CL Grupo Industrial has submitted an offer for the International Paper and DS Smith plants in Valls and Montblanc, two centers threatened with closure and subject to an adjustment with 200 layoffs. The company formalized its proposal within the deadline set by International Paper, which expired yesterday, and is now awaiting a response.
The operation keeps the workforces of Alt Camp and Conca de Barberà in suspense. The works councils of both factories have received the move with satisfaction, although they insist that there is still no closed decision on the industrial future of the two centers.
The decision remains in the hands of International Paper
International Paper has stated that it will not make valuations while the process remains open. The company has also communicated that the workers will be the first to know the decision regarding the offer presented by the industrial group.
In Valls, the president of the works council, Albert Queralt, thus summarized the current situation.
"The ball is on International Paper's roof" - Albert Queralt, president of the works council of the Valls plant
The workers' representative added that the staff is still awaiting a response regarding a possible sale that would prevent the proposed closure.
"We remain waiting" - Albert Queralt, president of the works council of the Valls plant
From Montblanc, Antonio Muriana, president of the works council, has also asked for prudence before a negotiation that still needs to specify its terms.
"One must see the conditions" - Antonio Muriana, president of the works council of the Montblanc factory
"We have to wait to see where we are" - Antonio Muriana, president of the works council of the Montblanc factory
Previous presence in the demarcation of Tarragona
CL Grupo Industrial already has activity in the Tarragona demarcation. It is the owner of Matias Gomà Tomàs, with a recycled paper plant in La Riba, in Alt Camp, and also of the chemical IQOXE, with facilities in the petrochemical pole of Tarragona.
That prior rootedness in the territory has been one of the elements observed with attention by the workforces, in a context marked by the search for an industrial solution for Valls and Montblanc.
Immediate calendar of meetings
On Monday, March 23, a meeting is scheduled between International Paper and the workers to report on the status of the purchase negotiations. From that meeting, it is expected to know whether the multinational accepts the offer presented or if, on the contrary, it decides not to sell the plants.
Also new meetings have been called for Tuesday, March 24 and Wednesday, March 25. These contacts will serve to negotiate the conditions of the purchase if the operation goes ahead or, otherwise, to continue with the ERE negotiations.
In parallel, the Department of Business and Labor of the Generalitat has reiterated its commitment to reindustrialization. Next week will be key to clarify whether Valls and Montblanc maintain activity with a new owner or if the process again leads to the redundancy plan.