April 7, 2003 - MeadWestvaco
Corp. said that it will close its folding carton plants in
Richmond, Va., and
Cleveland, Tenn., by the
end of June. The plants convert paperboard into printed packaging for consumer
products using the gravure printing process and are part of MeadWestvaco's
packaging business.
"The decision to close these
facilities is consistent with our strategy to focus on value-added packaging
segments while delivering our customers the best quality, service and value from
our network of manufacturing operations," said Rita V. Foley, president of
MeadWestvaco's Consumer Packaging Group. "This decision was reached after
careful consideration, and it's important to recognize the valuable
contributions these employees made to our company for many years."
According to MeadWestvaco,
these plant closings will result in the company incurring a pretax charge of
approximately $9 million which will be taken in the first quarter. This charge
is primarily associated with employee restructuring benefits and asset
writedowns.
The
Richmond plant employs approximately 320 people,
and the Cleveland
facility employs approximately 135. MeadWestvaco's corporate operations in
Richmond will not be affected by this decision.
The
Richmond
gravure operations were acquired by the former Westvaco Corporation from the
Virginia Folding Box Company in 1957. Westvaco began operation of the
Cleveland facility in 1976. Westvaco merged with The Mead
Corporation in 2002 to form MeadWestvaco Corporation.
SOURCE: MeadWestvaco Corp.
Curtis
Papers to Close Milford,
NJ
Paper Mill
April 15, 2003 - Curtis
Papers, Inc. yesterday said that it intends to discontinue operations at its
Milford, NJ paper mill
within the next 60 days. The closure will affect 213 salaried and hourly
employees. Currently, the facility operates three paper machines and associated
converting equipment. It produces 45,000 tons per year of specialty papers.
"This is a difficult decision
for the company and our employees in
Milford, but reflects the current realities of North
American paper markets and rising costs for energy and fiber" said Bruce Curley,
President and Chief Executive Officer.
The
Milford
facility will continue to operate in the interim to meet the immediate needs of
customers and provide support during the transition period. Customers will have
the opportunity to place orders in the remaining production schedule.