Your Hometown News Source
Your Hometown News Source
The East Washingtonian directed several questions to Interim CEO Ryan, including the question of the company's immediate plans last week, receiving a response after the newspaper's press deadline.
DAYTON–After the East Washingtonian's press deadline last week, executives with Columbia Pulp I, LLC responded to several questions regarding the matter of the default judgment handed to the company last December in Columbia County Superior Court.
Questions concerning the circumstances that lead or contributed to the two contractors not receiving payment, and why Columbia Pulp I, LLC (CPI) did not appear or have an attorney appear in answer to the lawsuit were not responded to by Interim CEO Terry Ryan.
The East Washingtonian directed several questions to Interim CEO Ryan, including the question of the company's immediate plans. "As it relates to the foreclosure questions, we don't normally respond to legal matters," Ryan replied in an email. "However, we would note that we continue to work with our primary senior secured creditors on options for the business going forward."
When the company announced plans to idle production in February, they estimated approximately 80 employees at the Dayton headquarters and Starbuck-area plant would be affected. "The Company continues to maintain a staff at its Lyons Ferry site, and we expect to maintain our Dayton office," Ryan said this week. "With our current staff levels, we anticipate continuing to manufacture products used in customer trials in an effort to develop alternative fiber grades in this market while we evaluate our strategic options."
Ryan stated that CPI has no plans to exit the Port of Garfield facility in Pomeroy. "We will continue to evaluate opportunities to support our customers with that space," Ryan said.
Port of Garfield's contract with CPI is in force, according to Diana Ruchert, Port Manager.
Columbia Pulp I, LLC's responsibility for unprocessed straw or obligations to companies or individuals in Columbia County and neighboring counties who sell straw to the pulp plant were touched on by Ryan. "In light of our current production levels," he replied, "we may or may not opt to sell our wheat straw material. This is based on the needs of the facility, the harvest year of the straw and the market dynamic of wheat straw demand."
