Fortress Paper Ltd., Vancouver, B.C., Canada, this week announced the appointment of Giovanni Iadeluca as president of the company’s dissolving pulp segment, effective Oct. 3, 2016. Iadeluca is a chartered professional accountant with more than 20 years of senior management experience in the manufacturing industry. 

Iadeluca was formerly the CEO of AV Terrace Bay Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Aditya Birla Group. As CEO, he was responsible for the restart and turnaround of the Terrace Bay pulp and paper mill, which under his direction and leadership has seen material improvements in all metrics of operational and financial performance. Prior to his role with Terrace Bay, Iadeluca acted as CEO in two startups—Selenis Canada Inc. (a division of IMG Group), converting the facilities to produce polyethylene terephthalate (known as PET); and PTT PolyCanada LP (a division of Shell Canada Ltd.), a specialty polyester producer, where he initiated the launch of polytrimethylene terephthalate (also known as PTT). 

As president of the dissolving pulp segment, Iadeluca’s role will include leading and coordinating the strategic direction of the business at the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill. He replaces Yvon Pelletier, who will continue on in his capacity as CEO of Fortress Paper, allowing Pelletier to focus on new business opportunities for the company. 

"We are extremely pleased to welcome Giovanni Iadeluca to the Fortress Paper team," Pelletier said. The Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill has seen considerable improvement over recent quarters and with Giovanni's experience as a Lean leader, we expect this to continue at an accelerated pace until the mill realizes its full potential. Giovanni possesses the necessary leadership and technical skills to undertake such a task. Furthermore, given Giovanni’s extensive experience in the manufacturing industry and his track record of significantly improving business performance, we have full confidence in his ability to optimize and advance our dissolving pulp business." 

Fortress Paper operates internationally in two distinct business segments—dissolving pulp and security paper products. The company operates its dissolving pulp business at the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill located in Canada, which has expanded into the renewable energy generation sector with the construction of a cogeneration facility. The company operates its security paper products business at the Landqart Mill located in Switzerland, where it produces banknote, passport, visa, and other brand protection and security papers.