National Gypsum announced it has signed a definitive purchase agreement to purchase a paper plant from G-P Gypsum Corp ...

National Gypsum Co. announced it has signed a definitive purchase agreement to purchase a paper plant located in Delair, N.J., from G-P Gypsum Corp., a subsidiary of Georgia-Pacific Corp. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The Delair plant produces recycled gypsum paperboard to form the front and back of gypsum wallboard. The plant can produce 2.4 billion square feet or 63,000 tons of recycled paperboard annually.

"This acquisition is further evidence of National Gypsum's long-term commitment to the industry and another step in our operating strategy," said Thomas C. Nelson, president and chief executive officer.

"Being vertically integrated with our own gypsum and paper supplies is key to keeping costs down and ensuring a quality product," he says. "The Delair plant is ideally situated to supply our network of wallboard plants and complements our three other paper production facilities. With this acquisition, we will be able to meet our paper requirements."

In other company news, National Gypsum announced it is establishing a Technology Innovation Center near its headquarters in Charlotte, N.C. It will relocate a portion of its Research and Development staff from Buffalo, New York, to Charlotte. The company will continue to maintain operations in Buffalo where its acoustical and fire-testing facility is located.