Paper machine shutdown will cost 222 jobs in Calhoun, Tennessee

Resolute Forest Products announces production cuts to their paper business in Calhoun.  The company will close paper machines #3 & #5 at the Calhoun plant. That will cost 222 jobs to the operation on the Hiwassee River at the McMinn/Bradley line.

The company says they are still committed to the remaining operations at the plant. 491 workers will remain.

Resolute has recently expanded operations there, investing in a tissue machine and converting operation, and a continuous pulp digester. Both will remain in operation.

Resolute officials blame the paper shutdown to “challenging long-term market conditions.” Primarily, a steep drop in demand for newsprint and uncoated groundwood paper.

The shutdown of the paper machines also means closing the thermo-mechanical pulp mill, a wood yard and a paper wrap line, as well as reductions in the shipping department.
https://wdef.com/2017/08/15/paper-machine-shutdown-will-cost-222-jobs-calhoun-tennessee/