Over the next three years Papierfabrik August Koehler AG is going to invest €35 million to secure the future of the Oberkirch mill and with it safeguard 900 jobs.

The finishing equipment and logistics investment project comprises a fully-automatic reel wrapping machine for Koehler FineTech Papers and Decor Papers, a new sheeter for reacto Carbonless Paper and thin printing papers, a central pallet wrapping line and reel packaging machine for thin printing paper and a fully-automatic high rack warehouse including dispatch area. The high rack warehouse will provide up to 16,000 storage bays. To intensify our R & D a pilot coater will be installed.

After approval of the project by the Supervisory Board on 6 December 2011, Koehler Paper Group will start the process right away. The work is scheduled for completion by the end of 2014.

"After focusing in recent years on investments at our mills in Kehl, Greiz and Weisenbach, in the coming years this investment will allow us to produce 160,000 tonnes of special paper in Oberkirch with greater efficiency. This highlights our confidence that, in Oberkirch, we will be able to manufacture our decor paper, fine and technical paper and carbonless paper in the long term, profitably and competitively. Since 30 years this will be the greatest single investment at the Oberkirch mill," pronounces Kai Furler, CEO of the Koehler Paper Group.

Koehler Paper Group is a family owned company with a 200-year history, employing 1,800 people at its Oberkirch, Kehl and Weisenbach mills in the state of Baden-Württemberg and at Greiz in the state of Thuringia. It produces a total of 500,000 tonnes of thermal paper, carbonless paper, fine paper, technical paper, colored recycling paper, decor paper and wood pulp board. Total 2011 turnover will be approximately €700 million.