GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Early on during the COVID-19 pandemic residents across the country prepared for isolation by buying extra toilet paper. That led to store shortages that continue today.
But Green Bay’s Procter & Gamble plant is doing its part to help out by pumping out more Charmin toilet paper, along with five other plants in North America.
If you’ve been to the store lately you’ve likely noticed the toilet paper shelves are still not fully stocked. Some brands are completely sold out. And customers are being asked to limit their purchase to one package of toilet paper.
Over at Procter & Gamble’s Green Bay plant the production lines for Charmin toilet paper are running 24/7. In fact, they’ve been running non-stop even before the coronavirus pandemic.
But to meet growing demand, the plant this past month was able to roll out more.
“We did have some idled equipment that we were able to start up over the last month which has enabled us to increase our production, so we’ve actually had record production here at the mill,” said Cecilia Colburn, P&G plant manager in Green Bay.
She tells FOX 11 workers are aware of the demand and doing what they can to ease residents’ concerns by making more Charmin.
“First and foremost here at the site we’re focused on meeting the consumer demand for toilet paper and paper towels,” said Colburn. “It seems like during this time folks feel a little more comfortable having a few more rolls of toilet paper in their bathroom.”
With all the extra toilet paper being made, you might wonder why are there still shortages on store shelves?
“I’m not sure if necessarily they’re just hoarding or also just using more as folks still are at home, but we still are seeing a significant demand for our products,” explained Colburn.
To keep production running smoothly, P&G more than a month ago implemented a series of safety protocols to keep workers healthy.
In addition to requiring them to wear face masks, wash hands and keep 6-feet apart, the company also closed employee gathering places like the cafeteria, break rooms and locker rooms to prevent close contact with other employees.
“The safety of everyone who comes into our plant is our first and foremost objective,” said Colburn, who says anyone who comes onto the property is also given an infrared temperature screening.
The toilet paper produced at the Green Bay plant finds its way to stores throughout the Midwest and Great Lakes states. The plant also makes Bounty paper towels and Puffs facial tissues.
