-Jones

Pacific Wood Preserving Cos., Bakersfield, Ca., has agreed to sell its wood preserving plants in Arizona, Nevada and Oregon to Quebec-based Stella-Jones for $57 million.

The deal, which was expected to close by the end of November, includes the Arizona Pacific Wood Preserving, Nevada Wood Preserving, and Pacific Wood Preserving of Oregon treating plants, a concentration yard in Texas, and the Pacific Wood Preserving name.

The sale does not include the Plant in Bakersfield. Ca.. which will be renamed West Coast Wood Preserving LLC. Executive v.p.-sales Ken Laughlin will stay on, still based in Arizona. As part of the deal, the Bakersfield facility will not treat utility poles or railway ties, and any poles or ties it sells must be purchased from Stella-Jones.

Stella-Jones c.e.o. Brian McManus said the purchase will help expand its utility pole and rail tie capacity and enhance its offerings, but did not indicate if the newly acquired facilities would continue using any waterborne preservatives.

"While I am confident the sale of the company was the right decision for the shareholders of PWP, I, of course, have mixed feelings since I've enjoyed getting to know and work with our employees and customers, and I will miss them all," said PWP president/c.e.o. Elaina Jackson. "I do think that Stella-Jones, being a large public company, will have the resources to invest back into the business, and in the long haul this will be very good for our customers and employees. I wish Stella-Jones and their employees and customers great success."

She added, "In some ways, I have the best of both worlds, as I am able to keep my Bakersfield facility, and this will continue to allow me to be involved in industry trade organizations and events, which I still enjoy. My only regret is that my late husband is not here with me to enjoy what the future will bring."

Her husband, PWP founder Dick Jackson, diedin20l2.

TMI Forest Products, Morton, Wa., restarted its Crane Creek fencing mill near Amanda Park, Wa., with one shift. John O'Brien was rehired as plant manager.

Southport Lumber is installing USNR's MillTrak 3D log gap control to the log infeed at its North Bend, Or., oDerati0n.

The system is designed to maximize the efficiency of loading logs into a conveyor during primary breakdown processing.

Fruit Growers Supply Co. is considering building a $30-million, smallloq mill in Yreka, Ca., on the former sii6 of Hi-Ridge Lumber. Lumber produced will be used primarily for pallets.

Sierra Pacific Industries' Lincoln, Ca., mill sustained about $75,000 in damage to a kiln in an Oct. 27 fire.

Boise Cascade, Boise, ld., completed its acquisition of Wood Resources' Southeast operations, includinq Moncure Plvwood, Moncure.-N.C.. and Chestrir Wood Produits, chester, S.c.

Delta Cedat, Delta, B.c., recen! ly installed a headrigger at its "A" mill.

Jones Wholesale Lumber Co., Lynwood, Ca., is now distributing Roseburg engineered wood products.

J.M. Thomas Forest Products' Boise, ld., and Ogden, Ut., DCs are now distributing Fiberon products.

Huttig Building Products' DCs in Auburn, Wa., and Medford and Tigard, Or., are now distributing National Nail Gorp.'s cAMo hidden deck fastening system and CAMO exterior screws.

Weiland Sliding Doors & Windows, Oceanside, Ca., agreed to be acquired oy Andersen CorP.

Whiteman Lumber, cataldo, ld., was recently named ldaho Small Business of the Month bv U.S. Senator Jim Risch.