AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT CLEARWATER PAPER CORPORATION

Spokane, Washington-based Clearwater Paper Corporation, a pulp and paper product manufacturer, has announced that it is leaving the home tissue business by the end of July 2021, and abruptly closed its Neenah paper mill that produced private-brand tissue products for commercial and retail customers. The plant is located in Fox Crossing, Wisconsin. The closure will impact 290 employees.

According to a company statement from President and Chief Executive Officer Arsen Kitch, “Despite the best efforts of our dedicated employees, our Neenah location and assets cannot cost effectively compete in the markets that we serve. This was a difficult decision, because it affects our people, their families and the Neenah community.”

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT DOMTAR

Fort Mill, South Carolina-based Domtar Corporation, an integrated producer pulp and paper, has announced a $200 million cost-cutting plan which will see a reduction in force of a projected 780 jobs by the end of 2021.

A company spokesperson said, "Uncoated freesheet manufacturing operations will close at mills in Kingsport, Tennessee, and Port Huron, Michigan. The paper machine at an Ashdown, Arkansas, mill will close. So will a converting center in Ridgefields, Tennessee."

Following layoffs and the closing of the Kingsport Mill, the company will repurpose existing assets to "to enter the linerboard market with the conversion of the Kingsport paper machinery" The plant is scheduled to come online by the first quarter of 2023

“Repurposing the Kingsport mill provides Domtar with the best strategic entry point into a growing market with a very competitive, low-cost asset and represents a first step to building a large and cost-competitive business,” said John D. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Kingsport is well positioned to be the go-to supplier to independent converters for quality, service and innovation as the mill is less than a day’s drive from over 60 customers representing an addressable 3.9 million tons of annual containerboard demand.”

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?