Wausau Paper Downsizes, Citing Chinese Competition

A Wisconsin-based paper company is closing a mill in Brainerd, Minnesota, due in part to Chinese competition. Wausau Paper has announced it will lay off 130 employees as it ramps down its technical specialty products line. Director of Investor Relations Perry Grueber says the Brainerd plant manufactured paper used to make masking tape, which it sold to Asian markets. Now a new Chinese company is cutting into profits.

“In Asia, China specifically, a sizable competitor entered the market this past year and has disrupted the demand and pricing environment in that market to such an extent that it’s directly affected the profitability of the Brainerd operation.”

Grueber wouldn’t say whether their mills in Rhinelander and Mosinee might suffer the same fate, only that they are profitable and attractive to investors.