Community News

• AV Nackawick Commences Dissolving Pulp Operation
• Nackawic Mill to Present Cheque to Local Organization that Helps the Seriously Ill
• Chalmers Hospital MRI Campaign Exceeds Fundraising Goals Thanks to Generous Donation from Nackawic Mill

AV Nackawic Commences Dissolving Pulp Operation

(Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada   August 26, 2008) - The AV Group, a member of the Aditya Birla Group of India today announced the successful conversion of AV Nackawic from hardwood paper grade pulp to the production of dissolving pulp.  Dissolving pulp is the main raw material used in the manufacture of Viscose Staple Fibre (rayon).

“The initial quality levels have exceeded our expectations and the advanced cooking technology employed which will allow us to quickly ramp up our production levels while continuing to develop our quality parameters” said Mr. Peter Vinall, former President and CEO of AV Group.  “Our success in converting to a higher value added product has been possible due to the hard work and dedication of our employees as well as support from Aditya Birla technical resources and Lenzing Technik whose advanced pulping technology is at the core of our new facility”

The AV Nackawic operation will initially produce 190,000 tonnes of high quality dissolving pulp, primarily for consumption in Aditya Birla viscose plants in India, Thailand, Indonesia and China.   Plans are underway to increase output significantly subject to availability of additional hardwood in New Brunswick.

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Nackawic Mill to Present Cheque to Local Organization that Helps the Seriously Ill

(Nackawic, NB -- September 21, 2007) On Friday, September 21, management, staff and Union CAW Local 219 representatives of AV Nackawic will come together at the mill to present $10,000 to the Louise Breau Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to people with life-threatening medical conditions. Ron Berube, Chairperson and Debbie Haines, Treasurer of the Louise Breau Memorial Medical Trust Fund, will be on hand to accept the donation.

“We are very excited about this generous donation,” says Berube, “Our community has pulled together to demonstrate how important this program is to the people of the Millville / Nackawic area (463 and 575 exchange areas).
The Louise Breau Memorial Medical Trust fund helps patients with limited financial means to cover the costs of things like travel expenses and medications. “It is an important resource for the community, notes Ron Berube, “These individuals have enough on their minds without having to worry about finances.”

“We are extremely pleased to be able to help with this vitally important community initiative,” Says Allan Danroth, former Director of Operations for AV Nackawic, “This donation is symbolic of our ability to work together to achieve great things, both as a company and as a community.”

AV Nackawic is a joint venture of the Aditya Birla Group of India and of Tembec of Canada. The mill produces specialty pulp products to service the textile industry and employs over 250 people.

For more information, please contact: Ron Berube, Chairperson, The Louise Breau Memorial Medical Trust Fund, (506) 575-8464.

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In the Picture:
Connie LeBlanc – Director, LBMMTF; Rocco MacFarlane – CAW - Local 219; Pat Bourgoin – Executive Secretary, AVN; Marcus Wallace – CAW-Local 219; Tyson Firlotte – former HR Manager, AVN; Phillip MacFarlane – Director, LBMMTF; Mark Cloutier, President, CAW-Local 219; Joyce MacDonald – Nurse, AVN; Ron Berube – Chairman, LBMMTF; Allan Danroth – former Operations Director, AVN; Debbie Haines – Secretary/Treasurer, LBMMTF; Elizabeth LeBlanc – Director, LBMMTF; Loretta Kent – CAW-Local 219

Chalmers Hospital MRI Campaign Exceeds Fundraising Goals Thanks to Generous Donation from Nackawic Mill

FREDERICTON – The Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital’s MRI Focus on Health campaign surpassed its fundraising objectives today upon being presented with a $10,000 cheque from AV Nackawic Mill management and Union CAW Local 219.

In 2006, the Chalmers Regional Hospital Foundation launched the MRI Focus on Health project, a partnership with the provincial government to fund a new, permanent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Unit at our Regional Hospital. The project cost between $5 and $6 million. The Fredericton and surrounding areas have raised $1 million with the Province of New Brunswick funding the balance.

“The management, union and employees of the mill are extremely pleased that we were able to help the MRI Focus on Health campaign achieve its goal,” said Allan Danroth, former Director of Operations for AV Nackawic “This donation is symbolic of our ability to work together, both as a company and as a community,” says Danroth.

The project will provide patients in the Fredericton and surrounding areas with access to a permanent, fixed MRI Unit at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital. A new MRI will reduce wait times and help patients receive diagnosis and treatment more quickly. 

“We are very excited about this generous donation,” said Mr. David Wilson, Chairman of the Chalmers Regional Hospital Foundation. “Our community has pulled together to demonstrated how important the MRI is to all patients in our River Valley Health region.”

The MRI unit is in the final stages of completion and an official opening is planned for early October. 

AV Nackawic is a joint venture of the Aditya Birla Group of India and of Tembec of Canada. The mill produces specialty pulp products to service the textile industry and employs over 250 people.

For more information, please contact: Tammy Wood, Executive Director, The Chalmers Regional Hospital Foundation, (506) 452-5090

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