Jun 07, 2013. /Lesprom Network/. Mercer International Inc. announced that, during this current quarter of 2013, its Celgar mill took its annual scheduled major maintenance shutdown. As a result of a combination of a lightning strike at the mill and equipment and execution issues, the shutdown, which was planned for 11 days, took 15 days instead, as the company said in the press release received by Lesprom Network. 

Further, the start-up of the mill was slower than budgeted. The shutdown and slower start-up resulted in a loss of approximately 30,300 ADMTs of NBSK pulp production (of which approximately 14,300 ADMTs was unplanned) and a consequential loss of energy production.

Mercer currently estimates that the Celgar mill's shutdown will have an overall negative impact of approximately Euro 11 million to its operating income in its 2Q 2013 results, compared to its 1Q 2013 results.

Jimmy Lee, President and Chairman, stated: "We believe the issues with this recent shutdown were isolated and the mill is performing well and operating at pre-shutdown levels." He concluded: "We believe our current inventory levels are adequate and anticipate no material customer issues from this event."

Mercer International Inc. is a global pulp manufacturing company.