2001 - Marking a Decade of Progress
As we enter a new year, we would like to mark some important history at our mill. In March
of 1991 when Brownville Specialty Paper
Products began, the original employees
adopted the motto, “We Brought It Back!”

The mill had been closed for three years. The original crew had to put it back together, piece by piece. The work actually began in October
of 1990, reinstalling equipment and preparing for production. The entire community had been devastated when the mill closed.

Now, we could begin to look ahead to a bright future. We pumped new life into
a mill that had a long tradition of quality, but it had been idle. The job had to be done right. We had to prove that we could be competitive and produce
excellent products for the 21st century. New technology always sets the pace. We had to be ready to produce and move ahead.


Not all of the first ten years has been smooth sailing! Ice storms and floods brought out help from our village neighbors in the form of sand bags, pumps, fuel and even hot coffee and food while employees struggled to save the mill, clean up and get production started again. We have always received outstanding support from the community. Our customers and suppliers were also supportive and patient.
 

Whatever challenges face us in the future, we are confident that the people of Brownville Specialty Paper Products will meet them. Our history proves that 
we can! In this issue, we feature some notes on our history and some pictures of the paper making industry in Brownville over the past century!

We hope you enjoy it.

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Coater & Embosser back to top
Part of the secret of keeping up with the new markets of the 21st century is the
upgrading of equipment which makes us more productive. Since our last edition, the new coater and embosser has been installed. It is an exciting and challenging addition to the production capabilities at Brownville Specialty Paper Products. We have already developed several coated and embossed grades and woodgrain patterns. This technology allows us to produce a greater variety
of products to meet the needs of customers.

We’ve just begun to see the benefits! Developing new patterns and coatings will be an ongoing process. It is exciting to realize the variety of adaptations possible. New colors, water repellent, fire retardant, mold resistant, anti-tarnish and conductive grades are among the possibilities for the future made possible by this new equipment.

Being innovative in offering new products is another way we can help our customers grow and be more competitive in the marketplace.

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In The Community back to top
      Have you been to the New York State Living Museum at Watertown’s
Thompson Park lately? If you haven’t, you should make a point of seeing the additions and changes being made by the Thompson Park Conservancy. Under the direction of Executive Director Glen Dobrogoze, the zoo is undergoing a complete
facelift and expansion.

     There are new exhibits with animals displayed in their natural environments. There is a new inside classroom for instructional activities. This is all part
of the $5 million expansion over a period of 7 years with a completion target of 2005. Jefferson Community College now offers a classroom course, the Animal Management Program. BSPP and its employees are proud to be a sponsor of this attractive and educational addition to our community. On behalf of the children of our employees, BSPP has contributed $10,000 to the Thompson Park Conservancy’s Campaign for the Second Century as part of our commitment to the community and to future generations.

      Executive Director Glen Dobrogoze said: “The people at BSPP have come through every year with support ranging for tools to water fountains! Thanks for this important gift and your generous support over the years. It is fitting that the contribution is made for the children.”
 

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Ask The Manager back to top
One of the questions we are asked lately is, “How does a small mill compete 
in the constantly changing global economy?” There is no simple answer to 
this question as confirmed by the devastation to our industry that we have 
seen lately. Two mills have closed since the first of the year along with three other mills that have closed in the past two years, accounting for the loss of many jobs in our north country community.

All of these mills looked desperately for ways to compete and survive.
Searching for the right niche market or the right specialty grade that fit the capabilities of their equipment. It is common knowledge that the mills here in
the north country are small older mills that cannot compete with the huge modern machines that are being constructed in South America and Asia.

In addition to this competition, our mills are faced with higher operating costs, transportation costs and energy costs. In January, our fuel costs quadrupled. Fortunately, they have moderated somewhat, but they are still double that 
of the year before.

There is tremendous pressure on all manufacturing to economize, reduce costs and to become more efficient in order to improve productivity. This becomes more and more difficult as time goes on. Our challenge as we move forward in this new century is to be creative and look for new ways to be more efficient 
and develop new markets.

With our BSPP family, I am confident we can accomplish this goal. It will not 
be an easy task but we will meet the challenge of the future.

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