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Updated: Friday, 03 Apr 2009, 7:29 PM EDT
Published : Friday, 03 Apr 2009, 12:05 PM EDT
CHESAPEAKE, Va. - The Memphis-headquartered International Paper company announced Friday it will close its Chesapeake box plant, which will eliminate about 100 jobs.
International Paper recently acquired Weyerhaeusers packaging business, leading to a surplus in box plants in the region, according to plant General Manager Andrea Jentzen. Jentzen said the acquisition coupled with the weak economy led to the plant closure.
"Our plant is disadvantaged by the amount of capital it would need in order to handle consolidated operations, and other area facilities are better equipped," Jentzen said.
The United Steelworkers Union is expected to discuss employee severance and other benefits with the company. "As always the most difficult part of this closure is the effect on employees, their families and the Chesapeake community," Jentzen said. "We will work to assist them where possible during the closure process."
The plant is over 50-years-old and was bought by International Paper in 2004. Each year it produces more than 500 million square feet of corrugated containers.
Stay with WAVY.com and WAVY News 10 for the latest on this story and look for a full report tonight on WAVY News 10 beginning at 5 p.m.
Click here to visit the company's website.
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