UPM Raflatac has received the 2021 Good Health Good Business Award, presented by the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. This award recognizes that UPM Raflatac demonstrates service and exceptional leadership that have resulted in improved health of the company’s employees and the communities in Western North Carolina.

“We are honored to receive this recognition from the Chamber of Commerce. We strive to provide our employees with the resources needed for physical, mental and financial health, as well as play an active role in the stewardship of our communities,” states Gina Coan, human resources manager at UPM Raflatac.

A supplier of pressure sensitive label materials, UPM Raflatac is committed to also being a leading employer in the area surrounding Asheville, NC. The company has two production facilities in this area – one in Fletcher and one in Mills River – as well as a third location in Biltmore Park. The company provides the employees at these sites with free-of-charge health care access by offering an on-site Pardee health clinic at its Mills River location, as well as biometric screenings to help employees uncover and manage health issues.

“Being that safety is a core value of our company, it’s important that this is reflected in many aspects of what we do. Contributing to the overall well-being of all UPM Raflatac employees through our programs represents who we are as an organization,” says Brandon Baertschi, safety, health and environmental manager at UPM Raflatac.

In addition, UPM Raflatac is leading in its community as a responsible business. Its North Carolina factories are part of the UPM’s Biofore Site program. This program aims to improve the sustainability performance of the company’s production sites using nearly 40 performance indicators, such as energy usage. As part of the Biofore Site program, the UPM Raflatac’s factory in Mills River has become first manufacturing facility in North Carolina powered by 100% renewable electricity supplied through Duke Energy’s NC Renewable Energy Program.

“Our approach to manufacturing is to be a responsible member of the pressure sensitive labeling industry. Our unique Biofore Site concept helps to drive and improve our sustainability performance each year. We’re all very proud to be a part of this, and very proud of what we are achieving,” states Neil Bland, general manager of UPM Raflatac’s Mills River factory.