Cascades to Build New Tissue Converting Plant in North Carolina

Cascades Inc., Canada, this week announced the installation of a new tissue converting facility in Wagram, N.C., USA. The investment will reorganize and expand the company's converting activities in the southeastern U.S.—a targeted area of growth for the corporation. Total estimated cost of the project is $55 million, and startup is planned for the end of this year.

Suzanne Blanchet, Cascades Tissue Group's current president and CEO, noted that "Cascades is expanding its presence in the Southeast, one of the fastest growing markets in the U.S. This investment will allow us to optimize our converting platform by relocating equipment currently used elsewhere, by adding new manufacturing equipment and installing robotized warehouse management. In doing so, we are moving closer to many key markets, and improving our productivity and logistics while enhancing customer service."

The total annual capacity for the new converting plant is approximately 10 million cases on six converting lines, with the capacity to produce various tissue products including bathroom tissue, kitchen towels, paper napkins, and hand towels for both the Away-from-Home and consumer products markets.

 "Cascades has made clear its intention to prioritize investments in the tissue paper and packaging products sectors," added Mario Plourde, president and CEO of Cascades Inc. "This new investment in Wagram will allow us to further improve our tissue manufacturing and customer service through the addition of an ultra-modern converting plant that will be ideally situated to serve the growing needs of our customers."

Cascades Tissue Group, a division of Cascades Canada ULC, is the fourth largest manufacturer of tissue paper in North America. Founded in 1964, Cascades produces, converts, and markets packaging and tissue products that are composed mainly of recycled fiber. The company employs close to 12,000 men and women, who work in more than 100 units located in North America and Europe

TAPPI
http://www.tappi.org/