<b>L-P Sells California Pulp Mill</B>

LaPointe Partners has acquired the Samoa, Calif., pulp mill from Louisiana Pacific Corp. The Samoa facility is the only North American producer of totally chlorine free bleached Kraft pulp and a major producer of unbleached Kraft pulp with a total capacity exceeding 200,000 metric tons per year.

The company will operate as Samoa Pacific Cellulose, LLC. A major capital program is planned to streamline operational processes, augment manufacturing capability and address utility costs. In addition, Samoa Pacific Cellulose is acquiring a wood chip loading facility located adjacent to the mill that exports wood chips from Northern California to Asian pulp producers. That facility is targeted for improved utilization.