Major Announcements

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. announced that it will close its sawmill in Maxville, Florida and indefinitely curtail operations at its sawmill in Huttig, Arkansas by the end of this month.

Four hundred workers are affected by the production shutdown which takes effect immediately.

Lecta Ltd announces that Dr. Dermot F Smurfit has decided to retire from his role as Chairman of the Board and that he will be succeeded by Javier Abad Marturet.

Mark Holbrook began his career 25 years ago with Scott Paper and continued to progress to more senior positions within Kruger Products.

Metsä Group is exploring possibilities to construct a carbon capture facility at one of its pulp or bioproduct mills. The investigation is a continuation of the work initiated in the spring, in which Metsä Group and Fortum jointly studied the capture of wood-based carbon dioxide and its use in the chemical industry and hydrogen economy, for example.

Cascades Inc., a leader in the recovery and manufacturing of eco-friendly packaging and hygiene products, announced that Alain Lemaire will step down from his role as Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Company's annual general meeting, to be held in May 2024, and that Patrick Lemaire will succeed him. Alain Lemaire will continue to sit on the Board as a director.

Essity continuously evaluates its various businesses to increase long-term value creation. In the strategic review of Consumer Tissue Private Label Europe it was concluded that the business as a result of the implemented divisionalization, is a competitive and value-creating part of Essity.

Sean McLaren will succeed Ray Ferris as president and chief executive officer following Mr. Ferris's retirement at the end of the year. The board of directors has appointed Mr. McLaren to join the board of directors effective Jan. 1, 2024, in place of Mr. Ferris.

Anna Jonhed has been appointed CEO of Rottneros Packaging. She will take office during the first half of 2024 and will be part of the Rottneros group management.

DS Smith CEO Miles Roberts plans to retire after 13 years, the British cardboard maker said on Thursday, as the company reported a sharp drop in half-year profits and said the macro environment was challenging for demand.

Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc., the oldest continuously operating paper mill in the United States, announces Daniel J. Burke as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Treasurer. Dan will be assuming the role following the upcoming retirement of Andrew Manns in the new year.

Green Bay Packaging -- a paper company that makes shipping containers, cartons and label products -- is set to build a new regional corporate headquarters to replace its current facility in Germantown.

The Saica Group has unveiled its Research, Development & Innovation (R&D&I) Centre at its El Burgo de Ebro plant in Zaragoza, Spain. The centre will service Saica's four divisions globally: Saica Natur, Saica Paper, Saica Pack and Saica Flex.

The workers had hoped to be back on the job Dec. 1, but the company says international paper markets have not recovered as anticipated.

UPM Pulp, UPM Timber, UPM Communication Papers and UPM Biofuels will start change negotiations on possible temporary layoffs. The negotiations are conducted to prepare for possible temporary adjustment of production in the Finnish units should the uncertainty in the operating environment continue.

Due to uncompetitive wood prices from the Polish State Forests' monopoly and low market demand across paper and board products, the company decided to significantly reduce the planned multiannual strategic investment project at MM Kwidzyn relating to energy, further pulp integration and the product range, which was announced end of April 2023. Instead, MM Kwidzyn will focus its investments on increasing its already high share of renewable energy of currently 69 % even further.

Canfor Corporation will curtail operations at its Polar Sawmill located in Bear Lake British Columbia, north of Prince George, following an orderly wind-down. The curtailment is the result of a shortage of economically available fibre in the region and is expected to be in place for a period of approximately six months.

The company cited "the difficult business environment in the newsprint sector" as the reason.

Cascades deeply regrets and is saddened to announce the death of one of its cofounders, Mr. Bernard Lemaire, at the age of 87.

The Company's current operations in Lathrop, CA, will relocate to this new facility, which includes office space and 190,000 sq. ft. enclosed warehouse served by rail.

His nearly 40-year career included progressively senior roles at Boeing, Eaton, and Lockheed Martin, as well as President, CEO and board member of Tapestry Solutions, a Boeing subsidiary.

Boise Cascade Company announced the promotion of four of its business leaders.

The Nomination Committee of Essity Aktiebolag (publ) proposes that Jan Gurander be appointed Chairman and member of Essity's Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting in March 2024. As previously announced, Essity's current Chairman of the Board, Pär Boman, has declined re-election.

The Engineered Wood Association's (APA) has elected a new chair, vice chair, finance committee chair and two new members.

Mark McHugh named President and CEO, effective April 1, 2024.