Weyerhaeuser Co. is altering former Willamette operations at Rushton, La. and throughout the state. The changes will occur over the remainder of this year. Approximately 90 of the 130 positions at the Ruston Regional Office will be eliminated or relocated either elsewhere in Louisiana or to other Weyerhaeuser areas.

Since its reorganization in 1998, Hancock Lumber has been on a growth and expansion path that has moved the 154-year-old family business into uncharted territory. In the Hancock tradition, the business continues to be a vertically integrated organization that grows timber, processes it into lumber products and sells its lumber at the wholesale and retail level.

Southeast Alaska has long been recognized around the world for its high quality timber, but it is also a region that is facing challenging times when it comes to accessing, harvesting and processing this valuable natural resource. Stretching from the shores of Yakutat Bay to the state’s southern border with British Columbia, Can., the Tongass National Forest encompasses virtually the entire region.

Norman Hansen Jr., President and CEO of Monadnock Forest Products, Jaffrey, NH, died on June 17 at his home in New Hampshire. He was 56. At the time of his death, he was the Hardwood Manufacturers Assn. Promotion Chairman, having led the HMA Solid Hardwood Promotion Program since 1997. As a founder of this national market development campaign in 1986, he was instrumental in its expansion and development.

Comact introduces GradExpert, a planer mill grade optimizer with 3-dimensional scanner reading and color camera detection of defects. GradExpert uses Dynavision M24 heads with thickness accuracy of +/- .010", lengthwise scanning density of 1" and scanning rate of 1,000 scannings per sec. Light curtains have +/- .015" accuracy, .125" scanning density and 2,000 scannings per sec. capability.

The tents are all folded up. The signs have been taken away. And the giant slide brought in for the kids has been deflated. One thing you cannot deflate, however, is the satisfaction felt by Wood-Mizer employees, owners, and family and friends. Two thousand people from 44 states took part in the 20th anniversary celebration at the company’s headquarters in Indianapolis, Ind. on Saturday June 29.