Willamette Falls Paper Mill to Lay Off 158, May Close Permanently

Willamette Falls Paper Company in West Linn, Oregon, produces coated, uncoated, and specialty paper grades.

Aug. 7, 2024 - News outlets in Oregon have reported that Willamette Falls Paper Company in West Linn, Oregon, will lay off 158 of its 223 total employees on August 9.

Affected employees were notified on August 6.

According to KATU news, the layoffs will include 102 production employees, 25 millwrights, 14 administrative employees, 6 electricians, 4 instrumentation employees, 4 truck drivers, and 3 mechanics.

In addition, OregonLive.com reported that the 135-year-old paper mill may shut down permanently at the end of the month if it cannot find a buyer or investor to keep it afloat.

"While it is hoped that this will be a temporary layoff and a buyer will want to continue the plant's operations and hire our employees, if Willamette Falls Paper Company, Inc. is unable to raise capital or sell its assets, the mass layoff will be permanent, and we will close the plant," company President Brian Konen wrote.

About Willamette Falls Paper Company

Willamette Falls Paper Company is a non-integrated paper mill in West Linn, Oregon. The mill, which was formerly known as West Linn Paper Company, shutdown in October 2017 and was reopened in November 2019 after Columbia Ventures bought the papermaking assets, including three paper machines, from West Linn Paper. The mill produces coated, uncoated, and specialty paper grades.

SOURCE: Regional news outlets