PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Hardwood sawmill has cut back operations by two hours daily as a result of the housing sales slump.
Interfor Pacific in Port Angeles and Portac Inc. on the West End each shut down operations at least until the end of the week.
Workers at KPly’s mill on the Port Angeles waterfront have been collecting unemployment since Nov. 2, and are currently scheduled to return to work Monday.
Each company said it will depend on market conditions as to when it will reopen.
Port Angeles Hardwood, which deals primarily with alder, maple and other hardwoods for interior uses such as cabinets, have been hurt by the market slump, but not to the point that operations will be halted, said Keith Harris, plant superintendent.
“We are still operating five days a week,” he said. “We have just shortened our hours from 10 hours a day to eight.
“We will keep going like this and just see how it works out.”
Port Angeles Hardwood LLC was opened in 2006.
The mill, at 333 Eclipse Industrial Parkway, was built by Mount Vernon-based Cascade Hardwoods and employs about 100 people.
