Weyerhaeuser will invest $157 million in a multi-year, two-phase project to upgrade equipment and modernize its sawmill in Holden, Louisiana.
Phase one includes nearly $19 million to upgrade lumber kiln-drying capacity, while the second phase will include a major investment of approximately $138 million to completely modernize the facility. The news was announced May 12 by Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards and Weyerhaeuser.
The work is expected to take place over the next three years. Plans call to upgrade and modernize the sawmill to produce longer-length lumber, add a new planer mill, and upgrade and add two new continuous dry kilns for increased drying capacity. Additionally, the company said it will build out the necessary infrastructure; upgrade computer technology, control rooms, and heating and fan systems; invest in environmental technology to meet current performance standards; and invest in quality and safety equipment.
Acquired in 1996, the Holden facility is part of Weyerhaeuser’s lumber sector within its overall Wood Products business. The mill supports the residential housing, home improvement and construction markets.
Weyerhaeuser owns or controls approximately 11 million acres of timberlands in the United States and manages additional timberlands under long-term licenses in Canada. The company is also one of the largest manufacturers of wood products in North America. In 2020, the company generated $7.5 billion in net sales and employed approximately 9,400 people.
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