International Paper announces layoffs, hundreds of employees are about to lose their jobs

Recently, International Paper, the world's leading paper and packaging material manufacturer, announced a major layoff plan, and hundreds of employees will lose their jobs. It is reported that the layoffs are part of International Paper's "transformation journey", which aims to improve the company's profitability and better serve customers and shareholders.

Last week, International Paper announced that it would cut 650 positions worldwide, including 400 layoffs at its Memphis headquarters, accounting for about 19% of the total local employees. Most of the affected employees will leave before the end of this year. The company will communicate with these employees within this month and provide support such as severance pay, re-employment assistance and mental health resources.

Amy Simpson, communications manager of International Paper, said: "The company is undergoing a transformation to become a more sustainable and profitable packaging solutions provider. This layoff is an important part of the organizational adjustment to better serve customers and shareholders." Simpson emphasized that the company is grateful for the contributions made by the departing employees to the company's development.

International Paper was founded in 1898. Through years of development and expansion, it has become an important supplier of high-quality paper, packaging solutions and other related products worldwide. After the layoffs are completed, International Paper's number of employees in Memphis will stabilize at around 1,700.

This week, International Paper has another round of layoffs. The company confirmed that it will close several factories in Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina and Tennessee, and hundreds of employees will be unemployed.

According to a notice issued by Tennessee, International Paper's carton factory in Cleveland near Chattanooga will be permanently closed, and 115 workers will be affected. A carton factory in Statesville, North Carolina will face the same fate, and 74 employees will be unemployed.

On Monday, International Paper announced by email that the company will close a packaging plant in the Kansas City area of Missouri and lay off 150 people. In addition, another packaging plant in Rockford, Illinois is also scheduled to close, and the specific number of layoffs has not yet been announced.

Amy Simpson, communications manager of International Paper, said that the four plants (including the two previously announced to be closed) will stop production on or before December 18. Simpson emphasized that the closure of the plant is an important step in the company's "transformation journey". Through this move, resources can be concentrated on more efficient plants, thereby improving product quality, reliability and service levels.

As a world-renowned paper and packaging giant, International Paper has established a wide business network in dozens of countries around the world, with about 39,000 employees, and its products include corrugated exhibition, containerboard, industrial and consumer packaging and other products. The company once set up more than a dozen factories in China, and later the business was acquired by Hexing Packaging.

The layoff news released by International Paper has undoubtedly caused a lot of discussion in the industry. At a time when the international macro situation is complex and changeable and the demand for packaging and printing industry is recovering slowly, does the layoff of International Paper mean that the company is not optimistic about the future prospects of the industry? Will the spring of the packaging and printing industry still face a long waiting period?