U.S. Senator Collins Tours Catalyst's Rumford Mill, Supports Revitalization Efforts

 

This past week (on June 2, 2016) Catalyst Paper, Richmond, B.C., Canada, welcomed U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) to the company's pulp and paper mill in Rumford, Me., USA. Senator Collins (photo right) 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 noted that it appreciates Senator Collins' support on the countervailing duty issue related to the export of supercalendered paper to the U.S. After Catalyst was assessed an "all-others" duty rate, which was not reflective of its own business circumstances, Senator Collins urged the U.S. 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 and CEO.

Senator Collins was joined on the tour by Catalyst senior leaders, including Nemeth, Frank De Costanzo (SVP and CFO), Greg Maule (SVP, operations), Len Posyniak (SVP, human resources and corporate services), Sean Curran (SVP, sales and marketing), and Randy Chicoine (VP and GM 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.

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 an annual production capacity of 2.3 million metric tons.