Still Going Strong | Palatka Daily News, Palatka, Florida

Paper mill remains resilient despite COVID worries

Georgia-Pacific employees stand in front of a kraft paper machine, which produces the paper for Amazon’s recyclable envelopes, a service the Palatka plant’s manager said has cemented the company even deeper in Putnam County.
Georgia-Pacific Palatka mill Manager Mike Griffith discusses recent plant innovation with the Rotary Club of Palatka last week.
Positively Putnam FL

Georgia-Pacific’s Palatka mill continues to make strides during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The paper mill and community institution added a sixth paper machine in 2020 in a $450 million investment from the Atlanta-based company. The upgrades in the past few years allowed higher quality and varied products, according to plant officials.

It would not have happened without the support of the community, Palatka mill Manager Mike Griffith said. He said his goal is to continue the legacy of the plant, which opened in the 1940s.

“When you have an investment like that, it’s a significant bet,” Griffith said. “The team was able to beat the startup curve by six months.”

The mill makes three national brands of toilet paper and paper towels from its six operating facilities and it employs about 1,000 people. Griffith said GP is focused on operating safely and efficiently in a growing market. He pointed out the plant’s ability to make Brawny’s line of “Tear-A-Square” paper towels as an example of innovation.

“These are like hotcakes,” Griffith said. “It’s the craziest thing.”

According to the Putnam County Property Appraiser’s office, GP consists of 17.8% of the county’s taxable value, with more than $821 million in taxable value.

E-commerce has also boosted the plant’s capabilities, Griffith said, now that the plant makes paper for Amazon’s recyclable envelopes.

GP opened a new facility in Arizona to manufacture recyclable paper-padded mailers for Amazon last year. The paper made for the mailers is produced at the Palatka mill before it is sent to the Arizona plant.

He said GP is going to where value is created in its partnership with Amazon.

“The e-commerce has only strengthened the position of our two oldest machines,” Griffith said. “We continue to try and transform how we do work.”

As for GP’s 1,000 local employees, the Palatka mill has not had an outbreak. Griffith said staff has stressed hand-washing, masks, social distancing and employees staying home if they feel sick.

“You think about that 1,000 folks in and out and we haven’t had an established outbreak,” Griffith said.

GP spokesman Mark Brown called employees’ emphasis on health and safety a major undertaking.

“Like any other business or organization, it has been challenging, but it has been one we have been able to manage because of the adaptability and responsiveness of our team members,” Brown said.