LIBERTY, Miss. (AP) -- Officials at the U.S. Metal Works Inc. plant in Liberty say the economic slowdown in the lumber industry has forced the company to layoff 20 to 25 workers.
Plant manager Roger Morse says U.S. Metal Works has another plant in Sandy, Ore., that also builds and installs equipment for lumber, plywood and particle board plants.
The 40,000-square foot plant in Liberty was opened in 1988 when the timber industry began growing in the southeastern. Officials say the sagging economy, which forced the lumber industry slow down, has reduced the need for building materials.
The layoffs come on the heels of a decision last week by Georgia-Pacific Corp. to close its Gloster plywood plant where 280 people will be without jobs in December.