After 52 years, Wimer Logging closed for the last time Friday.
Weyerhaeuser Co. announced its intent to sell the business on July 11.
“Currently,” Sweet Home Supervisor Ken Powell said. “Everything’s up for sale.”
Employees will have the first chance to buy trucks from Weyerhaueser, Powell said. Weyerhaeuser is hoping that they will continue independently to drive for the company.
About a third of Sweet Home’s drivers are pursuing the idea, Powell said. He estimates that about half of those will end up owning their own truck.
In Sweet Home, Wimer employed 18 truck drivers, three shop workers, two wash boys, a secretary, a janitor and Powell. In Albany, Sweet Home, Lebanon, Scio and Dallas, the company had 81 employees. Wimer was located on 24th Avenue just south of Willamette Industries’ former Sweet Home plant.
Wimer was founded in 1948 by Lyle Wimer. In 1967, it became a subsidiary of Willamette Industries. The Wimer family remained minority shareholders in the company. Wimer was transferred to Weyerhaeuser with its purchase of Willamette Industries earlier this year.
Wimer has operated in Sweet Home since 1986.
“Most people are in shock right now,” Powell said. “Two guys have actually anchored a new job.”
Community Services Consortium is helping attempt to place other employees.
The problem is the job market right now, Powell said. “You’re starting out where wages are entry level, and the people that work here are professionals.”
Most of them have 15 to 30 years driving experience, Powell said. All but two of the drivers are older than 50.
For someone who’s driven for someone else, buying a truck and working independently would be difficult, Powell said.
“Twenty-one and a half years here,” Powell said. “What’s unemployment? It’s going to be odd to go job searching.”
Truck drivers finished their work on Friday, Powell said, but he will continue working through September to oversee the sale of trucks and parts and help with the transition.