150 Positions Eliminated at Blandin Paper Mill

One Machine is Being Shutdown There Costing 150 Positions

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.-The Blandin paper mill is closing one of its machines near Grand Rapids, which will cost that area 150 positions.

The closure is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2018. The company, which is owned by European-based UPM Paper, said the closing is due to “the global market situation for graphic papers, and to sustain its competitiveness and leading position in the market.”

The closure in Blandin is expected to reduce the plant’s production by 128,000 tons of coated magazine paper.

“During the last years the demand for graphic papers has been declining – and the decline is expected to continue,” said Winfried Schaur, executive vice president of the group. “Our employees have always given their best, even under challenging market conditions, and we regret the impact of the planned measures on our personnel.”

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