At its core, our mission is to foster sustainable growth and broaden our horizons in the remarkable realm of forest products. Our comprehensive approach allows us to unleash captivating possibilities. Through strategic acquisitions that complement our existing portfolio and targeted capital expenditures, we nurture organic growth and enhance the potential of our current assets.
By fostering collaboration and empowerment within our organization, we embrace diversification, paving the way for developing extraordinary products and unlocking new avenues for growth. We pride ourselves on operating state-of-the-art facilities that rival the best in the world. We create a harmonious balance between business and the greater good by upholding the highest standards of environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and governance practices.
As we look forward, our Vision 2030 revolves around the collective obligation to link our aspirations, actions, and results on both personal and global levels. It entails intertwining our forward-looking endeavors with tangible, precise, and assessable strategies. Our 4-pillar strategy — Financial, Synergistic Diversification, Circular Economy, and People & Safety — is a blueprint for connecting, adjusting, and attaining advancements to foster alignment within the organization, enhance employee involvement, and achieve operational excellence.
2030 Aspirational Goals
We are committed to maintaining a capital structure that protects the company in the event of a downturn in markets yet provides the flexibility to expand quickly in the event that we encounter an opportunity to grow. We maintain a conservative leverage level over time and are committed to a material dividend that we expect can be maintained through economic cycles. In times when pressure on the stock price is exceptional, we have supported our shareholders by buying back small volumes of stock on the open market.
Our Investors
Based on our expertise with wood and its byproducts, we seek to develop new products through wood processing and working with derivatives of the kraft pulping process. Currently, these processes are focused on:
We are working on some of these initiatives on our own and in conjunction with industry associations or joint venture partners. We are also researching potential higher-use products that may be derived from processing different species of trees and plants.
In an effort to further grow our chemical sales and bring additional value to our byproduct stream, we are investing in a pilot lignin plant at our Rosenthal mill. This plant will allow us to research the commercial opportunities of this product. Lignin has many potential uses in the manufacture of green alternative products such as adhesives and carbon black.
Products & Services
We believe the strength of our workforce is one of the significant contributors to our success as a global company. All our employees contribute to our success, and we employ a collaborative group of skilled, dedicated, resourceful and innovative individuals who support our core purpose and reflect our values every day. Attracting, developing and retaining global talent with the right skills to drive our business is central to our vision and long-term growth strategy.
Safety is a cornerstone of our operations at Mercer, and we prioritize the well-being of our team members, customers, and communities we serve. By implementing comprehensive safety protocols and fostering a culture of vigilance, we create a secure work environment that promotes productivity and long-term success. Through regular training and education, we empower our team members to identify and address potential risks, ensuring that safety remains at the forefront of our organizational values. Our commitment to continuous improvement and adherence to industry standards allows us to provide a safe and secure experience for all stakeholders involved.
At the heart of our vision lies the firm understanding that the operation and maintenance of our highly efficient manufacturing facilities are pivotal to our success. We recognize the significance of achieving energy self-sufficiency, maximizing cost-effectiveness, and optimizing operational efficiency. By diligently focusing on these aspects, we are confident in building a solid foundation that will enable us to expand and thrive in the ever-evolving business landscape.
Our Operations
We think a lot about wood utilization from both a cost and sustainability perspective. At Mercer, our operations focus on increasing the utilization of the raw materials in our process while minimizing waste. Full utilization starts in the forest and continues through every step of the pulping process in our large, modern facilities.
Sustainability