GP to Restructure Camas, WA, facility by 2Q 2018, but Will Retain Tissue

Georgia-Pacific has announced it will restructure the Camas, WA, facility, permanently shutting down the communication papers machine, fine paper converting assets, pulping operations and related equipment in 2018. The mill will remain an important asset for the company’s away-from-home tissue business and the company will continue to operate and invest in the mill for its tissue manufacturing and converting capacity.

Approximately 280 to 300 positions at the facility will be impacted by the communication papers and pulp asset closures. During the next several months, teams will continue to operate the facility and begin to reduce production for communication papers with shut down of those assets expected in second quarter of 2018.

"Camas employees have done an excellent job operating and maintaining the communication papers assets for as long as they have. However, economic impacts from the continuing decline in demand for communication papers make it necessary to discontinue operations for uncoated freesheet at Camas. Georgia-Pacific will continue manufacturing communication papers at our Port Hudson, LA, facility," said Mike Adams, president – GP PRO and Communication Papers.

"GP remains committed to being a consistent supplier to our communication papers customers on a national basis," Adams said. "We will be transitioning most of our customers currently served from Camas to Port Hudson over the coming months, and plan to communicate transition plans with them shortly."

Georgia-Pacific has already begun discussions with union leadership and salaried staff on how the process will work for employees affected by the communication papers shut down, including severance and benefits for those whose jobs at GP are ultimately eliminated.

As a key contributor to the away-from-home tissue business, GP will invest in Camas and approximately 120 to 140 employees will continue to operate the tissue assets and converting lines.

"We know this will be difficult for Camas employees and their families who ultimately will be affected by this decision. We are committed to work with employees to find ways to minimize the difficulty as best we can. But we also know the professionalism of our team and know that they will continue to operate safely for each other and the community," said Monty Brown, vice president for GP’s Consumer Products paper operations. "I want to personally thank the team in advance for their dedication through this challenging time."

Based in Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific and its subsidiaries are among the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of bath tissue, paper towels and napkins, tableware, paper-based packaging, office papers, cellulose, specialty fibers, nonwoven fabrics, building products and related chemicals. Its familiar consumer brands include Quilted Northern®, Angel Soft®, Brawny®, enMotion®, Sparkle®, Mardi Gras®, Vanity Fair®, Dixie® as well as STAINMASTER™ household cleaning products. Georgia- Pacific has long been a leading supplier of building products to lumber and building materials dealers and large do-it-yourself warehouse retailers. Its GP Harmon Recycling subsidiary is among the world’s largest recyclers of paper, metal and plastics. The company operates approximately 200 facilities and employs approximately 35,000 people directly, and creates nearly 92,000 jobs indirectly. For more information, visit: gp.com.