From the archive | 41
PREVIOUSLY… IN WBPI 1994
Delving into the WBPI archive, we look at some of the issues and news affecting the timber trade in previous decades
OREGON GIANT PLANS SWITCH TO MDF Willamette Industries is to convert its Eugene particleboard plant to the manufacture of MDF in a “multi-million dollar” move that will give it close to one quarter of US MDF manufacturing capacity. At the same time, Willamette told 178 employees at its Sweet Home
plywood and lumber finishing plant that the facility would close on November 1, due to federal timber supply restrictions. “Frankly, I thought two years ago we’d be announcing the closure of the Eugene plant, too,” said Floyd Vike, executive vice-president in charge of Willamette’s building materials group. At the start of last year, Eugene switched from residue wood fibre supplied by sawmills and plywood plants to costlier “urban wood” – used crates, pallets and construction materials – which previously went to landfill. It now accounts for almost 50% of the plant’s raw material supply.
“The change (to a higher value product) should allow the plant to be
competitive in bad markets as well as good,” Mr Vike noted. The plant will shut down for up to 19 weeks while the changes are carried out. Capacity will be “slightly lower’ than Eugene’s 80 million ft2
for
particleboard when the new line comes on stream in mid-1995. The stark contrast between the fates of the two plants reflects Willamette’s efforts to maintain a presence in Oregon despite federal timber withdrawals.
2014
ARAUCO OPERATIONS IN US AND CANADA NOW COMBINED AS ARAUCO NORTH AMERICA All sales and operations of Arauco in the US and Canada have been combined under one organisation, operating as Arauco North America. Kelly Shotbolt has been appointed as president of Arauco North America. Mr Shotbolt previously served as the president of Flakeboard and the company says he brings many years of leadership and experience to this market in his new role. Francisco Figueroa, who has served as the president of Arauco Wood Products since 2009, has been appointed to a senior management commercial role in Chile. During the last five years, Mr Figueroa’s leadership resulted in many significant accomplishments for Arauco in the North American market, says the company; he will return to Chile by the end of 2014 but assist in the transition during this period. “The primary objective of this reorganisation is to position for growth and provide comprehensive solutions to our customers using a more effective and efficient operating platform,” explained Gonzalo Zegers, senior vice-president, Arauco International.
www.wbpionline.com | August/September 2024 | WBPI
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