Richmond-based Paper Excellence Group (PEG) recently acquired the Chetwynd pulp mill in northeastern B.C. and today announced its intention to reopen the mill, which has been shut down since September 2012.

While in Asia on her trade mission, Premier Christy Clark met with company executives of Paper Excellence Group to discuss the acquisition and reopening of the Chetwynd pulp mill. Premier Clark is visiting Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong to promote the development of British Columbia’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry from May 2 to May 9.

In early March 2014, Paper Excellence Group acquired the Chetwynd pulp mill from Tembec Inc., making this its seventh mill in Canada and its fourth pulp mill in British Columbia.

The company’s objective to reopen Chetwynd will create significant direct and indirect benefits for the local community. Paper Excellence plans to invest up to $50 million, including working capital and capital expenditure, toward the restart.

Paper Excellence Group, which operates out of its Richmond headquarters, has grown through logical acquisitions from a single mill-base to a multinational group producing 2.5 million tonnes of paper and pulp with over 2,800 employees in Canada and Europe in the last few years.

Quotes:

Premier Christy Clark -

“All the hard work and discipline that goes into creating an environment that attracts foreign investment pays off with good-paying jobs that support families in communities such as Chetwynd.”

Paper Excellence Group -

“Paper Excellence extended its thanks to Premier Christy Clark, Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, and BC Hydro for their efforts in making this acquisition a success. Paper Excellence took the opportunity to show its appreciation for the collaborative efforts displayed by Unifor and the First Nation bands it met during the process.”

Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations -

“The re-opening of the Chetwynd mill will mean 120 direct jobs and economic spin-offs in the region.”

Quick Facts:

• The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations has been working closely with Paper Excellence over the past 10 months to ensure the needed fibre was available, and both parties have signed an MOU outlining their activities to source the necessary fibre for the mill to operate.
• In B.C., the privately-held corporation owns Mackenzie Pulp (256 staff), Howe Sound Pulp & Paper (540 staff), Skookumchuck (290 staff), and is adding a mill in Chetwynd (120 staff) with the announcement today (May 7). Other mills in Canada are in Saskatchewan (two), and Nova Scotia.
• Paper Excellence Group is a sustainable, profitable globally integrated fibre products provider that is economically, socially, and environmentally responsible. Through innovation and adaptability, the company provides cellulose-based products at lowest possible cost.
• Paper Excellence has approximately 1,700 employees in Canada. In all of its operations, Paper Excellence has always ensured that it maintains strong relationships with local and national governments, local communities, unions, non-government agencies and other stakeholders.
• With the recent acquisition of the Skookumchuck mill (255,000 tonnes of capacity) in 2013, Paper Excellence’s Canadian capacity for NBSK pulp is now 1.2 million tonnes.

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of International Trade and Responsible for the Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism
778 977-0298

Media Relations
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261