| Weyerhaeuser |
33663 Weyerhaeuser Way South,
Federal Way,
WA
98003 |
|
www.weyerhaeuser.com
|
253-924-2345
Fax: 253-924-2685
|
 |
|
A lumber giant
Frederick Weyerhaeuser and his partners bought 900,000 acres of forestland in the Pacific Northwest in 1890, completing one of the largest land transfers in the history of the United States. Today, Weyerhaeuser owns about 5.3 million acres of private timberland in the United States and the cutting rights to another 32.8 million acres in Canada. The company is currently the "largest producer of softwood lumber and pulp in the world and one of the largest forest products manufacturers in North America". Weyerhaeuser not only grows timber and produces wood, paper, and packaging products, but also develops land, builds homes, and even provides mortgage services. Weyerhaeuser developed its first environmental policy in 1971 and has since been recognized as one of the American companies most committed both to the environment and to improving the local communities in which it is based.
Time for reorganization
But in the face of slumping paper and pulp prices, Weyerhaeuser has been forced to focus on improving efficiency. Under CEO Steve Rogel, the company has launched a huge reorganization effort. The company closed several plants in 1998 and outsourced some of its services. The company has also sought to increase sales through its June 1999 acquisition of Canadian lumber giant MacMillan Bloedel for $2.45 billion. The deal will increase sales 25 percent, to $13.3 billion and turn Weyerhaeuser into one of the three biggest makers of packaging products in the world. The deal has been criticized by Canadian environmentalists who are uncertain whether Weyerhaeuser will follow through on commitments MacMillan Bloedel had made to phase out all clear-cutting in British Columbia's old-growth, coastal forests.
Weyerhaeuser's bottom line has also benefited from the recent acquisition of Idaho's Trus Joist MacMillan, a manufacturer of engineered lumber products. Like all companies in a cyclical industry, Weyerhaeuser will see its share of good times and bad times. However, the ongoing economic boom in the U.S., and the steady recovery of foreign markets has increased the demand for Weyerhaeuser products. This has led to the company shunning its 1998 downsizing and looking to purchase smaller companies, such as the 2000 acquistion of the lumber operations of Coast Mountain Hardwood and sawmills from Australian CSR Ltd. Weyerhaeuser celebrates its 100th year in 2000.
|
|
Weyerhaeuser conducts extensive recruiting efforts on college campuses across the country, but the company also invites applicants to send a resume to the corporate headquarters. Those looking for entry-level openings may consider the Professional Management and the Corporate Affairs Programs described on the company?s recruiting web page, located at www.weyerhaeuser.com/recruting/college.htm. Associates in the training programs work for 12 to 18 months and, after acquiring the necessary skills, are placed in an appropriate job within the company.
|
|
New hires at Weyerhaeuser can look forward to working with "multi-talented, supportive colleagues" and working for "superiors who are eager to help them acquire responsibility." Employees praise the "relaxing, informal environment," but also say that the "monstrous bureaucracy" often makes it difficult for them to advance their careers. While some locations have "beautiful offices" and are located "near major metropolises," others have "bland, windowless offices in rural areas" that can be "rough on the social life of young, single employees."
Human Resources
Champion International;MacMillan Bloedel
More Company Profiles
For more career information, go to Vault.com
©2000, Vault.com Inc
|
|
