A Year After Fire, Marcal Paper Celebrates Plant's Return

ELWMOOD PARK, NJ – After the Marcal Paper Mill property was destroyed in a massive fire last January and the plant was shut down, the company is back in business.

On Friday, Marcal will host an event at its Elmwood Park facilities to thank those who supported its recovery efforts and to celebrate the company’s return to paper making operations.

Marcal’s CEO Rob Baron, along with other company executives, will be joined by officials, first responders, the United Steelworkers and community partners to cheer New Jersey’s “one and only recycled tissue manufacturer.”

Expected attendees include: Gov. Phil Murphy, Congressman Bill Pascrell, Elmwood Park Mayor Robert Colletti, Elmwood Park Police Chief Michael Foligno and Peter Marcalus, grandson of Marcal Paper founder Nicholas Marcalus.

See More: Marcal CEO Says They'll Be Back In Business Soon

More than 100 firefighters worked to battle the Jan. 30, 2019 10-alarm fire that destroyed 31 of the plant's 36 buildings, along with Marcal's iconic sign. No injuries were reported.

In June, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office said it is unlikely they'll ever know the exact cause of the fire because it was too intense and left too much damage.

Following the fire, Baron said Marcal "coordinated an aggressive program of assistance for those team members whose jobs were lost that day" and that workers were connected with "new employment opportunities and critical human services" from state and local officials, as well as dozens of employers.

Read More:Authorities Say Marcal Fire Cause Still Unknown

Additionally, Marcal provided associates with financial assistance and extended health insurance coverage, he said.

The company has not said if previously employed workers at the plant would be offered their old jobs back.

The recovery process also included a merge with Nittany Paper, a converting operation in Pennsylvania, to ensure that the paper rolls manufactured in Elmwood Park can be converted into final product for sale, according to Baron.