Consumables

WEYERHAEUSER ANNOUNCES MILL CLOSURE AT COLBERT ILEVEL FACILITY

Monday 10. November 2008 - Weyerhaeuser announced today that it will indefinitely close its iLevel Veneer Technologies facility in Colbert, Ga., effective immediately. The announcement will affect approximately 105 associates at the site.

Demand for engineered wood products continues to decline due to a slowdown in the housing market. As a result of these challenging market conditions, the Colbert facility will close for an indefinite period of time while we continue to balance supply with demand.

Affected associates will be counseled on specific details regarding benefits. Affected employees will receive regular pay and benefits for 60 days, as provided by the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN Act).

“The demand for residential wood products continues to erode and this announcement is a direct result of the business environment we face,” said Cathy Slater, vice president of Veneer Technologies.

“This was a very difficult decision, our associates have done an excellent job of executing that which has been asked of them. This announcement is in no way a reflection of the performance by our associates,” Slater said. “The temporary layoff announcement of October 17 was a recent action in the strategic analysis to address current market conditions. Unfortunately, ongoing business conditions now require that we take this further action. We recognize the impact of this closure on our associates and the Colbert community, and we will do our best to work with affected associates through this difficult period.”

In Georgia, Weyerhaeuser employs approximately 875 people at locations in Lyons, Oglethorpe, Americus, Madison, and Port Wentworth.