Header: Header: Header:

Woodgrain Closing Pilot Rock, Oregon Sawmill

Woodgrain Inc. filed a WARN notice to Oregon state officials July 1 notifying them that the company was permanently closing its Pilot Rock sawmill, on or after Sept. 1, 2025. The company is consolidating operations with its La Grande, Ore., sawmill, which was acquired from Boise Cascade in 2018. That deal included the sale of Pilot Rock, and a particleboard plant in Island City, Ore. Woodgrain sold the particleboard facility to Kronospan in 2024.

“This decision was not made lightly. Unfortunately, the wood products industry is facing serious, ongoing challenges, from rising costs to sustained market pressures, which have made it harder for smaller mills like Pilot Rock to stay competitive—despite the team’s hard work, commitment, and pride they’ve put into what they do every day. This is why we have decided to consolidate our operations with our La Grande sawmill,” comments Greg Easton, Vice President, Millwork and Lumber division for Woodgrain.

The number of employees affected is 62. The company is consolidating operations with its La Grande, Ore., sawmill. Affected employees are encouraged to explore open positions at other Woodgrain locations. 

Latest News

Canfor Sells Sawmill, Piece Of Forest Tenure

Canfor Corp. is selling its Mackenzie, BC sawmill and site to Peak Renewables. Canfor also announced it is selling its forest trnure in the Mackenzie region to McLeod Lake Indian Band and Tsay Keh Dene Nation. “We are very pleased that the sale of the Mackenzie tenure will provide an opportunity for the…

Brunette Brings Portable Sawmills Into Mix

Brunette Machinery Co. Inc. announced the acquisition of D&L Timber Technologies Ltd. D&L develops, manufactures and distributes portable sawmills and wood processing equipment. D&L handcrafted SwingBlade sawmills are renowned for their quality, versatility and low maintenance requirements…

U.S. Housing Starts Gain Momentum

U.S. housing starts picked up the pace in February, increasing 6.8% over January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.769 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development monthly new residential construction report…

Drax Gets Satellite Pellet Plant Going

Drax Group is ramping up to full production at Leola—the first of three new satellite pellet plants it plans for Arkansas. Leola, in Grant County, is part of a $40 million investment by Drax in the state, creating approximately 30 new jobs across all the three sites planned for Arkansas as well as many more indirect jobs…

Find Us On Social

Newsletter

The monthly Timber Processing Industry Newsletter reaches over 4,000 mill owners and supervisors.

 

Subscribe/Renew

Timber Processing is delivered 10 times per year to subscribers who represent sawmill ownership, management and supervisory personnel and corporate executives. Subscriptions are FREE to qualified individuals.

Advertise

Complete the online form so we can direct you to the appropriate Sales Representative.