Over The Wire

TAPPI News

TAPPI members are encouraged to vote in the 2010 TAPPI Board of Directors Election. Under the provisions of the TAPPI Bylaws, Article VIII, the TAPPI leadership is elected by ballot of the voting members. During the first week of December 2009, ballots and voting instructions for the 2010 Board of Directors election were sent via email to TAPPI Members. Emails were distributed by Election Services Corp (ESC), an independent election firm.

The Nominating Committee has recommended a slate of three candidates. Members are encouraged to visit the TAPPI website to review members of the current Board and learn more about the slate of three nominees.

Online voting is fast and easy. Voting began December 1, 2009 and will end on January 15, 2010. Be sure to cast your ballot, which is available online for your convenience -- have your ballot number and TAPPI Member number ready.

TAPPI JOURNAL Expands Editorial Board

TAPPI JOURNAL, the Association's flagship research publication, has welcomed two new members to its Editorial Board: Dr. Mahendra Doshi, who is also the editor of Progress in Paper Recycling; and Dr. Norman Lifshutz, who also serves on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics. Both bring an impressive industry background and solid editorial expertise to the table. Each will help identify and attract current research in their respective areas for potential publication in TJ, and will serve as lead reviewers for papers in their expertise, just as the other Editorial Board Members do.

The latest issue of TAPPI JOURNAL is now available to TAPPI members; simply log in to the website to access the interactive electronic publication. Only TAPPI Members receive TAPPI JOURNAL, which is provided at no additional charge as part of the TAPPI Member benefit. In early 2010, TAPPI members will also receive a special print publication including the collected abstracts of every paper published in TJ during 2009, plus indices, a Products & Services Guide, and other useful information.

TAPPI Courses for January

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.

TAPPI Kraft Recovery Course
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.

Find Out What's Happening at 2010 Student Summit

Date: January 16-18, 2010

Location: Charleston, S.C.

Attend the 2010 TAPPI/PIMA Student Summit and find out what's really happening in the pulp and paper and packaging industries directly from professionals challenged with the day-to-day operations. The Student Summit will give you direct interaction with industry leaders for valuable info on employment and career development within the industry. Program highlights include:

State-of-the-Industry Address on "Sustainability and Eco-Confusion"
Effective networking
The Annual Engineering Challenge
Job recruitment interviews with hiring companies
Sessions on job transition and getting the right job
Area mill tour

Need travel money? TAPPI has two ways to help you cover up to US$500 in travel costs:

1) The Deborah Ann McNutt Memorial Student Summit Stipend: Thanks to the generosity of Hercules, there are four stipends available. Each one will fund up to US$ 500 in travel costs. Requirements and application details are available online. (Apply no later than December 18, 2009.)

2) TAPPI Travel Stipend Drawing: If you would like to enter your name, send your resume to dtrimmer@tappi.org by December 18, 2009 and agree to be interviewed at the Summit. A random drawing will determine the winner of the stipend, and the winner's resume will be reviewed by our participating companies.

Everyone who attends the Student Summit is a winner and here's your chance to be a special winner compliments of TAPPI & PIMA. So mark your calendar and act now while there's still time!

Have You Heard about BioPRO EXPO?

Date: August, 2010
Location: Atlanta, Georgia

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.

"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.

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.

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.

Don't Let Your Membership Lapse

TAPPI is more than just a great place to network; the benefits and resources that come with TAPPI Membereship help you build a lifelong career, and will stay with you no matter where the future leads. We want you to be a part of TAPPI!

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.

PIMA 2010 Awards Seek Nominations

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.

Gulf Coast TAPPI Winter 2010 Meeting

Date: February 18-19, 2010
Location: Coosa Pines, AL

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.

Special Resources for TAPPI Members

2009 EPE Proceedings Now Available
TAPPI's 2009 Engineering, Pulping, and Environmental Conference in Memphis last October featured an excellent program of sessions designed to help mills run more effectively and efficiently. Thanks to TAPPI Press, even if you missed the conference, 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. 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.

Corrugators Have A New Safety Resource
Because safety requires ongoing effort, here is good news for corrugators looking for safety training. There is an important new tool called the SafetyFirst DVD.

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 the 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.

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.

Quote of the Week:

"The man who does not read books has no advantage over the man who can not read them."

-- Mark Twain, American author

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.