Thomasville and Moultrie lumber companies have entered a partnership agreement in which the businesses will be purchased by Canfor Corp. during a two-year period.

The transaction involving Beadles Lumber Co. and Balfour Lumber Co. will close Jan. 2, 2015. Beadles and Balfour will maintain a 45 percent interest in both mills for two years after the closing.

“Everyone will have the same job working for the same manager, and the management team will remain as it is,” said Bryant Beadles, Balfour Lumber Co. president.

Operations in Thomasville and Moultrie will not change.

The Thomasville mill employs 115. Moultrie employs 100.

 Beadles explained that in the beginning, Canfor’s interest will be 55 percent, increasing to 100 percent in January 2017.

Canfor, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, added Southern pine to its production portfolio in 2013, with acquisition of three Scotch Gulf Lumber mills in Alabama.

Canfor is the second-largest lumber producer in the world and the largest in Canada.

Beadles said Canfor has a history of making large capital investments in the company’s mills.

He said Bernie Lanigan, of Lanigan & Associates of Thomasville, “put the deal together as they have done with other similar transactions in the South with the buyer.”

Said Lanigan, “Canfor would be the best buyer/partner for the Beadles/Balfour employees, customers and owners, as well as the communities in which the mills are located.”

The Beadles family owns all stock in Beadles Lumber and Balfour Lumber. Victor Beadles and Bryant Beadles will continue to be in involved with operations and management at the mills, with Bryant Beadles serving as president.

Bryant Beadles said Beadles Lumber’s approximately 7,000 acres of timberland and the company’s hunting lodge are not included in the sale.

Neither are Balfour Timber Co. or Balfour Land Co. included in the sale.

Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820.