RUMFORD – Production of coated paper at the NewPage Corp. mills nationwide dropped 25 percent in 2009 compared to 2008, despite a slight increase in production during the fourth quarter.

According to a financial statement released by the Miamisburg, Ohio-based company on Thursday, coated paper production dropped from 3,564,000 tons to 2,675,000 tons in 2009. The price per ton also dipped to $865 from $995.

Net sales were $857 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared with $977 million during the fourth quarter of 2008.

The Rumford plant, like those in other states, felt the effects of the slump. The No. 15 paper machine ran intermittently, while the No. 10 machine was shut down in September. Long log and ground wood departments were either severely reduced or shut down completely. And there were layoffs.

Now, nearly two months into the new year, all machines are running, all employees who wanted to return to work were called back, and both long log and ground wood are operating.

“We’re glad 2009 is behind us. It was a challenging year,” said Janet Hall, spokeswoman for the Rumford mill. “”We’re looking forward to a stronger 2010.”

Shaun Hall, a communications employee in Miamisburg, said her office does not comment on individual mills.

In a statement issued by the Ohio main office, NewPage Chairman Mark Suwyn said advertising reacted to an uncertain economy in 2009 and customers reduced their paper inventories.

“We believe inventories have essentially bottomed out through the mill and printer system, and we have seen some rebound in orders over the past couple of months that have allowed us to restart production on these machines (Rumford and Whiting, Wis.),” Suwyn said. “While a couple of months do not make a trend, our customers indicate print advertising appears to be in the early stages of recovery.”

Hall said the feeling around the mill seems to be much more positive.

NewPage also owns mills in Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, and Nova Scotia.

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