Operations News

Minnesota-based company 3M has doubled its production of coronavirus-protecting N95 respirator masks over the last two months - to a rate of more than 1.1 billion a year, or almost 100 million a month, according to a report.

Harmac Pacific produces a soft blend of pulp made from cedar, which is then used to make medical masks, gowns, drapes, screens, and other hospital supplies that are much needed during the COVID-19 crisis.

Columbia Pulp has stopped its pulp mill operations at Lyons Ferry because of a disruption in its supply chain and concerns about not being able to follow COVID-19 precautions, the company announced.

An International Paper employee at the Eastover mill in Richland County, South Carolina has tested positive for coronavirus (known officially as 2019-nCoV or COVID-19), according to an email issued to company employees March 22.

Clearwater Paper says it's experiencing a significant increase in demand for its retail tissue products and an increase in demand for paperboard used for packaging food and pharmaceutical products.

The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting global demand for forest products. In response, effective April 6, 2020, Conifex Timber Inc. will temporarily curtail operations at its Mackenzie, British Columbia, Canada sawmill for two weeks.

Kruger Specialty Papers announced the temporary shutdown of its Brompton facility, effective Friday, April 3, for an indefinite period of time.

Production cuts announced.

The point of origin for a huge fire at International Paper Saturday night and Sunday morning (March 14-15) has been narrowed down to a pair of locations, according to Rome Fire Marshal Mary Catherine Chewning.

The J.D. Irving Sawmill near Truro, N.S., has reported that three of their staff members have been diagnosed with COVID-19. The first staff member to be diagnosed has received the appropriate medical care and is now self-isolating as recommended by health care professionals. Two more have since been diagnosed, leading to a temporary shut down of the mill.

Mike, who asked that his surname to be withheld, learned at work Tuesday morning that his daughter had been tested for COVID-19 at the recommendation of three separate doctors. His 25-year-old daughter had visited the family in their Cowlitz County home about a week prior and exhibited "extremely mild symptoms" of the disease. She thought were her seasonal allergies acting up, but after she returned to her home north of Seattle "it obviously got progressively worse," her father said.

"As the global outbreak of COVID-19 continues to spread, we wanted to share how Mondi is addressing the challenge to ensure that the safety and health of our employees and their families is prioritized. We also recognize the importance of business continuity and serving our customers with products that are needed to sustain the public and the communities where we operate."

Georgia-Pacific spokesman Mark Brown said the Palatka Fire Department was called to the facility on March 14.

A Procter & Gamble Co. manufacturing plant that makes Charmin toilet paper and Bounty paper towels suffered fire damage, but workers are getting equipment affected by the blaze back into service.

Wapakoneta Mayor Tom Stinebaugh on Friday notified residents that a truck driver for Pratt Industries has reportedly tested positive for the novel coronavirus, while a second employee has since been sent home to self-quarantine for two weeks.

Resolute Forest Products Inc. provided an update on the impact of the COVID-19 situation to its business.

Georgia-Pacific values the health and safety of our employees, customers and consumers. In light of the ongoing outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus, we are taking the steps necessary to ensure that we are doing our part to prevent the spread of this virus in our workplaces and to help our customers maintain their businesses in a normal manner.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags to be lowered to half-staff on Saturday, March 21, 2020, to honor the life and service of Forsyth Township Fire Fighter Benjamen "Ben" Lauren, who was killed in the line of duty.

In response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic West Fraser is taking additional steps to respond to changing operating and market conditions.

Weyerhaeuser Company provided an update on actions it is taking in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A contractor working at the Kimberly-Clark facility in Conway was tested for coronavirus, it was reported on Tuesday, March 17.

Domtar Corporation has named Kurt Mehlberg mill manager of Domtar's Nekoosa paper mill.

The roof at International Paper in Coosa collapsed early Sunday morning (March 11) following a fire.

Fire crews responded to an early morning fire at a Resolute Forest Products mill March 11 just after 7:30 a.m.

LSC Communications reported fourth quarter 2019 earnings on March 2, with more poor results and news that they are on temporary life support with lenders for the next few months while management tries to restructure their debt and find a way to continue operations.