There were no permanent layoffs
MANISTIQUE -- Monday marked the reopening of Manistique Papers after the company was forced to cease operations six weeks ago under Chapter 11 bankruptcy. But after receiving financial assistance from mBank and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, it's back to work and back to making paper.
Now it's full steam ahead for the 90-year-old company.
Manistique Papers makes about 10,000 tons of paper every month. And Tuesday was the first day back for production workers. It was also the first time in six weeks that the paper machine has made paper.
They'll retain most of their old business, but 25-35 percent of business will now be changed into package-oriented product lines. Traditional lines of printing and writing grades have been hit hard by the popularity of getting information from electronic media.
Still, Johnson said the employees are ready to move forward.
“I explained to them,” said Johnson. “I said that we've come a long ways in the last six weeks to get to this position. Now it's up to us to show everyone that we can become profitable."
Many employees, like material handler, B.J. Tiglas, have opted to work and enroll in school just to keep all options open.
“I never really opened my eyes,” said Tiglas. “I never opened my eyes until they closed, and I had to do something . I wasn't going to be stuck in unemployment like everyone else."
Some of the employees retired and others found different employment.
So what does the community think of the reopening?
“Well, I’m optimistic of course,” said Sharon Skjolaas. “But the reality of the situation is that the economy of our whole nation is questionable. But, of course, we'll be optimistic that things work better for here and for the mill in Escanaba, too."
Manistique Papers will now have a completely different customer base. One target customer would be Internet shops that need packages to ship items to customers.
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