Marcal Paper hosts event at mill to thank community for support

Chief Executive Officer Rob Baron and dozens of company associates were joined by dozens of workers, Governor Phil Murphy, Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr., first responders, the United Steelworkers, state legislators, local officials and many community partners. The following comments herald the official return of New Jersey’s one and only recycled tissue manufacturer:

“Today we officially announced the restart of regular papermaking operations in Elmwood Park, one year to the day after a ten-alarm fire destroyed the iconic Marcal Paper mill. The prospect of such an announcement — of restarting a viable paper manufacturing business at the site — seemed impossible to any of us who were there one year ago.   We are thrilled to welcome back dozens of good people into full-time jobs, and work to restore customer confidence.  We will start the long journey of creating a great company from the ground up, once again.  Thanks to the remarkable support we’ve received and the determination of our team, the Marcal story will have another chapter.”
Marcal Paper CEO Rob Baron

“One year ago, I toured what remained of the historic Marcal factory only hours after a devastating fire. What a difference a year makes. Today, I am proud to be here for the re-opening of Marcal in Elmwood Park, and thankful that this factory will again bring jobs and opportunity to this community. I wish those at Marcal nothing but the best as they restart operations and look forward to following this new chapter in the history of one of New Jersey’s truly iconic companies.”
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy

“One year ago, was a very dark day for Elmwood Park and for our entire state. Standing in the cold and seeing the ruins after the terrible fire was a devastating experience. That was then. This is now. If you’d told me that we would be here exactly one year later for the reopening, I might not have believed it. Believe it. I am ecstatic beyond expression to celebrate the return of Marcal Paper to our community. This day is the product of our firefighters, police, and first responders, who extinguished the ferocious flames that frigid night, and of Rob Baron and all those on his team who have worked tirelessly to rebuild this great company. For generations of us, coming off Route 80 and seeing those red neon letters in the distance meant you were home. Well, we’re home again. Here’s to new Jersey beginnings.”
Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-09)

“The tragic fire at Marcal Paper displaced almost 500 employees, many of whom were Bergen County residents. One year later, it is wonderful to finally see Marcal reopen its doors and continue its long legacy of papermaking operations. We all came together as a community to help the Marcal family rebuild and find steady work for their displaced workers so they could continue to provide for their families. Those individuals will now have an opportunity to come back to where they worked so proudly thanks to the due diligence of Marcal executives and community partners. We were proud to partner with NJ Department of Labor and everyone else who helped make this reopening possible. Marcal has called Bergen County home and served as a neighborly icon for decades. We are thrilled to have Marcal up and running again.”
County Executive James Tedesco

“Marcal was not only the economic life-blood of the surrounding communities, it was an icon for North Jersey and I’m proud of how our community came together and supported each other after the devastating fire last year. I am honored to be the voice for Marcal in the State Senate and will continue to fight for their amazing team of workers as they begin the long journey back. Today is a great day.”
State Senator Nellie Pou (D-Bergen/Passaic)

“The resilience of this company is evident by this reopening. The commitment of the ownership and dedicated employees will make every effort to continue production for decades into the future.”
Assemblywoman Shavonda E. Sumter

“With heartfelt joy, I am pleased to see that Marcal is now able to get back in business at their iconic location in our District. The company has been a big part of our community and our State for nearly a century, and it was hard to imagine one year ago that this day would even be possible. I am pleased to congratulate them on their recovery and restart and thank them for their dedication. I look forward to continuing to support their workers in the months and years ahead.”
Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly