Legacy Port Huron Paper names Jean Buckwalter senior vice president

Legacy Port Huron Paper has appointed specialty paper veteran Jean Buckwalter to lead commercial leadership and executive enterprise development as its PM8 machine reaches full production in Port Huron, Michigan. The move underscores the company’s push to scale lightweight specialty grades for packaging, medical and industrial customers.

Why it matters: - Legacy Port Huron Paper is adding commercial leadership as PM8 enters full production, signaling a push to grow in lightweight specialty grades. - The company’s strategy is centered on strength-to-weight paper that helps converters improve yield and profitability. - The appointment adds senior expertise in a market where technical sales, supply reliability and customer relationships matter.

What happened: - Legacy Port Huron Paper, a BMI Group company, named Jean Buckwalter senior vice president of commercial leadership and executive enterprise development. - The company announced the appointment on July 14, 2026, from Port Huron, Michigan. - Buckwalter joins as PM8 reaches full production of lightweight specialty grades. - PM8 is the company’s specialty paper machine in Port Huron.

The details: - PM8 produces machine-glazed, or MG, grades dried against a Yankee cylinder. - The machine runs at up to 186 inches of trim width. - PM8 serves food packaging, converting, medical and industrial applications. - Legacy Port Huron Paper said Buckwalter brings decades of North American specialty paper experience. - Buckwalter has long-standing relationships with converters, food packaging companies, distributors and specialty paper customers. - Buckwalter said delivering the business advantage takes more than a paper machine and requires engineering differentiated products at scale, reliable supply and customer problem-solving. - The company’s Enterprise Development Group includes Mark Bessette, managing director; Tim Wight, general manager; Rod Tibboles, sales and customer service manager; and Bruce Macrone, senior sales account manager. - Ryan Anderson, general manager of BMI’s recently acquired Espanola pulp and paper mill, also is part of the group. - BMI Group said Anderson’s experience deepens its pulp and paper expertise.

Between the lines: - The appointment appears aimed at pairing production growth with commercial execution, not just adding manufacturing capacity. - Legacy Port Huron Paper is emphasizing economics that reward higher output by area from each ton of paper, which can improve margins for customers. - BMI Group is also signaling a broader specialty paper platform built around experienced operators and technical collaboration. - Paul Veldman, CEO of BMI Group, said Buckwalter’s leadership reflects a focus on building a world-class specialty paper organization around experienced people, customer focus and technical expertise.

What's next: - Legacy Port Huron Paper will likely use Buckwalter’s background to expand customer relationships and commercial development around PM8 output. - The company said Buckwalter is available for interviews on specialty paper supply, economics and enterprise development. - More information is available at Legacy Paper.

The bottom line: - Legacy Port Huron Paper is pairing a key production milestone with a senior commercial hire to accelerate growth in lightweight specialty papers.