Wausau Paper


Mosinee, Wisconsin, USA, 20 December 2007 --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Wausau Paper (NYSE:WPP) today announced revised fourth-quarter earnings guidance, reflecting weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter results from its Printing & Writing and Specialty Products business units.

For the fourth quarter ending 31 December, the company is now projecting losses of approximately USD 2 million, or USD 0.04 per share, excluding timberland sales gains and charges related to the closure of its paper mill in Groveton, New Hampshire. The company had earlier anticipated fourth-quarter earnings of approximately USD 2 million, or USD 0.04 per share, on the same basis.

"Our lower earnings expectations for the fourth quarter are largely attributable to further decline in uncoated freesheet and specialty paper demand resulting from a weakening U.S. economy," stated Thomas J. Howatt, president and CEO. "While demand has been significantly weaker than levels anticipated earlier in the quarter, we believe actions we've undertaken position the company for improved results early next year. Our Printing & Writing profitability recovery plan, announced in October, is still expected to return the business to profitable levels in the second-half of 2008." Howatt continued, "In addition, the sale of Specialty Products' unprofitable roll wrap unit will benefit future performance and our capital investment in additional toweling capacity announced December 19 to support our Towel & Tissue unit's growth reaffirms our expectations for ongoing strong returns in this business."

About Wausau Paper

Wausau Paper, with record revenues of USD 1.2 billion in fiscal 2006, produces and markets fine printing and writing papers, technical specialty papers, and "away-from-home" towel and tissue products. To learn more about Wausau Paper visit www.wausaupaper.com.