Sun Mountain Lumber To Buy R-Y Timber

According to multiple local news outlets, Sun Mountain Lumber has signed a purchase agreement with R-Y Timber. The two lumber mills are 146 miles from each other. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. Sun Mountain Lumber is owned by Sherm Anderson. While his grandson, Christopher Anderson, is the controller of the company.

After a transition period of due diligence, the acquisition will be finalized on August 1, R-Y Timber General Manager Dan Richards told local news. He will remain as general manager of R-Y Timber. R-Y Timber currently employs 48 people, down from 75-80 more than a year ago.

R-Y Timber suffered two structural fires in a span of six months that threatened to close the lumber manufacturing plant. In September 2022, a fire at the plant burned the company’s planer mill building and machinery. In February, a second major fire burned the plant’s sawmill building and operations.

“Out of respect for the Yanke family, the Livingston plant’s name would remain R-Y Timber for a while,” says Sun Mountain Lumber owner Sherm Anderson. He has plans for many improvements to be made at the Livingston facility.

“There will be significant log hauling advantages, as the mileage from logging sites to mills will be reduced,” Anderson told local media. “The Livingston mill will provide quality lumber for Sun Mountain’s finger joint facility in Deer Lodge at reduced mileage and expense. I also see it as a fantastic opportunity to make improvements in the Livingston mill and increase quality, recovery and production. It’s definitely a win-win for both plants.”