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The North American forest products industry has a rich and storied history, and nowhere is it more evident than in Domtar’s combined 205 years of business. Our family tree took root in 1820, and it extends unbroken to today under the ownership of Indonesian businessman Jackson Wijaya. Much has changed over the two centuries that have passed since we began operations in Canada by exporting lumber to Great Britain, but what hasn’t changed throughout Domtar’s history is our relentless pursuit of excellence. To better understand where we came from and how we became a leading manufacturer of diversified forest products, read through this overview of Domtar’s history.
Our commitment to manufacturing safety is shared by every team member and every facility in our network. This shared commitment has led to a wide range of safety milestones and awards in 2024. Safety is, and will always be, our number one goal. “We need our employees to be constantly engaged in safe work practices,” says Richard Tremblay, president of our Pulp and Tissue Business Unit. “Ensuring safety at work is one way we care for one another and propels us to reaching our ultimate safety goal — zero injuries.” Luc Thériault, president of our Wood Products Business Unit, agrees. In a recent article, he said, “When you step back and look at the progress we’ve made in the area of safety over the past 15 to 20 years, it is truly impressive. … Our success is the result of a strong vision, unwavering determination, a refusal to compromise and the hard work of many people.”
We have a team of colleagues dedicated to fostering a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion across Domtar. Over the past few months, we have continued to advance our integration journey, aligning our various groups and programs to support our vision: to be the global leader in the forest products sector. These integration efforts include the establishment of a unified Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) council, comprised of colleagues from all business units and the Corporate Services Center. The DEI Council is diverse in every way. Its members represent our institutions from ocean to ocean, across North America, and are remarkable for the diversity of $-!their ethnic backgrounds, their personalities, as as their years and types of experience. They also represent the three former companies that now make-up Domtar. “Our board members provide unique leadership and perspectives that advance the implementation of our DEI initiatives,” said Eric Haggard, Director, Diversity, Equity and inclusion. “The entire team shares a strong desire to contribute to the success of the company by promoting an inclusive environment that values diversity and promotes equity in the workplace.”
At Domtar, our colleagues bring a wide range of skills, experiences and perspectives to their work, and that’s what makes us a stronger, more resilient company. One such colleague is Karen Roach, general manager at our Grenada, Mississippi, mill and chair of the Domtar Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Committee. Roach’s journey to mill manager spans 26 years in the forest products industry at locations in the United States and Canada. We sat down with Roach to learn more about her career and the lessons she’s learned along the way as a woman working in manufacturing.
Luc Thériault has led Domtar’s Wood Products business unit since August 26, 2024. In his new role, he is responsible for ensuring profitable and sustainable operations, while maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. With more than 30 years of experience in the forest products industry and a strong commitment to excellence, Luc aligns perfectly with the company’s goals and values. Read on to learn more about his priorities for our wood products business.
Karen Roach is general manager of our Grenada Mill. And now, she's chair of our award-winning DE&I committee. Learn about her journey from entry-level engineer to mill manager, and find out why Conseil du patronat du Québec named Domtar winner of its 2024 Diversity and Inclusion Employer award:
Domtar, Resolute Forest Products and Paper Excellence have joined under one name. Learn how we are combining our strengths and legacies to grow into the fiber for the future.
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