Swanson Group plans to relocate the Olympic Panel assets in 2016 to a state-of-the-art facility to be constructed in Springfield, Or. The new facility will continue to produce Olympic-branded products. During the next 12 to 18 months, Olympic Panel Products will continue to operate in Shelton, to ensure a smooth transition for all customers and suppliers.

 

Swanson executives believe Springfield is the right location to maintain the Olympic Panel tradition of building the highest quality overlay products. 

 

“Swanson is building a world-class plywood and veneer manufacturing facility in a location with an excellent workforce and log supply,” said president and CEO鈥圫teve Swanson. “We have long been impressed with the quality and depth of Olympic’s overlay product line and believe that this acquisition fits perfectly with our goal to become the leading producer of overlay panels in North America.”

 

Kurt Liebich, CEO of former Olympic owner New Wood Resources, said, “With our lease expiring next year, we needed to make a strategic, long-term decision and concluded that this transaction is the right step at this time. While Swanson’s new facility in Springfield will eventually be the place where Olympic’s products are made, nothing with respect to our operations will change until 2016.”

 

New Wood will continue to own Omak Wood Products, Omak, Wa., which produces softwood veneer for Northwest markets and Douglas fir plywood for specialty and commodity applications. New Wood is also rebuilding the Winston Plywood & Veneer Mill, Louisville, Ms., which was destroyed by a tornado in 2014.