MeadWestvaco Corp. Richmond, Va., USA, this week released results of a study it commissioned on packaging damage, which found damaged packaging has a profound effect on shoppers' purchasing decisions. The research studied a range of frozen packaged foods and showed that the majority of shoppers will not buy a product if the package is damaged. Three-quarters of shoppers in the study pushed a damaged package aside in search of an undamaged one.

The study also revealed that shoppers' trust in a product or brand declines steeply when the package is damaged. Up to 55% of shoppers left the brand, and 36% opted to purchase another brand. Perception of a product as a "brand you trust" dropped from 73% to 41% when packages were even slightly damaged. The study indicated a significant relationship between the quality of the packaging material and the likelihood of a package to sustain damage. Packages made from coated recycled board were four times more likely to be crushed or opened.

"Private label manufacturers have taken great care to ensure the products they create are recognized as being as good as or better than name brands," said Mike Stuckey, marketing director, MWV Food Packaging. "By giving packaging the same consideration in quality of materials, design, and construction, private label owners ensure the package accurately reflects the consistent quality across all products. When making a purchasing decision, the consumer's major point of interaction is with the package which affects consumers' perception and helps to enhance consumer loyalty." More information  on the effects of damaged packaging can be found on MWV's web site. Back To Top

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In the U.S. Containerboard Sector, end of black liquor credits is apt to prove a "game changer," according to Mark Wilde, senior analyst with Deutsche Bank. "We're seeing a sharp rebound in export linerboard prices in most world markets (Latin America, Europe, and Africa = $50+/metric ton / Middle East = $80+/metric ton). When coupled with large supply reductions (IP and West Fraser = 1.8million tons), expiration of black liquor credits (estimated benefit ˜$150/ton, but some companies reporting $180+/ton), and a falling U.S. dollar, we expect a first quarter domestic price hike attempt," Wilde notes, adding that other factors include improving global demand and inventory restocking. Back To Top

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U.S. Containerboard and box numbers for October again showed weak industry volumes, Wilde adds. Box shipment volumes fell 7.9% y/y in October. Adjusted for one fewer shipping day this year, volumes fell 3.7% y/y on an "average week" basis. "We think the 'real' number is a blend of the two, a decline of 5.8% y/y. This looks disappointing given that September's decline was just 4.8% y/y, and it looks even worse given the very easy comp of October '08 (itself down8.6% y/y)." Back To Top

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Combined mill and box plant inventories fell 73,000 tons m/m. However, measured in terms of weeks of supply, the number rose from 3.2 to 3.3. Looking over the last 10 years, inventories typically fall by an average of 52,000 tons m/m in October, implying a positive variance of 21,000 tons. Since the start of the year, total inventories have declined by about 330,000 tons, compared with a 10-year average decline of just 49,000 tons in the first 10 months of the year, according to Wilde. Back To Top

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Containerboard operating rates also remained approximately flat m/m. The total containerboard rate was 88.3%, flat with the 88.0% of September, but noticeably higher than the YTD operating rate of 84.4%. The linerboard rate was 88.7% (88.6% in September), and the corrugating medium rate was 87.3% (86.3% in September). With the recent closure announcements by International Paper and West Fraser, as well as potential further announcements by Smurfit-Stone, operating rates may rise substantially even without a significant improvement in demand, Wilde says. Back To Top

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Longview Fiber has announced a $50/ton containerboard price hike initiative for January 1. After a series of hikes for various export markets, this is the first domestic announcement, Wilde points out. "We find this somewhat surprising, both because it is earlier than expected, and it comes from a small player. At about 600,000 tpy, Longview is the No. 12 producer in North America. Longview was likely both pressured by high fiber costs and emboldened by a stronger competitive position due to recent closures in the Pacific Northwest (IP at Albany, and West Fraser at Kitimat). Back To Top

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Containerboard prices continue to rise in the UK, in the meantime, based on reports from market players, according to EUWID. Following a first round of price hikes in October, additional mark-ups for recycled corrugated case material and kraftliner emerged in November. Some manufacturers are considering further price increase announcements for recycled grades in January, according to EUWID. Back To Top

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Uncoated Free Sheet prices are also rising, Wilde points out. UFS 50-lb offset list prices in October rose $35-40/ton to $845-$865, while the cut size grades remained flat at $1,010-$1,060/ton. The price hike was driven by higher pulp prices, slight pickup in demand (October preliminary shipments -10.3% y/y, YTD -13.6% y/y), and lower September mill inventories (-3.6% m/m). IP and Domtar recently announced 800,000 tpy of permanent capacity closures by mid-2010, representing 7% of North American UFS capacity. Back To Top

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CMPC, Laja, Chile, has ordered an Andritz Pulp & Paper (Graz, Austria) High Energy Recovery Boiler (HERB) and an evaporation plant to make its pulp mill self-sufficient in green energy and allow for a long-term production of 460,000 a.d. metric tpy. In addition, this investment will lower the Laja mill's air and effluent emissions. The order also includes the complete instrumentation, control system, and electrification for the processes delivered. The total value of this order is approximately 100 MEUR. Startup is scheduled for early 2012. The HERB will have a capacity of 2,500 metric tons of dry solids per day. The High Dry Solids Evaporation Plant (560 metric t/hr), which is designed to produce clean condensates, will fully recycle these condensates back to the mill processes, and lower the mill's water consumption.
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Metso, Finland, this week completed the acquisition of the coater, creping, and doctor blade business of Pacific International, a division of Pacific/Hoe Saw & Knife Co., located in Portland, Ore. USA. Metso notes that the acquisition allows it to enter a new services market that is currently not in its portfolio, namely coater and creping blades for pulp and paper machinery. It will also complement the company's technology offering with ceramic coated blades, making it a single source blade consumables provider. Pacific manufactures a complete line of wood products industry and paper products industry machinery and equipment. It has about 150 employees of which 17 currently work for the Pacific International division and will be relocated by Metso.

In Other Metso News
The company this week reduced personnel at its Pori, Finland, operations by a total of 80 persons, almost half of whom will be covered with pension arrangements. Some 32 employees will be affected by an actual lay-off. The reductions will begin immediately, according to legal terms of notice, and the duration and timing will depend on the workload. The temporary lay-off notice applied to all employees in the Pori unit, in total about 230 people, and the reduction notice to about 95 people. The reductions are part of Metso's efforts to streamline its Fiber business line's operations and cost structure, to improve its competitiveness in a changing business environment. Metso's units in Pori are part of the company's Fiber business line, specializing in machinery and related expert services for chemical pulping.
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Norske Skog, Norway, reports this week that it has completed selling its Norske Skog Hebei newsprint mill in Zhaoxian China to Shandong Huatai Paper. The sale will reduce Norske Skog's net debt by around NOK 800 million while freeing up resources to strengthen the company's effort to improve profitability at its other mills. Norske Skog Hebei has a production capacity of 330 000 metric tpy of newsprint. There are about 250 employees at the mill. The company also announced this week that it completed the sale of its 56% stake in the newsprint mill Shanghai Norske Skog Potential Paper (SNP) to Potential Industries of China. SNP has a newsprint production capacity of 145,000 metric tpy, and was one of the smallest mills in Norske Skog's global portfolio. Since 2005, Norske Skog has owned SNP in partnership with Potential Industries (34%) and Shanghai Baoshan Shi Dong-kou Economic and Trading General Co (10%). Norske Skog has operated the two Chinese newsprint mills since 2005, when it bought out its partner and became the sole owner of the PanAsia Paper Co.

"In spite of hard work, for several years we have not managed to turn a profit in China. In June this year, we announced the sale of our mill in Shanghai. With the sale of Hebei, Norske Skog is no longer producing paper in China. The sale of Norske Skog Hebei is a continuation of our effort to reduce Norske Skog's net debt and improve profitability," says CEO Christian Rynning-Tønnesen. Back To Top

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Packaging Corp. of America (PCA) has awarded Amec, an England-based engineering and project management company, a $93 million contract for energy efficiency upgrades at its linerboard mill in Valdosta, Ga., that will reduce energy consumption and electricity costs. Work is currently underway on the project and is expected to be completed by the end of 2011. Upon completion, the Valdosta mill will burn only internally generated wood waste and black liquor in its boilers and will self-generate nearly 100% of its electricity requirements. AMEC will be providing engineering, procurement, and construction services for the recovery power modernization project, which includes a new recovery boiler, turbine generator, and evaporator upgrades. The new equipment is deemed pollution-control, and a large percentage of it produces self-sustained, green energy. Back To Top

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Pope Resources, Poulsbo, Wash., USA, announced its current intention to harvest 32 million board feet (MMBF) of timber in 2010, a level that is 47% below its long-term sustainable level of 60 MMBF, of which 16 MMBF pertains to its two timber funds. Nearly a year ago, the company announced a plan to harvest 37 MMBF in 2009. The company noted in a published release that "as 2009 progressed, we decided to defer additional volume from our original plan due to protracted weakness in log markets, and we are now estimating our annual harvest for 2009 will be closer to 32 MMBF. The drop-off in housing starts has curtailed demand for solid wood products and, rather than absorb materially lower log prices, we are opting instead to allow 47% of our annual sustainable harvest to continue to grow." Pope Resources and its subsidiaries Olympic Resource Management and Olympic Property Group own or manage more than 152,000 acres of timberland and development property in Washington and Oregon.
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Procter & Gamble Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, held its annual supplier awards this week. Receiving highest honors as "Supplier of the Year" for 2009 (among P&G's 80,000 suppliers) were: RockTenn of Norcross, Ga., BASF SE of Ludwigshafen, Germany, Cly-Del Manufacturing Co. of Waterbury, Conn., Evonik Industries of Essen, Germany, Havpak Inc. from King of Prussia, Pa., Jones Lang LaSalle of Chicago, Ill., and Novozymes of Bagsvaerd, Denmark. In addition to the "Supplier of the Year" awards, 55 suppliers earned the "Corporate Supplier Excellence Award," including Albany International Corp., Fibertex Nonwovens, Neslon Packaging Co., RockTenn, and Premiere        Packaging. Back To Top

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SCA Tissue North America's Glenn Falls, N.Y., USW (United Steelworkers) members have ratified a labor contract that constitutes a master labor agreement applicable to union workers at all SCA Tissue operations. By ratifying the contract, employees at the location gain access to a SCA/USW national framework for wages and benefits, exact terms of which were not disclosed. The contract also includes an agreement to collaborate on productivity improvements and on the creation of a joint health and wellness committee. The pact, which will run for four years when the current agreement expires in July 2010, was praised by company and union spokesmen as reflecting the cooperative approach both parties have taken in labor negotiations.

Since the 2001 acquisition of the South Glens Falls mill and the Greenwich converting plant, SCA Tissue has invested nearly $70 million in its upstate New York facilities. The operations have an annual direct economic impact in the region of $120 million. SCA Tissue has nearly 430 employees in the area at its mill in South Glens Falls, converting facility in Greenwich, and distribution center in Saratoga.

The company's progressive relationship with its employees includes investing more than 10,000 hours per year in employee training and creation of a Joint Advisory Committee of union and management personnel who meet quarterly to work mutually on solving challenges. The company also has developed a High Performance Work System that empowers employees to be involved in business decision and workflow initiatives.

SCA Tissue manufactures all of its tissue from 100% recycled materials. The South Glens Falls mill processes 110,000 tons of recycled paper annually, producing 80,000 tons of paper that is converted into more than 5 million cases of bath tissue, folded, and hard-wound towels that are sold in the away-from-home market to commercial venues such as restaurants, office buildings, health care facilities, and other public venues in the Northeast U.S. Back To Top

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West Linn Paper, West Linn, Ore., USA, this week increased its commitment to renewable energy by purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) for 2009 and 2010. Additionally, it has just been accepted into the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Green Power Partnership program. The purchase offsets about 3% of the company's annual electricity use for its corporate offices and manufacturing facilities. The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program supporting the increased use of green power to reduce the environmental impacts associated with conventional electricity use. This is the seventh year West Linn Paper has purchased RECs from BEF, making them one of the early adopters of corporate environmental stewardship practices. West Linn Paper produces coated free-sheet web paper and is the oldest active paper mill and the only coated free-sheet manufacturer in the western U.S.
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Cascades, Kingsey Falls, Que., Canada, has been named winner of Eco Entreprises Québec's Greener Containers, Packaging and Printed Matter award for its 100% recycled and recyclable ream wrapper. This new packaging was developed to replace the traditional packaging made with virgin fibers and covered by a plastic film. The global integration of the project, combined with its "consistency with the environmentally sound virtues of the product" and the efforts in research and development, enabled Cascades to receive this award. Because of the joint work between production and research and development teams, Cascades notes that it is now able to manufacture a paper packaging that is 100% recycled. A water soluble additive included to protect the product from humidity now renders the packaging as recyclable as the paper it protects. Other components of the packaging were also modified, such as the quantity of ink and materials used. Back To Top

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Dell, Round Rock, Texas, USA, reports that its is now shipping its Inspiron Mini 10 and Mini 10v "netbook" computers in packaging made from bamboo, a "highly renewable material that serves as an alternative to molded paper pulp, foams, and corrugate often used in packaging." Dell is using the material for product cushions cradling the Mini inside an outer box made from 25% post-consumer materials. The company plans to expand its use of bamboo packaging to more products in early 2010. Dell is working with bamboo packaging supplier Unisource Global Solutions (UGS) to ensure all processes associated with the bamboo's production meet the highest standards. The company sources its raw bamboo from a forest that follows Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) criteria. Dell, Georgia Pacific, UGS, and Environmental Packaging International are also in the process of certifying the packaging for recycling. Back To Top

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Sonoco, Hartsville, S.C., USA, reports that Marc Ensign, director, services/outsourcing and supplier diversity, has been named a 2009 Champion of Diversity by DiversityPlus Magazine in its Third Annual Champions of Diversity Awards. To identify nominees for these awards, more than 15,000 U.S. suppliers were surveyed, asking them to assess corporate diversity leaders based on their company's growth in annual diversity spend, responsiveness to suppliers, new initiatives, best practices, benchmarking goals, and significant accomplishments impacting diversity. An independent editorial panel then evaluated the suppliers' 83 nominees, determining that only 25 qualified as champions. Ensign and Sonoco were recognized for quadrupling the company's diversity spend in the past five years and for finding innovative ways to use diverse suppliers in nontraditional areas. Back To Top

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Mid Oaks Investments LLC, a privately-held Buffalo Grove, Ill., USA-based firm, this week continued its 20 years of investing in the packaging industry with the acquisition of C&M Fine Pack Inc., headquartered in San Bernardino, Calif. Mid-Oaks will integrate C&M Fine Pack with its current disposable foodservice products manufacturers, Dispoz-o Products and Wilkinson Industries, which will have combined revenues in excess of $300 million. The company will serve the restaurant, grocery, food processor, and institutional markets such as schools, health care, and commissaries and offer a variety of products made from a variety of materials designed for the intended application, including a broad selection of sustainable materials. Back To Top

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Superfos, Denmark, agreed this week to sell its U.S. business (Superfos Packaging) to Berry Plastics Corp., one of the largest plastic packaging manufacturer's in North America. Berry will pay approximately $82 million, including assumed debt, for Superfos Packaging. Superfos has been present in the U.S. since 1986 when it started up a greenfield operation producing and selling injection molded plastic packaging. The company's annual turnover for 2008 was $46.8 million and the U.S. business has approximately 180 employees. Back To Top

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M-real Zanders, Finland, this month begins offering a new generation of digital papers for the xerographic process. Silver image laser is a wood free special coated paper range optimized for full color digital copying and printing and is available in matt, gloss (two-side coated), and super gloss (cast coated). Silver image laser matt is a special coated, wood free fine paper with a silky matt appearance, available in seven weights (115-350 gsm). It can be used for advertising materials, direct mails, brochures, calendars, and business cards. Silver image laser gloss is a two-side coated, wood free fine paper with an even glossy finish available from 115 gsm to 350 gsm for use in advertising material, image brochures, signs, posters, leaflets, and coupons. Silver image laser super gloss is a cast-coated fine paper in the silver image laser range, with the highest gloss on the market. It is available in 160 gsm, 210 gsm, and 250 gsm, and can be used for brochures, advertising materials, greeting, and business cards as well as labels. Silver image laser super gloss is printable on both sides. Silver image laser has been successfully tested with various digital four color printers and copier machines from a variety of manufacturers including Canon, Konica Minolta, HP, Epson, Brother, Kyocera, Lexmark, and Xerox. More information is available on M-real's web site. Back To Top

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Neenah Paper, Neenah Wis., USA, reports that its new series of Conservation Wallpaper Posters are not just beautiful to look at, but are "packed with smart information about environmental efforts." The new posters are part of Neenah's ongoing mission to be "a good steward of the Earth's natural resources and show how beautiful and versatile recycled paper products can be." The first poster, released this summer, is printed on Environment Papers, PC 100 White and is packed with facts about recycling, what Neenah has been doing to make a difference, and how anyone can get involved. The recently released second poster highlights water and is printed on Classic Linen Papers, Recycled 100 Bright White. The third, due later this month, looks at energy and will be printed on Classic Columns Papers, Recycled Bright White. Due to the popularity of the posters, Neenah says it has decided to add a fourth poster focusing on the protection and restoration of Earth's resources and natural habitats. It is due out later this year. Contact a Neenah Paper sales representative or merchant to obtain the first two posters. More information is available on Neenah's web site, where readers can also sign up to be notified when the next poster in the series is to be released. Back To Top

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Sears Holdings, Hoffman Estates, Ill., USA, this week released its new Sustainable Paper Procurement Policy, which is part of a larger effort by the company to increase its sourcing of environmentally-preferred paper for its catalogs, retail circulars, direct mail, and internal paper usage. Sears says that the Sustainable Paper Procurement Policy is its commitment to phase out fiber from unwanted sources, and procure paper sourced from credibly certified forest sources with verified chain-of-custody and/or recycled sources with a preference for post-consumer recycled paper. The policy also outlines supplier requirements and a preferred sustainable supplier program. In addition, Sears announced that it is implementing Metafore's Environmental Paper Assessment Tool (EPAT) to assist it in the procurement of sustainable paper. EPAT, Sears notes, will provide it with data about and transparency into its suppliers' paper sourcing practices, which will facilitate implementation of the new paper procurement policy. The company adds that it will work with suppliers to get a more accurate understanding of the lifecycle costs of paper choices based on grade types and fiber sources available. With EPAT, the company will evaluate suppliers' paper production processes such as waste, energy efficiency, the health of natural systems, water, air and climate quality, as well as community and human well-being. Back To Top

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U.S. Dept. of Energy's Industrial Technologies Program (Washington, D.C., USA) this week announced the launch of its Industrial Energy Efficiency Directory (INDEED) web site. Designed as a publicly accessible resource, the new web site delivers energy-efficient technology and process options to industry. It provides key information that plant managers need for deciding which technologies meet the energy efficiency goals obtained from the installation and use of new equipment. The site also contains the most current financial and technical resources to assist with the evaluation and implementation of energy efficiency projects. The INDEED team is in the continuous process of updating and enhancing the contents of the site, and the Industrial Technologies Program encourages users to explore INDEED and offer suggestions for enhancement. Back To Top

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Norske Skog, Lysaker, Norway, reports that its CEO Christian Rynning-Tønnesen will resign to become the new head of Statkraft on June 1, 2010, a company he was part of for 13 years before joining Norske Skog in early 2005 as CFO. He will remain CEO of Norske Skog until further notice. Appointed CEO in June 2006, Rynning-Tønnesen implemented comprehensive measures to reduce Norske Skog's debt and improve the group's cost position. "I regret that Christian will be leaving Norske Skog," said Eivind Reiten, chairman of the board. "He has made an outstanding effort as CEO in what has been a very demanding period for the group. The board will meet shortly to begin the process of recruiting his successor." Back To Top

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Buckman, Memphis, Tenn., USA, this week promoted George Thomas to product manager -- Busan/Busperse/Neoteric/Optimyze in the U.S. Thomas joined Buckman in 2005 as a product specialist focused on Busperse products. He has more than 30 years of experience in the papermaking industry, including 11 years with International Paper Co. in Mobile, Ala., and 20 years for Betz Chemicals. Back To Top

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Catalyst Paper, Richmond, B.C., Canada, has appointed Brian Baarda, VP, finance and CFO. Baarda brings 20 years of industry experience to his new position, most recently as VP, operations, responsible for recycled paper production and facilities. Prior to that he was VP of Powell River Division, and from 2003 to 2005 he held the role of VP, supply chain. He began his career with Fletcher Challenge at the Mackenzie pulp mill in northern British Columbia where he held a number of senior accounting and analysis positions between 1990 and 2000. He moved to the operations side of the business in 2001 as the pulp mill manager at Elk Falls, a role he held until 2003. Back To Top

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Mageza has held senior executive positions across a wide range of industries. He is a former group COO of ABSA Group, assistant GM for Process Management at Nedcor Ltd., and CEO of Autonet, the road passenger and freight logistics division of Transnet Ltd. He serves as a non-executive director on the boards of Bidvest Group and Rainbow Chickens. Back To Top

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SCA Tissue North America, Philadelphia, Pa., USA, reports that Don Jordan joined the company this past week as Regional Director, Southwest Operations. Based in Flagstaff, Ariz. Jordan will oversee the company's paper mill and converting operations in Flagstaff and nearby Bellemont. Jordan brings to SCA Tissue more than 20 years of paper industry experience in positions such as technical manager, continuous improvement manager, and expansion manager in charge of new market startups of internal recycling supply centers. Back To Top

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Sonoco, Hartsville, S.C., USA, this week named Gloria Bell staff VP, internal audit. She is responsible for day-to-day functions of the company's internal audit department, including assessing compliance of internal controls under Sarbane-Oxley Section 404, testing of all information technology systems, and working with the company's independent auditors, according to Charles J. Hupfer, senior VP and CFO. After working as a senior accountant with Price Waterhouse, Bell joined Sonoco in 1978 and held management positions in the company's general accounting and public reporting function and as director of finance and administration for the Protective Packaging division. Prior to this new assignment, she was director of internal audit. Back To Top

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Based on reader feedback and member requests, TAPPI has designed this exciting new format for Over the Wire. We hope you will find OTW easier to navigate and even more enjoyable to read. TAPPI Members will continue to receive the complete version of Over the Wire, which features the latest industry news; non-members will receive the shorter, modified version.

To make sure you don't miss a single issue of OTW, please take time to read this helpful information from Naylor Publications, TAPPI's new newsletter service provider. Thank you for reading TAPPI's Over the Wire!

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Nominations are now open for management level awards through PIMA's prestigious and well-established industry awards program. All the awards recognize accomplishment and expertise in the field of management. The first three highlight leaders who have made significant contributions to the paper industry over time. The deadline for submission is January 31, 2010.

Nominations are open for the following awards:

• PIMA'S Executive of the Year: PIMA's highest honor, traditionally presented to senior-level executives in the pulp, paper or converting industries for excellence in management and outstanding contributions to the industry as a whole.
• Mill Manager of the Year: Recognizes the mill manager who has best demonstrated outstanding leadership, management, and organizational skills leading to improved results at the facility for which he or she is responsible.
• The Brookshire Moore Superintendent of the Year: Recognizes the mill superintendent who has shown high personal standards and professional management qualities that contribute to the betterment of those under their management and in their company.
• Technologist of the Year
• Ray H. Cross Community Service Award
• Delano L. "Del" Boutin Local Section Service Award
• Thomas F. Sheerin, Sr. Service Award
• IT Service Award
• Kenneth H. Phillips Specialist Group Award
• Student of the Year Award

The one-page Nomination Forms are available online, in both a printable PDF format or as an interactive online form. Complete award descriptions are also available online. Honor your peers, coworkers, and managers, and help promote management excellence in our industry, by making your nominations for PIMA Awards.

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TAPPI has unveiled its exciting new event - BioPro Expo™ - a major conference and exposition scheduled for August, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. BioPro Expo covers the entire biomass processing spectrum, from supply through processing and utilization. It also connects diverse industry groups interested in renewable energy resources, from suppliers of agricultural, municipal and wood wastes to producers of dedicated energy crops and food processing facilities.

BioPro Expo's educational program and comprehensive tradeshow will focus on practical ways to transition products, residues and wastes to energy and biofuel resources. The program also covers supply and demand issues and government policy. By bringing together member expertise in bioenergy production with experts from various industries, TAPPI brings a unique perspective to the bioenergy field with BioPro Expo.

"We are excited to combine our industry experience in wood waste feed stocks and conference organization with information from government and academic entities, technology suppliers, renewable energy consumers and associations in industries looking for more sustainable and profitable ways of doing business," said TAPPI President and CEO Larry N. Montague.

Subject matter experts from related associations and agencies will consult in program development, including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Forest Landowners Association, and the Georgia Poultry Federation.

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Date: January 11-14, 2010
Location: St. Petersburg, FL

TAPPI's 2010 Kraft Recovery Course will examine key recovery operations in a kraft pulp mill to help participants increase their ability to improve pulp production efficiency while minimizing operating costs and environmental problems. Register by December 15, 2009 to save 40%, even on the reduced price for members. Save even more when you register three or more attendees from the same location!

The TAPPI Kraft Recovery Course will help you discover new ways to cut costs, solve problems and increase productivity. You will also learn about new energy saving methods at the Energy Reduction Panel Discussion.

Engaging team activities and practical exercises help attendees hone problem-solving skills and retain knowledge. Attendees are encouraged to bring their specific problems to the expert course leaders for solutions you can use back at the mill.

Course Chairman Honghi Tran serves as Professor and Director of the P&P Centre at the University of Toronto. Tran has authored or co-authored more than 200 publications, including chapters 9 and 10 in the TAPPI PRESS book Kraft Recovery Boilers, and has obtained eight U.S. patents. He was named a TAPPI Fellow in 2000. The faculty includes experts who are recognized leaders in their field and veteran instructors: Bob Bartholomew, Jim Brewster, David Clay, Doug Foran, James Frederick, Tom Gencarelli, Thomas Grace, Glenn Hanson, Mikko Hupa, Paul Johnson, Jean-Claude Patel, Dale Sanchez, Sandy Sharp, and Richard Wessel.

Complete course information and online registration is available online  - don't miss this excellent opportunity for practical knowledge building and networking that make TAPPI Courses an industry mainstay.

TAPPI Intro to P&P Technology Course

Date: January 11-14, 2010
Location: St. Petersburg, FL

With a comprehensive program and the expert leadership of NCSU's Mike Kocurek, TAPPI's 2010 Introduction to Pulp and Paper Technology is one of the most highly-rated courses TAPPI offers. Register by December 15, 2009 to save 40%, even on the reduced price for members. Save even more when you register three or more attendees from the same location!

A popular choice for new hires, sales reps, non-technical personnel or anyone seeking to expand their industry know-how, this course delivers a broad overview of the entire pulping and papermaking process. Attendees are encouraged to bring specific questions about any aspect of pulp and paper production, including new technologies, operating issues, or industry trends.

Course instructor Michael Kocurek is Professor of Paper Science & Engineering at North Carolina State University. He is one of the most recognized educators in the paper industry, and has been leading the "Introduction to Pulp and Paper Technology" course since 1974. In 2005, he was inducted into the Paper Industry International Hall of Fame, an honor bestowed on those who have made preeminent contributions to the global pulp & paper industry.

Complete course information and online registration is available online - don't miss this excellent opportunity for practical knowledge building and networking that make TAPPI Courses an industry mainstay.

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Gulf Coast TAPPI will offer a two-part program sure to deliver great ideas to your mill. The meeting will also feature a mill tour of Abitibi-Bowater in Coosa Pines.

First, the Corrosion & Materials Engineering Committee will be conducting a free, one-day Corrosion & Materials Engineering Seminar seminar on TIPs and topics relating to the identification and control of corrosion within the pulp mill processes. The Friday Technical Session will focus on topics relating to the Recovery processes.

Call for Papers: Gulf Coast TAPPI is looking for presentations, preferably with direct mill experiences or applied research, relating to the following topics, or other current topics in the recovery area:

• Na/S; white/green liquor balance
• Sulfidity purge strategies
• Purge for chlorides
• Dissolving tank controls
• Black Liquor Evaporator operations
• Liquor cycle impact on digesters, lime kiln, caustic plant, recovery boiler

If you are interested in presenting information for the benefit of our industry, please contact Chris Dietel at dietelc@dteenergy.com.

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We are striving to have all 2010 Membership renewals completed in a timely manner to prevent interruption in your TAPPI benefits. Please note that membership payment is due December 31, 2009. To renew online simply login to TAPPI's website (www.tappi.org) with your username and password and choose the Renew TAPPI Membership link in the Membership drop down listing on the home page.

For faster service you can renew your dues with a credit card over the phone by calling TAPPI's Member Connection Center at 1-800-332-8686(US), 1-800-446-9431 (Canada), or +1-770-446-1400.

New Multi-year Membership: Save time and money! Receive two full years of TAPPI membership for US $328, and save $20 off the list price; join for three years and save $42. Call Member Connection to take advantage of this offer.

Our members have asked for help in making a business case to management about the value of TAPPI Membership. Easy! Just check out the Value Proposition on page two of our membership flyer.

If you're not already a TAPPI member, this special offer makes TODAY a great time to join -- just give us a call. If you are already a TAPPI member, thank you for your support. Be on the lookout for your renewal notice, which will offer you a choice of multi-year memberships.

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Available in both English and Spanish, this DVD directly addresses safety concerns and safe practices in corrugated manufacturing facilities. It is a great source for training new employees and a valuable refresher for industry veterans. Topics included are:

• General safety
• Flexo folder-gluer safety
• Diecutter safety
• Stacker safety
• Material handling safety
• Corrugator safety

By special arrangement with Association of Independent Corrugated Converters (AICC), TAPPI members can purchase this DVD for the same reduced rate as AICC members. Order details are online.

Special note: Disponible en español, también. Available in Spanish, too.

2009 EPE Proceedings Now Available
The latest innovations in energy, fiber, and environmental compliance drew a large crowd to TAPPI's 2009 Engineering, Pulping, and Environmental Conference in Memphis, Tennessee, USA October 11-14, 2009. If you were unable to attend this meeting, you missed a wide-ranging program of presentations, panel discussions, and workshops. But thanks to TAPPI Press, you won't have to miss out entirely: 2009 EPE Conference Proceedings are now available. Highlights include:

• Business Trends that explored global shifts in supply and demand, along with worldwide investment trends within the industry.
• A Pulping Track to help mills achieve high contribution, low-cost pulping operations without negatively affecting yield or quality. There were also separate sub-tracks for pulping, bleaching, recycling and non-woods themes.
• An Engineering Track with four complete sub-tracks covering energy, power and recovery; corrosion and materials; biorefinery; and maintenance and mill operations.
• An Environmental Track focused on how mills should respond to the shifting environmental and regulatory landscape.

The 2009 TAPPI EPE Conference Proceedings CD-ROM is fully searchable and includes the written papers, presentation slides, and poster session from most of the sessions. It is the next best thing to having been there! Check the online Table of Contents to learn more about this excellent value.

The List Price for this complete Proceedings is US$111; the TAPPI Member Price is only US$74 (a savings of 33%.) If you are not already a TAPPI member, you can join and receive the discount. For details, visit www.tappi.org/join.

Logo gear makes great corporate gifts
Whether you're at the plant, visiting customers, or hitting the links, make sure everyone knows you're a TAPPI supporter. New TAPPI or PIMA logo merchandise looks good and lets potential contacts know that you're serious about your commitment to our industry. Logo items are also a great way to thank your boss for supporting your involvement in TAPPI and PIMA.

This collection of quality apparel includes polo shirts, woven shirts, caps, and wind shirts. Now available: Eagle Dry Goods Classic Polo Shirts, Eagle Dry Goods Classic Twill Shirts, Harriton Brand Caps, Harriton Brand V-Neck Microfiber Pullover Wind Shirt, and more. Visit the TAPPI Bookstore for easy, online ordering.

FBA & TAPPI Help you benchmark plant performance
TAPPI and the Fibre Box Association (FBA) are offering this updated FBA/TAPPI Productivity and Waste Survey, which provides useful benchmarking data that is otherwise unavailable from any other source. With the information provided in this report, companies can evaluate their productivity, waste and starch consumption data against participating plants. Surveying top performers, it includes information on machinery and labor operations, as well as waste from box plants from primarily U.S. operations as well as several international plants.

For more information on the Productivity and Waste Survey, or to order your copy today, contact Peggy Lacy, FBA Director of Data Services, at placy@fibrebox.org or 847-364-9600.

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Paperex, the 9th International Exhibition & Conference on the Pulp and Paper Industries, occurs every other year; this year's theme is "Growth and Competitiveness of Paper... Strategies and Technologies." Paperex 2009 will be the largest show for the paper and allied industries, with the expected presence of 400+ leading exhibitors from 22 countries. Attendees will include representatives from manufacturers, suppliers, and paper companies. In 2007, Paperex attracted 32,429 trade visitors from 52 countries.

The prospect of a liberalized trading environment is making the South Asian region a large potential market for international and domestic suppliers. Paperex will be the "crossroads" for all entities across the paper industry doing business in the Indian subcontinent. Check out new products and technologies, network with a range of companies and subject matter experts, and take advantage of this opportunity for those seeking to establish distribution channels in India.

Paperex 2009 is a collaborative venture TAFCON Expomedia International & INPAPER International, both of whom are based in New Delhi, India. While INPAPER oversees the Conference part of the event, TAFCON Expomedia organizes the Exhibition. Visitor pre-registration is now active on www.paperex.in.

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Irish poet William Butler Yeats (1865 - 1939)

Share YOUR favorite advice - about life, business, work or leadership - by sending in a quote to share with other Over the Wire readers. Email your quote suggestions, along with your name and company information, to jbottiglieri@tappi.org. We value the input of our OTW readers.

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