Rayonier Inc. (RYN) is a leading international forest company with a broad and diverse portfolio that includes some of the most productive timberland in the United States and New Zealand. Headquartered in Wildlight, Florida, Rayonier's business operations are focused on the ownership, management, and development of timberlands from planting and nurturing trees, to the marketing, selling, and exporting of forest products. The company is listed and actively traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "RYN".
Rayonier was founded in 1926 as the Rainier Pulp & Paper Company in Washington State. It has grown significantly since then, now owning, leasing, or managing approximately 2.7 million acres of forests with three main business segments: Southern Timber, Pacific Northwest Timber, and New Zealand Timber. The company's portfolio of timberlands is primarily used to grow and harvest timber for the manufacture of paper, pulp, and other wood products.
In addition to its timber and forestry businesses, Rayonier also has a Real Estate segment where the company optimizes the value of its properties that are no longer primarily used for timber production. This may include selling, leasing, or developing these properties for residential, commercial, or rural purposes depending on the maximizing value.
While being a profit-oriented corporation, Rayonier is also committed to sustainable forestry practices. The company's forestry operations are conducted with a long-term perspective, prioritizing the health and productivity of its forests for future generations. This commitment is reflected in Rayonier's attainment of several internationally recognized sustainability certifications for its timberlands and its recognition by leading environmental organizations.
For investors, Rayonier can be an attractive investment for its reliable dividends and growth prospects in the timber and real estate markets. As of 2021, the company had a market capitalization of over $4 billion and employed around 370 people. With its strong, growing portfolio of diverse forest resources and real estate investments coupled with its firm commitment to sustainability, Rayonier represents an attractive blend of stability, growth, and responsibility within the global forest industry.