Weyerhaeuser’s Building Materials organization will maintain a role as an agent for Columbia in selling and distributing Multiply to North American customers.

Multiply is a branded three-ply aspen 1/4-inch plywood used as an underlayment for vinyl, ceramic and laminate flooring. It holds the second-largest share of the market after lauan.

Columbia plans to retain current staffing levels and current production after the acquisition is complete. The Nipigon Multiply plant was built in 1956 and was purchased by MacMillan Bloedel Ltd. in 1973. Weyerhaeuser acquired the facility as part of its acquisition of MacMillan Bloedel in 1999. Nipigon is situated 70 miles east of Thunder Bay on the north side of Lake Superior.