Boise Paper launches new digital papers program

KEY HIGHLIGHTS *Sales volumes increased by 5% *Continued positive development of the ramp-up at Gruvön (KM7) *Cost and efficiency programme exceeding target *Strong operating cash flow *The Board of Directors proposes dividend of SEK 4.30 per share. Quarterly data *Net sales amounted to SEK 5 803 million (5 815). Excluding currency effects sales grew by 2% *Operating profit rose to SEK 163 million (103), including SEK 73 million revaluation gain in an associated company *Net profit from continuing operations was SEK 242 million (283)

First, the Company is ceasing production at its very small facility in Niagara Falls, New York, effective immediately and maintaining the premises as a distribution centre. Additionally, Supremex will close its facility in Concord, Ontario, as its lease expires in February 2025 and will transfer the location’s most efficient production equipment, primarily to its other Greater Toronto area (“GTA”) envelope plants in Mississauga and Etobicoke over the coming months. These measures will not result in significant headcount reduction as the vast majority of employees will be relocated within the Company’s existing operations. Related to these moves, Supremex will record restructuring charges of approximately $2.7 million before taxes for a period extending from the third quarter of 2024 through the first quarter of 2025. “With the rising cost of real estate, consolidating envelope production in the GTA will significantly reduce fixed costs and allow us to optimize capacity utilization throughout our network as we methodically pursue the execution of our North American expansion strategy,” said Stewart Emerson, President and CEO of Supremex. “In addition to optimizing the equipment base in the Toronto region, some redundant equipment will be re-deployed to U.S. facilities, providing customers with superior service and high-quality products at the most affordable cost. Finally, we expect the operating leverage resulting from these initiatives to improve the profitability and cash flow generation of our envelope activities.”

With the U.S. uncoated groundwood papers industry starting to see a level playing field against unfairly traded imports, North Pacific Paper Company (NORPAC) CEO Craig Anneberg announced the hiring of 50 new full- and part-time employees and the limited restart of operations for Paper Machine 1 (PM1) idled this past year: "NORPAC has a world-class facility that can compete with anyone in the world on a level playing field. With the recent trade case preliminary determinations made by the Department of Commerce, important steps toward fair competition for American producers, NORPAC is excited to announce the hiring of 50 new employees and the limited restart of operations for Paper Machine 1 at our Longview facility to meet growing demand. Click Read More below for additional information.