J.D. Irving closes two sawmills in Maine and P.E.I. amid slumping demand

Aug 13, 2008. /Lesprom.com/. J.D. Irving Ltd. closes a sawmill in Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) and another in Maine, as the forestry giant continues to feel the sting of slumping markets, The Canadian Press reported. Company officials met with employees at sawmills in Georgetown, P.E.I. and in Nashville Plantation in northern Maine to inform them of the closures. 36 employees in P.E.I. and about 44 workers in Maine are facing layoffs, although Irving spokeswoman Mary Keith said the company is trying to find jobs in other operations for as many as possible. A fire that destroyed the planer mill in Nashville Plantation expedited the closure of that operation, Keith said, adding it had been on reduced shifts for the past three years. She said Georgetown Timber Ltd. had not operated since September, 2007. Keith said the lumber industry continues to be challenged by tough business conditions, including a significant drop in lumber demand and prices; the rise of the Canadian dollar and escalating energy and transportation costs.