Georgia-Pacific investing $50M to grow consumer towel business in the U.S.

Georgia-Pacific, one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of tissue paper, has announced an investment of $50 million for upgrades at its Port Hudson mill in Zachary, Louisiana, to enhance the company’s retail consumer towel business.

According to the company, the investments include upgrades to increase capacity and improve capability of existing converting equipment and enhance internal infrastructure.  Currently, the Port Hudson mill operates two paper machines and a number of converting operations to make bath tissue and paper towels.

“This truly is an investment in our customers and consumers who value the quality of our products,” said Vivek Joshi, president of the retail tissue, towel and napkin business for Georgia-Pacific. “It also allows us to further leverage the many advantages we have, including our breadth of offerings, excellence in manufacturing operations, commitment to quality and focus on research and development to create products that consumers value.”

The improvements will allow expansion of Georgia-Pacific’s own premium paper towel offerings, especially Brawny Mega and Tear-A-Square, as well as supporting the growth of current and potential customers’ premium private label brands.

“I am so proud of the work of our team members in the past few years to make this mill a safe, competitive and strategic location for our Consumer Products business,” said Vin Webster, vice president – manufacturing at the Port Hudson mill. “This investment is a direct result of their dedication to our mill, our customers and consumers and our community.”

Adam Knapp, Baton Rouge Area Chamber president and CEO, added, “Georgia-Pacific’s $50 million investment at its Zachary location shows a commitment to our community and the region’s strength as a manufacturing hub.”

The construction has already started, and the startup of lines is scheduled for mid-2023.