A paper company is making a major investment at its mill in Shawano.
The move comes as the future of the Appleton Coated mill in Combined Locks is up in the air, and a Grand Chute company announced that it’s shutting down.
The Green Bay-based Little Rapids Corporation just spent $40 million to replace an aging paper machine in Shawano.
CEO Kirk Ryan says the new machine produces tissue paper. He says they make products for the health care, beauty, and packaging industries.
He says the paper industry has gone through a lot of struggles, and much of that depends on what’s happening with technology, and what markets companies target. He says they’re heavily invested in small niche markets that are healthy.
Kirk says the new machine is increasing their capacity by nearly 40 percent, and the quality of their product is better.
About 180 people work at the Shawano mill.
