NewPage reassures community leaders in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, that its specialty papers mill there will be around for years to come, says it's positioned to become an industry leader
Sandy Yang
LOS ANGELES
,
March 8, 2012
(Industry Intelligence)
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NewPage Corp. is well positioned in the industry and its specialty papers mill in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, will be around for years to come, company officials said on March 7, reported The Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune on March 8.
The Miamisburg, Ohio-based papermaker is “uniquely positioned” to become an industry leader, said Cliff Bowers, communications manager for NewPage in Wisconsin at a reception for community leaders hosted by NewPage at the mill.
NewPage has invested US$17.1 million in safety and environmental improvements at the Stevens Point mill since 2005, according to the NewPage officials, The Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune reported.
The Stevens Point mill has evolved since its opening in 1919 to produce up to 180,000 tons per year of flexible packaging papers, technical papers and label papers, according to the company’s website.
The mill employs 260 people but has an overall economic impact in Wisconsin of $425 million, with a total 1,790 employees and 1.14 million tons/year of paper production statewide.
A U.S. House of Representatives decision on March 6 to allow tariffs on imports from China and other nonmarket economies is good news for NewPage, said Stevens Point Mill Manager John Reichert, reported The Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune.
Leveling the playing field will enable the mill to “compete with anybody,” he said in his response to a question on competition with China.
Innovation is important for NewPage, said Ed Buehler, general manager of specialty paper. He thanked the local schools and colleges for providing educated workers who help NewPage remain competitive worldwide, The Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune reported.
NewPage owns paper mills in Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, with a total combined annual production capacity of 3.5 million tons/year, as well as a research and development facility Biron, Wisconsin, according to its website.
The primary source of this article is The Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, on March 8, 2012.
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