Sonoco Products Co. said it will close two Atlanta plants as part of a plan to reduce its costs by about $54 million.
The Hartsville, South Carolina company said it will close a paper mill there immediately, affecting 47 employees. It will close the tube and core plant there by the end of February 2004, affecting 41 employees.
Customers of both plants will be served by other Sonoco operations.
Sonoco said it plans to close 15 to 20 plants globally in the fourth quarter and into 2004. The figure includes five plants that are part of the $85 million sale of its high-density film operation to Hilex Poly Co. and DCH I Investment Holdings.