RICHMOND, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwired – June 2, 2016) – Catalyst Paper today welcomed United States Senator Susan Collins to the company’s pulp and paper mill in Rumford, Maine.
Senator Collins toured the Rumford mill to meet with senior management and employees, and demonstrate her support for ongoing efforts to revitalize operations to support the mill’s long-term sustainability.
“Maine’s pulp and paper industry is part of our heritage, our present, and our future,” said Senator Collins. “Catalyst’s Rumford mill is an important contributor to the economic health of our state. The mill employs approximately 640 hardworking men and women and is vital to Rumford and the surrounding communities in western Maine. I will continue to strongly advocate for federal policies to support Maine’s paper mills and help preserve these high-quality jobs.”
Over the past year, the Rumford mill has made significant progress in its effort to revitalize its financial and operational performance. The mill recently re-started No. 12 Paper Machine, added 32 jobs to the facility and supported the commercialization of “Rumford Offset”, a new uncoated freesheet grade of paper.
Catalyst appreciates Senator Collins’ support on the countervailing duty issue related to the export of supercalandered paper to the United States. After Catalyst was assessed an “all-others” duty rate, which was not reflective of its own business circumstances, Senator Collins urged the United States Department of Commerce to prioritize an individual investigation of Catalyst through an expedited review process, which is now in progress.
“Catalyst values Senator Collins’ efforts to protect jobs, and to support a healthy and thriving manufacturing sector in the State of Maine,” said Joe Nemeth, President & Chief Executive Officer.
Senator Collins was joined on today’s tour by Catalyst senior leaders, Joe Nemeth, President & Chief Executive Officer, Frank De Costanzo, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Greg Maule, Senior Vice President, Operations, Len Posyniak, Senior Vice President, Human Resources & Corporate Services, Sean Curran, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing and Randy Chicoine, Vice President & General Manager of the Rumford mill.
Catalyst acquired Rumford Pulp and Paper in January 2015 and invested nearly $16 million last year in the mill, including the upgrade of Recovery Boiler C. Rumford produces 500,000 tons of paper products and 460,000 tons of pulp on an annual basis. As one of the region’s largest employers, the mill delivers regional economic spin-off benefits of approximately $317 million.
About Catalyst Paper
Catalyst Paper manufactures diverse printing papers such as coated freesheet, C1S, coated and uncoated groundwood, newsprint, directory, as well as market pulp. Customers include retailers, publishers and commercial printers in North America, Latin America, the Pacific Rim and Europe. With five mills across North America, Catalyst has annual production capacity of 2.3 million tonnes. Catalyst is headquartered in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, and is ranked by Corporate Knights magazine as one of the 50 Best Corporate Citizens in Canada.
Tony Lyons
Director, Fiber Supply & Public Policy
207-369-2615 or 904-460-6604
Anthony.Lyons@catalystpaper.com