Mill could add 25 jobs within a year

Idaho Forest Group in November stepped up production, requiring half of its employees to work overtime.

In 2010, the Moyie Springs mill is forecasting a 10 percent increase in demand for its wooden studs used for repairing and remodeling homes. Within a year, there’s a chance the lumber mill will add 25 positions, which pay about $16 an hour plus benefits.

“When we see a million housing starts annualized, that’s kind of our trigger point to put on a night shift and we would add 25 positions to do that,” said plant manager Jesse Short.

The nation is currently at 500,000 annual housing starts. In 2005, there were 1.6 million.

Formerly Riley Creek, Idaho Forest Group this month experienced a “slight increase” in demand for its products and added 800,000 feet of additional production.

“That means we had some additional production days and paid overtime on Saturday for guys to come in and work. That’s good news. Typically in November and December, those are tough months, when you have to look at taking an additional shift down. It’s a good sign.”

The increase came from Idaho Forest Group’s contracts with Lowe’s and Menards home improvement stores. Lowe’s has 1,616 stores across the nation. Headquarters in Eau Claire, Wis.., Menards has 252 stores in 12 states.

Fifty percent of Idaho Forest Group’s 96 employees are working more than 55 hours a week, Short said. They are paid time-and-a-half for overtime.

Short said he doesn’t expect the traditional wintertime downturn in business.

“Last year, we were forced to take a week down at Thanksgiving and a week at Christmas,” he said. “Time will tell. Our whole economy is still fairly fragile and anything could happen.”

Employees are working 50 hours a week in the sawmill and planer; one shift is in operation. They work 10-hour shifts Monday through Thursday. Lately, it’s been 10 hours on Fridays and another eight hours on Saturday.

Idaho Forest Group is buying an average of 60 truckloads of timber a day, Short said. A year ago, the company was buying 50.

“We are buying all species, with the exception of cedar, that has a minimum top diameter of 5 inches and 16-inch maximum,” he said.