Buckeye to Close Delta Nonwovens Facility by End of 2012
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Buckeye Technologies Inc., Memphis, Tenn., USA, this week announced plans to close its Delta, B.C., Canada, airlaid nonwovens facility by the end of calendar 2012. The company says it will work closely with its customers to continue to meet their needs by sourcing products currently produced at Delta from its facilities in Gaston County, N.C., and Steinfurt, Germany.
Buckeye Chairman John B. Crowe said that "this closure has become necessary due to several factors including unfavorable site location relative to customers and raw material suppliers, a strong Canadian dollar, and low capacity utilization. It is unfortunate that this closure will result in the eventual termination of employment for approximately 95 dedicated employees. We have owned and operated the Delta facility since 1997 and we value and appreciate the many contributions of the organization over the past 14 years. In the fall of 2010, we consolidated our production from a two machine operation to one airlaid machine in an attempt to improve the profitability of the site. Even after this consolidation, which did improve margins, the plant's forecasted financial performance remains at an unacceptable level.
"We are making this announcement now to allow adequate time to address employee and customer needs. This 18-month period will allow us time to implement changes that may be needed at Gaston and Steinfurt to meet the needs of our current Delta customers. This closure and consolidation of business will improve capacity utilization, profitability and return on invested capital for our Nonwovens business. We expect to incur a non-cash asset impairment charge of about $15 million and $5 million in restructuring expenses between now and Dec. 31, 2012. The closure is expected to generate about $30 million in cash over the next 18 months, primarily through the sale of land and buildings and a net reduction in working capital. From now until the end of 2012, we will focus on meeting the needs of our customers and on maximizing cash flow generation at the site."
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