EVERETT, Wash -- The Kimberly-Clark mill in Everett is telling its 850 employees they'll be out of a job by the end of the year if a buyer isn't found.
Management started breaking the news to workers early Thursday morning. So far, no one has come forward to buy the mill, and it looks like just after January 1, 2012 they will begin the process of shutting the mill down.
Oh yeah, it was a shock this morning, said Scott Anderson, who has worked in the mill for 28 years. I'm a couple years from retirement.
Kimberly-Clark Corp. put the Everett tissue mill and its companion pulp mill up for sale in January, saying it was difficult to make money in the pulp business. It said it was hoping for a quick sale, but a buyer hasn't been found.
Still, Everett's mayor remains optimistic a resolution will be found.
I can tell you without telling you who those companies are that there is strong interest in the plant, said Mayor Ray Stephanson.
But until then, Anderson and more than 800 other employees face the possibility of joining the growing number of unemployed.
It's kind of tough being over 50 looking for a job...but what else do you got? he said.
The company says it will work with the union to help workers transition. Pensions appear safe but health care benefits for retirees could be in question.
The mill has been on Everett's waterfront since 1931 and is a major employer in the city.
