The Kimberly-Clark Corp. said Thursday that it is considering closing its mill in Conway, a Chamber of Commerce official confirmed.
Brad Lacey, president and CEO of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, said he was surprised when a representative of the manufacturing company called to deliver the news.
The international corporation — which makes Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Kotex and Depend brand products — announced in January that it would eliminate 5,000 to 5,500 jobs and close 10 plants by the year 2021 as a cost-saving measure.
Kimberly-Clark’s Arkansas mills, with facilities in Conway and Maumelle, employ about 700 people, the company said in January.
Lacey said the chamber has been in contact with Kimberly-Clark representatives since they announced their intention to restructure the company.
“We have been proactive and aggressive in not only retaining, but growing, [Kimberly-Clark’s] presence in Arkansas,” Lacey said. “Today’s news was a surprise.”