Temple-Inland Inc. Indefinitely Closing Particleboard Plant

Temple-Inland Inc. announced the indefinite shutdown of its Mount Jewett, Pa., particleboard plant.

The company temporarily curtailed production at this plant in March and has now made the decision to indefinitely shutdown the plant due to continued weak market conditions. This decision will be re-evaluated when market conditions improve. The plant has an annual production capacity of 200 million square feet. Customers previously supplied by the Mount Jewett plant will be serviced by other Temple-Inland Inc. facilities.

"The decision to suspend operations at Mount Jewett particleboard is a difficult one. However, continuing to run the operation under current market pressures and economic conditions is not economically feasible," said Jack C. Sweeny, Temple-Inland group vice president -- building products. "Primary markets for this plant, including the ready-to-assemble furniture industry, have been negatively affected by foreign competition."

The shutdown will affect approximately 120 employees. "We deeply regret the impact on affected employees. The company will offer access to multiple resources to assist in the transition," concluded Sweeny.