Boise Cascade Operation At Elgin Is Up In Air

by Jacqlyn Kirkland | Oct 30, 2020 | News

Boise Cascade Operation At Elgin Is Up In Air

Boise Cascade has issued a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice to its employees at its operations in Elgin, Ore. “We issued the notice in order to ensure that all employees are aware it is possible the mill will have to reduce production levels beginning on or about January 1, 2021,” the company states.

While the demand and pricing for plywood has been favorable during 2020 and the Elgin operation was profitable during the second and third quarters, Boise states that its ongoing ability to use Elgin’s waste and storm water has been modified by the Oregon Dept. of Environmental Quality (ODEQ). The new permit constraints create uncertainty around the future operations at the site, according to Boise, which has significantly reduced its purchases of logs for the Elgin operation considering the uncertainty created by the change in environmental constraints and possible curtailment. “At the current time, we do not expect to have enough logs available to operate throughout the entire winter even if the open concerns with ODEQ are favorably resolved before the end of the year,” the company states.

The Elgin facility currently produces approximately 10% of Boise’s dry veneer production, the majority of which is sold as plywood and represents approximately 16% of Boise’s plywood sales.

The company says it will continue to evaluate plywood market conditions, log supply availability, operating costs, environmental permits and other factors influencing the long-term viability of the Elgin plywood operation as the situation warrants.

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Boise Cascade Selling Two Sawmills, P’Board Operations In Oregon To Woodgrain

by Web Editor | Sep 14, 2018 | News

Boise Cascade Company has entered into an agreement with Woodgrain Millwork to sell its northeast Oregon lumber mills in Pilot Rock and La Grande and the particleboard operations in Island City. The planned transaction does not include Boise Cascade’s plywood mill or the powerhouse and log utilization center, based in Elgin, OR.

Woodgrain is a manufacturer and supplier with a diverse product offering including moulding, door shop products, and window parts, headquartered in Idaho. “The sale to Woodgrain allows us to further focus on our veneer-based engineered wood products and plywood businesses,” said Mike Brown, senior vice president of operations, Boise Cascade Wood Products division. “Woodgrain is a family-owned company with a solid reputation in the industry. The products manufactured at these northeast Oregon facilities are a good fit with their business strategy.”

“Being a fully integrated company in each step of our supply chain has become one of our core strengths as a company,” said Kelly Dame, Woodgrain CEO. “Being able to grow the Woodgrain Lumber division is a key step in growing as a company. We are excited about the opportunity it offers.”

The details of the agreement were not disclosed and the transaction is contingent upon the results of the due diligence process, which is expected to take approximately 60 days.

Longtime Boise Cascade Manager Steve Stoler Retires

by Web Editor | Jul 27, 2018 | News

Steve Stoler will retire from his position as particleboard sales and marketing manager at Boise Cascade this August, marking the end of a 39-year career with the company.

From the beginning of his career at Boise Cascade Company, Stoler has been a trailblazer. He started with Boise Cascade in 1979 when he was contacted to handle claims on rough sawn mahogany siding. He continued to advance through the company, and was promoted to manage the siding claims office in Minneapolis in 1986.

Thirteen years later, Stoler relocated to the corporate office to handle large claims. Stoler is known for his focus on the facts. Morgan Olson, particleboard plant manager for Boise Cascade in La Grande, Ore., noted the impact Stoler’s close analysis of the mill’s production process data had on developing a cost model.

“Steve has had a very large impact on helping the mills stay profitable or increase profits by having that cost model in place,” he said.

Stoler’s exceptional leadership skills extend beyond the Boise Cascade office. Beginning in 2004, he served as Boise Cascade’s representative on the board of directors of the Composite Panel Association. In 2016, Stoler became Chairman of the Composite Panel Association, the first and only Boise Cascadian to have served in that role. In addition to his emphasis on the importance of knowing and understanding the facts, Stoler’s strong communication skills have been essential in his career. His peers noted the impact his influence has had on their own professional growth.

Boise Cascade Acquires Norman Distribution

by Web Editor | May 10, 2018 | News

Boise Cascade Co., Boise, Id., has agreed to purchase Norman Distribution, Inc., a distributor of engineered wood, commodity lumber, and specialty building materials based in Medford, Ore.

“Norman Distribution has built an excellent reputation as a strong industry partner throughout its four decades in this business,” said Nick Stokes, executive VP of building materials distribution. “The positive relationships they have built with their customers and suppliers have been a key to their success. We are very pleased to welcome their team to Boise Cascade and strengthen our presence in the Oregon, Northern California, and Nevada markets.”

The entire staff is expected to remain, under the banner Boise Cascade Building Materials Distribution Medford Branch.

“Norman Distribution is excited and proud to join Boise Cascade,” said owner Jeff Norman. “We were one of the first customers of their EWP mill in White City, Ore., which began operating in 1991. This is a great strategic and cultural fit, which will allow us to grow our product line and better serve our customers.”

The acquisition is expected to be complete in the coming weeks.

From Building Products Digest: https://www.building-products.com/article/boise-cascade-buys-norman/

Boise Cascade Acquires Tennessee Distributor

by Web Editor | Mar 14, 2018 | News

Boise Cascade Acquires Tennessee Distributor

Boise Cascade Company is acquiring Lumberman`s Wholesale Distributors, a Nashville, Tenn.-based distributor of engineered wood products, commodity lumber items, and specialty building materials. The acquisition is expected to be complete in the coming weeks. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are very pleased to welcome the Lumberman`s associates to Boise Cascade. They have been an excellent distributor for nearly 50 years,” said Nick Stokes, executive VP of Boise Cascade Building Materials Division. “This location will allow us to strengthen our nationwide presence and satisfy a growing demand for our products and services in the Tennessee Valley and Central Kentucky markets.”

Founded in 1969, Lumberman’s supplies pro dealers, millwork houses, and manufacturers. “We are excited to join Boise Cascade,” said Garey Keltner, president, Lumberman`s Wholesale. “We believe there is a strong cultural and strategic fit that will allow us to grow and continue to serve our customers.”

Last month Boise Cascade reported fourth quarter 2017 net sales of just over $1 billion, up 19% from fourth quarter 2016 net sales of $919 million. For the full year, the engineered wood products and building products supplier reported sales of $4.43 billion, a 13% increase from sales of $3.91 billion in 2016.

The Boise, Idaho-based company also recently reported a fourth quarter net income of $19.1 million, soaring well above a fourth quarter 2016 net income of $4 million. For the full year Boise Cascade reported a net income of $83 million, increasing 117% from a net income of $38.3 million in 2016.

From HBS Dealer: hbsdealer.com

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