Company Receives Customized Training Grant

ELMWOOD PARK - Governor Jon S. Corzine today toured the Marcal Paper Mills production facility and praised company officials for their efforts in retaining approximately 900 jobs in the Garden State.

"Marcal's pledge is exactly the type of job retention commitment we are seeking," said Governor Corzine. "During these hard economic times, it is crucial that we work in partnership with companies like Marcal to build the strongest and most productive workforce possible to keep New Jersey businesses competitive. The economic stimulus package I have proposed will facilitate companies, like Marcal, to keep and grow jobs throughout the state."

Encouraging businesses to retain jobs in New Jersey and developing partnerships with employers to invest in expanding the skills of their workers are key elements of the Governor's overall Economic Growth Strategy

Marcal, a manufacturer of recycled paper products, is receiving a $209,600 customized training grant from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to help implement a lean manufacturing training program to improve the company's performance, quality of work, reduce waste and develop a sophisticated inventory-control system. The company utilizes a significant amount of recyclable paper from the Northeastern United States and has been a fixture of Bergen County since 1932.

"Today, more than ever, businesses require a highly-skilled, highly-productive workforce to maintain operations during the economic downturn," said Labor Commissioner Socolow. "The Department of Labor and Workforce Development is committed to Governor Corzine's economic stimulus initiatives, helping employers become more efficient by increasing the capabilities of their workers.

Governor Corzine thanked Tim Spring, Marcal CEO, for his commitment to invest in the company's workers. Marcal is matching the grant with a $245,086 contribution and will train 306 incumbent employees. Training will be provided by William Paterson University and the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program.

Marcal CEO Tim Spring said, "Thanks to the efforts of the State of New Jersey, Governor Corzine and Commissioner Socolow, we have been able to keep some 900 people employed at Marcal. With this grant, we are able to train them in the kinds of productivity-oriented skills that are required in today's highly competitive workforce. What you may not realize though is that this grant has allowed another significant gain for our environment: our ability to continue to save over 2 million trees annually. For over 70 years, Marcal has been saving trees and reducing landfill by making its paper products from recycled paper. Marcal has collected paper from curbs in residential neighborhoods across New Jersey, and from the small blue baskets in your own office buildings. Our hard working employees have turned printers waste and junk mail from the US post office into something good."

President Bob Loderstedt said, "The New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP) is pleased to be working closely with Governor Corzine and his administration in the critical effort of ensuring the competitive edge of New Jersey's manufacturing base and its high paying jobs. NJMEP is proud to be part of this public-private partnership, delivering training to Marcal workers."

Customized training grants are matching grants awarded to New Jersey businesses to provide training to a company's workforce in skills specifically needed to increase productivity and marketability. The grants, awarded through the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, are funded through the Workforce Development Partnership Program.

Information about competitive customized training and literacy grants is available by calling (609) 633-6799 or on the Internet at:

http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/employer/training/incentives_training_index.html