PCA idles Alabama printing and writing paper mill

Working from home and online learning have claimed a temporary victim in the form of the Packaging Corp. of America (PCA) idling its Boise Paper printing and writing (P&W) paper mill in Jackson, Alabama, in early April.

Lake Forest, Illinois-based PCA has announced it “plans to temporarily idle both paper machines and the sheet-converting operation” in Jackson.

“Due to the effects of the COVID-19 virus pandemic on paper consumption in schools, offices and businesses, it’s critical that we balance the supply of our Boise Paper products with our customers’ demand for them,” states Paul LeBlanc Vice-President Boise Paper.

PCA has projected a July 6, 2020, restart for the mill, and says the move is “expected to reduce paper production by approximately 70,000 tons.” PCA says its Boise Paper mill in International Falls, Minnesota, will continue to operate at capacity during the two-month period.

“Unprecedented market conditions brought about by the measures required to help control the spread of the COVID-19 virus have made this business decision necessary to manage our paper business during these challenging times,” adds LeBlanc. “This is especially difficult for the employees and their families who are directly affected. PCA is committed to treating all impacted employees with fairness and respect and to communicating openly and honestly with each individual about how this decision will affect him or her. The idling of operations will result in the temporary layoff of about 340 employees and our Human Resources team has begun meeting with our affected employees.”

Continues LeBlanc, “We have more than sufficient inventories and production planned to support all of our customers’ paper needs during this time. Our team will begin contacting customers and supply chain partners immediately to ensure we make this period as seamless as possible.”

PCA bills itself as the third largest producer of containerboard products and the third largest producer of uncoated freesheet paper in North America. The company operates eight mills (six producing packaging board and the two Boise Paper P&W mills), and 95 corrugated products plants and related facilities.

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