Estcourtonians heaved a collective sigh of relief with the news that Evowood (formerly Masonite) reopened last week.

READ THE OFFICIAL STATEMENT: OFFICIAL STATEMENT: Evowood CEO confirms reopening

Industrial action that began on payday in February saw the hardboard manufacturer stop operations weeks later.

READ MORE HERE: Industrial action grinds Mill to a halt

Unionised workers refused to accept management’s revised offer of a 12 percent pay cut, which they were initially told would be paid back once the company had recouped losses.

A day after striking workers demonstrated through the streets of Estcourt, it was announced that 434 employees were dismissed.

READ THE STORY HERE: Evowood dismisses 434 workers at Estcourt mill

Days later, the company announced its imminent closure.

Locals held their breath in anticipation of the future of the workers, their families and the town.

Being one of the largest employers in Estcourt, Evowood employs more than 700 people at the mill in Broomcliff Road.

Since being established more than 70 years ago, the brand has become a “local treasure” and its closure would plunge the town’s economy into dire straits. Thankfully, this alternative was avoided.

Last Tuesday, Louis Marais, the chief executive of Evowood, confirmed that the mill was operating and that 242 of the 733 workers who had lost their jobs as a result of the work stoppage had been offered re-employment on a contract basis.

“We have adopted a phased approach to the start-up due to the damage caused to equipment as a direct result of the strike. On the primary side of the mill, we are currently running one press line. The secondary side of the mill is fully operational,” he said.

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