SP Newsprint

SP Newsprint is a privately held American business owned by three large North American media companies: Cox Enterprises, Knight-Ridder and Media General. The company produces high-quality newsprint from recycled fiber.

When it opened in 1979, the company's mill in Dublin, Georgia was the first in the southern United States to produce high-quality newsprint from 100 percent recycled fiber. At the time, many people in the industry doubted that this could even be accomplished.

Today the Dublin mill has not only survived but is setting records.

Like other North American papermakers, SP Newsprint is under extreme market pressure to keep costs down. As a result, large capital investments are limited and the mill relies instead on regular maintenance and an ongoing program of upgrades for its older paper machines.


Effort and insight

The Dublin mill has two paper machines. PM1 is an older Beloit machine and PM 2 was built by Metso Paper (then Valmet) when the mill expanded in 1989. While some sections of PM2 have been rebuilt, such as the addition of a third winder in 1993 and the insertion of a shoe press in 1998, major investments in the machine have been limited. Ongoing improvements and upgrades are the source of PM 2's success.

These improvements come about through dedication and hard work. SP Newsprint employees receive excellent training and have a thorough knowledge of their machine. This is complemented and improved by SP Newsprint's long-term relationship with Metso.


Strong cooperation

Metso strengths have provided fuel for SP Newsprint's ingenuity, in daily operations as well as during rebuilds. The mill's Metso machines are easy to maintain and reassemble, and through organized internal processes the mill has reduced roll changes and other forms of downtime to an absolute minimum.

SP Newsprint relies on regular contact with Metso's team of experts. Typically six Metso Paper engineers are in constant touch with the Dublin mill, and others contribute when a specific project is underway. If a situation calls for unusual resources, Metso's representative in Atlanta finds the right talent and technology within Metso's global network.


Award-winning efficiency

The combination of local and Metso expertise has meant proud achievements for the Dublin mill.

PM 2 is currently operating over 92 percent efficiency and for the last four years has set the world record for newsprint productivity as measured in kg/cm/day. Some of PM 2's successful technology is also being applied to PM 1.

This life cycle relationship, in which Metso and the mill work as active partners, is helping SP Newsprint maintain the high efficiency that is an integral part of its company culture.

Last updated: May 05, 2009