Mike Taborski
Publisher
5/12/2010

    Citing an improvement in the lumber market with housing starts expected to be “modestly higher” this year, Sierra Pacific Industries is once again operating its small-log sawmill at the Quincy facility.
 

   Company spokesman Mark Lathrop said several mill workers would be placed in new jobs at the plant, so this first week is a training week. A second shift, creating some 50 jobs in all, is scheduled to begin its production next week.  

Because of the soft lumber market, the large-log sawmill was recently reduced to a single shift, so the net gain is approximately 33 jobs between the two plants.

     Lathrop added that the wet spring and heavy snow has made it difficult to keep SPI’s mills operating because of log supplies and not being able to operate in the woods.

    Faced with continued supply and demand challenges, SPI ceased its small-log production in Quincy in May 2009. At that time, the company said the closure was being considered permanent, but added it would keep the plant’s equipment in place and operational in case conditions change.

    “We are encouraged to get people back to work and sincerely appreciate all the support from Quincy and the surrounding Plumas County communities,” Lathrop said.