Timber Company Fires 145 in Montana

Plum Creek Timber will reduce production at its four lumber sawmills and its medium density fiberboard plant in Montana, resulting in the loss of 145 jobs.

The Seattle-based company said it is taking the action because of the poor housing market and decline in demand for wood products.

In March, Plum Creek will permanently close the Ksanka sawmill in Fortine, with a loss of 74 jobs. It will temporarily reduce operations at the Evergreen sawmill in Kalispell for the remainder of January, February and possibly March.

Plum Creek’s pine board sawmill in Pablo will reduce operations from 1.5 shifts to one shift, with a loss of 36 jobs. The two production lines at the fiberboard plant in Columbia Falls will scale down to two shifts beginning January 19th, reducing the work force by 35 employees.