Chairman and owner Anthony Pratt said construction would begin in March of next year and be completed by July 2015.
"This new facility will allow us to better service the needs of our expanding customer base not only in the Midwest, but throughout the U.S.," Anthony said. "And Indiana is a perfect fit for us. We've been a part of the business community here for many years now and we know there is a skilled, reliable workforce available to us."
The mill will occupy a new 250,000 sq. ft. building on a 50-acre site. It will include a wastewater pre-treatment facility and road improvements. When it reaches full capacity, the new facility will produce 360,000 tons of recycled paper each year.
Pratt expects the new mill will eventually employ more than 100 people. The company currently employs more than 300 at the box plant. It expects to begin hiring paper machine operators, equipment operators, electrical and instrumentation technicians, shipping representatives, waste yard personnel, shift supervisors, and maintenance associates late next year.
Valparaiso mayor Jonathon Costas believes the project represents "the single largest private taxpaying investment in the history of the city. And Pratt's state of the art green recycling technology will help conserve America's forests and landfills," he said. "It has been a real pleasure working alongside Pratt executives to pave the way for this expansion and it is clear to us why they have become the world's largest privately-held, 100% recycled paper and packaging company."
In the photo announcing the project (l-r) are: Gary Byrd, president, Pratt Holdings; Brian McPheely, Pratt CEO; Anthony Pratt; Mayor Costas; and Eric Doden, president of the Indiana Economic Development Corp
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