Mohawk Fine Papers, Inc. announced that it has purchased Crane Stationery Corporation of North Adams, MA for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition includes all three premium Crane brands – Crane & Co., William Arthur and Vera Wang. This marks the latest expansion for Mohawk and is a natural evolution for this fourth generation, family-owned paper company. Founded in 1801, Crane has been synonymous with luxurious cotton papers and the finest personalized stationery in the world. “The Crane name and reputation has withstood the test of time for more than 200 years and we are very excited to add this legendary paper and stationery brand to our family portfolio,” said Tom O’Connor, Mohawk Chairman and CEO. The combined companies will expand Mohawk’s product offering to include Crane’s extensive, iconic line of boxed stationery, wedding invitations, holiday cards and other personalized products, as well as Crane Crest, Crane Bond and Crane Lettra. Mohawk and Crane will maintain their respective existing brand names and continue to offer their unique portfolios and offerings, while at the same time expanding products, offerings and channels. Click Read More below for additional information.

The owner of the Androscoggin Mill announced Wednesday that it will not rebuild a wood pulp digester that exploded April 15 and will permanently shut down one paper machine idled by the blast. Alan Ulman, spokesman for Pixelle Specialty Solutions based in Pennsylvania, said the decision is part of its long-term strategy to continue manufacturing specialty papers on its other two machines and utilizing more than 250 full-time employees. About 177 jobs have been eliminated at the mill since the explosion, which halted manufacturing for eight days and initiated months of recovery and strategic planning to ensure the mill would operate successfully and competitively. The mill will continue using pulp sourced from other mills, including Maine-based facilities.

Canada is home to among the most-sustainably managed forests in the world, global leading forestry innovation and product development, and a workforce that is 230,000 strong and committed to driving a green recovery that will lift rural and northern Canada up. Today, our industry has 140 capital investment projects across the country that are ready-to-go – worth over $1.5 billion. These projects can safeguard and grow Canadian jobs, improve our ability to win on the global stage, and fast-track our move to a net-zero carbon economy by 2050. We look forward to working with the federal government to build a recovery that lasts and one that can chart a new and exciting path for our workforce and forestry communities across the country.”