BUCKSPORT – The sale of the International Paper Co. coated-paper mills is still pending as interested parties continue to negotiate.

Two companies – NewPage, an Ohio-based coated-paper manufacturer and Apollo Management, a New York-based investment firm – have been identified as potential buyers. Local IP spokesman Bill Cohen declined Tuesday to say whether there were other bidders for the mills.

Meanwhile, Cohen said internal planning at the Bucksport mill has been moving ahead to prepare for the eventual sale, no matter who the new owner is. The process involves identifying IP systems that the mill will need to keep or replace once the sale is completed. Although the process has included all mill operations, much of the focus has been on information technology, Cohen said.

“The planning process began months ago,” he said. “We need to identify what we need here to keep operating. Then it’s up to IP and the new owners to work through the details.”

International Paper announced last year that it planned to restructure its worldwide operations and to concentrate on two key businesses, uncoated paper and industrial and consumer packaging. That announcement triggered a review of other operations including the coated-paper division.

About 800 people work at the Bucksport mill, and about 1,000 are employed at the IP facility in Jay. The Stamford, Conn.-based company also has coated-paper plants in Quinnesec, Mich., and Sartell, Minn.