Maine Forest Products Council

06/18/2026

Yesterday, MFPC joined Sappi North America in Westbrook for their Global Safety Awareness Day. It was a great opportunity for us to share some of the work we do with the folks at Sappi, to celebrate their commitment to safety in the workplace, and to hand out some of our coveted MFPC hats and bumper stickers!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to chat!

06/17/2026

Congratulations to Donna Cassese on her pending induction into the Junior Achievement of Maine Business Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is a celebration of vision, leadership and lasting impact, honoring individuals and families who are shaping Maine's economy and strengthening its communities.

Donna is a shining example of the great opportunities the forest products industry presents for young people looking for an exciting career. A forester by trade, Donna’s work ethic, can-do attitude and dedication to Sappi North America have opened doors that many young people, and especially young women, wouldn’t even dream of. She is a trailblazer, climbing the ladder over the last four decades from a forester to managerial roles throughout the company areas including the woodyard, waste management, pulp sales, human resources, plant manager, supply chain, mill manager, government affairs, and more.

Donna has represented Sappi and the industry in the press and on various boards, including as President of the Maine Pulp & Paper Association (now part of MFPC). Donna is an inspiration to many and we look forward to celebrating her many accomplishments on November 4.

FMI: https://midmainechamber.com/member-center/member-news/junior-achievement-of-maine-business-hall-of-fame-announces-the-2026-laureates

06/15/2026

Located in Ashland, WholeTrees Structures is purchasing trees from well-managed forests and turning them into columns, beams and tresses to replace steel in construction. The results are stunning. We very much look forward to seeing trees sourced from Seven Islands Land Company featured in the new Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife headquarters in Augusta.

Check out the video below, featuring MFPC members Seven Islands and Treeline to learn more.

06/11/2026

Thanks to David Trahan, Bob Humphrey and the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine for the opportunity to join Samcast to discuss spruce budworm and the Early Intervention Strategy (EIS) that Maine landowners are using to keep our forests and economy healthy in the face of the current outbreak.

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06/09/2026

Big news for Aroostook County!

MFPC member Irving Forest Products has announced plans to invest tens of millions of dollars into their Ashland Mill. This project, which will utilize the New Markets Capital Investment Program, will modernize operations and double production capacity to 250 million board feet. It will also add 80 direct jobs and many indirect jobs.

The Finance Authority of Maine approved the financing for the expansion, which it said is expected to make a significant economic impact on the county and state economies.

06/01/2026

Robbins Lumber announced that it resumed full operations at its Searsmont mill less than two weeks after a fire and explosion at the facility left a Maine firefighter dead and 12 more people injured. FULL STORY ⬇️

06/01/2026

Last month MFPC staff was welcomed to a number of J.D. Irving, Limited sites in New Brunswick to learn more about the scope of their work. We were thrilled to learn about their research in somatic embryogenesis, budworm resistance treatments, tree nursery operations, and their pristine tissue mill. The team walked away with a much better understanding of the integrated nature of the work they are doing and how it strengthens the region's forests and forest products industry.

05/27/2026

Our latest newsletter contains information about the Robbins Lumber Disaster Relief effort, our upcoming events, and legislative and regulatory updates. Read the newsletter here:

Executive Director's Message After the devastating events of the Robbins Lumber Mill explosion, the end of the legislative session and our gubernatorial forum feel like a lifetime ago. Our thoughts and prayers have been occupied with the Robbins family, their employees, the heroic first respo

05/21/2026

"Maine’s working forests have sustained this state economically, ecologically, and culturally for centuries. Protecting them through rigorous monitoring and EIS isn’t just sound forestry. It is the kind of disciplined, forward-looking stewardship that defines Maine at its best."

“The conditions for catastrophe exist. But this time, Maine isn't waiting for the hillsides to turn brown.”

05/18/2026

Our hearts go out to the Robbins family. Owners Jim Jr. and Alden Robbins and family member, Lily Robbins are all in the burn unit in Boston. The family expressed their deep gratitude for the outpouring of support and commitment to the future of Robbins Lumber. The full statement from the family can be read below:

https://www.wabi.tv/2026/05/18/robbins-lumber-family-releases-statement-regarding-searsmont-fire-explosion/