Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Potlatch Warren closes; local mill ends one shift

The Prescott Potlatch Lumber Mill has eliminated a shift. That news came from Lisa Stocker, director of public affairs for Potlatch, Tuesday afternoon. Until this week, the Prescott mill has run three shifts. The elimination of that third shift impacts 42 positions.

Stocker was not available at presstime Wednesday for comment regarding the 42 positions. Stocker said Wednesday that those jobs are eliminated and that workers have been laid off.

In an email to area media, Stocker said the mill will continue to run two shifts. She said the company has not eliminated the possibility of starting the third shift again at some point.

Were keeping an eye on market conditions, Stocker said. Depending on the market conditions, anything is possible.

Stocker cited poor market conditions, specifically as it relates to the southern pine market. Stocker said both current and projected market conditions were taken into account as the company made the decision to eliminate one of the three shifts.

Earlier this year, the Prescott Potlatch facility was closed entirely for a couple of weeks. Stocker then cited poor market conditions and the cost of production among the reasons for the temporary shut-down.

The third shift has been in operation since 2002, according to Stocker.