In 2015, groups met to see if there was a way to expand manufacturing into the former Printpak factory in Rhinelander. Over the months, a complex deal was worked out, enabling Oneida County to request $15 million dollars from the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, with a local conduit then moving the money to Expera Specialty Solutions who operates a paper making facility in Rhinelander on Davenport Street.
Tuesday, the Oneida County board received an update from parties involved in the remodeling of the the former Printpak facility on Kemp Street to make it into Expera Coated Products. John Harris is the engineering superintendent for Expera in Rhinelander. He says they have raised the roof at the plant to fit the taller equipment needed for the paper coating process.
Harris says company officials traveled to Korea to test the machines that will be used to make the product and now it's in transit here...
"...overall on track. Once the coating line gets here, about one month of mechanical installation, one month of electrical installation and then looking to start turning things over and doing some testing in September....."
Supervisor Scott Holowinski asked Harris about the new jobs created...
" (Holowinksi) "How many employees are going to be hired for this new project?"(Harris) "I believe the estimate is 20"(Holowinski) and when does that take place?"(Harris) "that will depend on the ramp up schedule...."
This process will enable a new type of lighter airplane.
Company official say they're working with Boeing, and will expand capacity in the coated products. Last fall, Jeff Verdoorn, Vice President of Operations and Rhinelander Mill Manager said they would be doubling capacity locally. He said if they can ramp up two Boeing projects, they would have the new coater to capacity in three years.
