Columbia Forest Products announced it has reached an exclusive agreement with Halex Corp. to head up North American sales of Columbia's Multiply hardwood plywood flooring underlayment to the wholesale flooring distribution segment.

As previously announced, Multiply sales to home centers will remain with Weyerhaeuser Building Materials (WBM). Columbia Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing Ed Woods said the strong combination of Halex and WBM as the sales arms for the Multiply product will ensure future growth of the brand in both market segments.

During the transition to the new sales structure, customers who need to place orders or obtain shipping information may contact Halex or Columbia directly.

Columbia purchased the Nipigon Multiply hardwood plywood underlayment operation in Ontario, Canada from Weyerhaeuser Co. Ltd. in late December 2002.