A Canadian toilet paper manufacturer plans to lay off 45 people at a factory in St. Helens when it closes one of two production lines there in July, the company notified state officials Tuesday.
The company, Cascades Inc., announced last month that it would lay off 88 in July when it closes a plant in Scappoose. It announced the St. Helens downsizing at the same time but hadn’t previously disclosed how many would lose their jobs there.
Cascades, based in Quebec, said the Oregon sites and a third factory in South Carolina were “underperforming.” It expects to spend up to $25 million closing the factories, including severance payments.
After two years with very few layoffs, Oregon has had a spate of job cuts in 2023 at companies ranging from Walmart to Intel. The state’s jobless rate remains low by historical standards, though, at 4.4%.
— Mike Rogoway | mrogoway@oregonian.com | 503-294-7699