NORCROSS, GA—RockTenn is set to acquire the Simpson Tacoma Kraft Paper Mill located in Tacoma, WA. Word is the purchase price is near $343 million. RockTenn has committed to invest $60 million in the facility by 2017. Last year, the mill produced 465,000 tons on two paper machines and two pulp dryers that made paper grades including containerboard, specialty kraft paper and pulp.
“The Tacoma Kraft Mill is a great strategic fit for RockTenn,” said Steve Voorhees, RockTenn’s CEO. “Adding a West Coast mill will improve our ability to satisfy West Coast customers and generate significant operating efficiencies across our system.
“We look forward to working with the entire Simpson team to build on the fine relationships they have developed over the years with the Tacoma Kraft Mill’s customers, as well as enhancing the satisfaction of RockTenn’s customers in the western United States,” said Jim Porter, president of RockTenn’s corrugated packaging segment.
“This is exciting news for Tacoma Kraft employees and the community. The Tacoma Kraft Mill will be better positioned as part of RockTenn—a successful fiber based company that is committed to the long term success of the mill,” said Allan Trinkwald, president of Simpson Lumber.