Patrick Strauch, MFPC Director Emeritus, Krysta West, MFPC Executive Director; Ryan McAvoy Region Manager, Sappi; Blue Keim, Somerset Mill Manager, Sappi; Chris Fife, MFPC President.
PHIPPSBURG – The Maine Forest Products Council recognized Sappi North America at its Annual Meeting on Monday, September 22, 2025.
Sappi North America was honored as the organization’s 2025 Outstanding Manufacturer. The award highlights a forest products manufacturer that demonstrates innovative approaches, value-added strategies, strong community relations, environmental and safety awareness, and a clear vision for growth.
The recognition reflects Sappi’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and long-term growth in Maine’s forest products sector. The completion of Project Elevate promises the future of hundreds of high-wage manufacturing jobs in rural Maine with North America’s most advanced paper machine. Through workforce partnerships, local engagement, and a clear growth strategy, Sappi’s Somerset Mill continues to strengthen both its business and the local community. Environmental responsibility is evident in the company’s closed-loop water systems, reduced emissions, and top-tier EcoVadis sustainability ratings. At the same time, the company is advancing value-added strategies by shifting from traditional paper to high-demand, recyclable packaging.
Sappi stands out as a model of excellence in Maine’s forest products industry.
“This award reflects the innovation and resilience of our Somerset team, and we are grateful to the Maine Forst Products Council for that recognition” said Blue Keim, Mill Manager at Sappi North America’s Somerset Mill. “We’ve embraced new technologies, strengthened our safety and environmental performance, and built strong partnerships in the community, all while positioning the mill for long-term growth. It’s proof that when we invest in our people and our future, we can set a new standard for manufacturing in Maine.”
About Sappi North America, Inc.
Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Sappi North America, Inc., is a leader in converting wood fiber into superior products that are used worldwide. Sappi NA has a corporate office in Portland, Maine and mills in Skowhegan and Westbrook, Maine, Cloquet, Minnesota, and Matane, Quebec, along with a dedicated Technology Center and Sheeting Facility. Sappi NA employs approximately 2,100 people in the United States and Canada.
Sappi NA uses a renewable, recyclable natural source – woodfibre – to create packaging, specialty papers, graphic papers, and pulp that make everyday products more sustainable. Sappi supports sustainable forestry and sustainable manufacturing to mitigate climate change, protect biodiversity and improve soil and water quality.
Sappi North America is a subsidiary of Sappi Limited (JSE), a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with more than 12,000 employees and manufacturing operations on three continents in seven countries and customers in over 150 countries. To learn more, visit www.sappi.com