Cascades closing plant as it exits felt backing for flooring market
By PLANT STAFF
Industry Production Forestry Manufacturing Cascades flooring manufacturing PaperClosure of the Trois‑Rivières plant affects 35 employees who have been offered relocation.
KINGSEY FALLS, Que. — Cascades Inc. is discontinuing the manufacture of felt backing for flooring at its Lupel plant in Trois‑Rivières, Que. and exiting the market for good.
The paper maker said 35 employees will be affected by the July 1 plant closure.
“Despite efforts to increase sales levels at the plant, the drop in popularity of vinyl flooring and the gradual market shift from felt backing to fibreglass backing has had a serious negative impact on the plant’s operations,” said Luc Langevin, president and COO of Cascades Specialty Products Group. “Unfortunately, the resulting low production volumes mean that the plant is not profitable, a trend that is not expected to reverse given the market outlook.”
Emloyees will be offered relocation to its other business units. Those who do not wish to or are unable to relocate to other plants will receive support in their search for other employment.
Cascades employs 11,000 women and men, who work in over 90 production units in North America and Europe.
