MOUNT VERNON — The rocky economy has hit the local International Paper plant, formerly known as Weyerhaeuser. A reduced work schedule and accompanying layoffs were announced by the plant Tuesday.
“[Monday and Tuesday] we announced, effective March 16, the Mount Vernon plant here will move from a seven-day week, four-shift schedule to a five-day week, three-shift schedule,” said Joe Sims, Mount Vernon plant manager. “This is due to the decline in the economy, frankly, and current market conditions.”
Sims said the local plant has experienced a decline in volume, which necessitated a scaleback in production.
“This will help us operate competitively while serving our customers’ needs,” he said.
The move will affect 58 employees, all of whom have been notified by phone or in a plant meeting. Sims said the company will work with those employees during the transition to the new work schedule.
“We’re taking a lot of steps to support them through the transition,” Sims said, adding that another plant meeting was scheduled for Wednesday to finalize and talk to employees about the support the company is providing.
Interntaional Paper, located at 8800 Granville Road, is a global paper and packaging company.
The Mount Vernon facility manufactures corrugated packaging for the food and beverage industry.
