Duluth-based Monson Trucking is shutting down operations August 31st, putting 200 people out of work.

Michael Monson is one of the owners. He said Wednesday that the 100 employees in Duluth were told of the shutdown plans in multiple meetings.

Another 100 additional employees at its terminals in Virginia and Red Wing in Minnesota and at Mauston, Wisconsin., were told via video conferencing.

Monson said the Duluth employees will work until August. 31st, but those at the other terminals were being terminated immediately.

He blamed the economic downturn, decline of the paper industry and bankruptcy of two major customers for prompting the decision to close the 94-year-old trucking business.

© 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.