Mohawk Fine Papers to close its Beckett Mill in Hamilton, Ohio, by end of 2011, shut three paper machines, affecting 137 employees; work to transfer to paper mills in Cohoes and Waterford, New York

Kendall Sinclair

COHOES, New York , October 24, 2011 (press release) – In a move designed to realign its manufacturing platform to meet the needs of a changing market, Mohawk Fine Papers has announced today that it seeks to close the Beckett Mill in Hamilton, Ohio at the end of the year. A shutdown would include the mill's three paper machines and would affect 137 union and salaried employees.

Over the next two months, Mohawk intends to transition manufacturing from Beckett to its paper mills in Cohoes and Waterford, New York, which could result in 40 new production jobs in New York. Mohawk will continue to operate its envelope, converting and warehouse/distribution facilities in Saybrook, Ohio, along with warehouses in California, Washington, New York, and the Netherlands.

“This was a very difficult decision,” said Thomas D. O’Connor, Jr., Chairman and CEO, Mohawk Fine Papers. “Our employees at Beckett have done everything asked of them and we are grateful for their efforts and contributions. We encourage the Beckett mill employees to apply for production openings in New York and Mohawk will provide relocation assistance to help the transition. Our decision reflects the realities of today's market and our belief that the changes in communications technology and print impacting our business are both fundamental and permanent.”

“These changes, though painful, will allow us to accelerate our transformation to the new Mohawk, serving customers worldwide with premium papers, digital substrates, photo products, services and education.”


About Mohawk

Mohawk is North America's largest privately owned manufacturer of fine papers and envelopes for commercial and digital printing. Signature brands include Mohawk SuperfineÒ, StrathmoreÒ, InxwellÒ, and proprietary i-ToneÒ for HP Indigo. Mohawk papers are chosen for commercial printing, photo specialties and high-end direct mail. Products and samples are available through leading paper distributors and at mohawkpaperstore.com.

The company is leveraging connections in the digital, design and photo space to develop new tech offerings: Pinhole Pro, a software solution for professional photographers and labs; Pinhole Press is a new consumer-facing photo brand; Felt & Wire Shop is an online marketplace for social stationery, posters, and prints.

This third-generation, family-owned business and certified Women-Owned Business Enterprise is constantly renewing its commitment to environmental stewardship. As the first U.S. manufacturer of commercial printing papers to match 100% of its electricity with windpower renewable energy credits and the first U.S. premium paper mill to shift toward carbon neutral production, its portfolio of recycled papers certified by Green Seal and the Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) standards continues to grow along with the rest of the company.

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