Visible Product, Less Visible Company

This company’s products are so visible and in use in Switzerland, Europe, and other parts of the world. In fact, these products are essential components of a country’s economy.  The products concerned here is the Swiss Franc, the Euro and other national currencies.  While the currencies are part of everyday life, the company who makes the security paper banknotes is not well-known.

This company is Fortress Paper, Ltd. It is based in Canada and has three manufacturing plants. The Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill is in Quebec, Canada. This mill produces pulp used to manufacture a special kind of paper and is being upgraded to produce pulp which will be used in such products as cellophane.  The Dresden Mill is in Germany and manufactures specialty papers like technical papers and non-woven wall papers.

The Lanqart Mill in Switzerland is where the security paper used to make the Swiss Franc is made. It has been the sole manufacturer of this banknote for over 30 years. The plant is also one of the exclusive suppliers of banknotes for the European currency.  Over 25 countries use the company’s banknote papers.  It also supplies security paper for use in passports and visas of different countries.

Security and secrecy is the top priority in this plant. Counterfeiting is a major concern. The company has to always stay ahead of the counterfeiting curve and must continuously upgrade its technological capabilities to prevent criminals from copying the security papers they produce.

Fortress Paper had revenues of $278.2 million in 2010 up from $ 196.1 in 2009. Net income likewise rose to $34.4 million in 2010 from $12.6 million in 2009.  Total assets were U.S. $ 287.6 million in 2010.

The company has managed to diversify with different product lines although most are dependent to some degree on wood.  The banknote market does need contracts from governments, so although their paper is in wide circulation, their clients are really the national governments and not the populace.

All things considered, the company is growing while continuing its role as a critical but silent partner in producing the world’s currencies.