POINT TUPPER, NS—NewPage will reduce production by 150,000 tonnes in the first quarter of 2009, the company announced yesterday. Cuts will be in effect at all NewPage mills, including its Point Tupper, N.S. mill. When contacted by PrintCAN, a spokesperson for NewPage said via email, “We are not publicly sharing any specific information regarding downtime at any particular mill location at this time. Employees who may be affected by downtime at their location are provided with advance notification and necessary information.” The company said the curtailment is due to the weak economy and its estimates of inventory levels and market demand.
The Point Tupper mill, which employs about 550 people, also declined to comment. NewPage produces about 4.5 million tonnes of coated, uncoated, and specialty paper annually.