Pyramid Lumber Mill, the largest employer in Seeley Lake, has been in operation since 1949. Now, only one other lumber mill - Stoltze Land and Lumber Co. in Colombia Falls - hasn't closed down or changed ownership in the last 100 years.
Pyramid Lumber Mill announced on March 14 that it will cease operations and close, ending 75-years in operation as a family-owned business and four generations as Seeley Lake's largest employer.
In a press release from the mill, Pyramid Lumber listed labor shortages, lack of housing, rising costs, "plummeting" lumber prices and cost of living in western Montana as factors that "crippeled Pyramid's ability to operate." The company's board of directors and shareholders voted unanimously at their late-February board meeting to close the mill and shut down operations.
The press release outlined three other time frames where Pyramid struggled: in 2000, ameliorated by the purchasing of shares; in 2007 when lumber prices were low and mills were closing around the country; and in 2015 when the owners took the risk to keep going.
"Today's crisis is much worse than what was experienced in 2000, 2007 and 2015," the release stated. "There is simply no better solution for the owners than to shut down the mill permanently."
Todd Johnson, current president and general manager of Pyramid Lumber, said the mill announced it was going to shut down in 2000.
"We've had a lot of public support over the years and without the support we've had from the community, we wouldn't have made it the last 24 years without an announcement," Johnson said.
The financial troubles the mill faced in the other three years were due to the market or economic factors. This time, it's the fact that the mill can't run enough production with their current employees to cover costs, Johnson said.
Pyramid Lumber had 150 employees ten years ago, Johnson said, but that number has dropped to 100. The only way to lower costs is to increase production, and with the current workforce, Johnson said that isn't possible.
Johnson noted the significant lack of new housing built in the Seeley area and the high prices of housing as elements that stymie not only the mill but the schools and other employers in the area.
"It's a serious issue in Seeley Lake as far as housing for workers," Johnson said. "We all know that."
Log milling will stop on March 31 and Pyramid will run the remaining inventory through the mill, then surface and sell all lumber before auctioning off its equipment. Johnson said the remaining employees will likely continue working through July.
Montana local and national politicians made statements on the mill closure, highlighting the company's community ties, land stewardship and good paying jobs.
"Pyramid Lumber has had a proud 75-year tradition of promoting our Montana wood products and improving forest health," Governor Greg Gianforte said on X, the social media platform formally known as Twitter. "Our timber industry supports our communities and Montanans with good paying jobs, and it needs greater certainty from the federal government."
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