Pisgah Forest, North Carolina

The Ecusta mill is located near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Western North Carolina. Founded in 1939 as the Ecusta Paper Corporation, it was the first mill built to manufacture cigarette papers in the United States. Over the years, Ecusta has gained recognition as one of the finest producers of tobacco and other lightweight specialty papers in the world. Today, Ecusta is a major supplier of tobacco papers to the U. S. and worldwide markets. Its line of lightweight specialty papers include those used to produce Bibles, hymnals, dictionaries, reference works, trade books, catalogues and financial, medical and pharmaceutical publications. The mill's daily production capacity is 300 tons.

History
Ten years after Harry Straus founded Ecusta, he sold the operation to Olin Industries. During its relationship with Olin, Ecusta expanded its product line to include lightweight opaque printing papers. By its 30th anniversary, Ecusta was operating three of the world's largest lightweight printing paper machines.

After a 36-year partnership, Olin Industries sold Ecusta to a group of its employees in 1985. Two years later, Ecusta was acquired by the P. H. Glatfelter Company. Today, Ecusta employs approximately 1100 people.

What makes the Ecusta operation different from other paper operations is its raw material - flax straw, a byproduct of the linseed farming industry of North Dakota and Canada. This unique resource generates a lightweight paper that is ideal for tobacco products. In addition, Ecusta produces lightweight and ultra-lightweight alkaline papers from wood pulp and recycled fiber, which offers excellent durability and printability when used for numerous applications.

The largest manufacturer in Transylvania County, Ecusta is home to a team of employees who take great pride in their lifestyles as well as the papers they produce.

The mill is located at the base of the Pisgah National Forest, a popular attraction for local residents and tourists. Here you will find great trout fishing, dozens of spectacular waterfalls, numerous golf courses and the largest black bear sanctuary in North Carolina. Known for its excellent recreational areas, low cost of living and solid economy, this entire region is considered one of the best places to live in the United States.

Brevard, which is just three miles from the plant, offers excellent restaurants, fine shops and a music center that attracts internationally renowned performers. Asheville, in nearby Buncombe County, is 30 miles northeast of the mill.

  1999 The P.H. Glatfelter Company