French Paper Company merges with larger New York company

Published 8:56 am Wednesday, September 18, 2019

NILES — The end of French Street in Niles is marked by an old-school building and a large smokestack. Both have the same wordage: “French Paper.”

On Aug. 14, the nearly 150-year-old French Paper Company was purchased by Finch Paper Holdings, headquartered in Glen Falls, New York. It, in turn, is part of Atlas Holdings, of Greenwich Connecticut.

Despite the change in power, the iconic buildings and the owners’ name on them will remain.

Brian French, vice president of sales and marketing, wrote in an email to the Niles Daily Star there will be no changes in management, employment numbers and, as of now, products and services.

That means French Paper will continue to operate under the French family, now in its sixth generation of ownership, but it will not be owned by the Frenches.

“Finch and French have similar histories as iconic paper companies,” said Finch Paper Holdings president and CEO Deba Mukherjee in a press release. “We are each a pillar in the community we call home, a trusted employer and a manufacturing leader. We are delighted to welcome the French team to our Finch family.”

French Paper specializes in manufacturing custom-colored paper that is uncoated and is used for a variety of uses, from graphic arts to packaging.

According to Finch Paper Holding’s site, it specializes in uncoated paper for businesses like newspapers, advertising and inserts.

Both companies bring environmental traditions with the merger.

Finch Paper Holdings and French Paper officials said their products are made with renewable energy, which powers about two-thirds of production, respectively.

French Paper’s website said its hydroelectric generation has diverted 700,000 tons of carbon dioxide release since it began 85 years ago.

It also said it makes much of its paper from recycled fibers.

Finch Paper Holdings officials said it was the first integrated paper manufacturer in the nation to receive forest management and chain of custody certifications from the Forest Stewardship Council and Sustainable Forestry Initiative.

“We are very pleased to share that French Paper Company has joined Finch Paper Holdings, creating a unique partnership that represents over 300 years of papermaking excellence. With this partnership, we are bringing together two outstanding teams,” Mukherjee said.