DULUTH, MN - Georgia-Pacific Corporation said it will permanently close its hardboard plant in Duluth this Thursday, putting up to 141 people out of work.
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton has pledged to help the displaced workers receive unemployment insurance, retraining and other assistance, according to the Duluth News Tribune. The average age of the workers to be laid off reportedly is 57.
Georgia-Pacific' plans to sell off the assets of the plant, which specializes in producing a thin hardboard called Superwood used in the auto industry, including for visors, rear shelves and truck liners. Production of the Superwood product will be shifted to other G-P facilities. The company workers are being invited to apply for open positions at other G-P plants.
Duluth Mayor Don Ness, released the following statement about the impending plant closure: "The news from Georgia Pacific is disappointing given previous assurances from the company that it would not close this plant. We will start working immediately to support new operations at the plant. Meanwhile, our focus will be on the workforce that will be displaced. This is unfortunate and untimely news for our community. I'm very disappointed by this decision."
Last November, Georgia-Pacific announced that it would close its plywood and stud mill in Monticello, GA.
Rich Christianson is Associate Publisher and Editor at Large of Woodworking Network. During his 25+ years covering the wood products industry, Rich has toured hundreds of manufacturing plants throughout North America, Europe and Asia. His reporting has covered everything from the state of the industry and impact of wood imports to technology and environmental issues. In his current capacity he is responsible for editing the daily Woodworking Network Update newsletter and coordinating events including the annual Cabinets & Closets Conference & Expo and Canada’s biennial Woodworking Machinery & Supply Expo.
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