Sun Mountain Lumber: Going strong one year later

One year after buying the Louisiana Pacific Inc. sawmill in Deer Lodge, owner Sherm Anderson admits the learning curve has been steep.

But, it’s been a good journey, he said of the mill he now calls Sun Mountain Lumber.

"I’ve been associated with the wood business all my life, but this is different. It’s a lot of work and every day is a new challenge," he said this week.

One of the most significant changes for the 230 employees is the return to eight-hour shifts Monday through Friday, rather than four 10-hour shifts. Anderson said national statistics indicate employees working five eight-hour shifts are more productive and work safer than those working 10-hour stints.

"Our production has shown that to be true and so has the accident safety record," he said. "We are taking a new approach to safety training and trying to implement some new safety features to continually make this a safer workplace." Anderson’s biggest surprise — and disappointment — came during the early months of the purchase, when a third of the workers left for various reasons.

By Pat Hansen for The Montana Standard

Full Story: http://www.mtstandard.com/articles/2005/03/20/featuresbusiness/hjjejgiahgehfi.txt