July brought a few reports of temporary and permanent closures planned across the packaging industry.
- International Paper announced it was temporarily suspending operations at its containerboard mill in Pine Hill, Alabama, due to storm damage, aiming to reopen the site in August. Days later, the company announced plans to permanently close a box plant in Carrollton, Texas, impacting 45 hourly and 19 salaried employees. Layoffs are slated for around Sept. 14, per a notice to the state.
- Niagara Bottling disclosed in a July 15 WARN notice that it will close a plant in Woodridge, Illinois. There are 57 layoffs scheduled for Sept. 15.
- Pretium Packaging is expected to close a plant in Philmont, New York, in September, according to a report published by local news outlet Hudson Valley 360. The plastic packaging specialist completed a restructuring transaction earlier this year after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
- Wisconsin Green, a corrugated converter, issued a conditional notice on July 17 that it was considering a permanent closure or significant layoff at its West Bend, Wisconsin, facility. Some 59 employees would be affected by a potential closing date of Sept. 18.