Longlac Wood Industries, in the Municipality of Greenstone, closed its doors in early November and company officials say the plant could remain idle for up to a year.
Over 400 plant employees found themselves out of work in early November when the mill ceased operations. No plans have been made to resume operations; however, company officials say the mill will not be mothballed.
The mill, which sells hardwood panelling and house construction products to the United States has been the area's top employer for over three decades. While their wood products are not subject to U.S. softwood lumber tariffs, company officials say prices have been in a slump for the past year and continue falling. The price of waferboard has dropped from $250 per 1,000 square feet to $150 per 1,000 square feet.
Mill officials say the company has been losing money over the last year due to depressed prices.
Longlac Wood Industries is owned by Montreal-based forestry giant Kruger Inc.
