Apr 30, 2012. /Lesprom Network/. Wausau Paper reported 1Q earnings of $1.5 million, or $0.03 per share, compared with a loss of $0.2 million, in the prior year. Net sales increased 13% to $216.2 million, as shipments increased 16% to 136,000 tons, as the company said in a press release received by Lesprom Network. 1Q results included after-tax capital-related expenses of $1.2 million, or $0.02 per share associated with the Tissue segment expansion project in Harrodsburg and a charge related to a previously terminated contract of $0.04 per share. Prior-year results included after-tax capital-related expenses of $2.3 million, or $0.05 per share, associated with a paper machine rebuild at Brainerd, Minnesota, and the Tissue segment expansion at Harrodsburg. Excluding these items, adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations were $0.10 per share in the 1Q 2012 compared to $0.04 per share in the same period of 2011. Including discontinued operations, net of tax, net earnings for the Company were $9.8 million, or $0.20 per share for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to a net loss of $1.4 million, or $0.03 per share, for the same period last year. Net earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2012, include earnings from continuing operations before income taxes offset by income tax expense and net earnings from discontinued operations of $8.2 million, or $0.17 per share. Net earnings in the prior year include earnings from continuing operations before income taxes, offset by income tax expense, and a net loss from discontinued operations of $1.2 million, or $0.02 per share. Commenting on 1Q results and the Company’s growth initiatives, Henry C. Newell, president and CEO, said, “2012 is about growth for Wausau Paper and our 1Q was a solid start with year-over-year volume growth in Tissue of approximately 5% and approximately 14% in our technical paper markets. Earnings performance in both segments exceeded expectations due to operational initiatives in Tissue and order strength in our economically sensitive technical markets. On a strategic level, we continued to execute the exit of Print & Color during the quarter and remain on schedule for the 4Q startup of our new Tissue machine.” “We expect both segments to continue their rate of performance in the 2Q. Adjusted earnings from operations are expected in the range of $0.09 - $0.11 per share.” Adjusted earnings in the 2Q 2011 were $0.11 per share. Wausau Paper produces and markets specialty papers for industrial, commercial and consumer end markets as well as a complete line of away-from-home towel and tissue products.