Champion's new giant paper machine begins operation

This article of January 1959 describes the No. 20 Machine which was recently installed at Champion. The machine is two stories high and takes up 124,000 feet of floor space, increases production of paper by 43% and adds 175 new employees.Champion's New Giant Paper Machine Begins Operation Next Month Industry in Western North Carolina will take a great step forward next month with the startup of The Champion Paper and Fibre Company's gigantic new No. 20 Paper Machine at the Carolina Division mill. As the monstrous Fourdrin- ier starts to make history alongside the nine other machines at the Canton plant, it will provide forceful testimony to Champion's faith in the mountain area, the mountain people and the destiny of our state and our nation. This giant papermaking unit will be capable of operating at a speed of 2,000 feet per minute and will make a sheet of paper 230 inches wide. Thus this giant Fourdrinier machine could pour forth a mile of paper every three minutes in a sheet 230 inches wide. Actual operating speeds are expected to be 1500-1600 feet per minute, however. No. 20 Machine will Increase paper production at the Canton mill 250 to 300 tons per day, bringing the overall output to almost 100 tons every 24 hours—representing approximately a 43 percent increase in mill production. Approximately 175 new employees have joined the ranks of the 3000-member Carolina Champion production team to meet the added personnel requirements lor No. 20 Machine and to further increase the $17 million annual payroll of the Canton mUl by approximately $1 million- Champion began this mammoth expansion of its Carolina Division mill in 1956 ' 'n response to the increasing demand of customers for more paper." Early in August of 1956 Reuben B. Robertson, Sr„ the company's Board Chairman, announced the multimillion dollar three-year expansion after Champion management had for many years looked forward to its start. Initial drawing board work on the No. 20 Machine was begun by Champion as early as 1953. Beloit Iron Works, Beloit, Wisconsin, was builder of the paper machine. Mountain Construction Company erected the towering, extensive buildings which house the No. 20 Machine, the stock preparation area and the new addition to the paper finishing area. Local labor was used principally in assembling this work force which at times numbered several hundred persons and provided an additional boost to the economy of Western North Carolina. The machine building itself is two stories high, and comprises 124,000 feet of floor space. Space is included in this building for the possible future installation of a sister paper machine or a coater. At present this space will be utilized for storage of finished paper and felts, wires and rolls. The new stock preparation building is four stories in height and has 50,000 feet of floor space. The addition to the paper finishing area is also modern in construction with 43,000 feet of floor space. Included to this section of the mill expansion is a new, highly attractive main mill entrance with a covered portico for «ie convenience and protection of employees during Inclement weather. The new mill entrance also incorporates a well designed watchman's office, waiting space '"r visitors, and a conveniently located pay booth and clock aisles. Even before actual construction could begin on the machine building and stock preparation and finishing areas, major dismantling and land clearing jobs were necessitated. The old extract building, long a landmark at the Champion plant, had to be razed completely. This structure had been used for more than 40 years to process chestmit wood for tannin, before the wood was used to manufacture paper. The preliminary clearance and grading work was begun in July, 1956, the main sewer and other underground piping were completed early in 1957 and on April 4 of that year the first pile was driven. Altogether piles were driven into the muck of the plant site to form the stable support so vital to high quality production of the massive paper machine. Steel erection for No. 20 Machine Building began November 18, 1957 and was completed on May 14, 1958. On May 15, 1958 the first shipment of parts for the No. 20 Machine reached the Carolina Division when dryers arrived at the plant. On July 24, 1958 sole plates for No. 20 Machine were laid, marking the date of the start of actual construction of the machine. Every effort is being exerted to prepare for a s u s- cessful startup and initial operation of No. 20 with supervisory personnel and crews undergoing intensive training to prepare them for the operation of the new paper making giant that is Champion's No. 20 Machine. The No. 20 Machine stretches almost the entire length of the 515 foot building which houses the giant Fourdrinier. The presses of the paper machine reach 27% feet toward the roof of the building and the calendar stacks tower majestically 25 1-2 feet at the dry end of the machine. The hooded 4-section dryers provide uniformity and increased efficiency in drying of the fast-moving sheets of paper and assures better working conditions in the areas surrounding the paper machine. A Beloit rewinder and slitters complete the line up in this ultramodern paper producing unit. OPERATORS of Champion's No. 20 paper machine are undergoing intensive training for the startup of the giant machine in February. Here H. L. Lus- by (pointing), manager of No. 20, shows features of the machine to (L to R): Howard Wright, Jim Paxton, Ernest Branson, Weaver Scott and Bob Den- nard. THE ASHEVILLE CITIZEN-TIMES, ASHEVILLE. N. C Sunday, Jan. 25, 1959 . . The WNC Story . . Section E gK? *«-\^«W!W!?^ m " THE CALENDAR STACKS of calendars are ec|uippen. wun new nip- Champion's new No. 20 rise majestical- relieving pneumatic device, ly at the dry end of the machine. The Many of Western Carolina's Most Beautiful Homes Hav