In the mid 60's, three (3) privately owned corrugating manufacturers in the northeast wanted a captive supply of linerboard. At the same time, some civic leaders in Liberty County, Georgia saw the need to bring industry to the local community. Working through political and business channels, the potential owners and community leaders marketed their idea to local landowners and timber farmers who committed to provide the much-needed wood for the mill. This was an essential component. The final element was securing a Rural Economic Development Loan through the Federal Government (since fully repaid). With everything in place, construction of the 400 ton per day Riceboro facility began in 1966. The first saleable paper was made on March 15, 1968. Operations continued from 1968 - 1981 at the status quo. From 1981 to 1984, ownership passed to the Frem family based in Lebanon.
Today, Interstate Paper is an affiliate of Interstate Resources located in Rosslyn, Virginia. Interstate Resources, in turn, is an affiliate of the parent company Indevco located in Lebanon. Through capital investment and plant innovation, Interstate Paper now produces 900 tons per day of linerboard, which is slightly more than 1% of the U. S. production.
Interstate Paper is one of the few market linerboard mills remaining and will remain that way. We sell our products in the domestic (90%) and export (10%) markets. We are a market driven and customer focused company. Our goal is to be the very best at customer/sales service. We are investing heavily in information technology, systems, warehousing and logistics to accomplish our goal. Just-in-time delivery and rapid customer response is our niche.
If you are a customer or potential customer and find yourself in the Savannah, Georgia area, please drop in to see us. We would love to show you what we are all about – up close and personal.
