International Paper to permanently close 4 facilities, cut 600+ jobs: Here’s what we know
Memphis Commercial Appeal columns — what is the ‘What’s That’ business feature
Our “What’s That?” column aims to answer that very question about an ongoing construction project in Memphis.
International Paper is closing four facilities nationwide, impacting more than 600 employees.
On Thursday, the Memphis-based company announced it would permanently close facilities in Arizona, Louisiana, Missouri and Pennsylvania. The closures will impact 674 employees (split between 495 hourly and 179 salaried staff).
These cuts follow a wave of layoffs that started in October 2024 and impacted more than 1,800 employees, including 400 in Memphis.
“The decision to close any facility is difficult because of the impact on our team members, their families and the surrounding communities,” International Paper Executive Vice President Tom Hamic said in a statement. “We greatly appreciate the contributions from our departing team members and will do all we can to support them.”
International Paper plant closures
- Recycling plant in Phoenix, Arizona
- Box plant in Hazelton, Pennsylvania
- Sheet feeder facility in St. Louis, Missouri
- Red River containerboard mill in Campti, Louisiana
All facilities will cease operations by the end of April 2025, according to a news release. The Red River facility closure will reduce International Paper’s containerboard capacity by nearly 800,000 tons annually.
The news release notes, “International Paper is undergoing a transformational journey to become a stronger sustainable packaging solutions company. A critical step in this journey is to streamline IP’s footprint to focus investments on facilities that will best serve customers and accelerate strategic initiatives to improve quality, reliability and service delivery.”
The company has more than 65,000 employees around the world.
The closures come a few weeks after International Paper cleared European Union approval for its $9.9 billion merger with London-based DS Smith.
On Jan. 30, International Paper released its fourth quarter sales report for 2024. The company posted a surprise quarterly loss and missed sales estimates due to slowing demand from clients, including consumer goods and e-commerce companies, opting for cheaper alternatives, according to Reuters.
Neil Strebig is a journalist with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at neil.strebig@commercialappeal.com, 901-426-0679 or via X: @neilStrebig.
Related
A top recruiter says sports marketing roles are hot right…
Jobs are opening up in the sports industry as teams expand and money flows into the industry.Excel Search &
Public employees and the private job market: Where will fired…
Fired federal workers are looking at what their futures hold. One question that's come up: Can they find similar salaries and benefits in the private sector?
Mortgage and refinance rates today, March 8, 2025: Rates fall…
After two days of increases, mortgage rates are back down again today. According to Zillow, the average 30-year fixed rate has decreased by four basis points t
U.S. economy adds jobs as federal layoffs and rising unemployment…
Julia Coronado: I think it's too early to say that the U.S. is heading to a recession. Certainly, we have seen the U.S. just continue t
