Weyerhaeuser closes iLevel mill

Weyerhaeuser has announced that it will permanently close its iLevel lumber mill near Taylor, La., effective immediately. The move will affect about 39 employees. The Tree Improvement Center and the Timberlands office will remain open and continue to operate in Bienville Parish.

"This was a very difficult decision impacting employees who have performed well," said Tom Gideon, executive VP forest products. "Unfortunately, the current extraordinarily weak market conditions require that we take decisive action. We fully understand the major impact of this closure on our employees, contractors and the Taylor community, and we will work constructively in the weeks and months ahead on the transition."

Weyerhaeuser continues to employ about 924 employees in Louisiana at manufacturing facilities in Arcadia, Dodson, Holden, Natchitoches and Zwolle; Tree Improvement Centers at Isabel and Taylor; Timberlands offices at Bogalusa, Dodson, Livingston, Natchitoches and Taylor; and WREDCO land development offices in Mandeville and Ruston.