Rigesa´s new plant in Araçatuba, SP, will strengthen company’s ability to serve customers - Jul 2, 2008 - 4:37:00 PM

July 2, 2008 - Rigesa Ltda, a subsidiary of U.S.-based MeadWestvaco Corporation (MWV), today announced plans to install its 6th corrugated box plant in the city of Araçatuba, SP. The new plant is expected to start up in February 2009.
Araçatuba¿s excellent infrastructure, good public services and high labor quality, coupled with its excellent logistics for raw material supplying, easy access to major ports, markets and customers, were fundamental to the final decision on the location.
The company¿s new box plant will promptly serve customers of the interior of the State of São Paulo, North of Paraná and west center region, through a highly qualified and exclusive team.
With a building of approximately 25 thousand square meters, in an area of 100 thousand square meters, the new plant will be constructed under the ¿build to suit¿ system, meaning the civil constructor Bracor will be responsible for the land acquisition and the construction of the plant facilities, according to Rigesa¿s needs, and will be rented to our company afterwards. The plant will emphasize innovation throughout every stage of the project, be it productive or administrative.
¿The new plant will enable our company to better serve our customers¿ needs. We are very honored to be part of the Araçatuba community and to contribute to the economic and social development of the region,¿ says Paulo Tilkian, president of Rigesa.
The new plant will generate around 180 direct jobs plus another 550 indirect, thus actively contributing to the economic and social development of that area of the country.
Rigesa, Celulose, Papel e Embalagens Ltda., a subsidiary of MWV, has been operating in the Brazilian pulp, paper and packaging segment since 1942. The company has two paper mills, five corrugated packaging plants, two paperboard packaging plants, 54 thousand hectares of forestlands and 19 sales offices and commercial representatives strategically located nationwide. Rigesa employs more than 2,500 people and is the second largest player in the Brazilian corrugated board market. For more information, please visit us at www.rigesa.com.br
About MWV
MeadWestvaco Corporation (NYSE: MWV), provides packaging solutions to many of the world¿s most-admired brands in the healthcare, personal and beauty care, food, beverage, media and entertainment, and home and garden industries. The company's businesses include Consumer & Office Products, Specialty Chemicals, and the Community Development and Land Management Group, which sustainably manages the company¿s land holdings to support its operations, and to provide for conservation, recreation and development opportunities. With 24,000 employees worldwide, MWV operates in 30 countries and serves customers in more than 100 nations. MWV manages all of its forestlands in accordance with internationally recognized forest certification standards, and has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for the fourth consecutive year. For more information, please visit www.mwv.com.