Champion's new giant paper machine begins operation

This article of January 1959 describes the No. 20 Machine which was recently installed at Champion. The machine is two stories high and takes up 124,000 feet of floor space, increases production of paper by 43% and adds 175 new employees.
Champion's New Giant Paper Machine Begins Operation Next Month Industry in Western North Carolina will take a great step forward next month with the startup of The Champion Paper and Fibre Company's gigantic new No. 20 Paper Machine at the Carolina Division mill. As the monstrous Fourdrin- ier starts to make history alongside the nine other machines at the Canton plant, it will provide forceful testimony to Champion's faith in the mountain area, the mountain people and the destiny of our state and our nation. This giant papermaking unit will be capable of operating at a speed of 2,000 feet per minute and will make a sheet of paper 230 inches wide. Thus this giant Fourdrinier machine could pour forth a mile of paper every three minutes in a sheet 230 inches wide. Actual operating speeds are expected to be 1500-1600 feet per minute, however. No. 20 Machine will Increase paper production at the Canton mill 250 to 300 tons per day, bringing the overall output to almost 100 tons every 24 hours—representing approximately a 43 percent increase in mill production. Approximately 175 new employees have joined the ranks of the 3000-member Carolina Champion production team to meet the added personnel requirements lor No. 20 Machine and to further increase the $17 million annual payroll of the Canton mUl by approximately $1 million- Champion began this mammoth expansion of its Carolina Division mill in 1956 ' 'n response to the increasing demand of customers for more paper." Early in August of 1956 Reuben B. Robertson, Sr„ the company's Board Chairman, announced the multimillion dollar three-year expansion after Champion management had for many years looked forward to its start. Initial drawing board work on the No. 20 Machine was begun by Champion as early as 1953. Beloit Iron Works, Beloit, Wisconsin, was builder of the paper machine. Mountain Construction Company erected the towering, extensive buildings which house the No. 20 Machine, the stock preparation area and the new a