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Archive: Jul 2020

Saint Francisville Mill Expansion in Louisiana

H1 Press Machinehttps://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/2589

Gov. Edwards, Hood Container Announce $50 Million Mill Expansion

Company to expand paper capacity, retain 306 jobs at West Feliciana Parish mill

Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards and Senior Vice President Wayne Morgan of Hood Container of Louisiana LLC announced the company’s paper mill in West Feliciana Parish will complete a $50 million efficiency upgrade and capacity expansion. With the project, Hood Container will retain 306 existing employees and a $23 million annual payroll at the mill on the Mississippi River, near St. Francisville, Louisiana. The expansion also is expected to support 75 construction jobs.

“Since acquiring this legacy paper mill in West Feliciana Parish, Hood Container has consistently upgraded the quality of its equipment and the efficiency of its manufacturing process,” Gov. Edwards said. “Those investments are also an important investment in people, with Hood Container now reaching the highest employment at the plant since it was closed by an international company more than a decade ago. This represents another important win for our economy in rural Louisiana.”

Hood Container acquired the 61-year-old former Crown Zellerbach and Tembec mill in 2015, after it emerged from federal bankruptcy protection filed by an interim owner. Since the acquisition, Hood has committed more than $100 million in capital investments to upgrade the facilities.

“I am pleased to announce the next step in the re-purposing of the St. Francisville Mill,” said Senior Vice President Wayne Morgan of Hood Container’s Mill Division. “Hood Container thanks the good people of West Feliciana Parish and the State of Louisiana for continuing to support our business and employees during this period of growth in our company.”

The project will increase the efficiency of Hood Container’s pulp-refining operation through the installation of two digester blow-line refiners. The expansion also will include installation of a secondary headbox and additional dryer cans, which will allow increased paper production with better paper quality.

“We welcome Hood Container’s commitment to modernize the St. Francisville paper mill,” said West Feliciana Parish President Kenny Havard. “Manufacturing is important to our economy. Hood Container’s operations stimulate local spending and provide good jobs for West Feliciana families. Through an investment in state-of-the-art technology, this project secures the future of the mill for our area.”

Louisiana Economic Development began discussions about the potential expansion with Hood Container of Louisiana in May 2019. To secure the project, the State of Louisiana offered the company a competitive incentive package that includes a $200,000 Modernization Tax Credit, which will be allocated in equal amounts over a five-year period. Hood Container also is expected to utilize the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program.

In addition to linerboard for box packaging, Hood Container’s St. Francisville mill also produces kraft paper. LED estimates the mill’s economic activity yields 479 indirect jobs, for a total of 785 jobs that make Hood Container one of the Capital Region’s most significant economic driver companies.

“Hood Container’s continued investment in its operations is welcome news both for the Capital Region and the wood products sector, a core industry for the region and the state,” said President and CEO Adam Knapp of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. “Rural businesses like Hood are important drivers in their local economies, and we thank our partners at LED and in West Feliciana for supporting this expansion.

About Hood Container of Louisiana
Hood Container of Louisiana LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hood Companies Inc. Hood Companies is a privately owned, closely held holding company and is the parent to operating subsidiaries involved in the manufacture and distribution of forest and wood products, building and construction materials, and flexible and corrugated packaging products throughout North America. For more information, visit HoodContainerOfLouisiana.com.

HCC proud to partner with ICPF in our new student internship program! 

Kelsea PotthastHood Container Corporation welcomes Kelsea Potthast as our newest student sales intern this summer.

Kelsea Potthast, University of Florida (business administration/ marketing major and packaging science minor, May ’21) has acquired a student sales internship this summer at Hood Container Corp. “I am passionate about developing synergy between the engineering principles of corrugated packaging and the innovative marketing strategies of business. The ICPF Student/Executive Dialogue Dinner and ICPF’s Teleconference on the Business of Corrugated Packaging & Displays allowed me to surround myself with students and executives who pursue creative thinking and diverse perspectives. Not only did this ICPF experience introduce me to internship opportunities within the corrugated industry, but it is the first time my interest in combining marketing with packaging science has been encouraged. While many career fairs and networking events try to fit students into a keyhole position, ICPF has given me the professional support and personal confidence to achieve my own goals. Since working with ICPF, I have been elected president of the UF Packaging Club, become the official ICPF student representative at UF, secured a corrugated packaging sales internship through ICPF, and am looking forward to returning to Michigan next year to moderate ICPF’s 2021 Teleconference.” – BOXSCORE July/ August 2020