Shields Wood Products Halts Operations at Its Arkadelphia, AR, Sawmill

Shields Wood Products, a longtime sawmill operation in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, has halted operations, The Arkadelphian reported (7-24-25).

“We closed due to economic conditions and are working on new means of getting the mill back in operation or possibly selling,” said owner Ritchie Shields.

Shields explained that production costs—particularly for labor, power, and parts—have increased, while lumber prices have declined.

“Pallets are just not selling. Volume has gone from a level we could sustain to not enough orders, and the orders we had were below cost,” Shields said.

The Arkadelphian also noted that the closure follows recent news that Brazeale Lumber Company has shut down its operations in Sparkman, where it had produced rough green lumber, cross ties, and specialty timber for 70 years.

Smaller wood products manufacturers are feeling the economic strain as market uncertainty continues and lumber prices falter.