International Paper closing Minden Plant | Business

MINDEN, LA (KSLA) - International Paper says it will permanently shut down its Minden Container Plant by mid-July. The closing will put about 60 people out of work.

“Following the merger with Temple-Inland, we have more capacity than our customers need in this area,” said Doug Strickel, the company's regional general manager. “Other area facilities are better positioned to handle the production requirements that will be necessary as we consolidate our operations, and unfortunately, that led to the decision to close this plant.”

Strickel said the company will soon sit down with the workers of the local union, United Steelworkers Local 677, about severance plans and other benefits.

“The most difficult part of this is the effect on employees and their families,” Strickel said. “We will work to assist them where possible during the closure process.”

The plant opened in 1948. Each year the plant makes 690 million square feet of corrugated packaging products for its customers.

Related links:
International Paper's website

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