1999 — Masonite Corp. general plant mechanic Mike Cleveland, left, and mill maintenance mechanic Rick Suman are two of 160 employees at the Pilot Rock fiberboard manufacturing plant who lost their jobs when the plant closed in February. 25 years ago this week — 1999 PILOT ROCK — One local resident called it “shocking” news when Masonite Corp.
announced plans to close its fiberboard manufacturing plant Wednesday. Expected to be complete by the end of February, the closure will put 160 people out of work. The plant is shutting down due to excess capacity within our manufacturing system,” said Hillary Huford, communications manager for Masonite’s corporate office in Chicago.
“The (fiberboard) market is extremely mature,” Hufford said. “The market is very stable and we don’t see it growing in capacity.” Hufford said the Pilot Rock mill will run at full production through the end of the year and then will be downsized until the plant is closed sometime in February.
The plant’s manufacturing equipment will be transferred to other Masonite facilities, and the Pilot Rock property will be sold, she said. Masonite, a subsidiary of International Paper based in Purchase, N.Y.
, will provide severance benefits, counseling and job placement assistance to employees, Hufford said. “The decision to close the Pilot Rock facility was a difficult one to make,” plant manager Cliff Judy said in a press release. “We will be working very closely with employees and thei.