The COVID-19 pandemic is the latest calamity to hit a British Columbia-based pulp and specialty printing company, forcing it to extend shutdowns at two B.C. mills until at least mid-summer.
Paper Excellence says it has faced ¡°an exceptional intersection of events¡± over the last six months, including a shortage of wood needed for paper production and a malware attack that continues to affect its operations.
A lack of wood forced the company, which operates nine facilities in Canada and France, to begin a 30-day curtailment at its Crofton and Powell River mills on March 1.
In a statement Paper Excellence says those curtailments will continue because repercussions from COVID-19 have ¡°materially impacted the supply chain.¡±
It says its Port Alberni mill will continue to supply paper to its core base of customers while production will be intermittent at the Crofton operation ¡°as opportunities permit.¡±
But the company warns that addressing challenges due to COVID-19 and ensuring health and safety protocols for staff means its plans are ¡°highly fluid¡± and could be modified at any time.
