International Paper to Shut Down Three Mills: 270 Jobs From Albany, Oregon

Permanent closures will reduce IP's North American capacity by 2.1 million tons

Photo: Oregon State University

(MEMPHIS, Tenn.) - International Paper (NYSE:IP) today announced plans to close its paper mill and associated operations in Franklin, Va., and its containerboard mills in Pineville, La., and Albany, Ore.

The company also announced it would permanently shut down the previously idled No. 3 machine at its Valliant, Okla., containerboard mill. The Valliant Mill's other two machines will continue to operate.

These permanent shutdowns will reduce the company's North American paper and board capacity by 2.1 million tons.

"We recognize these are very difficult decisions affecting our employees, their families and the communities surrounding these mills," said Chairman and CEO John Faraci. "We have concluded that we have excess capacity in our North American paper and packaging businesses, and these decisions will better match our supply with our expected customer demand."

Since the onset of the global recession, the decline in demand for International Paper's uncoated freesheet in North America has accelerated, and consequently the company has decided to further reduce its uncoated freesheet capacity.

In its containerboard and coated paperboard businesses, International Paper expects demand to resume growth as the economy rebounds. However, the company's demand is not expected to return to 2008 levels in the near future.

Therefore, they say permanent IP capacity closures are necessary.

The closures, which will impact about 1,600 employees, will result in permanent North American capacity reductions as follows:

Franklin, Va. (1,100) Albany, Ore. (270) Pineville, La. (230) Valliant, Okla. (2)

Following these permanent shutdowns, International Paper will have approximately 10 million tons of North American containerboard capacity, 2.6 million tons of North American uncoated freesheet production capacity, and 1.7 million tons of North American coated paperboard capacity.

IP says these capacity shutdowns will not impact the company's ability to serve its customers. International Paper is committed to helping employees through this transition. The company will work closely with union officials concerning severance benefits for hourly employees. Salaried employees impacted by these shutdowns will be offered severance packages and outplacement assistance consistent with company policy. Employee assistance providers will be available to support employee and family needs.

The company estimates that these closures will result in noncash asset write-off and accelerated depreciation charges of approximately $1.1 billion and cash severance charges of approximately $60 million to be recorded in the fourth quarter of 2009 and first quarter of 2010, plus additional closure costs to be determined and recorded as the facilities are closed.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) is a global paper and packaging company with manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Russia, Asia and North Africa. Its businesses include uncoated papers and industrial and consumer packaging, complemented by xpedx, the company's North American distribution company. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., the company employs more than 58,000 people in more than 20 countries and serves customers worldwide. 2008 net sales were approximately $25 billion.

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