Georgia-Pacific (GP) is exiting the communication papers business following an assessment of its long-term competitive position in a declining market.
The company will permanently shut down the communication papers machines, related converting assets, as well as the woodyard, pulp mill and a significant portion of the energy complex at its Port Hudson, Louisiana facility.
Approximately 650 jobs at the facility will ultimately be impacted by the communication papers and pulp asset closures. About 40 business and sales jobs also will be affected by this decision.
However, tissue and towel manufacturing will continue as an “important asset for the GP consumer business”.
GP said it will continue to operate and invest in the Port Hudson mill to support its growing consumer tissue and towel business.
The Port Hudson facility produces premium product tissue and towel machines and associated converting equipment and is a key contributor to the success of the Consumer Products Group’s retail business.
The company will retain approximately 300 employees to manage those operations.
Employees will continue to operate the Port Hudson communication papers and pulp mill assets, with final operations of those assets expected by mid-March.
