Laurel Beager – International Falls Journal
Boise Inc. will temporarily idle two of its paper machines in response to a decline in orders, which may result in layoffs of some employees.
Bob Anderson, Boise public affairs manager, said yesterday that employees had been recently notified of the changing schedules.
“There could be some layoffs as a result, however we have a higher than normal demand for vacations at this time of year because of deer season,” Anderson said. “We can’t tell if anyone will be laid off at this point.”
The paper mill will start downtime on the No. 2 and No. 3 paper machines, one next week and the other the following week, Anderson said.
The downtime of the two machines will be staggered to allow the mill to fill the needs of existing customers who order paper from Boise Inc.
“Orders come in every week, and we start looking at schedules following that,” Anderson explained.
The downtime of the two paper machines will affect Boise’s off-machine coater and the sheeters, which will also be temporarily idled.
The production rate of the No. 1 paper machine will be slowed, but will not be idled, Anderson said. The No. 4 machine has been on a three-shift schedule, Monday through Friday, and down on weekends, which will continue, he added.
The length of the downtime could determine whether layoffs will occur, Anderson said.
Generally, October has been a good month for paper production and demand, said Anderson.
“But, demand is certainly down,” he added, noting that demand has been weaker than normal in October and appears to have continued into November.
