Charles Malo, Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer for Packaging at Norampac stated, "This major investment in Québec is part of our efforts to modernize Norampac's and Cascades' assets. Similar investments were made at several of Norampac's corrugated converting plants in Ontario, and productivity at the plants increased significantly. We believe that the investments in Québec will have the same positive spin-offs, allowing us to respond more quickly to our customers' needs, offer packaging products of greater quality, and increase our productivity."
The Evol presses, made by Japanese company Mitsubishi, offer the latest in printing technology, including high-speed production. The investment of more than $13 million will allow the Norampac plants to increase their productivity, their versatility and the quality of their products. The new press at the Vaudreuil plant has been in operation since September 2014, and the press at the Drummondville plant was commissioned at the beginning of November.
"The new state-of-the-art equipment is part of our plan to increase our productivity and market share by focusing on strategic sectors as a means of keeping the Company on track as we move forward. Today's gesture demonstrates the trust we are placing in the employees at the Vaudreuil and Drummondville plants. Cascades will continue to grow here, as it will in the rest of North America," added Alain Lemaire, Cascades' Executive Chairman of the Board.
Cascades produces, converts and markets packaging and tissue products that are composed mainly of recycled fibres.
