Plum Creek will restart its sawmill in Columbia Falls on March 16, bringing approximately 140 workers back to the mill to work one-and-one-half shifts.
This move is in response to a recent improvement in customer demand for pine boards.
“We are watching for signs of improvement in the wood products markets and see a modest gain in the demand for pine boards in the repair and remodel market,” said Tom Ray, vice-president Montana operations.
“The recent positive trend in pine board demand will let us bring some people in Columbia Falls back to work. However, the broader housing market remains weak.”
Plum Creek’s Ksanka sawmill in Fortine, is scheduled to close permanently, with the final logs being sawn on March 12 and the planer continuing to run until March 24.
