Appleton expanding Ohio mill

Appleton will conduct a dedication ceremony to mark the completion of a $125-million expansion of the company’s thermal paper production capacity at its mill in West Carrollton, Ohio, Wednesday, Aug. 6.

The expansion program will add 35 new jobs to the mill’s 400-person workforce. The capital investments include the installation of a state-of-the-art coater to produce thermal paper and construction of related facilities as well as enhancements to the mill’s No. 92 paper machine. Appleton is the largest North American producer of thermal paper and with the completed expansion, the West Carrollton mill is the only U.S. manufacturing facility that both produces thermal base stock and coats it to make thermal paper.

In announcing the expansion project in January 2007, Richards said the state-of-the-art coater will strengthen the company’s market leadership position. “The expansion will improve our capability to meet customer needs for enhanced product design and quality as well as increase capacity to satisfy projected demand for thermal products from our domestic and international customers,” said Richards. “This significant expansion demonstrates our long-term commitment to serving our customers worldwide.”