KapStone Paper and Packaging Corp., Northbrook, Ill., USA, this week announced that union members at its Longview, Wash., paper mill and box plant, AWPPW Local 153, voted to ratify and approve a new contract offer. The Union's bargaining board unanimously supported ratification of the new contract, which expires on May 31, 2024, for the 700-plus members of AWPPW Local 153.

Commenting on the contract ratification, Randy Nebel, president of KapStone Kraft Paper Corp., said that "we are pleased with the outcome of the vote. The contract is a competitive agreement, both for the company and our union employees at Longview. It provides us with greater stability at Longview to focus on building an even stronger business for our customers, employees, and shareholders."

KapStone is the fifth largest producer of containerboard and corrugated packaging products and is the largest kraft paper producer in the U.S. The company has four paper mills, 22 corrugated converting facilities, 65 distribution centers, and approximately 6,300 employees.