Hunt Forest Products Closes hardwood sawmill

Hunt Forest Products Closes hardwood sawmill June 21, 2026 | 1:06 pm CDT

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Woodworking Industry News

Hunt Forest Products Closes hardwood sawmill

By

Rich Christianson

June 21, 2026 | 1:06 pm CDT

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Photo By Hunt Forest Products

RUSTON, La., Hunt Forest Products ceased operations at its hardwood sawmill in Olla, Louisiana, on June 19. The closure impacted approximately 30 employees.

According to KALB5, company president Richie LeBlanc issued a statement, said, saying that closing the mill was a difficult decision. “In the end, business conditions, the decline in hardwood lumber pricing and market demand and the small size of the Olla mill combined to create serious concerns about the long-term sustainability of the facility. This was a business decision and not related to individual performance.”

Hunt Forest Products is encouraging Olla mill employees to apply for open positions within the company if they are qualified. The company is also offering outplacement assistant such as resume support and job search assistance.

According to Hunt Forest Products’ Olla mill produced 11 million feet of green hardwood lumber annually.

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About the author

Rich Christianson

| President/Owner/C-Level

Rich Christianson is the owner of Richson Media LLC, a Chicago-based communications firm focused on the industrial woodworking sector. Rich is the former long-time editorial director and associate publisher of Woodworking Network. During his nearly 35-year career, Rich has toured more than 250 woodworking operations throughout North America, Europe and Asia and has written extensively on woodworking technology, design and supply trends. He has also directed and promoted dozens of woodworking trade shows, conferences and seminars including the Cabinets & Closets Conference & Expo and the Woodworking Machinery & Supply Conference & Expo, Canada’s largest woodworking show.

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