Just imagine that you are a Vice President-General Manager of a paper mill, a lumber mill and other related operations and are asked: "Is it okay if we bring 110 college students plus 30 adults to tour your paper mill on a federal holiday?"And, oh yes, would you also agree to feed them lunch and would you mind sitting on a mill manager's round table on a Saturday at TAPPI's 13th annual Student Summit?"

How would you have answered the question? If you were Bruce Hoffman, Vice President and General Manager KapStone Charleston Kraft, LLC, you would have said "yes."

On Monday January 18, 2010, TAPPI's 13th annual Student Summit finished up with a tour of KapStone's Charleston, SC, paper mill.

As busy as they are, the following KapStone employees took time out of their schedules to accommodate around 130 of our group from TAPPI's Student Summit:

• Bruce Hoffman -- Vice President & General Manager
• Tim Keneally -- President, KapStone Kraft Paper Corporation
• Ann Elish -- Operations Manager
• Larry Cobb -- Public Affairs & Communications Manager
• Sherry Dixon -- Health & Safety Manager
• Courtney Smyth -- Communications Coordinator
• Donna Hansen & crew -- Utility/Labor/Cartage Supervisor
• Drivers -- David Himmel, Gene Barnett, Craig Todd, Johnny Hardee, Alice Mueller, Greg Ackerman, Ardith Rossignol, Taylor Yarboro, Mickey Butler
• Guides -- Joe Kovarik, Tim Covell, Steve Baughman, Kathleen Pizarro, Curt Ledbetter, Duane Mummert, Greg Burns, Jim Koches, Louis Manigault
• Stations -- Richard Gnegy, Andrew Mohr, Phil Ramsey, Bill Helwig, Gary Smiley, Dan Toeppner, Wes Kosin, Andres Navia, Albert Newton
• Security Personnel

On behalf of all of the attendees and TAPPI, I wanted to thank all of you for your hospitality during our visit. Your willingness to help guide the future of our industry is appreciated.

KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation was formed in 2005 to effect a business combination with a suitable operating business in the paper, packaging, forest products and related industries. On June 23, 2006, KapStone Paper, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, KapStone Kraft Paper Corporation, agreed to purchase the Kraft Papers business from International Paper Company. The unbleached Kraft paper mill acquired is located in Roanoke Rapids, NC. On July 1, 2008, KapStone purchased the Charleston Kraft Business from MeadWestvaco, which consists of a paper mill in North Charleston, SC; an on-site cogeneration facility; a lumber mill in Summerville, SC; and five chip mills. This acquisition added two paper grades to its portfolio, saturating Kraft (DuraSorb®) and Kraftpak®.

KapStone Paper offers a wide variety of grades that provide best-in-class uniformity, strength and specialized performance characteristics. They are a world leader in production of Saturating Kraft utilized by the decorative laminate industry.

For more information on KapStone, please go to www.kapstonepaper.com.

For more information on TAPPI, please go to www.tappi.org.

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

Until next time -- Larry

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What do you say when you lose a friend, relative or a loved one? Sometimes the pain seems unbearable, especially when those special times roll around the next year. Times such as holidays, meetings, conference calls or industry events that take place on a regular scheduled basis.

I am always amazed when someone you meet has an immediate and lasting impact on your job or life. It is normally an individual who you have known or grown up with for years. But every so often a person comes into your life that blindsides you with their passion and personality to the point that they make a definite impact on your life.

Unique, passionate, outspoken, dedicated, friend -- these are just a few of the accolades that people use to describe Rick Colvin.

I met Rick a little over three years ago when PIMA and TAPPI began their quest to become a part of each other. Rick's personality and passion quickly caught my attention during group meetings, conference calls and one-on-one meetings. I still chuckle when I recall how he always announced "this is Rick" when he would chime in on conference calls. The reason it was always funny is that no one on the call had any doubt, because his voice sounded like no other person in the world. With an accent that was a cross between Dennison, OH, where he is from, and Milledgeville, GA, where he lived for the past several years, the voice unmistakably belonged to Rick Colvin.

Rick began his love for this industry after graduating with a bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Muskingum College. He then went to work for Engelhard Minerals & Chemicals as a chemist. Later, he moved into field sales and product management for paper kaolin. Rick spent the rest of his 32-year career in this small, tightly knit industry in Middle Georgia.

Rick's touch reached from Georgia to all across this wonderful world in which we live, including Europe, South America and the Far East. "Kaolin Rick," as he was affectionately known, believed that kaolin, not blood, ran through his veins. Rick was always generous with his time to all who knew him and quick to lend a hand to those in need.

Rick was a very dedicated volunteer to PIMA for many years and served on PIMA's board during 2007-2008, which were the critical years in bringing TAPPI and PIMA together. Rick also was the recipient of the Thomas F. Sheerin Service Award in 2004.

I, along with many of you, will feel the void of Rick not being at our next industry gathering, conference call or one-on-one meetings in which Rick normally participated.

To Rick's family and long time friends, what do you say? Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers as we all mourn the passing of one of the industry's true believers.

Larry N. Montague, TAPPI-President/CEO

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VoIPcare Technology has announced plans to proceed with pilot testing of the qMetrix for Transportation solution designed to help reduce instances of in-transit damage to rolls of paper. The system has been designed in collaboration with members of the Shipping, Receiving and Warehousing (SRW) subcommittee of TAPPI.

"We are very excited about the number of companies that have signed up for the pilot project," said Robin Mangold, Principal at VoIPcare Technology. "The companies represent a significant cross section of supply chain partners that are focused on the reduction of in-transit damage. We are confident additional forward-thinking companies will join the project as it progresses."

Find out more about the TAPPI-VoIPcare project here.

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TAPPI is pleased to announce the 2010 recipients of the Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal Award, Herman L. Joachim Distinguished Service Award, and the Paul W. Magnabosco Outstanding Local Section Member Award:

• Richard J. Kerekes, PhD., Professor Emeritus, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, will receive the 2010 TAPPI Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal Award.
• Willis J. Potts, Jr., retired from Temple Inland, Rome, GA, USA, will receive the 2010 TAPPI Herman L. Joachim Distinguished Service Award.
• Empire State TAPPI/NY Canadian PIMA Local Section Member Scott Frasca, Senior Account Manager, RohmNova, Sidney, ME, USA, will receive the 2010 TAPPI Paul W. Magnabosco Outstanding Local Section Award.

In addition, the following nine individuals have been named 2010 TAPPI Fellows:

• Gerald M. Dykstra, Retired Buckman, Bartlett, TN, USA
• Martin A. Hubbe, PhD., Associate Professor, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
• John C. Husband, PhD., Lead Scientist, IMERYS Minerals Ltd., Cornwall, United Kingdom
• Cheryl M. Lamb, Retired from Buckman, Ellenton, FL, USA
• Patrice J. Mangin, PhD., General Director, Centre Integre En Pates Et Papiere, Trois-Rivieres, Canada
• Frank J. Sutman, Global R&D Platform Lead, Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, Wilmington, DE, USA
• Jukka H. Tiitinen, President, Metso Paper North America, Atlanta, GA, USA
• Ronald L. Van Gilder, Research Fellow, Sappi Fine Paper N.A., Westbrook, ME, USA
• Mark T. Watkins, Senior Vice President, MWV(MeadWestvaco) Corporation, Glen Allen, VA, USA

The 2010 award winners will be honored at the Tuesday evening, May 4, 2010, awards dinner during the 2010 PaperCon Conference at the Hyatt Regency, Atlanta, GA, USA. The new TAPPI Fellows will be honored at the TAPPI Fellows Luncheon, Sunday, May 2, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency, Atlanta, GA, USA in conjunction with the 2010 PaperCon meeting.

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Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Location: Dreyfus University Center, Stevens Point, WI, USA

In this one-day program, twelve sessions will provide insight on innovative technologies in stock preparation and wet end chemistry. A special segment will be devoted to research and development at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The overall focus of this meeting will be on new or emerging technologies to promote value added grade development, cost optimization, and quality improvements.

Who should attend? Product Development Engineers, Paper Machine, Stock Prep, Coating Prep, Operators, Process Engineers, Superintendents, Supervisors, Lab Personnel, Suppliers, and Students, as well as others interested in learning more about technology, and process troubleshooting.

Session Chairs include:

• Don Guay, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
• Kelly Klaas, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
• Danielle Mortag, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
• Nancy Ross Sutherland, USDA Forest Service

The pre-registration fee is $110.00; on-site registration is $135.00. Students and retirees qualify for reduced rate if pre-registered: $25.00 / $45.00 on-site. Send pre-registration fees by February 12, 2010, to Membership Services Administrator: Clark Schabo, W5562 Center Valley Rd., Black Creek, WI, 54106. Phone: 734-5073; Fax (credit cards only): 920-830-9610.

For further details on this program, call Don Guay at 715-346-4746 or visit Lake States TAPPI website.

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Long-time TAPPI members may already know some of the many treasures available from the TAPPI bookstore. A new hard copy catalog for 2010 is coming out that will highlight some of our more popular offerings.

The 2010 TAPPI Catalog features:

• Over 8 new releases
• Best seller items categorized by industry segment
• Web and Computer based training
• Sale/ Discount items
• Complete index of all TAPPI PRESS products

The 2010 Catalog is included in the Jan./Feb. issue of Paper360° and can be pulled out as a stand-alone publication. If you want to get a sneak peek, it is also available online at www.tappi.org/bookstore.

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The Association of Suppliers to the Paper Industry (ASPI) invites all ASPI members to reconnect with peers at the 2010 Spring Meeting, scheduled for February 18-19, 2010 in Naples, Florida, USA. This meeting delivers meaningful business content while providing a unique forum for senior business leaders to meet and interact with their peers serving the pulp and paper industry supplier community.

A key reason that business leaders attend is that they learn directly from guest speakers who represent their customer base. The speakers are senior executives who address pressing issues that affect how participants conduct business today and tomorrow. The connection is direct without any filtering layer of analysts or intermediaries. This meeting's presenters include J. Patrick Maley III, President, COO, and Director for Temple-Inland; Mike Edwards, SVP Pulp & Paper Manufacturing for Domtar; and Butch Johnson, CEO of Flambeau River Biofuels.

ASPI meeting attendees will also hear industry and market segment overviews by Stephen Atkinson, Managing Director for Paper & Forest Products for BMO Capital Markets. Joining him is Paul Leclair, VP and Chief Economist with the Pulp and Paper Products Council. ASPI is also pleased to announce that Tim Mescon, President of Columbus State University will be speaking. Mescon has an outstanding reputation as a speaker on management and leadership issues.

The ASPI 2010 Spring Meeting offers opportunities for informal networking, an ASPI Golf Tournament on Friday, February 19th, and a Spouse/Guest program. The venue is The Inn on Fifth in Old Naples, Florida  ASPI has negotiated preferred hotel registration rates for ASPI attendees.

Prospective participants are encouraged to make reservations. They can visit the ASPI website, www.aspinet.org for full details now and can visit the site periodically for program updates. Further background is available from Colleen Walker, ASPI Director of Member Relations, at cwalker@aspinet.org or by phone at +1 770 209-7349.

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Date: March 15-19, 2010
Location: North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina

Need to know more about pulping, bleaching, chemical recovery, recycling, papermaking and converting to do your job better? Gain an excellent overall view of the basic concepts in pulp and paper manufacturing while increasing your understanding through hands-on laboratory exercises.

Using a combination of balanced lectures and laboratories, this workshop will provide you with an easy-to-learn and lasting introduction to pulp and paper technology, operations, and markets, including:

• Overview knowledge of the entire pulping and papermaking process
• How different processes affect paper properties
• Hands-on lab experiments to enhance your understanding of process
• Run a pilot plant paper machine
• Close interaction with Pulp and Paper Professors in small groups

Learn more about the course and register to attend here. You can also download the complete course brochure.

CEUs available. This course will also be held June 7-10, 2010; and October 4-8, 2010.

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The upcoming Best Practices in Corrugator Operations Short Course is sold out and has surpassed capacity for TAPPI's training facility. The course will now be held February 16-19, 2010, at the Holiday Inn Select in Norcross, Georgia, USA. Last held in 2004, this course is back by popular demand and teaches participants how to understand each element in the corrugating process, which will lead to higher productivity, better quality, and waste reduction.

Participants will learn the basics of how each component in the corrugator system works and how to run each component with optimum settings for peak performance. Both old and new equipment will be covered. Participants will develop an understanding of the critical properties of the raw materials that are vital to guarantee acceptable quality board. The course instructors will teach participants how the "Centerline Process" can be adopted in their plant and achieve a product that is consistent every day and on all shifts. Learn more.

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The Texas Tech University (TTU) System has awarded the Chancellor's Council Distinguished Research Award to Seshadri Ramkumar, an associate professor of nonwovens and advanced materials at The Institute of Environmental and Human Health at TTU. The Chancellor's Council Distinguished Research Award is the highest award given by the TTU System to a faculty member who has excelled in research. The TTU System awards a top researcher at each of its three component universities, TTU, TTUHSC and Angelo State University with this highest research award. The award is highly competitive and candidates are evaluated at several levels by committees before the final award is made.

Ramkumar's award was announced by TTU University System Chancellor Kent Hance in December 2009. With the distinguished research award, Dr Ramkumar received a medallion and cash award for his research on nonwovens and technical textiles.

Dr. Ramkumar manages the Nonwovens and Advanced Materials Laboratory at The Institute of Environmental and Human Health at TTU, Lubbock, USA. The special focus of his laboratory is to find value-added applications for cotton and other natural fibers using emerging technologies such as nonwoven technologies, plasma, and nanotechnology. Dr. Ramkumar has been playing a leadership role for the past five years in promoting the technical textiles sector in India.

Dr. Ramkumar is an active member in TAPPI's NET (Nonwovens Engineers and Technologists) Division. He can be reached at (806) 445-1925 or s.ramkumar@ttu.edu.

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TAPPI has announced the dates and location for its 13th European PLACE Conference as 30 May - 1 June, 2011. It will be held at the internationally famous Festpielhaus on Lake Constance in Bregenz Austria. This biennial European event brings together professionals in the flexible packaging industry. It attracts managers, packaging engineers, technical personnel, technical directors and other key decision makers.

"We are excited to bring the same caliber of information and experts to Austria as we drew to our successful 12th European PLACE event in Budapest Hungary in 2009," said TAPPI President and CEO, Larry N. Montague. "The high quality of programming and the convenient location on Lake Constance bordering Switzerland, Austria and Germany promises to attract attendees from all over Europe."

The Invitation to Present will be extended in the coming months. Continue to check www.tappi.org for new details.

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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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TAPPI and Pira International are collaborating to provide key insight into the future of the paperboard industry with the Paperboard Packaging Conference, 22-24 June, 2010, in Budapest, Hungary.

The event will bring together leading minds in paperboard and associated industries, creating a forum where the current challenges and opportunities facing converters, mills and end users involved in paperboard will be discussed and real solutions proposed.

In this forum you will hear:

• Market forecasts by geographic region, material type and end use over the next five years
• Consumer, retailer and brand owner future requirements and expectations
• Sustainability challenges and opportunities for paperboard packaging
• Latest innovations in printing and decoration technologies
• Regulatory and legislative landscape for the future Advances in paperboard manufacture and converting

Learn more about the Paperboard Packaging Conference, including the Draft Program at www.paperboardpack.com.

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