Simpson Investment Company
Encyclopedia
The Simpson Investment Company is a Pacific Northwest
based company that specializes in production and manufacture of forest products. Originally founded as a logging company in 1890 by Sol Simpson, the company currently functions as a holding company
for its three subsidiaries who deal with different sectors in the forestry
industry. They are Simpson Lumber Company, the Simpson Door Company and the Simpson Tacoma Kraft Company. The Simpson Lumber Company conducts logging operations in Shelton, Washington
and in South Carolina
while the Simpson Door Company manufactures wood doors. The Simpson Tacoma Kraft Company produces pulpwood and linerbaord products.
Simpson announced in 2008 that they will be entering the "green power" industry by building a new power plant at its Tacoma tideflats mill that will generate power via the burning of sawmill and other forest waste. In August 2009, construction of the power plant was complete and it currently generates 55 megawatts of power which is sold to Iberdrola Renovables
and used by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District.
that was created to manage Simpson's forest lands. Both companies are owned by the same shareholders and as with the current subsidiaries, function as separate departments within a large company rather than as completely independent companies.
but is now limited to less than fifteen miles of operational track. The rail line was used not only to transport lumber but also as a transportation network to remote logging camps and towns. Construction of the railroad line was an engineering feat as demonstrated by the large and complex bridges built to span gorges as well as the mountainous terrain the railroad traveled through. Perhaps the most notable landmarks of the now mostly abandoned line are the Vance Creek Bridge and the High Steel Bridge
. Both bridges were built in 1929 and in use until the 1950s when the line was abandoned. The bridges still stand with the High Steel Bridge still in use as a forest road. The High Steel Bridge also has the distinction of being one of the tallest rail bridges in the United States and has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places
.
Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is a region in northwestern North America, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains on the east. Definitions of the region vary and there is no commonly agreed upon boundary, even among Pacific Northwesterners. A common concept of the...
based company that specializes in production and manufacture of forest products. Originally founded as a logging company in 1890 by Sol Simpson, the company currently functions as a holding company
Holding company
A holding company is a company or firm that owns other companies' outstanding stock. It usually refers to a company which does not produce goods or services itself; rather, its purpose is to own shares of other companies. Holding companies allow the reduction of risk for the owners and can allow...
for its three subsidiaries who deal with different sectors in the forestry
Forestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
industry. They are Simpson Lumber Company, the Simpson Door Company and the Simpson Tacoma Kraft Company. The Simpson Lumber Company conducts logging operations in Shelton, Washington
Shelton, Washington
Shelton is the county seat, of Mason County, Washington, United States. Shelton is the westernmost city on Puget Sound. The population was 9,834 at the 2010 census. In terms of population, the city is ranked 161 out of approximately 500 municipalities in Washington...
and in South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
while the Simpson Door Company manufactures wood doors. The Simpson Tacoma Kraft Company produces pulpwood and linerbaord products.
Simpson announced in 2008 that they will be entering the "green power" industry by building a new power plant at its Tacoma tideflats mill that will generate power via the burning of sawmill and other forest waste. In August 2009, construction of the power plant was complete and it currently generates 55 megawatts of power which is sold to Iberdrola Renovables
Iberdrola Renovables
- Iberdrola Renovables was a subsidiary of Iberdrola, headquartered in Valencia, Spain, which included companies in the domains of renewable energy, particularly wind power...
and used by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District.
Divisions
The company was split into two separate units in 2006. The Green Diamond Resource Company is a spinoffSpin out
A spin-out, also known as a spin-off or a starburst, refers to a type of corporate action where a company "splits off" sections of itself as a separate business....
that was created to manage Simpson's forest lands. Both companies are owned by the same shareholders and as with the current subsidiaries, function as separate departments within a large company rather than as completely independent companies.
Railroad
The Simpson Company is also notable for the construction and operations of its own logging railroad known as the Simpson Railroad. It is one of the last logging railroad operations in the continental United States and dates back some 120 years. The railroad was once extensive and branched out into several hundred miles of forestland in the Olympic PeninsulaOlympic Peninsula
The Olympic Peninsula is the large arm of land in western Washington state of the USA, that lies across Puget Sound from Seattle. It is bounded on the west by the Pacific Ocean, the north by the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the east by Puget Sound. Cape Alava, the westernmost point in the contiguous...
but is now limited to less than fifteen miles of operational track. The rail line was used not only to transport lumber but also as a transportation network to remote logging camps and towns. Construction of the railroad line was an engineering feat as demonstrated by the large and complex bridges built to span gorges as well as the mountainous terrain the railroad traveled through. Perhaps the most notable landmarks of the now mostly abandoned line are the Vance Creek Bridge and the High Steel Bridge
High Steel Bridge
High Steel Bridge is a truss arch bridge that spans the south fork of the Skokomish River in Mason County, Washington. It was built in 1929 by Simpson Logging Company as part of a logging railroad....
. Both bridges were built in 1929 and in use until the 1950s when the line was abandoned. The bridges still stand with the High Steel Bridge still in use as a forest road. The High Steel Bridge also has the distinction of being one of the tallest rail bridges in the United States and has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.