Hood Industries Plans to Close Plywood Mill in Wiggins, MS, by Late August

Hood Industries announced Monday that it will permanently close its plywood manufacturing operation in Wiggins, Mississippi, affecting approximately 260 employees.

The company said the decision followed a comprehensive assessment of extensive damage caused by Tropical Storm Arthur. Facility-wide meetings were held with employees to share the news.

“After a thorough assessment, we determined that the damage caused by the recent storms, combined with the age of our 56-year-old facility, would require an investment that is not economically feasible. As difficult as this decision is, repairing and restoring the mill is not a sustainable option,” Hood Industries President Jay Galloway told employees. “We have made the decision to close the mill.”

“This was not an easy decision for us to make. We are well aware of the impact this decision will have on the Wiggins employees, their families, and community,” Galloway added.

The Wiggins plywood mill was built in 1970 and acquired by Hood Industries in 1984, becoming the company’s second and largest plywood manufacturing operation. Operations are expected to conclude after remaining inventory is processed, with manufacturing anticipated to cease by the end of August.

Hood officials plan to meet individually with employees over the next few days to discuss the transition and share information about employment opportunities at other Hood locations.