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Resolute to temporarily reduce capacity in response to COVID-19 conditions

Resolute Forest Products says it will continue to operate in all its business segments – pulp, tissue, wood products and paper – in Canada and the United States, but will temporarily lower production to match reduced demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most of the capacity reduction is expected to come from Resolute’s wood products and paper segments. The temporary capacity reductions will be implemented over the coming days and will be announced locally, the company says.

“These are certainly unprecedented times,” Yves Laflamme, Resolute’s president and chief executive officer, said in a news release. “The COVID-19 situation is evolving very quickly, and there is a sense of stress and concern weighing on everyone. I want to especially thank our employees for their support: Your hard work and dedication are particularly appreciated given the uncertainty the economy is currently facing.”

Resolute has introduced special measures to minimize the spread of the virus at its locations, including:

• putting in place a company-wide risk management committee to monitor the situation and the implementation of preventive measures across all sites;
• developing a special support website for employees with guidelines, forms, FAQs and other relevant documents and links;
• making the necessary accommodations to support the health and well-being of employees and business partners;
• introducing restrictions on travel;
• cancelling non-essential visits by external suppliers and other outside support services;
• and increasing safety measures for visits by service technicians, truck drivers and delivery personnel.