>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Boise Cascade announced today a temporary curtailment of operations both at the Elgin stud mill and the La Grande sawmill.

The curtailment will take place the week of March 25 and affect about 70 employees in Elgin and 60 in La Grande, according to Boise Human Resources Manager Steve Lyon. Lyon blamed a continuing slump in wood products markets.

“Lumber demand and prices remain at historic lows even as mill curtailments and closures are occurring with regularity throughout the industry,” he said.

“Market volatility is something we experience in this industry but this downturn is more severe and appears will persist for a longer period of time than we historically have experienced.”

Tom Insko, Boise’s Inland Region manager, said the impact the curtailments have on employees is “regrettable.”

“We must respond to economic realities and minimize short-term losses to ensure long-term success,” Insko said.

Boise Cascade, a world-wide timber concern with headquarters in Boise, operates four local plants. They include the La Grande sawmill, the Island City particleboard plant, and the stud mill and plywood plant in Elgin.

In all, about 700 people work for the company locally.

The company has been struggling with poor market conditions for more than a year and has scaled back operations at all the local facilities.

Most recently, work at the stud mill in Elgin was curtailed for two weeks in February and early March.

Lyon expressed confidence that Boise will ride out the storm and emerge in good shape.

“By operating our facilities safely and efficiently, we will make it through this downturn and be well positioned for the eventual turnaround,” he said.