Stimson Lumber to close Arden sawmill

Stimson Lumber Co. has issued layoff notices to workers at its sawmill in Arden, Wash. About 67 people work at the mill, which produces siding, decking and other products out of cedar, fir and pine. The mill could close permanently as soon as Nov. 11, though the shutdown might be delayed if processing the remaining inventory takes longer, said Jeff Webber, Stimson’s vice president of manufacturing. Webber attributed the closure to the protracted slowdown in the housing market. The Arden mill had gone through earlier downsizings. Webber said the workers have the option of applying for jobs at other Stimson facilities. The Portland-based company has six other plants in Oregon and Idaho.