Who We Are

Behind every company is a story. Ours begins in 1931, during the turbulence of the Great Depression, when George O’Connor took a chance and bought a bankrupt paper mill in Upstate New York. Convinced that the mill and the craftspeople who worked there were worth saving, he strove to make paper that was as enduring and unique as it was well-crafted and beautiful. This purposeful foresight became a philosophy understood by four generations of the O’Connor family as they have led Mohawk forward.

At our core, we are a company of makers. We make real things that make a real impact. We make connections between people and ideas. What we make helps print go from simply good to truly great.

What will you make today?

Mohawk Heritage

Mohawk was founded in 1931 in upstate New York, where the Hudson and Mohawk rivers come together. In this location, generations of fine papermakers have honed their craft while helping define the contours of an industry. From its modest origins during the Depression, Mohawk has grown through careful management and wise investment under the guidance of four generations of the O’Connor family. Today, Mohawk is a global business with a reputation for thought leadership and a commitment to core values that celebrate heritage and innovation in equal measure.

Windpower

Every paper manufactured by Mohawk carries the “Mohawk windpower” designation. This means all of the electricity used in Mohawk’s manufacturing operations is matched with Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from Green-e windpower projects. Today Mohawk purchases enough RECs from renewable energy market leaders to match 100% of the electricity we use in our operations. These RECs yield emission reduction benefits equal to planting thousands of acres of forest.

Carbon Neutral

Mohawk also offers a number of products that are made carbon neutral within our production processes. In addition to purchasing enough Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to match 100% of the electricity used in its operations, the thermal energy used in the manufacture of this paper is offset through the company’s purchase of carbon credits that fund renewable energy or emission?reduction projects. Through this process, Mohawk is seeking to manufacture these papers with a net zero climate impact.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

Mohawk does not own or manage forest land. As a non-integrated paper manufacturer, Mohawk does not engage in timber harvesting, direct forest product procurement or wood processing. Mohawk purchases pulp from reputable sources that practice responsible environmental and forest management. As one of the largest consumers of market pulp in the U.S., Mohawk can drive compliance through its supply chain.

We believe that FSC is a robust forest management program. With its controls at every stage of the supply chain, FSC is a reliable system for assessment and mitigation of risks regarding involvement with illegal timber harvesting.

Mohawk received chain-of-custody certification from the Forest Stewardship Council in 2002.

Post Consumer Waste (PCW) and Green Seal

Using high amounts of post consumer waste fiber is an important way to reduce pressure on forest lands and Mohawk is a leading producer of recycled paper. We were the first paper manufacturer in the U.S. to receive Green Seal certification [1994]. Every year we use thousands of tons of post consumer fiber in the production of our fine papers.

Green Seal is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to safeguarding the environment and transforming the marketplace by promoting the manufacture, purchase and use of environmentally responsible products and services.

Windpower: 100% of the electricity used in Mohawk’s operations is matched with Renewable Energy Credits (RECs).

Carbon Neutral: Mohawk grades carrying the Carbon Neutral designation are made carbon neutral within Mohawk’s production processes.

FSC: Mohawk grades that carry the FSC designation meet the strict standards set forth by FSC and are certified by the Rainforest Alliance.

PCW: Paper made from post-consumer waste, which is waste that people have actually used and recycled instead of discarding to landfills.