IP Invests $90 Million to Restart Oklahoma Containerboard Machine

International Paper Co., Memphis, Tenn., USA, will invest $90 million to restart an idled machine at its McCurtain County containerboard mill, creating about 65 new jobs. IP is preparing to restart the No. 3 machine at its Valliant plant by late spring or early summer of 2015, according to Sara Whitaker, a spokeswoman for the company.

The machine has been out of production for five years.

The company’s decision to restart the machine largely was due to an agreement to sell off three mills from its containerboard manufacturing system, following the company’s acquisition of the corrugated packaging and building material manufacturer Temple-Inland Inc., Whitaker said. The startup of the machine will ultimately depend on a number of factors, including market demand, she added.

Gov. Mary Fallin commended IP for its new investment in southeast Oklahoma. "International Paper’s $90 million investment in McCurtain County will result in dozens of new jobs for Oklahoma families, and make the Valliant mill one of the largest and most efficient containerboard mills in North America. Due in part to Oklahoma’s commitment to pro-business, pro-growth policies, we were able to restart the previously idled machine and put Oklahomans back to work."

International Paper’s Valliant mill employs about 620 production, support, and contract maintenance people, with an annual payroll of $45 million. It is the largest employer in southeast Oklahoma.