By Boris Ladwig and Kirk Johannesen, The Republic
bladwig@therepublic.com; johannesen@therepublic.com
RockTenn in Columbus plans to close in February and eliminate 71 jobs.
Menasha, Wis.-based Dura-Fibre has agreed to purchase the business at the plant, 983 S. Marr Road, said RockTenn spokesman John Stakel.
The property will remain in RockTenn's possession. Dura-Fibre plans to move the business to another location, Stakel said, meaning it will not need any of the Columbus workers.
No decision has been made about the future of the property at 983 S. Marr Road, Stakel said.
RockTenn Converting Co. opened in 1988. It focuses on paperboard converting, including cutting to size decorative liner lamination and die-cutting.
The company provides products for the book, bindery and ready-to-assemble furniture industries.
Dura-Fibre, a RockTenn competitor, approached RockTenn about buying the Columbus business, Stakel said.
"It's just like anything else. You look for what makes sense for the future. It just made more sense for them to run this portion," Stakel said.
The transaction will close some time after Jan. 1.
Stakel said the Columbus plant is running two shifts until the end of January.
Corey Carr, president of Columbus Economic Development Board, said he and state government representatives for months had tried to convince Dura-Fibre to consolidate the business at the Columbus plant.
However, despite the incentives offered to Dura-Fibre, consolidating in Columbus did not make sense for the operation, Carr said.
RockTenn's corporate headquarters are in Norcross, Ga. The company has more than 90 locations and is a North American producer of paperboard, containerboard, consumer and corrugated packaging, and merchandising displays.