Fluff Pulp line returns to operation on July 4 Both Specialty and Fluff lines operating within normal production
and quality ranges Root cause of failure identified and corrective action complete to
prevent reoccurrence
Buckeye Technologies Inc. (NYSE:BKI) today announced that its Florida
wood cellulose manufacturing facility has returned to full operation.
Both of the plant’s paper machines were damaged when a steam drum
failure occurred on June 17. The specialty pulp line returned to
production on June 23; the fluff pulp line began its start-up on July 4,
as previously targeted and communicated in the Company’s June 25 press
release.
As of today, production on the fluff pulp line was operating within
normal ranges and we are producing fluff pulp per our ISO 9001:2008
quality standards. Returning the fluff pulp line to operation will allow
the Company to fully optimize the product mix on the specialty line. The
root cause of the drum failure was identified by the failure analysis
team and preventive actions have been taken on both lines to prevent
reoccurrence.
Buckeye Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Crowe stated, “Having
this event behind us in less than three weeks is an amazing
demonstration of the flexibility and teamwork of the Buckeye
organization. It is in times like this when you see the strength and
character of your organization and appreciate the valuable partnerships
that we have with our contractors and suppliers who have put forth the
extraordinary effort to return the plant to full operation.”
Buckeye, a leading manufacturer and marketer of specialty fibers and
nonwoven materials, is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The
Company currently operates facilities in the United States, Germany and
Canada. Its products are sold worldwide to makers of consumer and
industrial goods.
Certain matters discussed in this press release may constitute
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities
laws that involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to
economic, competitive, governmental, and technological factors affecting
the Company's operations, financing, markets, products, services and
prices, and other factors. For further information on factors
which could impact the Company and the statements contained herein,
please refer to public filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
