Roseburg Forest Products is shifting specialty plywood production to its Coquille mill and reducing staffing by about 146 positions at its Riddle facility. The move supports expanded engineered wood operations and follows major investments to modernize mills and focus on core product lines.

Roseburg Forest Products announced Wednesday it is realigning production at two Oregon facilities, a move that will shift specialty plywood manufacturing to Coquille and reduce staffing at its Riddle mill by about 146 positions.

Company officials said the change is part of a broader strategy to modernize operations and strengthen its long-term position in engineered wood and specialty plywood markets.

Under the plan, veneer production has been expanded at the company’s Riddle Plywood facility to better support its nearby engineered wood plant, which produces laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and I-joist products. Meanwhile, upgrades at the Coquille Plywood facility have positioned that site to become Roseburg’s primary specialty plywood operation.

As a result, specialty plywood production that was previously split between the two mills will be consolidated in Coquille. The Riddle facility will continue producing plywood sheathing and underlayment but will reduce its workforce beginning Feb. 4.

Company leaders said affected employees will receive 60 days of pay and continued health coverage. Workers are also being encouraged to apply for open positions at other Roseburg facilities, with transition support and resources being offered.

Roseburg President and CEO Stuart Gray said the decision was not made lightly but is intended to improve how raw materials move through the company’s core product lines and help maintain long-term competitiveness.

The production shift follows several years of major capital investments across the company’s Western operations. Since 2023, Roseburg has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to modernize mills and focus on product segments expected to drive future growth, including engineered wood, specialty plywood, medium-density fiberboard, and lumber.

Founded in 1936, Roseburg Forest Products is one of the country’s largest private forest landowners and a major employer in Douglas County. The company operates manufacturing facilities across multiple states and manages timberlands in Oregon and the Southeast.

Source: paperage.com