Arclin, a leading material science company, has announced that it has entered into an agreement to purchase Willamette Valley Co. (“WVCO”), a manufacturer and distributor of a wide variety of custom products and services in the wood products, railroad, concrete repair, transportation, infrastructure and consumer products segments.

“We are thrilled to welcome Willamette Valley Company to our organization,” says Arclin CEO Bradley Bolduc. “Their innovative technologies and product portfolio perfectly complement our business, creating a beneficial combination for our customers. With a shared commitment to quality across wood products, this acquisition positions us to deliver even greater value and expand opportunities across the segments we serve.”

The acquisition of WVCO is a step in extending Arclin’s materials science capabilities into engineered repair systems, specialty adhesives, and infrastructure solutions where performance-critical polymers and formulations are central to customer outcomes. The acquisition will add eight manufacturing facilities and approximately 500 new team members to Arclin’s existing 1,200-person team.

“The decision to sell Willamette Valley Company to Arclin represents a natural progression for our business,” John Murray, WVCO President and CEO, comments. “Arclin’s world-class operational framework will accelerate our product innovation and drive sustainable growth. Combining Arclin and WVCO’s deep technical expertise, broad knowledge base and ability to rapidly deploy resources will be instrumental in driving our growth strategy. Joining Arclin is an exciting opportunity for our team and we’re eager to drive the business forward.”

Arclin is headquartered in Alpharetta, Ga. with offices and manufacturing facilities throughout the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. 

“North America has been our second-largest sales region for several years,” says Kenth Eklund, President Sales. “We look forward to serving both existing and new customers in demanding projects across the continent—and to introducing our full portfolio of single machines to the American market.”

Sunds Fibertech covers the entire process chain, from raw material handling to press technology, energy systems, and emission reduction. Its portfolio has grown through strategic acquisitions, including Advanced Cyclone Systems (ACS) and LÜBKE GmbH, strengthening expertise in environmental technologies. Looking ahead, the company is committed to future-ready solutions such as bio-based resins, recycled raw materials and advanced air-cleaning systems. 

With headquarters in Sweden and 11 offices worldwide, the new U.S. presence completes Sunds Fibertech’s global footprint.

Sunds Fibertech is taking a major step in its growth journey by opening its first U.S. office in Atlanta, Ga., strengthening its global footprint and commitment to the panelboard industry. This new presence will enable the Swedish technology leader to deliver faster service, enhanced support and advanced rebuild solutions for existing panelboard plants, helping customers modernize production and drive sustainability.

This strategic move reflects Sunds Fibertech’s commitment to closer collaboration and quicker response times for North American customers. The company is already well established in the U.S. as an OEM supplier of Küsters continuous presses and multi-opening presses, with one of the largest installed bases in the market. While the American market today focuses primarily on press modernization and spare parts, Sunds Fibertech’s offering goes far beyond that, according to the company.

“We see this as a natural next step in our development,” says Lars Eklund, Group CEO. “Our ambition is to get closer to our customers and build even stronger partnerships and services. With a local presence, we can act faster and provide the technical support the market expects.” Although Sunds Fibertech is widely recognized for its installed base of presses in the American market, the company offers a comprehensive portfolio of single machines designed to upgrade and optimize existing production lines. These include solutions for steam recovery, mat pre-heating, resin injection systems and energy efficiency improvements—all aimed at boosting performance, reducing operational costs and supporting sustainability goals.

“North America has been our second-largest sales region for several years,” says Kenth Eklund, President Sales. “We look forward to serving both existing and new customers in demanding projects across the continent—and to introducing our full portfolio of single machines to the American market.”

Sunds Fibertech covers the entire process chain, from raw material handling to press technology, energy systems, and emission reduction. Its portfolio has grown through strategic acquisitions, including Advanced Cyclone Systems (ACS) and LÜBKE GmbH, strengthening expertise in environmental technologies. Looking ahead, the company is committed to future-ready solutions such as bio-based resins, recycled raw materials and advanced air-cleaning systems. 

With headquarters in Sweden and 11 offices worldwide, the new U.S. presence completes Sunds Fibertech’s global footprint.

American Wood Council (AWC) announced the election of West Fraser President and CEO Sean McLaren as the new Board Chair for a two-year term. McLaren will be joined by SmartLam CEO Derek Ratchford, who was elected First Vice Chair, and PotlatchDeltic’s Vice President of Wood Products, Ashlee Cribb, who was elected Second Vice Chair. The terms are effective January 1, 2026.

Along with electing a new Chair and Vice Chairs, three new members of the Board were elected. Will Lampe, President and CEO of Lampe and Malphrus Lumber, will represent the Lumber Segment. Craig Sichling of LP Building Solutions will represent the Structural Panel Segment. Charles McRae, owner of Rex Lumber, will sit on the Environmental Committee.

The full AWC Board includes: Sean McLaren (West Fraser), Derek Ratchford (SmartLam), Ashlee Cribb (PotlatchDeltic), Ricky Stanley (TR Miller Mill), Marc Brinkmeyer (Idaho Forest Group), Furman Brodie (Charles Ingram Lumber), Brian Chaney (Weyerhaeuser), George Emmerson (Sierra Pacific Industries), Jim Enright (Pacific Woodtech), Stuart Gray (Roseburg Forest Products), Rick Jeffery (Canadian Wood Council), Nate Jorgensen (Boise Cascade), Stephen Mackie (Canfor Southern Pine), Fritz Mason (Georgia-Pacific), Andrew Miller (Stimson Lumber), Cade Warner (Westervelt), Will Lampe (Lampe and Malphrus Lumber), Craig Sichling (LP Building Solutions), and Charles McRae (Rex Lumber).

Boise Cascade announced that CEO Nate Jorgensen plans to retire effective March 2, 2026, to be succeeded by current COO Jeff Strom. Jorgensen will continue to serve as a director on the company’s board after his retirement. The company does not plan to backfill the chief operating officer role after the transition.

“This is a planned transition and part of the company’s deliberate and long-term succession planning process to ensure stability and continued momentum in our strategy and operations,” comments Tom Carlile, Chair of Boise Cascade’s board. “On behalf of the entire board of directors, I extend our gratitude to Nate Jorgensen for his outstanding leadership. Nate has led with steadfast integrity and remarkable vision for the last six years, guiding the company through a global pandemic and tremendous growth. The positive impact of his leadership will extend far beyond his tenure as CEO.”

Carlile adds, “Our board is equally confident in Jeff Strom and his leadership and experience, which spans over 34 years in our industry. As chief operating officer, Jeff has successfully driven to further leverage our integrated model, and he has been instrumental in driving operational excellence and customer focus across the company.” Strom has been in the building materials industry for more than 34 years. He joined Boise Cascade in 2006 and has served in several key roles and progressive leadership positions during his 19 years with the company.

Georgia-Pacific’s Clarendon OSB Facility recently donated $5,000 to Central Carolina Technical College’s (CCTC) Foundation in support of the college’s mechatronics program, bringing the total that GP has donated to the program to $15,000. Through this donation, GP is showing their commitment to growing the region’s workforce by making sure that CCTC and its students have the support they need to be competitive in today’s ever changing job market.

Mechatronics is an interdisciplinary field that combines mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering to create systems that help facilities run more efficiently and safely. With manufacturing advancing rapidly more every day, workers are now needing a broad range of skills in order to meet today’s high demand for skilled laborers. Through initiatives like CCTC’s Mechatronics program, students are able to learn skills that will translate directly to high-demand careers in the area.

Roseburg Forest Products has recently announced the closure of its veneer plant in Weed, Calif. The company is focusing on veneer production at its Oregon mills, where it has installed new veneer manufacturing equipment. The company says the move strengthens its long-term competitiveness in engineered wood and softwood plywood markets.

Roseburg Lumber purchased the Weed facilities and land in Siskiyou County from International Paper in early 1983 for $5 million. IP had shut down the aging operations in 1982, including a sawmill, box plant and plywood facility, which at one time was a big producer but was ultimately “run down into junk” by IP. Roseburg auctioned off the sawmill and some plywood mill equipment and built a veneer mill.

Forest products operations at the site began in the late 19th century and passed to town namesake Abner Weed and his company Weed Lumber, who would sell to Long-Bell Lumber in the first decade of the 20th century, which sold to IP in 1956.

Roseburg’s closure at Weed, along with the company’s decision in September 2025 to exit the hardwood plywood market, enables Roseburg to concentrate resources on a more focused product portfolio and optimize its position in increasingly competitive wood products markets, according to the company.

“With the investments we have made in our Riddle and Coquille, Ore. veneer and softwood plywood mills, we have repositioned these operations as well as our Riddle Engineered Wood mill to be among the most cost-competitive mills in the industry,” comments Stuart Gray, Roseburg president and CEO. “These actions are essential for Roseburg to remain a strong producer and competitor against significant volumes of low-cost imported products that continue to affect North American wood products markets.”

The Weed plant’s 140 team members will receive compensation and health care coverage for 60 days following the closure. They’ve been encouraged to apply for open positions at other Roseburg facilities. Roseburg will continue to fulfill active contracts for renewable power generation from the site’s biomass power plant.

“We recognize the impact this decision has on our team members and the Weed community and appreciate the contributions our people have made during nearly 40 years in Weed.” Gray says. “We are actively evaluating options for the facility that would allow it to continue serving as an economic driver and employer in the region.”

Roseburg says it remains committed to the Weed community, including its $7 million contribution to establish a foundation to benefit the community, continuation of the company’s Weed Community Scholarship Fund, and providing the City of Weed Fire Dept. with a rent-free firehouse on plant property.