DIXFIELD – About 190 employees at Irving Forest Products returned to work Tuesday, Feb. 3, after a one-week, one-day layoff meant to address effects of the decline in home building and housing markets. The employees, all hourly workers, face another one week layoff beginning on Monday, then again for a week beginning March 16. During the shutdowns, Irving spokeswoman Mary Keith said a skeleton crew of about 25 people will work at the mill.

The Dixfield mill, part of a group of wood-working plants owned by Irving, which is based in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, produces eastern white pine for paneling, siding and industrial packaging. Its primary markets are housing and construction, according to an e-mail from Keith. She said the downturn in those markets resulted in a need to adjust inventories.

When fully operating, the Dixfield mill employs 215 hourly and salaried people working two shifts.