Denver-Intrepid Potash Inc. said Jan. 28 that it has taken precautionary steps to further control potash and langbeinite production and inventory at its Carlsbad, N.M., facilities. Intrepid is taking these steps due to the continuing market conditions, which began in the fourth quarter of 2008 and have continued into 2009, and have resulted in lower sales volumes of potash and langbeinite. Intrepid is planning on implementing a two-week temporary plant shutdown beginning mid-February at the West and North Carlsbad facilities, and a sequential two-week temporary plant shutdown beginning later in the month at the East Carlsbad facilities. Currently, these temporary shutdowns are planned to commence Feb. 9, 2009, and end March 9, 2009. During these periods, Intrepid will utilize a portion of the workforce to conduct ongoing maintenance work and critical capital projects. Intrepid is also planning to reduce operations to three crew shifts from four crew shifts upon return from the shutdowns, all the while monitoring the market for signs of recovery that may mitigate this reduction longer term. Part of this reduction will be achieved via elimination of certain contract labor so as to minimize the impact on Intrepid employees. While Intrepid anticipates that this reduction in production rates will be short-lived, it says the timing of market demand and sales conditions will ultimately drive the level of production at its facilities. Intrepid does not currently contemplate any similar measures at its Moab, Utah, facility; however, it is adjusting the production schedule at the Wendover, Utah, facility to perform maintenance earlier than usual.
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