“Graphic Packaging is still planning to close its installation in East Angus,” says a company spokesperson. The most likely moment is in 2026. ”
This statement echoes that of Mike Doss, president and chief executive officer, at the conference call on the first quarter results on May 1.
“We have already announced the closure of Middletown and our East Angus factory, in Quebec,” he said, “he said in response to the question of a shareholder. We are currently studying the calendar and it could change slightly depending on trade and customs tariffs. We must take care to take care of our Canadian customers. But in the end, the factory will close. “
As much as the closure is clear and inevitable for senior management and shareholders, it remains unclear for employees in Estrie according to the union since no information has been transmitted on this subject.
“There is nothing official and the bosses here will not tell us that we are going to close in 2026,” says Simon Rivard, president of the union of workers of the pasta and boxes of East Angus (STPCEA-CSN). They will avoid the subject at all costs and in my opinion it is a beautiful little tactic to make us beautiful little docile sheep, leaving a touch of hope to avoid a big wave of starting. ”
“The bosses at East Angus tell us to continue doing our job and control what we can control except that Mike Doss tells the shareholders that the market has not increased significantly to keep East Angus alive,” he adds.
Disappointing results
Graphic Packaging International displayed results below expectations during the first quarter of 2025 mainly due to the low volume of orders as well as generalized inflation of the cost of inputs.
The company’s net income fell 23 % compared to the first quarter of 2023 and sales are in a fall of 6 % during the same period.
The company will present the results of the second quarter on July 29 and everything indicates that the new factory in Waco, Texas, will be operational from fall.
Ultimately, production at this location will reach 500,000 tonnes of cardboard, the combined production of the four factories of the company which were active in 2023.
From this group, only East Angus installations are still open.
“Hosting”
To ensure that you can keep the factory open until the very end and avoid an exodus of workers, management had decided to offer, in 2023, a bonus to all workers for the next three years.
This means that a check for $ 54,000 will be given to employees who complete the three -year cycle which ends in 2026 when the factory closes.
The priority of the union in the coming months will be to clarify the terms of this premium.
“We would like to have clear indications on the moment when the premium is paid because it is still a little too nebulous,” says Mr. Rivard. We want it to be black on white and supported by lawyers. We do not want to have a naughty turn played at the very end and that it is managed by a company with a number that goes bankrupt. ”
The atmosphere begins to be very heavy on the floor according to Mr. Rivard.
“People feel a little hostage because of the premium,” he says. We look at Domtar and Kruger who hire, but if we leave, we lose the bonus. And a wave of 90 hp arriving at Domtar in 2026, it is clear that it is not everyone who will be selected. It adds to stress and anxiety. ”
The municipality keeps hope
Joined by The platformLyne Boulanger, the mayor of East Angus refuses to give up.
“We make very good boxes and I do not immediately launch the towel,” she says. We take steps with governments, we are in there, but apart from that we are helpless. ”
Graphic Packaging is one of the largest employers in the municipality of 4000 inhabitants
“It is certain that if it closes it hurts,” she admits. ” These are very good very well paid jobs. But when Cascade closed, everyone asked us what was going to become East Angus and on the contrary we developed more. If Graphic leaves, there will be room for something else. ”