The Virginian-Pilot has reported that Shorewood Packaging intends to close its gravure printing operation in Newport News, VA, in October. The closure will shutter the plant and result in the loss of 35 jobs. The story cites a press release in which Mike Ukropina, president of Shorewood Packaging, attributes the decision to close the facility to “shifting customer demand and the economic recession.” Shorewood Packaging is a division of International Paper. The plant, which has been in operation since 1979, makes packages for the tobacco industry. This is not the first round of bad news for Shorewood Packaging employees in Newport News. A year ago, The Virginian-Pilot reported the company’s plan to lay off 100 lithographic workers there by the end of 2009, leaving 70 people then employed in the tobacco printing operation. Those laid off last year printed and converted packages for non-tobacco consumer products.