Another One Bites the Dust

Photo By:BUDDY MOOREHOUSE

International Paper Company in Howell announced it’s closing today. This will leave the county with another 95 unemployed residents. Human resources sent a letter to employees of the paper company stating jobs losses will occur during the months of March and April, but at this time no exact date of plant closing.

The decline in the automotive industry have been said to be a contributor of the closing factor. Acquisition of Weyerhaeuser’s packaging business has left International Paper with more capacity then expected. Matt Mataya (General Manager) said; “ With the automotive slump, our Howell plant is disadvantaged by a loss of volume and because of area facilities are better positioned to service other key segments. Unfortunately that led to the decision to close this plant.”

The plant opened in 1967, it produced 900 million square feet of corrugated packaging each year for automotive and industrial customers across the country.

It will be sad to see them go.