The announcement means that besides staff who have chosen to take redundancy, more than 200 mill staff will keep their jobs. "It's really exciting news, it's a great outcome and well done to all parties involved," Turner said. Turner said she was relieved the mill had been saved as its closure and loss of jobs would have been devastating for the local economy. The Smurfit consortium includes New Zealand investors, and many have experience in owning and operating paper packaging businesses. The mill will stop producing liquid packaging board and going forward will focus on its customers' requirements for high-quality folding box board, carrier board and food service board, all of which are currently manufactured at the mill.

Source: Otago Daily Times May 31, 2021 21:11 UTC