Sappi is celebrating 125 years in business, and continues to innovate to meet industry changes

Sappi is proud to mark a major milestone this year. 125 years of being on the banks of the St. Louis River.

“I think the word that comes to mind is proud. Generations of families have been part of this story since 1898,” shared Tom Radovich, mill manager.

They’ve moved from just paper, to additional wood-based products.

“The main thing that we’re trying to tell people is that we have evolved into a diversified wood fiber facility more so than a paper mill. We make a lot of just unique products, try to utilize the tree as best we can. One of the interesting products we make is a brand called Verve, which is our dissolving pulp. We’re one of the largest exporters in Minnesota of our Verve product, so it makes us proud of being able to be in part of a global economy, really, and manufacturing,” Radovich said.

Although automation has made some changes to workflow, 700 people clock into work at the mill.

Leaders said that every day, 50 truck loads of product leave the facility.

To help mark the anniversary, the public will be invited to tours in July. Stay tuned for those details.