KINGSEY FALLS, Quebec -- Cascades Inc. announced that it will close its packaging plant in Maspeth, New York, as part of the Corporation's modernization and optimization efforts in the Northeastern United States.

"To support our future development and better serve our customers, we are announcing today that the Maspeth plant's output will gradually be redeployed to our other facilities. This decision was necessary as the current site has reached its physical limits. This transition will be seamless for all of our customers. The property has already been put up for sale for US$72 million," said Charles Malo, President and Chief Operating Officer of Cascades Containerboard Packaging.

The plant, which currently employs 148 people, will close no later than December 31, 2018. In order to help staff impacted by this closure, Cascades will assess the possibility of relocating interested employees to its other facilities. Tools and measures will also be put in place by the Corporation to assist employees in their employment search, so as to reduce the impact on them and the community. Cascades wishes to sincerely thank the plant's employees for their years of loyalty. It is counting on their devotion and professionalism to serve its customers until the closure.

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