Nov 17, 2009. /Lesprom Network/. The Molpus Woodlands Group, LLC and Anthony Forest Products Company have completed the sale and acquisition of approximately 91,360 acres of mature pine sawtimber timberland and related timber cutting rights from Anthony for a total purchase price of $ 173.15 million, Molpus said in a press release received by Lesprom Network. Under the terms of the sale, Molpus will, on behalf of a client, provide a substantial portion of the premium sawtimber under a long-term timber supply agreement to service Anthony's mills located in Urbana, Arkansas; Atlanta, Texas; and Plain Dealing, Louisiana. Anthony manufactures lumber and engineered wood products for the building industry, as well as wood chips for the paper industry. Molpus will also continue the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) certification of the timberlands, which was achieved by Anthony. The acreage, located in the states of Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas, is made up of high-quality, mostly mature southern timberland with a mix of species and product classes. The local timber markets are strong with good mill density, and the property provides geographical diversification throughout the three states. Given its proximity to metropolitan areas and to the proposed I-69 highway corridor currently under consideration, this property provides diverse revenue opportunities for land sales, recreational leases and possibly other non-timber revenue opportunities. "The Anthony properties are strategically located in the Ark-La-Tex Region in a highly attractive wood basket with strong demand from regional wood and paper industries. Also, the Anthony family has, over the decades, done an extraordinary job of acquiring and managing these properties. We look forward to continuing the Anthony legacy of stewardship on this land," said Dick Molpus, President of Molpus Woodlands Group. Aubra Anthony, President and CEO of Anthony Forest Products Company, observed, "Anthony Forest has entered into this strategic transaction and partnership with Molpus to create long-term benefits for our customers, suppliers, shareholders, and communities. Going forward, the Company will have an even stronger balance sheet. We will continue to harvest the quality timber, which we have been intensively cultivating, for our manufacturing operations. Our communities, in turn, will benefit from retained jobs and additional investment in our ongoing business activities."