BOSTON -- Sappi North America, leading producer and supplier of diversified paper and packaging products, today announced that it will move forward with a $25 million capital project to update its Somerset Mill woodyard. This strategic plan will allow the company to modernize the wood debarking, chipping and chip distribution systems. This capital investment will improve reliability, reduce white wood losses and costs as well as enhance efficiency gains through the increased production of wood chips.

"Continually investing in our operations, processes and people ensures our success and maintains the Somerset Mill as a globally competitive site," said Mark Gardner, President and CEO of Sappi North America. "These upgrades will improve our product, raise our bottom line and continue to build upon our sustainable practices."

The commissioning of the new system will be complete by the end of November 2017, following a temporary woodyard shutdown for installation. Specifically, upgrades will be made to the log infeed, debarker, chipper, chip transfer system, woodroom controls and bark handling.