MIRAMICHI, NB, Canada, June 14 -- UPM Ultra Plus is the newest product offering from UPM's paper mill in Miramichi, Canada. "We expect UPM Ultra Plus to be popular with customers who have been looking for a brighter sheet in 40- to 50-pound basis weights," said Peter Littley, Senior Vice President of Sales for UPM North America "The product development team at Miramichi has responded to customer needs with this new, value-added product, and it's now rolling off the mill's No. 2 paper machine." UPM Ultra Plus is a new incarnation of Miramichi's UPM Ultra brand which is targeted to the mill's #4 customers who are looking for a brighter sheet. As well as the new addition to the portfolio, both grades moved to a new blue- white shade, making them more visually appealing. "We changed our specifications to produce the blue-white shade that is in demand in our market," said Littley. "With UPM Ultra at 81 brightness and UPM Ultra Plus at 84 brightness, our customers will now have an even wider choice." As well, the mill has introduced 28-lb Cote on PM1, in response to customers' need to reduce costs after the recent postal rate increase. Littley said early customer reaction to the new UPM Ultra Plus has been positive, and the Company's North America sales and marketing team is making its introduction to customers a high priority.