Manulife's Private Markets Expansion: New 149,000-Acre Timber Deal Strengthens Oregon Footprint

Hancock Natural Resource Group, operating under Manulife Investment Management’s umbrella, has successfully closed a major timberland acquisition spanning approximately 149,000 acres across southern Oregon. The transaction marks a strategic build-out in the firm’s natural resource portfolio, particularly within its timber and agricultural investment segments.

The newly acquired properties are distributed across Coos, Curry, Douglas, and Josephine counties, adding to Hancock’s existing timber operations in the region. With over 200,000 acres of quality timberlands accumulated since 2017, the group demonstrates a deliberate strategy for consolidating premium forest assets in the Pacific Northwest.

Scale and Strategic Positioning

The deal underscores Hancock Natural Resource Group’s substantial footprint in global timber management. Currently overseeing approximately 5.6 million acres of timberland worldwide—including operations in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Chile—the firm operates as a cornerstone of Manulife Investment Management’s Private Markets platform.

In Oregon alone, Hancock manages roughly 635,000 acres of timberland. When combined with broader Pacific Northwest and Inland Northwest holdings, the group’s regional presence reaches 1.4 million acres. These properties will be managed through Hancock Forest Management, the group’s integrated property management division.

Timber Composition and Market Dynamics

The acquired forests feature well-stocked timber resources, predominantly Douglas-fir and white woods varieties. This composition aligns with demand from leading forest product manufacturers specializing in veneer, plywood, engineered wood products, and lumber production.

According to Tom Sarno, global head of timberland investments at Hancock Natural Resource Group, the acquisition reflects confidence in both the timber market fundamentals and the stewardship standards already embedded in these properties.

Broader Investment Framework

Beyond timber operations, Hancock Natural Resource Group’s agricultural investment group manages approximately 400,000 acres of prime farmland across major U.S. agricultural regions, Canada, and Australia—demonstrating diversification within the natural resources space.

This expansion reinforces Manulife Investment Management’s commitment to offering investors access to private market opportunities spanning timber, agriculture, infrastructure, real estate, private equity, and credit sectors. The Portland-based management approach emphasizes environmental stewardship and sustainable land management practices alongside local community engagement across Oregon’s southern counties.