In a move designed to realign its manufacturing platform to meet the needs of a changing market, Mohawk Fine Papers has announced today that it seeks to close the Beckett Mill in Hamilton, Ohio at the end of the year. A shutdown would include the mill's three paper machines and would affect 137 union and salaried employees.

Over the next two months, Mohawk intends to transition manufacturing from Beckett to its paper mills in Cohoes and Waterford, New York, which could result in 40 new production jobs in New York. Mohawk will continue to operate its envelope, converting and warehouse/distribution facilities in Saybrook, Ohio, along with warehouses in California, Washington, New York, and the Netherlands.

"This was a very difficult decision," said Thomas D. O'Connor, Jr., Chairman and CEO, Mohawk Fine Papers. "Our employees at Beckett have done everything asked of them and we are grateful for their efforts and contributions. We encourage the Beckett mill employees to apply for production openings in New York and Mohawk will provide relocation assistance to help the transition. Our decision reflects the realities of today's market and our belief that the changes in communications technology and print impacting our business are both fundamental and permanent."

"These changes, though painful, will allow us to accelerate our transformation to the new Mohawk, serving customers worldwide with premium papers, digital substrates, photo products, services and education."