Columbia Forest Products to Close Salem, Oregon Cabinetry Components Facility

Columbia Forest Products announced plans to cease production of cabinetry components at its Salem, Oregon facility, which started up 24 months ago.

Orders for components manufactured at this facility are moving to the company’s original production center in Kentucky.

“The decision to close the Salem operation was especially difficult, given the skills and commitment of the employees at this site.” said Greg Pray, President and CEO of Columbia Forest Products. “As employee-owners, we consider them family.”

Pray noted that, despite aggressive sales efforts and excellent product and customer service quality, the financial returns of the operation did not meet expectations and upset market conditions were preventing longer-term improvement.

“This is another case of an otherwise healthy American business having to close down due to the continued proliferation of subsidized Chinese cabinets,” said Pray.

“They have systematically attacked the pricing structure of the American cabinetry market by dumping look-alikes at less than the cost of production. These Chinese cabinet plants are targeting the 250,000 American cabinet making jobs through improper trade practices.”

About Columbia Forest Products

Established in 1957, Columbia Forest Products is North America’s leading manufacturer of decorative hardwood plywood and veneer. An employee-owned company, Columbia is committed to sustainable forestry practices and developing innovative and environmentally-responsible technologies and products for beautiful indoor living. These innovations include EPA award-winning PureBond® formaldehyde-free hardwood plywood. Over 100 million PureBond panels have been produced and shipped since their introduction in 2005.

Source: Columbia Forest Products, Inc.