Sawmill Shutdown.....UPDATE

Magicman · September 26, 2009, 02:24:23 PM

Another sad day. Over 100 people were notified when they came to work yesterday that their mill was shutting down. Been operating since 1043.

I am president of the Lincoln County Forestry Ass'n. and two of them are Directors of the Ass'n. Both had been working for Columbus Lumber Co. like forever. They are in their 40's and have families. They had no previous warning..... >:(

Of course, this doesn't just affect them. The loggers and truck owners/drivers also.

Papa1stuff · September 26, 2009, 02:32:21 PM

Sure was a sad day for them and many more around the US :(,glad I don't have to depend on a job my my meals!

Chico · September 26, 2009, 03:02:29 PM

been a lot of good mills fell thru Good businessmen just too much backbone and not enough breast to even survive Sad :(
Chico

Don K · September 26, 2009, 04:08:43 PM

My area has been hit hard too. #or 4 mills have shutdown or slowed production.

Don

Ron Wenrich · September 26, 2009, 04:56:42 PM

You musn't know the right Congressman. The local mill got a $7.7 million bailout from Uncle Sam. They didn't want the mill with its 500 employees to go down, so they loaned them money. Now, they work 1 week out of every 3. They even laid off the maintenance crew. Who says political contributions don't work. ;)

stonebroke · September 26, 2009, 06:59:04 PM

In NY we call that pay to play

Stonebroke

ellmoe · September 28, 2009, 08:55:51 PM

The local pine mill here just shut down. I understand at even these low prices they couldn't sell but half their production. I'm afraid it's like the singer said, "those jobs aren't coming back". At least not anytime in the new future. With a hundred plus miles to the next production mill, it will be even tougher to be a logger around here.

Mark

Chico · September 29, 2009, 02:20:43 AM

Do you haul to Perry or cross city?
Chico

ellmoe · September 29, 2009, 06:40:28 AM

I'm not a logger. We've got a small stationary mill operation. From here, loggers will have to go to Palatka (pulp and veneer), Starke (C&S), or Cross City (C&S). Most of the smaller pine and hardwood is actually being hauled south now about 50 miles to a mulch plant. The few extra dollars for C&S doesn't pay the additional freight. Unfortunately, the mulch mill can only take a limited amount of logs.

Mark

chevytaHOE5674 · September 29, 2009, 12:13:55 PM

We have lost many of our local mills recently, it is just a sign of the times I'm afraid.

WDH · September 29, 2009, 07:47:22 PM

Magicman,

I thought about you when I saw the notice on ForestWeb. The release said the Bank pulled the plug on them. My company has a big pine mill at Fernwood (McComb) just down the road from you. Hopefully, we will make it. Landowners need markets, and as more and more mills shut down, there are fewer options for landowners and loggers.

Magicman · September 29, 2009, 09:35:23 PM

The fallout has a much larger footprint than most folks realize. The local newspaper The Daily Leader had a large article today outlining some of the other industries that are affected. Things that we don't realize or even think about until we loose an industry.

They are still trying to find a way to re-open. I hope so.

Chico · September 29, 2009, 11:22:15 PM

You are so right Magicman most people don't have a clue all the products made fron\m by products of the operation and the service industries that depend wholly or partly on the parts and services needed to keep mills and loggers etc running
Chico

chevytaHOE5674 · September 30, 2009, 07:54:05 AM

Quote from: Magicman on September 29, 2009, 09:35:23 PM
The fallout has a much larger footprint than most folks realize.

Trickles down from the mill all the way to the restaurant, and gas stations. Our town's main employer was the mill, and when it closed basically the entire town went into penny save mode, and all businesses felt the squeeze.

Magicman · November 10, 2009, 07:05:35 PM

Good news !!! The mill has been bought by Rex Lumber LLC, a forestry corporation headquartered in Graceville, Fl. I understand that they are not going to dismantle the mill, but operate it.

Chico · November 10, 2009, 07:22:55 PM

8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

Magicman · December 08, 2009, 08:26:26 PM

More good news...."Yella Fella" (Great Southern Wood Preserving Inc.) has bought the wood preserving branch of the mill. They are investing $5M, hiring up to 20 employees, and are planning to be up and running by Feb. 1.

Meadows Miller · December 10, 2009, 03:47:30 AM

Gday

Magic thats great news to hear Mate ;) ;D ;D 8) 8) 8)

with larger mills downhere they usually dont sit idle for too long maby 3 to 4 months if the comany goes under as all the hard works done permits ,ground work ect and they usualy come with a log supply there alwas seems to be someone looking for a larger operation to purchase ;) ;D ;D 8)

Regards Chris

fishpharmer · December 10, 2009, 04:26:41 AM

MM, hey they great news for your region and MS. Really its good for the US. Any manufacturing business not going offshore is good. 8)

GaryinMississippi · December 10, 2009, 03:28:34 PM

Quote from: Magicman on September 26, 2009, 02:24:23 PM
Been operating since 1043.

That"s a LOOOOONG time!!!!

;D

Magicman · December 10, 2009, 07:46:07 PM

Quote from: GaryinMississippi on December 10, 2009, 03:28:34 PM
Quote from: Magicman on September 26, 2009, 02:24:23 PM
Been operating since 1043.

That"s a LOOOOONG time!!!! ;D

Wowwwww !!! You are right....

Dat's a long time for sure.... :D :D :D And just think....that's the year that I was born. No wonder I've been tired lately..... ;D

maple flats · December 11, 2009, 05:03:56 PM

It amazes me that records exist from before 1492 about which sawmill was in business. But on a different front Beretta firearms has been in business over 500 years.