Weyerhaeuser closes two Oregon plants
December 2006 — Eugene (OR): Weyerhaeuser will permanently close two veneer technologies manufacturing operations in Oregon, effective immediately. The two shutdowns, a plywood mill in Springfield and a veneer plant in Coburg, will affect more than 100 people.Cathy Slater, vice president of veneer technologies, said: “Weyerhaeuser made the difficult decision after a strategic review of the company’s veneer business.”She continued: “There’s a shrinking demand for plywood panels because of the decline in housing starts and the increase availability of alternative products. After careful consideration of all the options, a decision was made to close the two facilities.”The company will provide the affected employees with severance pay and continuation of health care benefits, as well as job-transition services and counselling, consistent with company policy and the applicable union agreement.