Pony Lumber Company, a company organized by Veber Partners, has acquired the Tacoma Sawmill from Louisiana-Pacific Corp.

Portland, Oregon - June 1, 2004 – Veber Partners, a leading boutique investment and merchant banking firm, has acted as a principal in the acquisition of the Tacoma Sawmill from Louisiana-Pacific Corp. (the “Company”) by Pony Lumber Company, LLC (Pony).  The Tacoma sawmill produces kiln-dried hemlock studs and other dimensional lumber that is sold to customers throughout the U.S.  Veber Partners negotiated, structured, and financed this acquisition by forming Pony together with Mr. Walf Wirfs to purchase the assets of the Company.  

The acquisition of the Company was financed with equity provided by Mr. Wirfs and Veber Partners.  In addition to the new equity structure, a portion of the financing for the purchase came from a City of Tacoma loan program available through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and an asset-based credit facility has been provided to Pony by Wells Fargo Business Credit.

Mr. Wirfs, President of Pony, is the former head of LP's lumber and plywood division, a business unit with nearly $500 million in sales.  Prior to that, Mr. Wirfs was President of the Western Wood Products Association and Vice President of the Atlantic Building Materials Group for Willamette Industries.

Mr. Wirfs commented, "We strongly believe the work force in the Tacoma area is perfect for our needs. We are excited about the prospect of continuing to provide jobs to the local economy, while operating a successful and profitable sawmill."

About Veber Partners, LLC

Veber Partners, LLC is an investment banking firm focused on advising Northwest-based emerging growth and middle-market companies in the areas of company sales, mergers & acquisitions, management buyouts, debt & equity capital placements, and other corporate finance related assignments.  Veber Partners also actively engages in merchant banking activities, acting as a principal in the buyout of profitable middle-market companies by partnering with qualified management talent and private equity investors.  Visit Veber Partners website at www.veber.com.