Georgia-Pacific has said it will focus its Camas, Washington-based facility on AfH tissue products after announcing restructuring plans for the site.
The plant’s communication papers and pulping operations will be shut down, impacting around 280 to 300 staff positions.
GP said the mill will remain an important asset for its AfH tissue business and the company will continue to operate and invest in the mill for its tissue manufacturing and converting capacity.
During the next several months, teams will continue to operate the facility and begin to reduce production for communication papers with shut down of those assets expected in second quarter of 2018.
Mike Adams, president GP PRO and Communication Papers, said: “Economic impacts from the continuing decline in demand for communication papers make it necessary to discontinue operations for uncoated freesheet at Camas.
“Georgia-Pacific will continue manufacturing communication papers at our Port Hudson, Louisiana, facility.
“GP remains committed to being a consistent supplier to our communication papers customers on a national basis.”
The company will be transitioning most of its customers currently served from Camas to Port Hudson over the coming months.
GP has already begun discussions with union leadership and salaried staff on how the process will work for staff affected by the communication papers shut down.
The company will now invest in Camas and approximately 120 to 140 employees will continue to operate the tissue assets and converting lines.
Based in Atlanta, GP and its subsidiaries are a global leader in the manufacture and marketing of bath tissue, paper towels and napkins, tableware, paper-based packaging, office papers, cellulose, specialty fibres, nonwoven fabrics, building products and related chemicals.
The company operates approximately 200 facilities and employs approximately 35,000 people directly.
