<B>Columbia Forest Acquires L-P Mills</B>

Columbia Forest Products announced the acquisition of Louisiana-Pacific Corp.'s veneer and flitchwood mills in Mellen, Wis. The terms of the sale were not disclosed. "The acquisition of the Mellen facilities will broaden Columbia's presence in the rotary hardwood veneer market and ensure a secure supply of decorative veneer to CFP plywood operations and veneer customers," said Harry Demorest, president and CEO of Columbia Forest Products. The Mellen operations include a 100,000-square-foot veneer facility and the 30,000-square foot facility.

Columbia Forest Products is North America's largest manufacturer of hardwood plywood and hardwood veneer. The company also produces laminate, engineered and solid wood flooring products.