Newark Recycled Paperboard Shifts Operations

Newark Recycled Paperboard Solutions, Cranford, N.J., a manufacturer of 100 percent recycled paperboard products and collector and processor of recovered fiber, has announced plans to close two mills in the Midwest and Northeast.

Newark’s Franklin, Ohio, facility, which currently produces laminated panels, spines, and floor protection products, will add tube and core manufacturing to its business. The company says the move will strengthen Newark’s Milwaukee facility, which will increase its converting capabilities in the laminated panels division.

With the change, Newark Recycled Paper board will close down its Greenville, Pa., facility.
Newark’s Chicopee, Mass., operation will become the primary facility for the Northeast and will continue producing tubes and cores. Meanwhile, the company’s Lawrence, Mass., facility will be consolidated into the Chicopee operation.

“It makes economic sense and provides a strong platform to support our valued Newark customers,” says Frank Papa, CEO and president of Newark Recycled Paperboard. “These changes mark another step in Newark’s continued vision to move our manufacturing where we can best serve our customers. Both of these moves will enable us to be more efficient and supply quality products to our customers in a quicker timeframe.”

Adds Papa, “Newark continues its dedicated focus on quality, sustainability and better ways to service our customers. On the heels of a strong performance last fiscal year, we’re making the decision to reinvest in several operations.” He continues, “We strategically developed a plan to improve the utilization of our people and assets and, most importantly, provide quality products and services in areas where our customers reside.”

The geographic shifting of operations is expected to be completed in the fall of 2013.