NPS Corp. subsidiary purchases tissue mill assets

Blue Ridge Tissue Corp., a NPS subsidiary, has purchased the Patterson Tissue Mill assets from Omni Supply Inc.  The Patterson mill is located in Patterson, N.C.

“The acquisition of the Patterson Mill assets represents a key strategic move to ensure a bright future for our Specialty Tissue Business as NPS will no longer need to purchase any of these tissue tons through parent roll suppliers, thereby ensuring an adequate supply and lower costs as we move forward,” says Andrew Hetzel Jr., NPS president and CEO of NPS Corp. “We are delighted to be able to maintain all of the existing jobs at the Patterson mill and with the relocation of applicable NPS converting equipment supported by the mill, we anticipate adding another 15 employees to the mill by January 2010.” 

The transition of the company’s Specialty Tissue business has already begun.

NPS Corporation was founded in 1996 after acquiring the assets of Kimberly-Clark Corp.’s Protective Packaging Business. Such products are now marketed under NPS’ Versa-Pak brand name. The Patterson Mill will manufacture all of the tissue required for this business. NPS also markets a line of spill control products as well as a line of tissue and towel products.

New North carpenters receive renewable energy training grants

The North Central Regional Council of Carpenters will receive $247,000 in grants to help train its members in the wind and renewable energy industries. Of the funds, $175,000 will be used for equipment to train 300 carpenters on the installation of wind turbines, and $72,000 will be used to help pay instructors and purchase additional equipment.

“The New North’s wind industry has been growing rapidly, and these grants will help ensure our region continues to benefit from some of the best-trained workers anywhere in the country,” says Jerry Murphy, executive director of the New North Inc.
The grants are part of $2.6 million from the Department of Commerce to help train workers across the state.

“Between our great technical colleges and our century-old manufacturing tradition, as well as grants like these, the New North is poised to continue to capitalize on the wind energy boom,” Murphy says.

MOVERS

>> Dr. Thomas Harden, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay chancellor, is the newest member of the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors.

>> Theresa Pichelmeyer is the new president/CEO of Valley VNA Health Systems Inc.

>> Citizens Bank has announced the hiring of Todd Draak as the district officer of the Green Bay East district.

>> R.A. Smith National has added Jeff Mazanec as a senior project manager in the Municipal Services Division at the firm’s Appleton office.

>> DiRenzo & Bomier LLC has added Attorney Gina Vollmer to its team.

>> Appleton-based Ledgeview Partners LLC has hired Keven Sprehe as a CRM Application Consultant and Weldon Amaral as an account manager in the Business Development Services division.

>> Appleton-based Community Choice Mortgage Group, LLC has added Jason Derks as a principal member.

>> Karmen Smith, owner of 11 Anytime Fitness clubs across eastern Wisconsin, was named Club Operator of the Year at the franchise’s annual conference in Atlanta.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

NEW LONDON: Consolidated Con-struction Co. Inc. and EJ Metals Inc. have announced the groundbreaking of the company’s new manufacturing facility in the New London Northeast Industrial Park. The new building for EJ Metals will be reminiscent of a modern fire station and feature 20,000 sq. ft. of office, showroom and manufacturing space specially designed for the firm’s unique fabrication capabilities in the custom fire and emergency vehicle apparatus market.

CRANDON: Technology solutions provider One Prospect Technologies was recently awarded a portion of the Wisconsin Department of Correction’s “Surveillance Video Cameras and Accessories” contract. One Prospect Technologies is a subsidiary of the Potawatomi Business Development Corporation which is owned and operated by the Forest County Potawatomi Community. As such, One Prospect Technologies can assist many state agencies in reaching their minority spending requirements when purchasing surveillance equipment.

MANITOWOC: Orion Energy Systems Inc. is ranked No. 241 on the Technology Fast 500™ — Deloitte LLP’s ranking of 500 of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and clean technology companies in North America.