Portada CORPORATE STRATEGY
by Margarita Sologuren

Forestal Simpson Limitada


When we speak of industrial processes that use wood as their main input, we think of cutting, and not planting, trees. Although the outlook is very bleak, there exist a few profitable projects that cushion, in an effective and lasting way, the immoderate felling of trees around the world. One of these projects is being developed, since the last decade, in northeastern Guatemala, by Forestal Simpson Limitada.

Since 1988, Simpson has sustained a close relationship with the National Forestry Institute and with the National Environmental Commission, with the objective of maintaining the authorities properly informed of its activities.

Simpson presently owns four thousand acres of land, of which 3,400 are planted with gmelin, and 3,500 are leased. Furthermore, there is an important area (400 acres) dedicated to the conservation of native vegetation. In total, they are hoping to plant, in the short run, ten thousand acres.

Growing trees does not represent, in itself, an activity that generates profits for Simpson; the real business for Simpson is the production of paper. Simpson defines its sustainability project in the following way: be economically feasible, socially fair, and environmentally balanced, using the best technology possible.

Thursday, January 16 marked the beginning of a protest campaign, headed by ecological groups, against the construction of Simpson's new facilities. Meanwhile, Simpson awaits the decision of the authorities, which will determine if its operations in Guatemala continue or not. An impartial resolution, agile and technical, to the Simpson project would set a good precedent, to be made extensive to those who already benefit in a rational and fair manner, or those who wish to do so, from the generosity of the Río Dulce.


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Febrero, 1997