Sad day in the mining and aggregates industries. Longtime industry wear-parts manufacturer Columbia Steel Casting Co. – with a 121-year history – told state regulators in Oregon that it plans to shut down operations at its North Portland foundry and lay off most of its workforce, according to Oregon Live. Company contacts told Rock Products that “Columbia Steel’s board of directors have decided to initiate a 120-day orderly winddown of operations. We are therefore providing notice of the closure of our entire plant, located at 10425 N. Bloss Ave., Portland, Oregon 97203 by the end of 2022.” Among reasons cited were container/shipping/supply chain disruptions causing hyper-escalated cost of raw materials and supplies and severely limiting shipments to major overseas customers; and the inability to hire and retain sufficient employees to produce castings at a sustainable level.”