This year has not been kind to Ohio – especially anyone working in Ohio’s food industry.
Workers were already getting a raw deal, and then the trade war delivered a one-two punch that has simultaneously slowed the American economy and reduced our exports as longtime allies boycott American goods.
These losses have destroyed factories and sent even more restaurants into bankruptcy across Ohio, and unfortunately the pain keeps building.
More specifically, Graphic Packaging International (GPI for short) recently closed down its coated recycled paperboard factory in Middletown – with over 100 employees laid off and looking for work in this terrible job market.
While companies don’t usually get too far into the specifics of “why” – the signs are all there.
The food industry is going through a massive contraction all across the country, with the combination of the trade war and what looks a lot like an economic recession…plus food inflation and labor shortages…all combining to create a perfect storm that’s hurting food production and sales across the supply chain. And with less food being made and shipped…
Well, they need fewer containers, too.
That leaves companies like GPI needing to reduce production – and they have.
Unfortunately, that comes at the cost of good-paying manufacturing jobs in Ohio (and in other states too).
How do we get out of this mess? What’s the answer? Leave a comment and share your best ideas.
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