Kimberly-Clark to cut 5,000 jobs

(WFRV) -- Thousands of people may soon be out of work around the country as Kimberly-Clark announces changes to its business.

The manufacturer of Huggies and Kleenex will cut more than 5,000 jobs through what it's calling a global restructuring program.

This is the company's attempt to cut structure costs and create a more efficient supply chain.

By 2021 the company anticipates it will save 500 million-550 million dollars.

Cutting 5,000-5,500 jobs would reduce the workforce by 12-13%.

That means 10 factories will be closed or sold.

The cost of implementing this restructuring program will cost Kimberly-Clark 1.5 billion to 1.7 billion dollars.

As of now the specifics about which factories and facilities are closing has not been announced.

Outagamie county officials say the ripple effect of getting rid of thousands of paper mill jobs in northeast Wisconsin would touch more than those who work for Kimberly-Clark.

"What all of these companies have in common is they represent great anchor industry here in the Paper Valley," says Thomas Nelson, Outagamie county executive. "A lot of these companies have been in the community for decades, if not generations and it's been a source of good family-supporting jobs. On average, they can support up to five other jobs in the community, so if were talking about 500 paper jobs, talking about potentially 2500 other jobs in and around the community."

Kimberly-Clark says there will be an announcement of which facilities will see lay-offs once they've met with appropriate unions, work councils and labor stakeholders.