In an announcement to Flambeau River Papers (FRP) employees on January 5, 2018, William (Butch) Johnson, CEO of FRP affirmed that the key to FRP’s long term viability is the enhanced dedication and focus of all at FRP on increasing technical paper-making capabilities and continued growth of sales of FRP “value added” and “specialty” papers.
FRP expanded efforts to grow production of value added and specialty papers approximately five years ago. Sales of these grades now represent over 90% of the mill’s capacity on Paper Machines #1 and #2.
Butch continued “That while papers like laser bond and offset (run on Paper Machine #3 (#3PM)) have been good fill grades for the mill in the past, they are no longer, and jeopardize the mills ability to continue operations. Therefore, we will exit production of these commodity type papers and idle our #3PM effective January 5th 2018”.
Johnson closed with “As a result of idling #3PM, some of our fellow FRP employees will lose their jobs and our surrounding community will be impacted. This will be painful for all of us. We are committed to doing what we can to help the affected employees find new jobs. These painful changes at the mill are necessary to help ensure a viable and sustainable pulp and paper operation for Flambeau River Papers, the City of Park Falls, and all the good paying jobs that the mill provides”.