Cascades Inc. to shut down Trenton, Belleville plants
Cascades Inc. is shutting down two containerboard packaging facilities in eastern Ontario, resulting in hundreds of local job losses.
The Quebec-based company has announced its recently idled mill in Trenton, Ont., won't reopen, and a converting plant in Belleville, Ont., will be permanently closed by May 31.
The sites employed roughly 150 and 80 people respectively, according to a company spokesperson.
Another location in Connecticut will also be shuttered, bringing the total number of affected jobs to 310, according to a media release issued Tuesday.
"This this is a humongous loss to the city and to the whole area," said Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison.
The plants have a long history in the region, Harrison said, and their closure will hurt other local businesses and the community as a whole.
"Think of the spin-off," he said. "There's far more than 150 people. Take families and multiply that, you're looking at thousands of people, I believe, who are impacted by this closure. Big time."
The Trenton site manufactures corrugated cardboard used in packaging, while the Belleville plant makes the boxes themselves, according to Hugo D'Amours, the company's vice-president of communications and public affairs.
Company blames costs, aging tech
The company said that production will be moved to other locations with "more modern equipment."
Cascades blamed the "current market environment," higher operating costs, "aging technology" and a need for a significant investment as the reasons for the closures.
D'Amours said it was a "sad announcement."
"They're good employees," he added. "It was a very difficult decision to take and we will accompany our employees through this.
The company's statement also promised customers a "smooth transition."
Cascades open to moving workers
D'Amours said Cascades is trying to relocate as many of its workers as possible to jobs at its other facilities around North America, however the closest sites to the ones being shuttered are in the Greater Toronto Area.
The company has also hired a consultant to work with employees who aren't interested in moving, offering them help with resumés and job interview skills.
Chris King, CEO of Quinte Economic Development Commission, described losing the major employer as disappointing for the community.
"When a new manufacturer comes in, we talked about the multiplier effect that the manufacturer has across the community in the local supply chain. Well, we're gonna see the opposite of that now," he explained.
King was quick to add that other manufacturers in the region are looking for workers, and the sites Cascade is planning to close may be taken over by other companies, which could bring new opportunities.
