Irving, through its Irving Forest Products Ltd vehicle, took over the mill when it bought out Dixfield Timber in 1999 but has now ceased operations at the site, with 36 jobs lost in the process.
However, the company has said that it plans to review the market in the autumn and could re-open the mill and re-hire employees should the project be operationally viable.
“It’s the best business decision but it’s a difficult one,” said Mary Keith, spokesperson for Irving.
“With the drop in market prices and the decline in lumber for housing, we will close and review the current state of the market in September.”
The closure of the Chandler Road-based mill is the latest in a line of closures in Strong, Maine, which habe seen Forest Manufacturing, Cousineau Lumber and Strong Lumber cease operations in the town.
