On March 11, 2010, I had the pleasure of touring some of the finest facilities that I have seen in a long time. The company I am referring to employs 3,145 people in the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico, with projected revenues of $730 million for 2010. Its six Operating Divisions have 17 business segments as follows: High Graphics Corrugated, Brown Box Corrugated, Folding Carton/Label, Foam (extruding and converting), Commercial Products Distribution, Logistics & JIT Services, Retail & Creative Services, Fulfillment, Linerboard Mill, Medium Mill, Coating Operations, Fiber Supply, Converting, IPM, OCC Guard (V board edge protectors), Tooling, and Pallets.

Have you guessed who they are yet?

Our mystery company has two paper mills in Forney, Texas, and a total of 10 Recycling Centers located in Colorado, Arizona, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas. It operates a corrugated and folding carton converting plant and sheet feeder in City of Industry, Calif. It also has four distribution centers and seven converting plants located in Northern Mexico.

The company is a perennial winner in packaging competitions, as well as TAPPI's bi-annual CorrPak Competition, picking up several awards at each competition. (Mike Walker is our contact for entries in packaging competitions, if you are interested.)

This company supplies all United States Postal Service shipping containers west of the Mississippi River. From brown boxes and highly complex graphics to direct printing that looks like a label and UV coatings, this company stands out from the crowd. It is currently 85% integrated, with plans of increasing that percentage in 2010.

Our mystery organization started three green field operations in 2009 and grew by 6.3% that year. How many companies can say such during these uncertain economic times?

Well, if you have not figured who I've been talking about by now, the company is Orange County Container Group (OCCG) LLC.

I was able to tour OCCG's converting plant and Performance Sheets, both located in City of Industry, Calif. Performance Sheets supplies 40% of its output to OCCG, and 60% to outside converters. I will tell you that its quality, customer service, and JIT systems set them apart from many competitors.

My hosts for this tour were Michael Crosson, president of Performance Sheets, and Joe Edwards, process improvement manager. Joe had recently attended a TAPPI corrugated course in Norcross. My hosts from OCCG, who took time away from their very busy schedules were: Greg Hall, president, Packaging Division; Michael Feterik, CEO; David Ortiz, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing; Kevin Feterik, general manager; and Tarek Saduddin, director, Sales & Customer Service.

Oh yes, I nearly forgot the football tie in! Kevin Feterik was a star quarterback for the Brigham Young Cougars from 1996-1999. He then went on to play with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League and later finished his football career playing in Italy. Did I mention that Michael Feterik owned the Calgary Stampeders when they won the Grey Cup in 2001? Ask him to show you his championship ring! These folks are a very humble group. If you meet them, you have to ask about such successes because they don't bring them up.

If you would like more information on Orange County Container Group LLC, go to www.orangecountycontainer.com.

If you would like more information on TAPPI, please go to www.tappi.org.

There are two types of people in this industry; TAPPI members and those who should be.

Until next time - Larry

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TAPPI's NET (Nonwovens Engineers & Technologists) Division is pleased to announce that plans are underway for 2010 NET INC. (Nonwovens Engineers & Technologists Innovative Nonwovens Conference). The conference will take place November 10-12, 2010 in Raleigh, N.C., USA.

Sponsored by TAPPI and the Nonwovens Institute (NWI), NET INC. is the only technical conference developed by nonwovens engineers and technologists.

NET's acronym comes from its makeup of nonwovens engineers and technologists. Division members come from a variety of disciplines – technical directors, engineers, professors, research and development managers, sales and marketing professionals, and corporate management. They work collaboratively in volunteer groups to share knowledge with peers throughout the world in all segments of the nonwovens industry – from hygiene and fabrics to filtration, insulation and more.

Those wishing to learn more about participating in the development of this event can contact Craig McKinney, program manager, cmckinney@tappi.org, +1-770-209-7294.

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When: Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Where: Liberty Hall, Kimberly, Wis.

The Lake States TAPPI / North Central PIMA Meeting program will provide insight on the concept of sustainability and its different aspects for the pulp and paper business. Both the technological and the economic side of sustainability as well as real-life examples will be presented. The event will close with a roundtable discussion to explore the consequences of  sustainability with current and anticipated changes. 
 
This program is designed for Environmental Engineers, Process Engineers, Paper Machine,  Stock Prep, Coating, Production, Purchasing, R&D and Lab  Personnel, Suppliers, and anyone else interested in learning  more about sustainability and related business concepts for the  pulp and paper industry.

Pre-registration fee: $110.00
On-site registration: $135.00.
Students and retirees reduced rate if pre-registered: $25.00 / $45.00 on-site

For further details call Michael von Grumbkow  at 920-540-1030 or visit the Lake States TAPPI website: www.lakestates.org.

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Offered for the first time in years, TAPPI is pleased to unroll the Tissue Runnability Course, April 19-21, 2010 – an essential program for paper professionals at TAPPI's Atlanta headquarters. This course offers a comprehensive understanding of the tissue making process at many levels that can be applied immediately on the job. Instructional topics are focused on helping attendees improve the quality of their products, diminish waste and poor output and reduce frustrating down-time. The course material is designed with the objective of helping participants thrust production into high gear.

The Tissue Runnability Course is designed expressly for engineers, machine supervisors, technical resources, lead operators and technical personnel in tissue and towel mills. The three-day event covers the impact of recycled furnishes on paper characteristics, the principles of wet-end chemistry with machine operation, cleaning and conditioning of felts and wires, causes of tissue runnability problems in the press/Yankee/hood drying systems, identifying improvement opportunities on the dry-end of the paper machine, and pinpointing problems with the Yankee dryer steam, coating, and hood systems to increase machine productivity. The course schedule is led by industry-recognized instructors.

Registration for this course has been so robust, the training room has moved to a larger venue – the Hilton Atlanta Northeast in Norcross, Ga. This means, you can stay in the same location as the training sessions for even more convenience. Lodge Where You Learn!
Hilton Atlanta Northeast
5993 Peachtree Industrial Blvd
Norcross, GA 30092
Telephone: +1.770.447.4747

Tissue Runnability is still open, but prompt registration is still encouraged for this course!

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Event: PulPaper 2010
Date: June 1-3, 2010
Location: Helsinki,Finland

For the seventh time, the global pulp, paper, board, and converting industry will meet in Helsinki for the PulPaper exhibition and conference.  The event, organized by Adforum in cooperation with the Paper Engineers' Association, AEL and The Finnish Fair Corporation, will be the largest show for the pulp, paper, board and converting industry worldwide in 2010. Exhibitors and visitors travel from all over the world to take part in this international event. The last PulPaper show in 2007 attracted more than 16,000 visitors from 78 countries. TAPPI is co-sponsoring the nanotechnology session.

Along with the exhibition, there will be a conference with the theme of "Implementing the new rise." The theme will cover topics that the forest products industry must address to maintain its position and improve results in a changing environment.

Registration is now open and early bird fees are valid until April 16.

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What's high in the middle and round on the ends? Well, Ohio of course, and TAPPI's Ohio Local Section is high on planning for their next meeting (April 9, 2010 at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio). Ok, bad joke – but no where near a bad meeting!

Recently, Larry Montague and Eric Fletty had the pleasure of visiting Appleton's West Carrollton Mill and not only saw TAPPI members (from both Appleton and Ashland – Hercules) in action but discussed plans for the upcoming Ohio TAPPI Local Section Meeting. The Local Section has undergone a reinvention of itself and has a great event planned. For just $10, (register by March 26th for this early bird rate) you get:

• 9:00 AM - Upgrades and modernization of stock prep systems - J. Kerr, ANDRITZ
• 10:00 AM - Doctor blade setting - S. Cockerham, KADANT
• 11:00 AM - Paper machine water management for the Fourdrinier -S. Stewart, JOHNSON FOILS
• Lunch (provided)
• 2:00 PM - Automation: Color control & air systems, air dryers, heat recovery -T. Betteridge & M. Harrison, METSO
• 3:00 PM - How CD moisture actuators can save energy - J. Spachman, ABB

Registration couldn't be easier – just e-mail Prof. Doug Coffin at Prof. Doug Coffin at coffindw@muohio.edu. Additional information can be found at this link.

Pictured (Left to Right): Tom Maleike, Manager – Utilities, Process Control, Technical, Appleton
Jim Fuller, Quality Manager, Appleton
Bill Levenderis, Process Control Engineer, Appleton
Larry N. Montague, President & CEO, TAPPI
Nicole Hartley, Technical Sales Representative, Ashland-Hercules
Philip B. Keegan, Sales Team Leader, Ashland-Hercules
Eric Fletty, Vice President Operations, TAPPI

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Early discounted registration is now open for the 2010 BioPro Expo™ and Conference, slated for August 24-26 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta. Providing program content and comprehensive exhibits created with multiple industries in mind, BioPro Expo™ explores practical methods for transitioning a variety of biomass feedstocks into energy and biofuel. This unique event will bring together diverse communities ranging from forest, agriculture, and biorefinery operations to power companies and technology suppliers – offering the Southeast's most powerful educational and professional networking experience in the bioenergy arena.

BioPro Expo will include in-depth case studies and technical sessions from experts in a variety of industries. In addition, there will be a comprehensive tradeshow and hands-on technology interaction. Additional input from governmental agencies will supplement this experience with perspective on the rapidly changing regulatory and funding environment impacting renewable energy efforts.

Registration fees are $485 for TAPPI members and $746 for non-members, if confirmed by July 2, 2010. Onsite registration is $735 for TAPPI members and $1,125 for non-members. Registration information is available at www.bioproexpo.org.

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The 2010 International Bioenergy and Bioproducts Conference (IBBC) is now an important conference component of BioProExpo™. IBBC will include technical presentations, expert panels, case studies, and reports from projects that address the production of biofuels and bioproducts through: the use of forest and agricultural biomass resources; biorefining technology; feedstock and harvesting improvements to increase yield and quality of biomass; and leveraging forest products manufacturing infrastructure.

Presentations are being sought in the following topic areas:

Technology Track: Seeking strong technical papers with a focus on presenting new findings in Biomass Supply & Demand, Biomass Harvesting & Preparation, Advances in Conversion Pathways and Advances in Bioproducts.

Deployment Track: Seeking case studies and updates from pilot scale, commercial, and pre-commercial operations in Biorefineries, Repurposing the Traditional Pulp and Paper Mill, Harvesting and Preparation, Technical Economic Analyses, Commercial Collaborations for Enabling Technologies and Project Deployment Issues.

For more information on the IBBC Call for Papers, visit http://www.bioproexpo.org/ibbc_call.asp.

Abstract Requirements: Abstracts should be no more than 200 words.
Submission Deadline: March 22, 2010
Presentations Deadline: August 2, 2010
Submit Abstracts to: IBBC@tappi.org
Event Website: www.bioproexpo.org

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Date(s):
Spring 2010 -- April 12-14
Fall 2010 -- October 4-6
Spring 2011 -- April 4-6
Fall 2011 -- October 3-5

Location:
Crowne Plaza Hotel at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport

The Black Liquor Recovery Boiler Advisory Committee (BLRBAC) guides the safe installation and operation of recovery boilers at kraft paper mills. Their meetings draw attendees from all over the world, from the operating mills, the manufacturers of recovery boilers and associated equipment, to engineers from the insuring companies. Many members of BLRBAC are also TAPPI members that serve on the Steam and Power Committee.

Visit www.blrbac.org for registration information and additional details or contact David Parrish at david.parrish@fmglobal.com.

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A Call for Presentations/Posters has been issued for the 2010 TAPPI International Conference on Nanotechnology for the Forest Products Industry, 27-29 September, 2010, in Espoo, Finland. This annual, internationally recognized event brings together leading researchers, industry experts, government representatives, and other stakeholders to share  advances and perspectives on nanotechnology-based products for the forest products and related industries.

To leverage research advances and offer participants new opportunities for knowledge sharing, the 2010 Technical Program Committee invites contributions from participants working with nano-enabled bio-materials, products, and their processing. Analysis of challenges and trends in emerging markets for forest products that are based on nanotechnology are sought to provide a foundation for new research and industrial activities. The organizers also  encourage submissions on other aspects of nanotech products including law, policy, economics and environmental health and safety. View the Call for Papers.

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