MATTOON, WI- Forty-two workers at Wisconsin Veneer and Plywood in Mattoon were unexpectedly laid off after the company abruptly shut down operations with just one day’s notice. The closure, effective August 2, was part of a broader decision by Besse Forest Products Inc. to cease operations at three of its facilities. In addition to the Mattoon plant, Goodman Veneer & Lumber Company in Goodman, employing 48 workers, and Birchwood Manufacturing in Rice Lake, employing 46, also closed their doors.
The announcement came through letters sent to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) on August 1. In the letter concerning the Mattoon facility, Timothy Turek, chief restructuring officer of Besse Forest Products, cited an “unprecedented industry downturn” as the reason for the sudden closures. He acknowledged the limited notice given to employees but explained that the company’s financial situation had deteriorated rapidly, leaving no other options.
The abrupt closure left workers without the opportunity to transfer to other positions within the company. The affected employees, which included general laborers, skilled workers, and office staff, are represented by the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.
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