Xerium Technologies Wins Cascades' 2012 Sustainable Supplier Award

KINGSEY FALLS, QC, Feb. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Cascades (TSX: CAS) released yesterday the name of the winner of the fourth edition of the Sustainable Supplier Award, a contest that aims to recognize best business practices in sustainable development among its suppliers. Created by the company's Corporate Procurement Department, this award enables Cascades to publicly acknowledge the efforts of its suppliers that have had positive repercussions on its products, processes or manufacturing methods. The projects undertaken were also assessed on their environmental, societal and economic impacts. This year, although many projects caught the attention of the jury, Xerium was the winner.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130206/MO651)

About Xerium Technologies
Xerium Technologies, with its Weavexx and Stowe divisions, have been working in the pulp and paper industry since the mid-1800s. The company is a leader in paper machine clothing and roll technology. In particular, it provides forming fabrics, press felts, dryer felts, roll covers and spreader rolls. The manufacturing of these products focuses on the reduction of total costs, the improvement of sheet quality and overall machine efficiency. The long standing business partnership between Cascades and Xerium has led them to integrate state-of-the-art rolls and fabrics in many Cascades Tissue Group plants in North America (Candiac, Eau Claire, Kingsey Falls, Mechanics, Memphis, Ransom, Rockingham, Scarborough, Whitby). Integrated projects on fourteen machines have helped increase efficiency of operations. This optimization has generated significant savings in costs as well as a reduction in the consumption of water and energy in the targeted plants. Xerium distinguished itself by providing a file that was exemplary, supported by figures and highlighting the positive environmental and economic repercussions of its project.

Harold Bevis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Xerium, thanked Cascades for this unique recognition: "I see this prize as one of the best incentives for encouraging suppliers like us to engage in a sustainable development approach with its clients. For the coming years, Xerium intends to continue developing paper machine clothing and rolls technology for the purpose of improving the performance of its clients."

Suppliers play a major role in the value chain of a manufacturing company like Cascades. The Sustainable Supplier Award is a prime example of the importance that Cascades attaches to good relations. According to Alain Lemaire, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cascades, "if year after year we succeed in distinguishing ourselves and in bringing to market top quality products, it is partly thanks to our suppliers who bring us concrete solutions and that help us improve ourselves".

The prize was awarded during the annual meeting of Cascades' plant managers in North America, in front of more than one hundred people. It was deemed the most appropriate time by Cascades because it made it possible to highlight the accomplishments of some plants as well as make known the supplier that is being honored and its expertise in other units of the company.

Founded in 1964, Cascades produces, converts and markets packaging and tissue products that are composed mainly of recycled fibres. The company employs more than 12,000 employees, who work in over 100 units located in North America and Europe. With its management philosophy, close to half a century of experience in recycling, and continuous efforts in research and development as driving forces, Cascades continues to deliver the innovative products that customers have come to rely on. Cascades' shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CAS.

SOURCE CASCADES INC.