Georgia-Pacific plans to idle Cedar Springs, Ga. #3 machine two weeks
May 21, 2020
CEDAR SPRINGS, Ga. (From news reports) -- Georgia-Pacific's Cedar Springs operations will temporarily idle one of its three paper machines for two separate week-long periods in late May and late June due to lack of demand, according to Public Affairs Manager Peggy Jaye.
"Based on current economic conditions, we've determined that production of medium paper on Cedar Springs' #3 machine (PM3) significantly exceeds current and predicted short-term demand," Jaye stated. The local plant produces containerboard, which is used in the manufacture of packaging boxes.
As a result, production on PM3 will be temporarily curtailed for seven days starting Thursday, May 21. Also, beginning Sunday, June 21 at 8 a.m., additional downtime on PM3 is planned for seven days.
Unfortunately, a significant number of hourly employees will be temporarily laid off or furloughed during the downtime, Jaye said. Those affected include personnel from areas across the mill that support the temporarily idled machine.
"Be assured that this was a very difficult decision to make and we understand the concern and anxiety it may cause our employees, their families and our community," Jaye said.
Cedar Springs' two linerboard machines are not impacted. "In the meantime, we continue to operate, closely following public health guidelines to protect the health of our employees and our work environment against COVID-19."
