PHILLIPS, WI - Georgia-Pacific will close its engineered wood products facility in Phillips, Wisconsin, by the end of October, eliminating 53 jobs.

A Georgia-Pacific spokesman told WAOW TV the closure comes after years of declining demand for the wood paneling and specialty wood products produced by the facility, which has been operating at less than 70 percent capacity. Built in 1958, the plant was one of seven G-P mills in Wisconsin.

A WARN notice was filed in Wisconsin on Aug. 28 for the closure.

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, G-P has more than 200 locations worldwide, producing wood and building products, paper products and packaging, specialty fibers and chemicals.

In earlier news from G-P this year, the company acquired the Rocky Creek lumber operations in Mexia, Alabama, from RoyOMartin. Approximately 110 people are employed at the facility, which produces dimension lumber, squares and timbers from southern yellow pine.

Also this year, G-P is expected to complete the mill upgrade at the Gurdon, AR, lumber mill, a $37 million investment which would  production capacity by 60 percent.