Karioi sells more pulp

Press, 10 February 1982, Page 22

Karioi sells more pulp

PA Auckland Sales of pulp from the Karioi mill for this current year could come close to the budgeted 57,01)0 tonnes, in spite of the depressed state of the world pulp market, said the group director of Winstone. Ltd, Mr L. J. B. Hawker, yesterday.

However, budgeted figures were still achievable, he said.

' But. we’ll certainly make sales this financial period of 50,000 tonnes, which would be about 28 per eent up on last year."

"That's a good performance in view of the state of the market.”

Existing contracts amounted to about 36.000 tonnes a year, and additional sales contracts were being sought in India and Indonesia. However, competition from the northern hemisphere producers ’was intense.

Describing current negotiations with buyers in those countries as "delicate," Mr Hawker said the securing of such sales was certainly important.

"We’ve said repeatedly that it will be several years

before we can talk about full recovery.” he said.

The group was pursuing a number of objectives apart from increasing sales. The range of pulp produced was being increased and its quality improved.

The mill’s staff had been increased, and the mill was now committed to introducing chemical thennomechanical pulp, a higher grade product.

“These factors are all important, but securing longterm contracts in the present depressed market is all grist to the mill as far as ultimate" recovery is concerned." he Said.

Negotiations with the Indian and Indonesian parties were continuing. The Winstone group increased its marketing efforts last year after the controversial $l5 million handout from the Government when the mill got into financial difficulties.

The new marketing team, headed by group marketing manager and Karioi marketing director. Mr Ron Nisbet, has already produced improved results. The mill’s present capacity is about 75.000 tonnes.