Weyerhaeuser is closing two of its Montana mills

Weyerhaeuser Company is getting ready to permanently close its lumber mill and plywood mill in Columbia Falls, Montana, later this summer.

With the closures expected to take place in late August or early September, Weyerhaeuser is also getting ready to eliminate nearly 100 positions.

Afterwards, the company will continue operating three mills in Montana: a lumber mill in Kalispell, a plywood mill in Kalispell, and a medium-density fiberboard mill in Columbia Falls.

"For some time now our operations in Montana have been running below capacity as a result of an ongoing shortage of logs in the region," said Doyle Simons, president and CEO. "These closures will allow us to align the available log supply with our manufacturing capacity, including adding shifts at our Kalispell facilities. These moves will improve the operating performance of our remaining mills and best position these mills for long-term success."

The move stems from a decision made earlier this year to move corporate positions that do not support manufacturing in Montana to Weyerhaeuser's Seattle headquarters. As a result, the company also plans to close its main office in Columbia Falls at the end of the year.

When all's said and done, Weyerhaeuser expects to employ about 550 people in Montana.