Cascades Inc. will invest $58 million to modernize and add new tissue converting equipment its Wagram, NC plant. The Canada-based manufacturer of green packaging and tissue products will install five new state-of-the-art converting lines and modernize four existing lines. The company will hire 66 full time employees to operate the new equipment, and an additional 50 temporary jobs will be created to prepare the building and install the equipment. The commissioning of the new converting lines is expected to begin in April 2019 and will be finalized in the first quarter of 2020.
“This modernization project is directly aligned with the objectives set out in our strategic plan,” said Mario Plourde, Cascades President and CEO. “It will not only allow us to replace aging equipment with modern and efficient technology, but will also improve our integration rate, increase our geographical footprint and extend our ability to serve our customers in the United States. With today’s challenging market conditions, this is a crucial investment that will reduce our manufacturing and transportation costs, improve our environmental footprint and more importantly, bring us closer to our customers.”
The Wagram plant produces hand towels, paper towels, bathroom tissue and napkins marketed under the Cascades PRO brand, which serves the Away-from-Home markets. The plant will be largely supplied by the Cascades tissue plant located 30 miles away, in Rockingham. Upon completion of the project, the Wagram plant converting capacity will increase from 5.3 million cases per year to close to 15 million cases per year, resulting in a global capacity addition of 3 million cases for the Group.
“International manufacturers like Cascades are thriving in North Carolina,” said North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. “Our state’s global reputation attracts new investments and jobs because companies know North Carolina’s skilled industrial workers will help them succeed here. These new jobs are an extra welcome boost for an area working to recover from Hurricane Florence.”
Cascades employs 11,000 people who work in over 90 production units in North America and Europe.
Photo: Mario Plourde, Cascades President and CEO.
