State honors Sappi North America

The state of Minnesota presented Sappi North America with an award recognizing the company’s economic and community contributions in Cloquet. The award was given by the Minnesota Office of Foreign Direct Investment, a unit of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

Sappi was nominated for the honor by the Area Partnership for Economic Development (APEX).

The 120-year-old pulp and paper mill is a unit of Sappi North America, which is a subsidiary of Sappi Ltd. of Johannesburg, South Africa. In 2011, Sappi invested $170 million to expand kraft pulp operations in Cloquet, adding the ability to produce chemical cellulose, which is used in textiles and various consumer products. The diversification helps the plant remain viable in a highly competitive international market.

“To receive this recognition from the State of Minnesota is an honor for Sappi and the local economic development partners. It elevates our region’s strength in innovation and as an attractive location for national and global investment,” said Brian Hanson, APEX president and CEO.

The mill is one of the finest representatives of the forest products industry, added Ray Higgins, operations vice president of Minnesota Forest Industries and vice president of the Minnesota Timber Producers Association.

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