| Weyerhaeuser Company Ltd. |
The current trend in the forest industry is to expand through mergers
or get taken over. Weyerhaeuser has absorbed 2 major competitors in
the last 5 years (MacMillan and Bloedel, Willamette). This has enabled
the company to expand its customer base and creep up to the number one
overall supplier in the world. The industry has changed its focus from
a North American entity to a global entity through these mergers.
Weyerhaeuser has facilities in 18 countries now. Through synergies,
downsizing has now become a fact of life within the organization and
forest industry. Jobs are either becoming eliminated or just not
filled as vacancies come up. There exists a feeling of uncertainty at
the mills that are not within the top quartile as the facility may be
sold to a competitor or more than likely closed down. The company has
an excellent benefit program for its employees and is one of the top
wage payers within the forest sector. Overall it is a good company to
work for if the opportunity comes up for a job. At certain sites there
can be an Us and Them mentality if a collective bargain is in place.
This is aimed more at the Senior level than the Middle. The market is
growing but the competition is fierce as more mills start up in South
America, Indonesia and Asia. This may result in some companies closing
down or merging if a certain niche cannot be found.
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