OAKDALE, La. (AP) -- Boise Cascade announced Thursday that it is indefinitely curtailing the majority of production at its manufacturing facility in Oakdale, affecting 130 workers.
The plywood/veneer operation, which opened in 1965, will reduce its operations on Dec. 1.
The plant, located on U.S. Highway 165, will keep a small crew of workers in order to stay operational during the downtime, said Larry Hataway, human resource manager.
"At this point in time, we consider this an indefinite curtailment," Hataway said. "We have experienced numerous temporary curtailments and a reduction in force at this facility since 2008. In fairness to our employees, we don't think it is appropriate to continue these repetitive curtailments when our market outlook remains dim.
"Obviously, the impact of this indefinite curtailment on our employees, their families and vendors in the community is regrettable. We had hoped to see a stronger market for wood products in the past year, but both regional and national economic conditions have not been conducive to wood products' demand."
Hataway said he hoped demand for the plant's products will increase in the future, leading to a reopening.
Boise Cascade is a privately owned company headquartered in Boise, Idaho. The materials from the Oakdale plant were used to make products at Boise Cascade's operations in Lena and Florien. Those materials will now be acquired elsewhere.