The announcement by Wausau Paper Corporation that three mills are for sale, has the communities of Mosinee, WI; Rhinelander, WI; and Brainerd, MN concerned.
“It comes as a surprise, but to be honest with you not really because they’ve been sold before,” said Rhinelander Mayor Dick Johns who worked at the mill for more than 40 years. Johns is optimistic a new buyer will be found for the mill and called on his community to support the new ownership.
Since Friday’s announcement of the mills going up for sale, a major investor issued a blistering indictment of the company’s management.
Meanwhile, reports indicate the company will move away from products made at the three mills–packaging for the food industry, linings, and masking tape–while focusing on tissue production at a plant in Kentucky.
Ken Krall-WXPR contributed to this report