December 2024 Message from our CEO

Counting You Among Our Blessings

If you’ve read our columns or met me in person, you know how deeply proud I am to serve the employees, customers and supplier partners of Columbia Forest Products.

I am constantly reminded of the unique organization we have at CFP and the strong sense of kinship permeating our working relationships.

A daily example is how our people coach and support one another, regardless of position or experience. We understand we’re all here to live out our core values while producing the finest hardwood plywood and veneer to the best of our abilities.

The recent devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina — home to our Old Fort facility and 370 employees and their families — brought Columbia’s “Significant Service” purpose to life in ways we could never have anticipated:

• Who could have imagined that “Serving Our Communities” would one day involve roaming the hills with chainsaws to clear trees from roads, driveways, power lines and even homes?
• Or that it would mean establishing food and material drop-off and distribution zones at our own facilities, enabling the Columbia Foundation and countless other organizations to provide essential supplies to people suddenly left without necessities?
• Or that “Serving Our Employees and Their Families” would require canvassing the devastated areas around Old Fort for a week just to account for all our team members, many of whom were without cell service, electricity, water and transportation?

We don’t have the time or space here to capture the thousands of individual and collective acts of kindness and commitment carried out by the CFP Foundation, our teams and other organizations. However, I am incredibly proud and humbled by the magnitude of our response, which will forever lift my heart.

The people of Western North Carolina endured a once-in-a-millennium catastrophe that struck in the darkness of night.

In the aftermath, the selfless actions of our employees, the CFP Foundation, outside organizations and so many of our customers and supplier partners — who stepped up without hesitation to provide resources, time and support — made an enormous difference to the victims of Helene.

To everyone who contributed during our greatest time of need, on behalf of all 2,100 employees of Columbia Forest Products, we extend our deepest gratitude.

We wish each of you a safe, warm and joyful Merry Christmas and holiday season this year!

Greg Pray

President and CEO

Columbia Forest Products

Our Core Values

Customer Service

Absolute Integrity

We are Family

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