Kruger Inc., based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, invested $155 million in its mills in 1998 to increase capacity, improve product quality and service, reduce costs, implement technological innovations and develop value-added products to reinforce the company's competitive position in all of its markets.

In addition to the $32-million investment in Scierie Manic in Ragueneau during the previous year, another $10 million was spent on Quebec's North Shore mill in 1998. Kruger's other wholly owned sawmills, Scierie Parent in Parent, Scierie Jacques Beaulieu in Longue-Rive and Scierie HCN in Forestville, were also upgraded to enhance production and increase their competitiveness in the lumber market. Kruger has invested $110 million on the North Shore since 1996, and more than 1,250 direct jobs depend on the activities of the four mills.

In 1998, Kruger completed an expansion program, investing more than $22 million in its Montreal paperboard mill. This mill manufactures high-quality white top linerboard from recycled paper.