Idaho Jury Awards Potlatch $95 Million

Potlatch Corp. said Tuesday that a jury in the State of Idaho’s District Court in Lewiston has awarded the company $95 million for damages resulting from defects and deficiencies associated with a pulp washer system that was installed in the company’s Lewiston pulp mill.

The washers were supplied by Beloit Corp., which is the defendant in the case.

Potlatch filed its initial complaint against Beloit in December 1995. The trial began in April 1997. The jury award is subject to post-trial motions, and to appeal to the Idaho Supreme Court.

Potlatch is a diversified forest products company with timberlands in Idaho, Arkansas and Minnesota.