October 22, 2009
By Peter Frost
Daily Press
FRANKLIN – International Paper Co. will close its Franklin paper mill, resulting the loss of 1,100 jobs and ending more than a century of operation at the city’s hulking, iconic mill, the company announced Thursday.
The mill, located in Isle of Wight County on the border of Franklin, will begin closing portions of its operations within weeks and shutter the entire operation by spring 2010.
International Paper plans to cease manufacturing in its coated paperboard sector by the end of the year. Remaining free-sheet paper operations are slated for closure by spring.
The mill, victim of a company-wide cutback in production, has been battered by lower demand for its products over the past five years. In April, the company shut down its 123-employee lumber mill.
The closure will be a significant blow to Isle of Wight, which will lose one of its largest employers.
> Read the full story at Dailypress.com (opens in new window)
You must log in to post a comment.