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Plum Creek names new vp-Montana operations

Plum Creek Timber has promoted Tom Ray to vp-Montana operations. In his new role, Ray will oversee Plum Creek’s 10 manufacturing operations, one of which is in Meridian, Idaho. He will also oversee management of the company’s timberland resources in Montana. Ray will continue to be based in Columbia Falls and will report to Hank Ricklefs, vp-northern resources and manufacturing.

“For years, Tom has been an integral part of Plum Creek’s management team in Montana,” said Ricklefs. “Tom has extensive experience integrating our forestry activities with our manufacturing plants and has the expertise to successfully guide Plum Creek’s manufacturing business through these challenging times.”

Ray joined the Seattle-based company in 2001 when it merged with the Timber Co. (formerly part of Georgia-Pacific). Prior to his new position, he served as general manager, northwest region. He was also a business analyst and resource manager for Northern California lands. He has a bachelor of science degree in forest engineering from Oregon State University.

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Aubuchon closes another location

Aubuchon Hardware, the 127-store Northeast chain, has closed another location — this time in Barre, Mass., according to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette newspaper. The store had been in Barre for 68 years.

Michael D. Mattson, director of advertising and marketing for the Aubuchon chain, told the Worcester Telegram & Gazette that at 5,000 square feet, the store did not have enough space for Aubuchon’s usual mix of products. In the last four to five years, most Aubuchon stores have been expanded to between 8,000 and 10,000 square feet. In addition, the store changed managers too many times in recent years, he said.

Aubuchon closed its Au Sable Forks, N.Y., location Dec. 8, saying sales had declined in recent years. Meanwhile, the chain acquired two locations in New Hampshire recently.

Aubuchon Hardware stores are located in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut. The chain, started by William Aubuchon in 1908, celebrated its 100th anniversary this year.