Caraustar
Industries will permanently close Chicago Paperboard, a recycled paperboard
mill located in Chicago, effective immediately.
The closing of Chicago Paperboard
results from the lack of market demand for uncoated recycled paperboard. The
mill was profitable through 1998, but declining sales resulted in operating
losses of $2.6 million in 1999 and $1.5 million in 2000. The mill has been idle
since early November due to soft market conditions.
Caraustar will incur a pre-tax
charge of approximately $4.3 million in the first quarter 2001, to reflect the
costs of permanently shutting down the mill and providing transition assistance
to affected employees.
"We regret that market
conditions make this move necessary, but we can serve our customers more cost
effectively from our other facilities," said Thomas Brown, president and CEO.
"We hope to recover the costs associated with the closing through the sale
of the mill property, which includes 17 acres fronting on the Chicago
River."

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