Court Approves Flambeau River Papers, CellMark Agreement

In court on Monday, July 1, Price County Judge Kevin Klein approved an agreement between Flambeau River Papers and CellMark Paper Inc., as well as a request for the mill to pursue financing in the amount of $2 million. This court action will allow the mill to reopen within the next two weeks, returning 89 employees to work, and pay the wages of the 68 employees laid off by the mill on June 7.

According to the court-appointed trustee of Flambeau River Papers, Rebecca DeMarb, CellMark Papers accounts for 80% of the mill’s total revenue. When CellMark ceased payments on June 5, the mill was no longer able to make payroll and the vast majority of its employees were laid off, leaving only 26 individuals employed by the mill.

The agreement approved by the court on Monday allows CellMark to keep the $1 million it suspended in June, but requires CellMark to continue purchasing paper from the mill for 60 days, and make efforts to continue doing so after the 60 days elapse. It also requires CellMark to make efforts to continue purchasing wetlap.

TAPPI
http://www.tappi.org/