What a deal! A guy grows up in Pittsburgh, graduates from college in 1984 when there aren't many job opportunities in that area, and reads a help wanted ad: "Looking for a technician trainee to go into a 2-year training program. Relocation is required." This isn't so out of the ordinary, except the job was in Italy! What a deal for a single, newly graduated guy whose travel experience was limited at the time. Talk about jumping in with both feet!

On a recent trip through Wisconsin, Eric Fletty and I had the opportunity to visit with that very guy -- Jeff Pallini, President of Fosber America, as we toured the Fosber plant in Green Bay. Jeff currently serves as TAPPI's Corrugated Packaging Council Chair, as well as Chair for TAPPI's Chicago Local Section.

In 1984, Jeff answered that ad and took the job with Perini. At that time, Perini was manufacturing tissue converting equipment. In the middle of his Technical Sales tenure with Perini, Jeff was summoned into the owner's office. He was told that Perini would like to have him work on a market study for two months in the U.S. The strange part of this request was that the market study was not in the tissue industry and was to be conducted on Dry End manufacturers in the corrugated industry. Jeff's mission was to find out if there was room for another manufacturer in the U.S. It turns out that the market study revealed that there was indeed room for another Dry End manufacturer.

Jeff finished his market study and went into the owner's office to make the presentation. Jeff shared with me that he honestly thought this was the end of his role in the study and that he would go back to his previous job. At the close of the presentation, Jeff was told by the owner that he was in agreement with the market study, and wanted to know if Jeff would like to start up the new company in Green Bay, Wis. Well, as you might imagine, he was elated and said yes! But why Green Bay? Perini was already in the area to service the massive tissue industry there.

In 1992, Fosber America was founded. It focused on the corrugator dry end and grew its market share to 70%. By 2002, with industry changes taking place, it was time for Fosber to branch out into the corrugator wet end, so that it now offers complete corrugators.

Fosber was founded in Italy in 1978 by two gentlemen, Mr. Fossaluzza and Mr. Bertani. The initial concentration was on material handling and down stackers. In 1988, Fabio Perini S.P.A. acquired 100% of Fosber S.R.L. In 1989, Fosber was established in the U.S., selling corrugator components from Italy.
Two projects were sold in the summer of 1989, and it was off to the races! In 1992, Perini sold Fosber to the present owners.

When Jeff started, there were approximately 700 corrugators in the U.S. Consolidation in the industry has reduced that number to less than 550. There were 16 major integrateds, and there are now just five. Fosber's business is spilt 80/20 between integrated versus independents.

Jeff adds that there have been other major changes, such as demands on equipment performance and volume, more foreign competition, shortened lead times, consortiums between sheet plants owning a corrugator, and the need for 24-hour full service capability.

How is business? Booming. So far in 2010, the U.S. currently has backlogs for seven new corrugators, with pent up demand causing a surge in new orders. Of those seven corrugators, Fosber has four -- two of which were postponed from 2008 and two others that are new business.

Fosber is an American company with Italian roots. All of the decisions, drawings, components, and deployment are from the U.S. It has approximately 300 visitors each year tour its Green Bay plant.

Service is the key to Fosber's success. Its customers know Jeff personally. "The personal relationships get us in the game, and taking care of our customers after the sale keeps us there," he says.

One of Fosber's great assets that keeps them in the game comes in the form of training. Jon Porter, Senior Trainer/Process Specialist, took us on a tour and demonstration of the company's training facility. This service is offered to Fosber's customers so they have firsthand, real-time experience with running their equipment.

Jeff is a big Green Bay Packers football fan. As you might imagine, Brett Favre was, and still is, one of his favorite players. Knowing this, I emailed him the day the Vikings were coming to Green Bay with Favre as their new QB. I asked him who he would be pulling for, and in classic Pallini style, he replied, "I love the guy but you always have to go with the team." Go Packers!

Jeff and Fosber exude that team spirit in person as well as on the company website, where it emphasizes family: "At Fosber you are not just buying a machine, you're joining our family!"

For more information on Fosber, please go to www.fosber.com.

For more informaion on TAPPI, please go to www.tappi.com.

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

Until next time-Larry

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The Awards Committee of the TAPPI Pulp Manufacturing Division is requesting nominations for the Division Technical Award (and Johan Richter Prize), and the Division Leadership and Service Award (and Joseph Perkins Prize). Nominations are requested for both awards, but only one will be selected to be awarded at the Fall PEERS (formerly EPE) Conference to be held in Norfolk VA.

The Division Technical Award is intended to recognize outstanding accomplishments or contributions, which have advanced the pulp manufacturing processes and methods. It was last awarded to Dr. Richard Berry of FPInnovations at the 2009 EPE Conference in Memphis, Tenn., USA. The Division Leadership and Service Award is intended to recognize an individual for outstanding leadership and exceptional service to the Division. The Division Leadership award was last presented to Dr. Gopal Goyal of International Paper Company at the 2008 EPE Conference in Portland, Ore.

Completed nomination forms should be sent to Alan Rudie at arudie@fs.fed.us or by mail to Alan Rudie, Forest Products Laboratory, One Gifford Pinchot Dr., Madison, WI 53726. The form may also be downloaded here.

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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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