Manufacturing employers tackle industrywide issues

By Jake Przytarski Cloquet Pine Journal

CLOQUET — As the manufacturing industry’s landscape changes, two of Carlton County’s largest employers have taken a proactive approach to tackling some of the most pressing issues related to the industry’s future.

Cloquet-based companies Sappi North America, a pulp and paper mill, and United States Gypsum (USG) Interiors LLC, a manufacturer of construction materials, have employed similar strategies in navigating the hurdles contributing to the shrinking workforce, including an aging workforce and a lack of qualified candidates due to a skills gap.

Sappi talent manager Brittany Bonk said the pulp mill is approaching near-optimal staffing levels, but she acknowledged an aging workforce at the plant has required the hiring process to be expedited in order to maintain productivity.

“We have a high population at our mill that is retirement eligible. We have a number of individuals retiring at this point, so we’ve been working very proactively to fill those positions and get people on board as quickly as possible,” Bonk said.

The labor force in Carlton County, while younger than the Northeastern Minnesota regional average, is older than the statewide average, according to data provided by Northeast Minnesota regional analyst Carson Gorecki of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Office.

The labor force in Carlton County is expected to decline by 1.6% between 2023-2033, according to projections from Local Area Unemployment Statistics provided by DEED.