Boise Cascade Co. swung to a fourth-quarter profit of $1.3 million following a $13.8 million loss a year earlier.
The wood products firm with plants in Medford and White City, reported revenue $694.6 million during the final three months of 2012, compared to $547.4 million for the same period in 2011.
Boise benefited from improved U.S. housing starts, which grew 28 percent to 780,000 in 2012, compared to 609,000 in 2011. Even so, housing start levels remain far below historical averages for the past 20 years of about 1.4 million units per year. Forecasts for 2013 anticipate starts of 990,000, a 27 percent gain from 2012.
Boise said it expected demand below historical levels for the products it manufactures and distribute. The company some of its mills will operate below capacity.
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