ATLANTA, Feb. 14, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- BlueLinx Holdings Inc. (NYSE:BXC), a leading distributor of building products in North America and a Fortune 500 company, today announced a new relationship with Fletcher Wood Solutions to distribute and support Fletcher's LIFESPAN(tm) wood trim products. Fletcher Wood Solutions is the Annapolis, Md.-based subsidiary of Tenon Limited (NZX:TEN), a New Zealand-based wood products manufacturer and distributor.
BlueLinx will immediately begin to distribute and support the full line of LIFESPAN trim products in California with anticipation of a phased national rollout by year end. LIFESPAN wood trim products are made from radiata pine, which is fortified by a special treatment process that uses light organic solvent preservatives (LOSP) to provide extended durability. LOSPs are environmentally friendly organic preservatives that contain no heavy metals and will not corrode fasteners. LIFESPAN products carry a 20-year warranty against insect attack and decay associated with mildew, mold and moisture. In addition, these product offerings will be supported by BlueLinx marketing programs to drive customer business.
The cellular structure in the fiber of radiata pine offers a more dense growth fiber, the ability to leverage the LOSP process, and a more consistent finish in the end product. "Our alignment with Fletcher Wood Solutions positions BlueLinx to offer a comprehensive line of low maintenance, real wood trim products nationwide," said George Judd, President and Chief Operating Officer of BlueLinx Corporation. "Fletcher is one of the largest manufacturers and importers of radiata pine products in the U.S., and its direct access to one of the world's largest sources of radiata pine allows BlueLinx to offer its customers an abundant supply of products efficiently and cost effectively."
Mark Eglinton, CEO of Fletcher Wood Solutions and Tenon Limited, said: "We are very excited to be working with BlueLinx to grow our LIFESPAN program. We have an excellent product supported by a first-rate manufacturing and supply chain capability, which, combined with BlueLinx's large national distribution footprint, gives both companies significant growth opportunities in the outdoor segment."
BlueLinx delivers value to its vendors and customers that extends beyond distribution, providing local and national sales representation, inventory management, and logistics optimization. With a network of nationwide distribution centers, BlueLinx serves markets locally and plays an important role in providing customers with the products they need through just-in-time deliveries.
About BlueLinx Holdings Inc.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, BlueLinx Holdings Inc., operating through its wholly owned subsidiary BlueLinx Corporation, is a leading distributor of building products in North America. Employing more than 3,300 people, BlueLinx offers greater than 10,000 products from over 750 suppliers to service approximately 11,500 customers nationwide, including dealers, industrial manufacturers, manufactured housing producers and home improvement retailers. The company operates its distribution business from sales centers in Atlanta and Denver, and its network of more than 70 warehouses. BlueLinx, which is on the Fortune 500 list of the nation's largest companies, is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under symbol BXC. Additional information about BlueLinx can be found on its Web site at www.BlueLinxCo.com.
About Fletcher Wood Solutions
Fletcher Wood Solutions is the Annapolis, Md.-based North American operation of Tenon Limited, which also maintains offices in Auckland, New Zealand and Guangzhou in China, and a clear-wood pine manufacturing facility in Taupo, New Zealand. Fletcher Wood Solutions is the largest manufacturer of defect-free, appearance grade radiata pine products in New Zealand.
Fletcher Wood Solutions supplies a wide range of specialty wood products to the U.S. market, including the LIFESPAN range of LOSP treated wood products. It is the industry's largest supplier of radiata lumber to the U.S. Fletcher Wood Solutions maintains one of the industry's most reliable and efficient supply chains. The company manufactures LIFESPAN in New Zealand from radiata pine forests that have been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and using manufacturing facilities that have FSC "chain of 'custody'" certification. For more information, visit www.tenonusa.com. LIFESPAN is a trademark of Tenon Ltd. All rights reserved.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All of these forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by our management that, although believed by BlueLinx to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of its control, that may cause its business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties may include, among other things: changes in the supply and/or demand for products that we distribute; the activities of competitors; changes in significant operating expenses; changes in the availability of capital; the ability to identify acquisition opportunities and effectively and cost-effectively integrate acquisitions; general economic and business conditions in the United States; adverse weather patterns or conditions; acts of war or terrorist activities; variations in the performance or the financial markets; and other factors described in the "Risk Factors" section in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, and in its periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. BlueLinx undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.