Dec 14, 2007. /Lesprom Network/. Norbord Inc planned to suspend operations at its mill in Genk, Belgium for three weeks, temporarily laying off 150 workers, company announced on Friday. The producer of wood-based panels said both particleboard and oriented strand board (OSB) operations will be shut starting on December 22. "European inventory levels rise each year over the holiday season," said Barrie Shineton, Norbord's President and CEO. "The slowdown in European consumer confidence has made it necessary to extend our holiday downtime this year, to keep inventory levels in-check and limit the company's working capital build." Annual OSB production capacity at the mill in Genk is 260 MMsf - 3/8-inch basis and annual particleboard production capacity is 170 MMsf - 3/8-inch basis. Toronto-based Norbord, which does the majority of its business in the United States, said in October strong demand for timber products in Europe should help offset weakness in North America in 2008.