GNP’s Millinocket mill shuts down 2 machines

MILLINOCKET – Lack of orders has prompted Great Northern Paper Inc. to shut down two of the older paper machines in the Millinocket paper mill again.

The temporary production curtailment will affect about 60 people, who had returned to their jobs Monday after a two-week shutdown. The Nos. 7 and 8 paper machines were shut down Wednesday night.

Brian Stetson, GNP’s manager of governmental and environmental affairs, said Thursday the company had orders for the two paper machines and had hoped to pick up additional orders as the week progressed. “But, that did not materialize,” he said.

Stetson said the two machines will remain down until the company receives orders to start them up.