Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper has selected a new CEO.
Thirty-five-year industry veteran K. William (“Bill” ) MacPherson officially took over the historic northwestern Ontario operation as of Feb. 10.
A company news release said MacPherson most recently served as vice-president of paperboard manufacturing for Graphic Packaging International. Before that, he was managing director at Mercer International, Canada, and mill manager for Domtar in Kingsport, TN. He's also held engineering leadership positions at Weyerhaeuser and Willamette Industries.
The landmark mill is considered a leading producer of northern bleached softwood kraft and northern bleached hardwood kraft pulp, paper, newsprint and secondary forest products.
“Over the past 18 months, we’ve established the mill as a stable, independent operation,” said board chair Randy Nebel. “Now, we are ready to accelerate our growth, and Bill is a deeply experienced operator who can lead Thunder Bay into the future.”
“As we begin our second century of operations, I look forward to working with Bill as we strengthen our operations and build our reputation in this new era as a steadfast driver of the local economy,” said president Kent Ramsay.
MacPherson said he plans to strengthen the mill’s position as “trusted employer, reliable producer and pillar of the Thunder Bay community.”
“I look forward to leading this business as our team grows our operations while preserving the well-earned legacy of the mill in this region and beyond.”
The company promotes itself as an independent mill affiliated with Connecticut-based Atlas Holdings since 2023. The mill previously operated in under the Bowater and Resolute Forest Products banners.
