Strong attendance, special events, and a sold-out exhibit hall kept the energy high at TAPPICon, held April 28 - May 1 at Cleveland's Huntington Convention Center. Better Together host Jan Bottiglieri was in Cleveland to try to capture that energy at the podcast booth. In this episode, we bring you six fun, short interviews—here's a sampling of what you'll hear:

Brian Mock—President, Event Capture Systems:
"We want to reduce waste and delay... and we want to do that in such a way that allows the paper maker to increase efficiencies of the overall process."

 Heather Jennings—Director, Huma Environmental and
John Rudd—Director of Operations, IoT-MFG Company:
"Let's look at that entire ecosystem and then once we understand it, we can start reacting to it in a positive way."

 David Strobhar—Principal Human Factors Engineer, Beville Engineering:
" At the very time when you want the alarm system to help you, it's actually working against you. And then of course, the operators were getting blamed."

 Shih-Chin Chen—retired, recipient of 2019 Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal:
"The knowledge of all the participants is just amazing. So you learn every time, from a very broad spectrum of people. You get pulled in!"

 Herman Quon—Sales Manager, Esko:
"Sustainability is what this industry is all about and innovation in the paper industry is what will sustain this industry."

 John Weiler—Sales Manager, Boston Dynamics:
"Part of the reason why I'm at the show is to talk about how mobile robots are creating safer tissue and paper and pulp operations around the world."

 Other resources mentioned on this Episode of Better Together include:

·      View Brian Mock's Chalk Talks on Near Infrared LEDs for pulp and paper mills.       

·      Learn more about the Center for Operator Performance that David mentions.

·      Try out Esko's oil viscosity calculator.

·      See Spot the Robot Dog in action.

Strong attendance, special events, and a sold-out exhibit hall kept the energy high at TAPPICon, held April 28 - May 1 at Cleveland's Huntington Convention Center. Better Together host Jan Bottiglieri was in Cleveland to try to capture that energy at the podcast booth. In this episode, we bring you seven fun short interviews—here's a sampling of what you'll hear:

Bobby Hyde—Application Specialist, Valmet:
"If your heart rate doesn't get up... because you're in an uncomfortable spot, then really at the end of the day, are you learning anything?"

Lu Athnos—Regional Sales Manager, Pulp & Paper, ABB Automation:
"It's not enough just to fix a problem. You have to document that knowledge and you have to be able to share that knowledge in an actionable way."

Peter Kayser—Managing Director, Krafft Walzen:
"I find it personally quite amazing, what this business is capable of doing—to be reinvented for the future."

Sneh Patel—Chief Operating Officer, JMC Paper Tech USA:
"This has been amazing for us as a family. It was our grandfather's dream to open up our own mill again... it's great knowing that we're able to keep that legacy going." 

Elliott Bell—Global Head of Pulp & Paper, Radix Engineering and Software:
"I love pulp and paper... It is some of the most interesting technology, some of the most interesting challenges that you'll see in any industry."

Vera Hallikainen—Development Manager, Finnish Forest Products Engineers' Association:
"I think innovation is the key... while we keep innovating together, I think the future is very bright." 

Ludovic Tremblay—Product Expert, CONFORMiT:
"We're talking about taking all the data from the mill—all the valves, all the disconnects, switches, all the breakers—putting 'em in the system and making them work for the plant." 

Other resources mentioned on this Episode of Better Together include:

·      Check out Bobby Hyde's free webinar about Tissue Drone Services.

·      Meet amazing women in our industry with ABB's Unstoppable series.

·      Visit Germany's Modellfabrik Papier, an industry consortium working toward climate goals.

·      Access the Finnish Forest Products Engineers' extensive Forest BIoFacts Series.     

·      Learn more about TAPPI's Divisions, Committees, and Special Interest Groups.

In this episode, host Jan Bottiglieri speaks with Bud Chase and Alfredo Sarli, members of the TAPPI Tissue Division Dust Mitigation Committee. This growing, active group of professionals meets to discuss a critical issue: managing the risk of tissue mill dust fires. Listeners will learn more about the science behind dust combustion; how vendors and manufacturers are working together to identify new mitigation goals and techniques; the potential risk involved; and what top things our experts feel every tissue mill must do to manage this risk.

Bud Chase is vice president—tissue at EDT (Enzymatic Deinking Technologies), responsible for all tissue enzyme applications. He has spent his entire career in the paper industry, beginning in 1989 with roles in tissue production, paper machine clothing, automation, and chemicals. Chase received a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Pulp & Paper/Chemical Engineering program.

Alfredo Sarli is a mechanical engineer from McGill University with over 30 years’ experience in the paper industry on machinery and process applications ranging from the wet end to the dry end of the paper machine. He is currently an applications specialist for the Air Systems division of Valmet and is based in Montreal, Canada.

To learn more about the Tissue Division or the Dust Mitigation Committee, visit the TAPPI Website.

Read about TAPPISAFE and the new Dust Mitigation course—or any of the more than 170 courses TAPPISAFE offers— at tappisafe.org. 

 Which Division or Committee is a perfect fit for your career? TAPPI has more than a dozen Technical Divisions targeting specific segments of the industry. Each Division and its corresponding Technical Committees work to share knowledge and provide solutions for the industry through a variety of products, services, and opportunities including publications, events, and online discussions. TAPPI members can join any of our Technical Committees. 

 To become a TAPPI member, please join online or contact the Member Connection Center at 1-800-332-8686 (US), 1-800-446-9431 (Canada), or +1-770-446-1400.

 Don't forget to Subscribe, Post, and Share this podcast! We appreciate your support.

WIN Division Panel Discusses Leadership Models in the Pulp, Paper, Packaging & Tissue Industries. In this special episode of Better Together, host Jan Bottiglieri is joined by three guests from TAPPI's Women in Industry Division. This dynamic group provides programming, events, and networking opportunities for women and men throughout the industry, with a focus on personal growth and career development

For this Episode, our panel includes

·       Amanda Kernan of Valmet, who is our WIN Program Chair and a WIN Division Vice Chair;

·      Gabriele Pinckney, a WIN Division member and DEI senior manager for Solenis LLC; and

·      Deanna Duram, managing consultant with Trinity Consultants and the WIN Division's 2022 Woman of the Year.

The WIN Division is gearing up for its 2024 International Women’s Day Panel, held via Zoom on Friday, March 8, from 9:30 to 10:30 am EST. Moderated by Gabriele Pinckney, the panel will focus on Navigating Gender Equality in Industry, and will share real examples on how to implement successful inclusion strategies in your everyday life. Register here for this free event. Though only one hour out of your day, this discussion will make a lasting impact. Please join us and help #InspireInclusion!

If you have missed the Women's Day Panel—or if you're simply interested in supporting leadership opportunities and career growth for women in pulp, paper, and packaging—the WIN Division invites you to its 2024 Women's Summit in Cleveland, OH, on Saturday, April 27. Held in conjunction with TAPPICon, this year's Summit will include a keynote presentation from Cyd Rechtin, Founder and CEO of The Creator’s Attaché (TCA). Learn more here.

THANK YOU for listening to Better Together: Conversations with Innovative Leaders; don't forget to follow and subscribe to our podcast wherever you get your podcast content. Remember that, as the pulp, paper, and packaging industries face a future full of possibility, we really are Better Together.

Welcome back for the second of two episodes of Better Together recorded at CorrExpo 2023 in Cleveland, OH, August 29 and 30th. More than 1,200 people attended the event, which featured an active exhibit floor, memorable networking events, and an expert-led technical program. Whether you were lucky enough to be there or not, these mini-interviews capture some of the engagement and excitement on site.

In this episode, we'll be speaking with:

·      Matt Condon, business development manager, digital printing, Domino 

Host Jan Bottiglieri asks Matt about new developments in digital printing. 

·      Christine Little, director of sales/Corrugated Machinery Division,                Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Learn about one of the biggest causes of plant downtime—and what can be done. 

·      Joe Slattery, Midwest regional sales manager, Fosber America, Inc.

Joe and Jan talk about exciting developments in corrugated technology.

·      Ron Gracy, territory manager, Walla Walla Environmental 

Ron wraps things up discussing how wastewater treatment can save your plant money.

Click to read more about CorrExpo 2023, and view slideshows of the Awards Ceremony and the networking event at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

SAVE THE DATE for SuperCorrExpo, September 8-12, 2024 in Orlando, FL. This HUGE, only-once-every-four-years event is not to be missed!

This episode of Better Together welcomes Bob Chapman, chairman and CEO of St. Louis, MO-based Barry-Wehmiller, a $3B global capital equipment and engineering solutions company with more than 12,000 team members. Over the past two decades, Chapman's approach has evolved from traditional management practices to Truly Human Leadership—a people-centric approach where his team members feel valued, cared for, and integral to the company’s purpose. Bob Chapman will also be the opening keynoter at CorrExpo in Cleveland, OH, August 28-30. 

In this inspiring conversation, Bob talks with Better Together host Jan Bottiglieri about the transformative effect this unique approach can have on the pulp, paper, and packaging industry—and how caring about people is not just successful, but absolutely necessary.

 More about Barry-Wehmiller: www.barrywehmiller.com

More about Chapman & Co. Leadership Institute: www.ccoleadership.com

TAPPICon 2023 was a huge success with attendees and exhibitors. Boasting high attendance and a top-notch program, the conference offered plenty for attendees, including a multi-track technical program and an exhibit floor packed with new technology. The event took place April 22 - 26, 2023 at Cobb Galleria in Atlanta, GA. 

Better Together Host Jan Bottiglieri was right there at TAPPICon interviewing exhibitors and attendees to capture some of that energy live, while it was happening. The energy and enthusiasm from the folks she met make these interviews lively and informative.

Here are the four professionals you'll meet on this episode of "Better Together"--and just a taste of what they'll be sharing in our conversation:

·      Calvin Bembry, Clearwater Paper: "You can't recruit for this industry unless you can really explain to someone what they'll be doing. Recruiters paint pictures."

·      Rebecca Boyd, Jedson Engineering: "You can simulate a lot of things virtually that you'd never want to do in person. We make that (technology) part of our work process."

·      Alos Almeida, Deublin: "We've been hearing more and more about energy efficiency—not just in North America, but everywhere."

·      Tony Tobatto and Tony Magnusen, ABB: "Working with (pulp and paper) customers in 2020—utilizing everything they had on site, trying to do more with less—led us to where we are today."

Here are a few links related to this episode that may interest listeners:

·      Learn about the Women in Industry (WIN) Division, and access presentations from past events

·      Check out opportunities available with TAPPI's subject-specific Technical Committees

·      Read the popular Paper360° article, "Nine Things Your Company Can Do to Find, Keep, and Support Young Talent"

Check out the 2023 highlight real on tappicon.org, then bookmark for updates on next year's TAPPICon, April 28 - May 1, 2024, in Cleveland, OH

TAPPICon 2023 was a huge success with attendees and exhibitors. Boasting high attendance and a top-notch program, the conference offered plenty for attendees, including a multi-track technical program and an exhibit floor packed with new technology. The event took place April 22 - 26, 2023 at Cobb Galleria in Atlanta, GA. 

Better Together Host Jan Bottiglieri was right there at TAPPICon interviewing exhibitors and attendees to capture some of that energy live, while it was happening. For this special "Live from TAPPICon 2023!" episode, she's joined by guest host Mark Rushton, senior editor with Paper360° and the editor of Tissue360°.

Here are the folks you'll meet on this episode of "Better Together"--and just a taste of what they'll be sharing in our conversation:

·      Jeff Peters, BTG: "The biggest growth (in the tissue sector) has been through improvements in tissue technology." 

·      Alfredo Sarli, Valmet: "Tissue is one of the most energy intensive processes... but that creates opportunity."

·      Naomi Ballenger, Jacobs: "We've set up employee networks that help employees feel ready to make that next move up."

·      Pat Dixon, Pulmac: "Say you have a Z-Span tester or a shive analyzer—you're producing data, but what do you do with it?"

·      Yesha Patel, JMC Paper Tech USA: "As a company new to the NA market, we offer our own strengths... this industry will continue to grow."

Even if you missed TAPPICon this year, this episode will let you virtually join the nearly 1,700 industry professionals, students, and others who gathered to learn and network in Atlanta. Make sure to subscribe and share—and join the conversation on Better Together!

Here are a few links related to this episode that may interest listeners:

 ·      Access the latest issue of Tissue360° magazine

·      Learn more about TAPPICon 2023 Keynoter John Dyck and Smart Manufacturing in the March/April issue of Paper360° or on this previous episode of "Better Together"

·      Read about the new Industry 4.0 Lexicon developed by the PIMA Division's IT Committee 

·      Check out the 2023 highlight real on tappicon.org, then bookmark for updates on next year's TAPPICon, April 28 - May 1, 2024, in Cleveland, OH

In this episode we welcome John Dyck, CEO of CESMII - The Smart Manufacturing Institute, a post he has held since June of 2018. CESMII is a Manufacturing USA Institute chartered with transforming the US manufacturing market and increasing global competitiveness through the democratization of Smart Manufacturing technologies, knowledge, and business practices. Join Mr. Dyck and Paper360° Editorial Director Jan Bottiglieri as they discuss some of the innovative ways that CESMII is working to make that happen--and what it may mean not only for the leading companies in the pulp and paper industry, but for our critical small- and medium-sized operations as well, on both the manufacturing and supplier side.

Mr. Dyck will also be the keynote speaker for the upcoming TAPPICon 2023 in Atlanta, GA, April 22-26. “We are at an inflection point," he says. "The ecosystem is beginning to partner and collaborate to solve some of these big problems. (At TAPPICon), I'll be excited to articulate that in some tangible ways.”

For TAPPICon 2023 program highlights and registration: https://tappicon.org

In September, 2022, TAPPI and AICC came together to put on another outstanding CorrWeek event. Jan Bottiglieri, editorial director for Pape360 ° magazine, set up the podcast booth on site to capture some of that Texas-sized energy from the floor. Here are the professionals you will meet on today’s podcast:

·      Jonathan Lust, corrugated industry manager, for Signode Industrial Group, will tell us why IIoT and Industry 4.0 are the future for box makers.

·      Christine Little, senior sales manager, Corrugated Machinery Division, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, discusses whether new technology can help attract new talent to the industry.

·      Brian Kentopp, vice president sales, Sun Automation Group, will talk about on how machine learning can help corrugated plants keep up with supply chain stress, labor demands, and more.

·      And finally Sergio Menchaca Flores, director general, Eko Empaques Containerboard and Chairman of AICC Mexico will offer his perspective on working together for a strong industry

Also please check our first “Live from CorrWeek” episode from last month to capture some of that on-site magic. Don’t forget to subscribe and follow our podcast, share with friends and colleagues, and spread the word about Better Together: Conversations with Innovative Leaders. 

Click to learn more about CorrWeek 2022—and bookmark for the latest information about CorrExpo 2023, August 28-30, 2023 in Cleveland, OH.

More than 1500 industry professionals were on hand for 2022 CorrWeek in San Antonio, TX, this past September. For those who were not lucky enough to be there in person, Better Together offers the next best thing: live-from-the-show-floor interviews to capture some of that show excitement. In this episode, we welcome four guests to the podcast booth to share their perspectives on the industry and this stellar event. They are: 

·      Shlomo Nimrodi, CEO of Highcon, will share a leader’s perspective on transforming the corrugated industry from analog to digital.

·      Jonathan Fore, commercial lead, Baldwin Technology (a Barry-Wehmiller company), will tell us about some giant-width solutions offered by its new spectral UV technology for drying and curing.

·      Aleks Zlatic, general manager, packaging at E-Productivity Software, will talk about how boxmakers can save time with software and control systems.

·      Sarah Meiburg, director of industry outreach, Paper + Packaging Board, will discuss a terrific program that’s free to manufacturers and can help spread the word about the environmental performance of corrugated products.

 We hope you enjoy the first of our two planned episodes capturing a few of the sights and sounds of CorrWeek 2022.  We will be bringing you another set of CorrWeek interviews on our next episode, so please subscribe and follow to make sure you don’t miss it. 

Click to learn more about CorrWeek 2022—and bookmark for the latest information about CorrExpo 2023, August 28-30, 2023 in Cleveland, OH.

For this special “double episode” of Better Together, we’ve rounded up four interviews conducted live at TAPPICon 2022 in Charlotte, NC earlier this year. Our guests represent the range of attendees who were at the event, and each offers a different perspective on what TAPPICon is and why it’s so popular with industry professionals. Guests on this episode include:

·      Earn Sakornpan, Cosasco, on how he and his company have grown since their first TAPPICon last fall;

·      WMU paper science students Olivia Price and Emma Norwood, on what drew them to our industry and why they love studying pulp and paper;

·      Dan Schott, Panther Systems, on being a mentor – how it benefits the individuals involved, and how it can help strengthen our industry; and

·      Brian Hayes, Andritz, who offers a vendor perspective on TAPPICon and discusses digital technologies for pulp and paper mills.

 These shorter, casual interviews capture some of the energy of our live TAPPICon event and offer four unique perspectives about what the future holds for pulp and paper.  They were recorded between May 2 – 4, 2022, in Charlotte, NC. 

Learn more about next year’s TAPPICon in Atlanta, April 22 – 26, 2023, at tappicon.org.  We hope to see you there – maybe YOU can be a guest on Better Together!

In this episode we explore ForestBioFacts, a new “digital learning platform” from the Finnish Forest Products Engineers’ Association (PI). Covering 16 different learning themes (see list below), ForestBioFacts is based on PI’s popular and comprehensive Papermaking Science and Technology book series. 

Paper360° Editorial Director Jan Bottiglieri is joined by Markku Herrala, director, corporate communications, UPM; Heli Kankare, development manager at PI; and Dr. Antti Lindqvist, managing director at PI as well as the publishing company Paperi & Puu Ltd.

We’ll learn about the development of this innovative offering and how users can leverage the digital platform to educate those in both technical and non-technical fields—and our guests will also share their thoughts about exciting things ahead for our “wood-based future.”

To learn more, visit: https://forestbiofacts.com

 The 16 themes within the ForestBioFacts learning platform:

·       Introduction to Forest-based Bioeconomy

·       Wood Products

·       Natural Fiber Products

·       Recycled Fiber

·       Pulping and Biorefining

·       Energy and Biofuels

·       Process Control and Automation

·       Biomass Chemistry and Physiology

·       Forests and Other Biomass Resources

·       Supply Chain

·       Material Testing and Product Properties

·       Man-made Bio-based Fiber Products

·       Bio-based Nanomaterials

·       Business and Investment Planning

·       Asset Management 

·       Environmental Control and Management 

In this episode, Olli-Pekka Riippa, a product manager for AFT, tells us more about a challenging project – a new product developed the company developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. With team members in Ireland, Finland, Japan, and elsewhere, the team leveraged digital technologies to launch the product successfully.

 In the end, Riippa says he found the process very positive. “Even if we were asking people to get up early or stay up late, everyone was willing to participate, because the project was very interesting.”

 We’ll also hear about why the new product—a high-performance refiner—was designed to be exceptionally adaptable for papermakers. Join Paper360° Editorial Director Jan Bottiglieri and AFT’s Olli-Pekka Riippa for a success story that shows that, thanks to both practical and virtual technologies, we really can be Better Together.

To read more about the MaxEdge refiner in the November/December 2021 issue of Paper360°, click here.

Welcome to Paper360°’s Better Together podcast, and our second “Live From TAPPICon” special episode. Designed and run by working professionals in the industry, TAPPICon features multiple program tracks, an exhibit floor, networking events, and more. 

In this episode, we capture some of this exciting event for listeners by welcoming these guests:

·      Claire Hammontree, fifth-year student at NCSU, who tells us about TAPPI’s interactive Mentor Match event held right at this year’s TAPPICon;

·      Chris McMillen, senior product manager - condition monitoring at Bentley Nevada, discussing how condition monitoring can help papermakers make informed decisions;

·      Dustin Ziegelman, pulp and paper engineer at Footprint, sharing why molded pulp offers huge potential for replacing single-use plastics; and

·      Lu Athnos, account manager at ABB, who tells us about the very cool technology on wheels that ABB drove right onto the show floor at TAPPICon.

 Be sure to check out “Live from TAPPICon—Part 1” as well, and mark your calendars for TAPPICon 2022, which will be held May 1-5 in Charlotte, NC. Learn more at www.tappicon.org.

This is the first of two special “Live from TAPPICon” podcast episodes, each including four of our live mini-interviews from the 2021 event. Designed and run by working professionals in the industry, TAPPICon features multiple program tracks, an exhibit floor, networking events and more. Our guests for this episode are:

·      Mike Grey, senior vice president at Valmet Inc., discussing technology, Resilience, and how both shape our industry;

·      Earn Sakornpan, product manager at Cosasco, who tells us how corrosion monitoring helps his customers protect their valuable assets;

·      Eric Blazej, national industrial sales manager at Proco, who tells us how their products help customers avoid catastrophic failure; and

·      Jennifer Piercy, executive director, Pulp & Paper Advisory Board at NCSU, who shares her passion for helping talented students find their place in our industry.

 These interviews capture only a fraction of the energy of TAPPICon. To experience it in person, mark your calendars for the TAPPICon 2022, which will be held May 1-5 in Charlotte, NC. Learn more at www.tappicon.org. 

 Also, be sure to check out “Live from TAPPICon—Part 2”, where we welcome four more industry professionals to Paper360°’s Better Together podcast.

This is the second of two special episodes of Better Together recorded during SuperCorrExpo in Orlando, FL, in August 2021. Packaging professionals know SuperCorrExpo as one of the most influential corrugated packaging shows in the Western Hemisphere. We set up our podcast booth on the huge exhibit floor to try to capture some of the energy and enthusiasm generated by this highly anticipated event. To share their perspectives on the corrugated industry and tell us about the innovations on display at SuperCorrExpo, we welcome the following guests to this special episode:

·      Matt Miller, Helios, who will tell us about his company’s innovative machine learning platforms.
·      Frank Mallozzi, EFI, introducing a next-level technology that can enable the industry to envision, design, and create new products.
·      Heather Jennings, Bio Huma Netics, Inc., discussing diversity and innovation for the corrugated industry.
·      Johann Perera, Hummingbird/Georgia Pacific, showcasing that company’s incredibly agile new large-format digital printing.

 We hope listeners will enjoy this special “Live from SuperCorrExpo!” episode.  Be sure to  listen to Part 1 as well. You can also view a highlight reel of the event at www.supercorrexpo.org.

This special episode of Better Together was recorded during SuperCorrExpo in Orlando, FL, in August 2021. Packaging professionals know SuperCorrExpo as one of the most influential corrugated packaging shows in the Western Hemisphere. We set up our podcast booth on the huge exhibit floor to try to capture some of the energy and enthusiasm generated by this highly anticipated event. To share their perspectives on the corrugated industry and tell us about the innovations on display at SuperCorrExpo, we invited the following professionals to be our guests for the episode:

 ·      Adam Bland, Quantum Ink, who will share why Quantum is passionate about customer service; 
·      Steve Laszlo, Mitsubishi heavy industries, discussing augmented reality technology;
·      George Folickman and Tyler Thompson, Tilia Labs, who will introduce us to Tilea’s Phoenix software system;
·      Dr. Ben Frank, PCA, this year’s recipient of TAPPI’s Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal, who will talk about his process of discovery. 

 This is the first of two episodes in our “Live from SuperCorrExpo!” series; Part 2 will post next week. In the meantime, view a highlight reel of the event at www.supercorrexpo.org. 

In this episode we welcome Karen Dillon, an acclaimed author, speaker, and thought leader in the areas of innovation, leadership, and personal success.  Join Karen Dillon and Paper360° Editorial Director Jan Bottiglieri as they discuss What Dillon calls “Market-Creating Innovation” – the type of innovation that can really make a difference for producers and end-users.

It starts with a struggle, she says. Once companies learn to identify where their customers are struggling, opportunities open up. “It’s really exciting, because you can see struggle in very surprising places,” she says. “And if you can see the struggle, you can start thinking from scratch about solving it.”

 We also discuss how leaders can foster innovation; what it means to support “prosperity”, and how the paper industry is particularly well-positioned to take advantage of new opportunities for success.

Today we talk with Ed Stuczynski, an engineer with Menasha Packaging Company and this year’s program chair for SuperCorrExpo, coming up August 8 -12, 2021 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. Held only once every four years, SuperCorrExpo is one of the most influential corrugated packaging-focused trade shows in the Western Hemisphere—and Ed will be giving us a “sneak peek” at what’s in store. 

 We also talk about the effects that COVID-19 has had on the corrugated packaging industry and whether those effects are likely to last. For instance, Ed suggests that the pandemic effects are forcing the industry to look at automation differently. “Labor shortages have been an issue,” he says. “I think we’re going to look at ways to automate the process… and automation often leads to better-paying jobs.”

 Join Ed Stuczynski and Paper360° Editorial Director Jan Bottiglieri for an engaging look at what’s ahead for corrugated – and make sure to register for SuperCorrExpo! 

 For SuperCorrExpo program highlights and registration: https://supercorrexpo.org

In our seventh podcast, Paper360° Editorial Director Jan Bottiglieri speaks with a panel of Project Managers from leading pulp and paper industry supplier Valmet. We’ll talk about “success through resilience”—the idea that if you really want to have every element in place for a successful project, you can’t ignore the skills and talents that make people flexible, adaptable, and ready to innovate.  

 Valmet project managers Luan Fellman, Mike Fiore, Mikko Iitti, and Joe Lambie all share their perspectives on what resilience means to them – and how it helps when crunch time happens. “I think ‘resilience’ means you’re not going back to where you were; you’re stretching, you’re growing… you’re able to adapt to change,” says Fellman. “During COVID, that’s been so critical.”

 We’re following up this month’s podcast with a feature in the May/June issue of Paper360° that details a few startup projects that put these ideas in action. If you think it sounds impossible to have a successful equipment startup during a global pandemic, check out “Success through Resilience” in the Techlink Section of Paper360°’s May/June issue.  https://paper360.tappi.org

In Episode 6 we speak with Thomas M. Nelson, author of the book One Day Stronger, a newly-released book that tells the turnaround story of the Appleton Coated Mill in Wisconsin’s paper valley. Host Jan Bottiglieri talks with Tom about what he learned growing up in a papermill town, and how pulp and paper is a “quintessential American manufacturing industry.” 

As Nelson comments, “We have to get over this false narrative that this is a dying industry… this industry is worthwhile. It needs time, money, and resources… It needs a champion.”

 About the book:

In August, 2017, Appleton Coated, an historic mill in Wisconsin’s paper valley, was sold to an industrial scrapper; hundreds of jobs were threatened, and a way of life hung in the balance. But then the unlikely happened: The mill’s union local and one county official leveraged an obscure legal strategy to stop the selloff. Today, the Appleton Coated mill is alive and well, operating as Midwest Paper Group. One Day Stronger tells the story behind this remarkable turnaround and shows how labor, working in common cause with business and local government, can restore the American dream.

“One Day Stronger is one of the best books, if not the best, about the paper industry and perhaps about American Industry in general.”

—Gerry Ring, Professor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin—Stevens Point

https://onedaystrongerbook.com 

In this episode we talk to Dana Mosora, founder of Dana Mosora Consulting and a consultant for the European CEFLEX (Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging) Consortium. She will also be keynote speaker at the 2021 International Flexible Packaging and Extrusion Division (IFPED) Virtual Conference on March 17th.

 Mosora and host Jan Bottiglieri, Paper360°, will discuss an ambitious goal: the CEFLEX “Mission Circular” target to make all flexible packaging in Europe circular by 2025. “It’s an exciting journey… If you’d ask me a year and a half ago, I’d have been skeptical that we would get there,” says Mosora. “Today, I’m optimistic that we’ll get reasonably close.” 

 Mosora says it’s all about engagement – and we’ll find out how the circular economy presents not only an answer to the environmental challenges posed by plastic packaging, but a true business opportunity. We’ll also learn how the flexible packaging industry is engaging with young professionals eager to make a difference.

 “What’s important is to show how we can address big problems—and show it with concrete solutions,” Mosora says.

 Register for the IFPED Virtual Conference: https://events.tappiflexible.org

 Learn more about CEFLEX: https://ceflex.eu

 Visit Dana Mosora Consulting, dedicated to driving the Circular Economy for Plastic Packaging: http://www.danamosora-consulting.eu/

 Read about Mosora’s legacy project, the ASASE Foundation in Accra, Ghana. The foundation is helping entrepreneur women from under-privileged communities start social enterprises in recycling plastic packaging, to deviate it from urban and marine littering: https://asasegh.com

If you’re a professional involved in almost any area of pulp and paper manufacturing, you’re aware of TAPPI Standards. But how are these standards created? What importance do they play in our industry?

For this episode, Paper360° Editorial Director Jan Bottiglieri speaks with Chris Czyryca, president of Collaborative Testing Services Inc. Chair of the Quality and Standards Management Committee. 

Chris admits that his initial foray into the TAPPI Standards process was not exactly by choice. “How I got involved, quite frankly, was that my boss told me that I was going to get involved!” he says. “And I would encourage other bosses to do the same. I do that now with my people… it is the best way to learn about Standards.”

Listeners will learn about how easy it is to join a Standard-Specific Interest Group (SSIG)—and how rewarding that peer-to-peer networking can be. “You’re working on something for the industry as a whole; and that knowledge, that experience, that résumé-building… it all carries over.”

            Standards creation is a process that’s truly BETTER TOGETHER and we’re excited to bring you this engaging look at how you can be a part of the process.

Click here to learn more about becoming involved in TAPPI Standards development.