[5/16/2003]About 35 employees at Anderson-Tully’s veneer mill have been laid off, and company officials say they don’t know when they will be returned to work.

Tony Parks, ATCO president, said the reason is a major customer for the veneer produced at the plant in Waltersville has delayed its orders.

“We had to temporarily lay people off until we can get confirmation on these orders,” Parks said. “We have been trying to call them, but they won’t return our calls.”

About 195 of the company’s 500 employees are assigned to the veneer mill; about 200 are employed in the company’s engineered wood flooring facility.

The layoff affected the first and second shifts about equally, and the mill is now producing only on the first shift while maintenance is being performed on the other.

One of the affected employees, Rory Cook, said the company seemed disorganized. “I feel it could have been better,” he said.

Cook said some employees were allowed only two or three days of work a week or partial days.

As a result, Cook said, he resigned and is looking for other employment.

The veneer made at the mill is from hardwood logs produced on company land or bought from other producers.

The veneer mill affected by the layoff is separate from the ATCO operation that produces the company’s line of engineered wood flooring called Capella. Capella flooring is also made from various hardwood veneers.

The Mississippi Employment Security Commission reported Wednesday that Warren County had an unemployment rate of 5.4 percent in March, the last month for which figures were available. That figure is down from the 5.5 percent in February.