White Birch Paper Mill to Reopen Hanover, Virginia Operations

16 July 2018

White Birch Paper Mill will reopen its 600,000-square-foot Bear Island paper mill in Hanover, Virginia.

"We are incredibly invested in the Richmond community," stated Chris Brant, President & COO, White Birch Paper. "This step allows us to help reinvigorate the mill, foster new momentum for the mill."

"The dynamics of the current newsprint market have made it clear that the market is in a temporary state of undersupply. Further anticipated capacity closures will expedite difficult decisions for consumers in an already tough environment," said Brant.

"While the long-term trend for the consumption of newsprint is assuredly on the decline, short to medium term market conditions will accommodate, if not welcome, some relief from recent shortages in supply. White Birch is a long-term player in this market, and we are dedicated to supplying continuity to those consumers with that same long-term outlook,” he added.

According to the JLL website, a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management, the company continues to market the mill. The sale is being handled by JLL's Danny Holly, Jimmy Appich and Chris Avellana.

According to published reports Cascades, a Canada-based company that produces high-quality paper and paperboard products, plans to invest $275 million to restart pulp production. The mill was idled at the end of June 2017.

"We're thrilled with this next step for White Birch," added Danny Holly, Vice President, JLL. "It demonstrates their fierce commitment to Hanover County for the past 38 years and they are setting up the mill and the greater Ashland community for the utmost success in the future."

Governor Ralph Northam Office said, “This major investment and the 140 jobs it will create is a major win for Hanover County and the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Northam said in a press release. “International companies continue to choose the commonwealth for its world-class workforce and outstanding infrastructure. The location in Hanover County offers Cascades a turnkey facility ready for the company to install equipment and put a shuttered asset back into use, creating good jobs for Virginia workers in the region.”

 

Source: areadevelopment.com