Re: Weyco closes chlor-alkali plant

[ttweed@wildrockies.org (Tony Tweedale)]

>X-Sender: ritchlin@pop.uniserve.com
>Date: Wed, 06 Jan 1999 17:16:09 -0800
>To: pulppaper@onenw.org
>From: Jay Ritchlin <ritchlin@uniserve.com>
>Subject: Re: Weyco closes chlor-alkali plant
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>Reply-To: Jay Ritchlin <ritchlin@uniserve.com>
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>=====  A message from the 'pulppaper' discussion list  =====
>
>Wow!
>
>While this is good news, I hate what is happening to these workers. There
>has to be a way for us to really add their rights to our efforts. I want to
>be able to celebrate when a facility like this closes down, but under the
>circumstances, my glee is muted.
>
>-Jay
>
>
>At 04:18 PM 1/6/99 -0400, you wrote:
>>
>>=====  A message from the 'pulppaper' discussion list  =====
>>
>>Completes Exit from Chemical Manufacturing
>>>>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>    FEDERAL WAY, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 1999--Weyerhaeuser
>>>>Company today announced it would close its chlor-alkali plant in
>>>>Longview, Wash. as part of the long-range plan by the forest products
>>>>firm to narrow its portfolio and streamline operations.
>>>>    Following closure of the plant by the end of the first quarter,
>>>>Weyerhaeuser will no longer operate chemical facilities.
>>>>    The company will report a charge associated with the closure.
>>>>When combined with previously announced changes to the company's
>>>>British Columbia lumber facilities and the streamlining of pulp and
>>>>paper operations company-wide, this will result in an after-tax charge
>>>>of approximately $45 million against fourth quarter earnings.
>>>>Weyerhaeuser will announce its fourth quarter results on Jan.
>>>>20.
>>>>    Approximately 100 jobs will be eliminated by the Longview
>>>>closure. Laid-off employees will receive 60 days notice or pay
>>>>consistent with plant-closure requirements and have access to
>>>>outplacement services provided by Weyerhaeuser. Changes to the British
>>>>Columbia lumber facilities affect around 200 jobs while the pulp and
>>>>paper streamlining efforts affected approximately 460 employees.
>>>>    "Today's announcement is part of an ongoing process to narrow our
>>>>portfolio, streamline our operations and improve overall use of
>>>>capital," said Steven R. Rogel, president and chief executive officer.
>>>>    Seeking to improve its environmental performance, the Longview
>>>>mill, as well as other Weyerhaeuser facilities and the pulp and paper
>>>>industry, has moved away from using chlorine as the principal chemical
>>>>in the pulp bleaching process. The plastics industry, the other major
>>>>user of chlorine, is oversupplied in the world markets. Weyerhaeuser
>>>>chose to close the facility because of current market conditions and
>>>>the need to invest significant capital to ensure continued safe
>>>>operation of the plant.
>>>>    Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE:WY), one of the world's largest
>>>>integrated forest products companies, was incorporated in 1900. In
>>>>1997, it had sales of $11.2 billion and has offices or operations in
>>>>12 countries and customers worldwide. Weyerhaeuser is principally
>>>>engaged in the growing and harvesting of timber; the manufacture,
>>>>distribution and sale of forest products; and real estate
>>>>construction, development and related activities. Additional
>>>>information about Weyerhaeuser's businesses, products or practices is
>>>>available at www.weyerhaeuser.com.
>>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>Jay Ritchlin
>Pollution Prevention Researcher
>Reach for Unbleached
>1672 East 10th Avenue
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>