RICHMOND, Va., March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Fort James Corporation today
announced that it will expand its tissue making capacity in Turkey with the
addition of a new tissue machine and associated equipment at its state-of-the-
art manufacturing facility in Karamursel, Turkey.
The Karamursel tissue mill is the primary manufacturing site for Ipek
Kagit Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S., which is owned 50 percent by Fort James and 50
percent by Eczacibasi Holding A.S. Fort James acquired its interest in Ipek
Kagit in 1989. Karamursel is approximately 110 kilometers south of Istanbul.
The addition of this new 50,000 metric ton per year tissue machine will
more than double the capacity of the Karamursel mill to approximately 87,000
metric tons per year. The new machine is scheduled to start up in late 1999
and should increase employment in Turkey from approximately 335 to 360. By
increasing the size and scale of the Karamursel mill, the new tissue machine
will strengthen the mill's competitive position through improved tissue
quality and reduced operating costs.
Ipek Kagit is the clear market leader in Turkey with a 58 percent share of
the towel and tissue market. Ipek Kagit manages several bathroom tissue,
kitchen towel, napkin and facial tissue brands targeted to serve a broad range
of consumer segments. These brands include Selpak premium tissue products,
Solo, the company's mid-range brand, and Silen and Servis, serving the economy
segment of the market. Ipek Kagit also markets an away-from-home line of
products under the Marathon name.
"The addition of this new capacity will strengthen our already leading
position in Turkey, as well as provide us with greater access to neighboring
markets in the Middle East, Asia, Russia and other former Soviet republics,"
noted John F. Lundgren, president of Fort James' European Consumer Products
Business. "Turkey, with its 65 million inhabitants, is a dynamic market with
tremendous growth potential where we believe we can further leverage our
strong position. This new machine not only is the strategic engine for that
continued growth, but it also demonstrates our commitment to this market."
Fort James is a leading international consumer products company, serving
consumers both at home and away-from-home with bathroom and facial tissue,
paper towels, napkins, and cups and plates. The company is the second largest
producer of towel and tissue products in Europe, with leading brands such as
Lotus in France, Tenderly in Italy, Colhogar in Spain and Kittensoft in
Ireland. In 1997, European sales of consumer products accounted for $1.8
billion of Fort James' more than $7 billion in revenues. In addition to its
North American operations, the company has approximately 7,000 employees and
26 manufacturing facilities in 10 European countries.
Copies of today's news release, along with additional information on Fort
James, is available, at no charge, by calling 888-526-3711. You may also
access the company's Web site at Internet address http://www.fortjames.com.
SOURCE Fort James Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.fortjames.com
CONTACT:
Celeste Gunter, Financial, 804-649-4307; or
Richard B. Elder, Media, 804-343-4785; both of Fort James
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