Who ronks where in sowmill production

by DWIGHT CURRAN Contributing Editor

ETIGURES just compiled by The I Merchant Magazine on Ln2 sawmill production show an interesting line-up for the ten largest lumber producers in the United States. For the first time, Ift.e Merchant queried the top twentyfive producers to make the survey as accurate as possible. From those, replies were sifted out for the top ten. Only one of thege had any sigrrificant Canadian production.

In first place again is Weyerhaeuser Co. Although Weyerhaeuser does not furnish a production break-down by mill location, we have projected a seven percent increase over the previous year.

In second place was GeorgiaPacific. During last year, G-P

Sawmill Production Figures

announced the spin-off of LouisianaPacific. However, both companies operated as G-P (or a wholly-owned subsidiary) until L-P was spun-off January 3,1973. Forthatreason, all production was shown under the G-P banner, but is broken down into two components.

G-P increased total production nearly 207o during 1972. The bulk of this increase came from that portion of the company comprising Louisiana-Pacific. Those mills that accounted for the biggest increase in production include Samoa, Oroville, Willits, Big Lagoon and Dinsmore,. Ca. Other increases showed up in Alaskan operations and Pilot Rock, Ore.

Story at a Glance

To no one's surprise, Weyerhaeuser again tops the top 10, though new Louisiana-Pacific shows a good potential to give them a run for the roses virtually all in this exclusive Merchant Magazine survey had production hikes.

OTHER MAIORS IN OUR SURVEY

Ever wonder what othel well-known names in the businesscut lag yearl Sodk, we. To make out suryey as meaningful as possible, we queried nearly twenty-five mills that represent a large ponion of domstic p(oduction. Of thos thar replied, they ranked as sn in the chart at right.

Next yearn L-P will probably be the second largest producer in the United States. However, L-P has made, and is continuing to make, a series of acquisitions which may put it in serious contention to seize first place from Weyerhaeuser.

Third place Boise-Cascade showed a small increase in production. Increases occured at Yakima. Wash. and Elgin, Ore. Since there was no production at Lincoln, Wash., Boise netted an increase of nine million feet.

Fourth place U.S. PlywoodChampion International took a quantum leap forward. A new mill at Shasta, Ca., gave U.S. Plywood a boost of eighty million feet. In addition, the aequisition of Anaconda Forest Products in Montana helped as well.

(Please turn to page 28)