Winston Plywood Marks Tornado Anniversary With New Web Site

LOUISVILLE, Miss. (Press Release) — Winston Plywood & Veneer launched the company’s official new website Tuesday, highlighting its strong partnership with city and state officials and signaling continued progress toward completion of its new, state-of-the-art plywood facility in the City of Louisville. The original mill, idled since 2009, was destroyed one year ago today when a devastating F4 tornado struck Louisville.

The new website can be found at www.winstonplywood.com.

Among the site’s features are photos from ongoing construction activity, videos from the groundbreaking ceremony in late January, a 3-D rendering of the new facility, and “Baldwin’s Blog,” a regular column updating the community on the project authored by Winston Plywood & Veneer’s President and General Manager, and nationally-recognized plywood expert, Dr. Dick Baldwin. The site will also provide information on employment opportunities at the company as they become available.

In his initial blog post on the one-year anniversary of the tornado, Baldwin spoke of the region’s strength and resolve. He also noted the company’s steadfast commitment to remain, and to rebuild, stronger than before.

“One year ago, the City of Louisville and all of Winston County were struck by a devastating tornado that claimed ten precious lives,” Baldwin writes. “It caused enormous damage to homes, businesses, the local hospital, and other key pillars of the community. The storm also completely destroyed the plywood mill that had been purchased by Atlas Holdings literally just thirty days earlier. Our collective resolve was tested to be sure; many communities would have buckled, and many businesses surely would have left. You did not buckle, and we did not leave.”

Baldwin continues, “This website is one way in which we hope to connect you to our rebuild and, ultimately, to the wonderful company we’re creating.”

Winston Plywood and Veneer is expected to ultimately employ approximately 400 workers, roughly double the mill’s total before it had been idled. According to a recent Mississippi State University study, the new facility’s total impact is anticipated to be roughly $28 million in annual wages and nearly $9 million annually in other local purchases, just in Winston County alone. By early 2016, the mill expects to produce 400 million square feet of specialty and sheathing plywood products annually — 175 million more than the previous facility’s capacity.

Winston Plywood & Veneer is an operating company of New Wood Resources LLC, an Atlas Holdings company. Based in Boise, Idaho, New Wood Resources owns and operates plywood and veneer manufacturing facilities in the Pacific Northwest and Southeastern United States. The new facility in Louisville, Mississippi, operating as Winston Plywood & Veneer, will be one of the most modern and efficient mills in North America. Visit www.winstonplywood.com to learn more.

Atlas Holdings owns and operates 17 companies throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. With more than 15,000 employees worldwide, its businesses are engaged in a broad spectrum of industries, including aluminum, automotive, capital equipment, construction, energy, food and agriculture, industrial and business services, packaging, paper and tissue manufacturing, pulp and wood products and building materials. Atlas works closely with its Operating Partners and management teams to build strong ”Performance Organizations” – businesses that achieve exceptional safety, operational, and financial performance and can sustain long-term success. Visit www.atlasholdingsllc.com to learn more.