Mitsubishi Paper restructures Bielefeld paper mill

Regarding the paper mill in Bielefeld, the trade union reports that it has been decided to cut about 50 jobs of the 488 people in the company, excluding apprentices. This is to be done in as socially acceptable a way as possible. With regard to the future development of the site, questions about the product portfolio as well as job security for the workforce of then about 430 employees remain open, criticises the union, which demands a site security agreement. Part of the decision of the manufacturer of thermal paper, label paper, carbonless paper and speciality paper is to close one of the two coating machines.

Prior to this, the union side fears a severe reduction of jobs and capacity in Bielefeld. According to EUWID information, the permanent operation of one of the two paper machines and one of the two coating lines had been questioned here. Cuts in production would be associated with a reduction in staff of up to 150 employees. The background to this potential measure is said to be declining numbers in recent years.

As further reported to EUWID, negotiations on the social plan and reconciliation of interests took place in Bielefeld. The results were presented at a works meeting.

Previously, Mitsubishi Paper had sold the paper mill in Flensburg to Quantum Capital Partners. This part of the German subsidiary Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Europe is to continue production as part of Timber QCP GmbH, including top-coat goods. However, the closing of the transaction is still a long time coming.