Metso signs multi-year agreement to manage mill maintenance at Australian Paper’s Maryvale Mill

Published 6/11/2013, 10:00 AM EET

The agreement covers maintenance operations for three pulp lines and five paper machines

Metso and Australian Paper have signed a multi-year agreement for Metso to manage the mill maintenance operations at the Maryvale Mill in Victoria, Australia. Metso will manage all maintenance systems and procedures at the mill and be responsible for optimizing maintenance costs and developing maintenance quality. The agreement became effective on June 1, 2013. The value of the agreement will not be disclosed.

The Maryvale Mill has three pulp lines, five papermaking machines, an elemental chlorine free bleach plant, pulp lapping machine, finishing facility and a waste paper processing plant. The objective of the agreement with Metso is to achieve world-class maintenance standards at the Maryvale Mill. Metso will assist Australian Paper with the skills development of maintenance staff and employees, as well as with improved planning and productivity. Metso’s mill maintenance model optimizes the use of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Metso's streamlined reliability centered maintenance (Applied RCM) and condition-based maintenance. The model ensures the highest possible equipment efficiency and cost optimization.

"We are pleased to announce Metso will be our Alliance partner to work with Australian Paper to achieve world-class maintenance," says Jim Henneberry, CEO, Australian Paper. "Metso is a world-class maintenance supplier and original equipment manufacturer to the pulp and paper industry globally. Their significant worldwide expertise and professionalism will greatly benefit our operations at Maryvale."

“Through common goals, true cooperation and leveraging one another’s strengths I am confident we have the foundation to achieve sustainable success at the Maryvale Mill. This agreement reinforces our position and marks another significant milestone in growing our Services business,” says Pierre de Villiers, Vice President, Sales, Australia and New Zealand, Pulp, Paper and Power, Metso.

Australian Paper is Australia's largest manufacturer of fine papers for print and office applications and produces high-quality packaging papers. Australian Paper employs over 1,400 Australians and supplies more than 500,000 tonnes of product within Australia and around the world. Australian Paper is part of Nippon Paper Group that consists of approximately 180 affiliates and related companies. The Maryvale Mill is Australia's largest integrated fine paper-making and packaging papers complex, producing more than 500,000 tonnes of paper every year.

Metso’s pulp, paper and power professionals specialize in processes, machinery, equipment, services, paper machine clothing and filter fabrics. Our offering and experience cover the entire process life cycle including new production lines, rebuilds and services.

As of January 2014, Metso's Pulp, Paper and Power business will serve its customers with an even more focused and competitive approach as an independent, listed company, Valmet Corporation*.

*Pending Metso EGM approval.

www.metso.com/pulpandpaper, www.metso.com/energy www.twitter.com/metsopulppaper, www.twitter.com/metsoenergy

Metso is a global supplier of technology and services to customers in the process industries, including mining, construction, pulp and paper, power, and oil and gas. Our 30,000 professionals based in over 50 countries contribute to sustainability and deliver profitability to customers worldwide. Metso’s shares are listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd.

www.metso.com, www.twitter.com/metsogroup

For further information, please contact:

Pierre de Villiers, Vice President, Sales, Australia and New Zealand, Pulp, Paper and Power, Metso, tel. +61 417 055 564

Jukka Koiranen, Director, Mill Maintenance, Services business line, Pulp, Paper and Power, Metso, tel. +358 40 545 6173

Jukka Tiitinen, President, Services business line, Pulp, Paper and Power, Metso, tel. +358 40 740 6178 or +1 404 433 0937