Kruger Products enters the Home Stretch of its No. 8 Paper Machine project at its Crabtree Plant

The Company also took the opportunity to reveal its recent acquisition of a new $12-million winder, which brings investment in new production equipment at the Crabtree Plant to $67 million over the past year.

“This new and more efficient paper machine and the additional winder will give the Crabtree Plant plenty of room to grow for many years to come, which is very motivating for our employees,” said Mario Gosselin, CEO of Kruger Products L.P. “We are particularly pleased with the progress of this project that we expect to complete on time and on budget.”

Significant Benefits for Lanaudière

By the time the 11-month project is completed, it will have required 180,000 hours of work by 260 people and generated an estimated 200 indirect jobs. Construction of the new building housing PM8 alone will have generated $7 million in labour expenses.

Direct benefits for the Lanaudière region include a dozen local contractors, subcontractors and suppliers who were involved in the project, providing about $8 million in direct orders and approximately $6 million in local construction labour.

Upon completion of the project to install PM8, more than 11,000 hours of training will have been given to Plant employees, including operators, reserve employees, mechanics and electricians, allowing them to enhance their knowledge and update their skills.

The new paper machine will boost the Plant’s overall production by 29%, or approximately 20,000 metric tonnes annually, and help to consolidate about 640 jobs. The additional volume of paper products will primarily be for the away-from-home market, which includes restaurants and hotels, businesses and institutions.