Dozen workers laid off at plant

NEWTON FALLS — Newton Falls Fine Paper has eliminated 12 jobs, has restructured some positions internally and is dropping from production a lighter-weight paper in favor of a heavier-weight line it hopes will generate more revenue.

"We're refocusing our business in the sense of being able to carve out a more sustainable future. We decided to structure the mill for the long haul," President Scott C. Travers said. "The bottom line is the traditional fine-paper market is in terrible shape."

Even though 12 positions were lost, the plant still employs close to 100 people. The company is recruiting more sales staff to market its new product lines and is posting internally for positions it previously contracted out, Mr. Travers said.

"We're very resilient," he said.

The plant will cut down on the amount of paper it produces for the publishing sector.

"This is a strategic move," Mr. Travers said. "We'll still have a portion of that. That area of the market is oversupplied."

The production of advertisements, a crucial market for Newton Falls paper, has declined as the recession has worn on. At the same time, technology including Amazon's Kindle and Apple's iPad — handheld devices that can display books, blogs and newspapers — is cutting into the traditional publishing market, Mr. Travers said.

He declined to identify markets where the plant will push the heavier-grade product it will make, but said it has five or six target areas.

The plant will continue its march toward producing paper from 100 percent recycled materials and has installed a wastewater system that reclaims fiber that previously was discarded.

The company is shifting operations to survive in a tough financial climate, Clifton-Fine Economic Development Corp. President Christopher L. Westbrook said.

"I think the community is breathing a sigh of relief," he said. "It could have been worse."