Overhauled Vicksburg, Mississippi Lumber Mill to Start Single-Shift Operations in July

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Vicksburg Forest Products has announced huge investment to carry out significant upgrades at the former Anderson-Tully lumber mill in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The reopening of the closed lumber mill facility is scheduled to take place in end-July this year.

The company has decided to switch the mill over to pine, mainly considering the current market conditions and its business experience. Upon reopening, the mill will initially operate in single shift, producing southern yellow pine lumber. Based on market conditions and workforce availability, the mill may expand to a second shift in future. The plant’s capability is estimated at 100 million board feet per annum in a single shift. Local sources will be tapped for meeting the raw material requirement, the company press release noted.

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Billy Van Devender, manager of Vicksburg Forest Products stated that the company is proud to invest in Vicksburg, which has got extremely talented workforce and a strong sense of community. He thanked the support extended by Vicksburg-Warren Economic Development Partnership and the Mississippi Development Authority. The company looks forward to a long and prosperous future, he added.

Earlier in March this year, Anderson-Tully had announced closure of its Vicksburg lumber mill, after long 129 years of operation. Following this, Jackson-based Vicksburg Forest Products had purchased the sawmill assets, including property, plant and equipment in May 2018 for an undisclosed amount. At the time of purchase of the mill assets by the new owner, the entire mill workforce of 158 people was laid off. The new owner has disclosed that reopening of the mill is likely to create approximately 125 jobs in the Warren County area.