Cascades Opens Oregon Tissue Converting Plant

Cascades Inc., has officially inaugurated its US$64 million tissue converting facility in Scappoose, Oregon. The state-of-the-art, 284,000-square-foot plant will produce towel and tissue products under the Cascades PRO™ AFH brand.

Cascades hosted partners, customers, media, community members, and state and local officials for the ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 18. Oregon Governor Kate Brown told the crowd that she was "so delighted" to welcome the new facility, which she called "truly a win for rural Oregon. This investment... spurs economic growth and development throughout Columbia County."

 

With three best-in-class converting lines, high-speed rewinders and folders, and one of the fastest bath lines in the world, the new plant will use tissue produced at Cascades’ St. Helens, OR mill, which is only eight miles away. Production capacity will be about six million cases per year of virgin and recycled bathroom tissue products and paper hand towels. The facility will have about 80 full time employees.

Mario Plourde, president and CEO of Cascades, commented "This new facility extends the breadth of our national coverage, and will enable us to better serve our customers in the southern and western United States."

The Scappoose plant marks a milestone for Cascades’ plans to expand its presence in the US, noted Jean Jobin, president and COO of Cascades Tissue Group: "The completion of this project marks an important milestone for Cascades. It has long been our goal to expand our presence within the United States and offer greater quality and flexibility for our customers. This world-class facility is the first step in our plan to modernize our tissue manufacturing and converting equipment and a clear indication of our commitment to this segment. We look forward to providing our customers with new exceptional value and to further grow our relationships within the local community."

Land adjacent to the new facility has already been purchased for Phase II of the project; plans for the expansion include an additional three lines and an automated warehouse.

Founded in 1964, Cascades produces, converts and markets packaging and tissue products that are composed mainly of recycled fibers. The Company employs 11,000 employees, who work in close to 90 production units located in North America and Europe.