US-based paper manufacturing company International Paper will be investing $90m to restart an idle machine at its container board mill that will help in creating 65 new jobs.
The machine has been out of use for the past five years. Company spokesperson Sara Whitaker said that the company is working on restarting the No 3 machine at its Valliant plant by summer next year.
The company further said that it decided to restart the machine due to its agreement to sell off three mills from its container board manufacturing system after it acquired the corrugated packaging and building material manufacturer Temple-Inland.
A number of factors, including market demand, will decide the starting schedule of the machine.
In a statement, Oklahoma governor Mary Fallin said: "International Paper's $90 million investment in McCurtain County will result in dozens of new jobs for Oklahoma families, and make the Valliant mill one of the largest and most efficient container board mills in North America.
"Due in part to Oklahoma's commitment to pro-business, pro-growth policies, we were able to restart the previously idled machine and put Oklahomans back to work."
Currently, International Paper's Valliant mill employs about 620 employees which include production, support and contract maintenance people, with an annual payroll of $45m.
