by John Beagle

It's not all bad news, Graphic Packaging in Middletown indeed plans to discontinue folding carton manufacturing by the end of the third quarter of 2008. However it will keep its Middletown boxboard mill operations intact.

The Middletown folding carton operations will continue to operations while business is transitioned to other Company facilities in the United States.

Grahpic Packaging is currently in the process of notifling Middletown employees and the unions representing them of the production phase-out. 

The company will provide 'assistance' to the 133 salaried and hourly employees affected by the transition.

Graphic Packaging will continue to operate its boxboard mill, also located at the Middletown site. The company makes coated-recycled paperboard for the consumer packaging industry. There are no changes planned in the Middletown mill production or employment levels at the boxboard mill.

Webcast
Q1 2008 Graphic Packaging Corporation Earnings Conference Call (Live)
05/09/08 at 10:00 a.m. ET