SAINT JOHN, N.B.: Irving Pulp & Paper is pleased to announce five new contracts for Saint John businesses, totaling over $640,000.  The contracts are part of the 24-month Phase 2 modernization of the west side pulp mill at Reversing Falls.  The pulp mill investment is the largest in Canada since 1993 and is focused on installing a new digester to replace the existing 14 digesters, as well as new wood chip handling and screening.  The estimated 609,000 person hours for this project is equivalent to 300 direct construction jobs and 150 indirect construction jobs.  Upon completion in Q1 2016, the mill will achieve reduced air and noise emissions as well as improved operating efficiencies. Engineering for Phase 3 – a $250 million investment – is currently underway.

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As of April 30, 2015, 168 New Brunswick companies have been awarded contracts totaling over $65 million as part of the pulp mill modernization in Saint John. 

The April 2015 pulp mill contract awards are as follows:

Atlantic Controls of Saint John:  Major field instruments. This is the sixth contract awarded to Atlantic Controls in association with the pulp mill modernization.
Guilfords, Saint John:  Utility rack insulation. This is the second contract awarded to Guilfords in association with the pulp mill modernization.
Harris & Roome, Saint John:  Fiber op and Ethernet cable. This is the fourth contract awarded to Harris & Roome in association with the pulp mill modernization.
Ocean Steel, Saint John:  Bin Feed Conveyor support. This is the second contract awarded to Ocean Steel in association with the pulp mill modernization.
Source Atlantic, Saint John:  Manual valves. This is the third contract awarded to Source Atlantic in association with the pulp mill modernization


“Our New Brunswick contractors have and continue to be vital partners in this project.  Their focus on delivering quality work – on time and on budget is critical and we appreciate their skill and dedication,” said Mark Mosher, Vice President of Pulp & Paper operations at J.D. Irving, Limited.

“The biggest contract that we have on the new digester project is the distributed controls system, which controls the operation of the fluid moving in the digester,” said Mike Small, Strategic Accounts Manager for Atlantic Controls.

“For us, this contract is important sustainability-wise, because in the longer-term we support the project for years to come. One of the most important things about the pulp mill project is the commitment it shows to local businesses, to the mill itself, to the people who work at the mill and to those who work in the local economy.  JDI’s ongoing investment in the mill on an ongoing basis is very important to us,” Small said. 

These contracts are part of $513 Million in forest industry investments announced by J.D. Irving, Limited in March 2014 in Saint John, Sussex, Chipman, St. Leonard, Doaktown and the company’s Woodlands operations.

The investments have been recognized by the Royal Bank of Canada, the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council and the Conference Board of Canada for their positive impact on the New Brunswick economy and provincial GDP.

In Doaktown, the engineering for the $15 million modernization is continuing.

In Chipman, the company has increased its investment from $23 million to $37 million.  One hundred NB suppliers have been awarded contracts valued at $14 million.  April 20 marked the start of the third shift at the planer mill, resulting in 16 permanent new jobs. The modernization of the Chipman sawmill is on track for May 2015 completion.

The company has also completed the $16.8 million promised investment in Northern New Brunswick, including investments at its sawmills in St. Leonard and Kedgwick as well as its Woodlands operations.

In Sussex, the new $3.2 million lab began operating in March and is bringing scientific discoveries regarding tree health to commercialization.  Maritime Innovation has secured patents in Australia, the U.S., Canada, Russia and Europe.  The lab construction saw $2.2 million in contracts awarded to New Brunswick suppliers.

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CONTACT
Mary Keith
Vice President, Communications 
Office: (506) 632-5122
Cell: (506) 650-8209
keith.mary@jdirving.com