Week of 30 March 2020: Brave new world: How do you do maintenance with a 6 foot separation between employees?

The first thing that popped into my mind was to dress all your maintenance people in pre-Civil War hoop skirted ball gowns. Although it will maintain the distance, I can think of many other reasons this won’t work. For the future, this just emphasizes more predictive maintenance and solid maintenance monitoring. If you know the condition of your equipment and the failure curve it is on, you can plan on how to prepare it in a timely fashion.

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Maintenance Outages and Safety

We all know that working in a paper mill can be hazardous in and of itself. Maintenance outages can be extremely hazardous as employees and contractors perform maintenance work on equipment.

Patent Applications and Patents

ABB launches new Optical Consistency Transmitter sensors

ABB has launched its KPM KC9 Optical Consistency Transmitter family, a new range of sensors that provide accurate measurement of total and/or ash consistency for better wet end measurement and control in pulp and paper processes.

Moisture Measurements to Suit Many Applications

MoistTech uses its 40 years of expertise to enhance clients' manufacturing processes and protect their products.

[Adv.] Essco Incorporated - Doctor Blade Manufacturing & Expertise

(Adv.) SAP offers you an easy direct link to their breaking developments

Businesses, including paper mill, provide toilet paper bonuses amid shortage

Clearwater paper, which produces toilet paper at its mill in Lewiston, confirmed that the company was gifting 36 rolls of bathroom tissue to each of its 3,300 employees.

Corrugated Box Industry Keeps Supply Chain Moving Amid COVID-19 Challenges

The manufacturers of corrugated cardboard boxes are working to keep transport packaging flowing to makers of essential products including packaging for food and other consumer products, medical and pharmaceutical products, tissue and hygiene products and more amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Where is Jim this week?

As I travel, I am always looking for someone to go to dinner with, share a barbeque sandwich lunch and so forth.

Pratt Industries and Talo Analytic International celebrate 25 year relationship

Gary Byrd of Pratt Industries and Jim Thompson of Talo Analytic International recently celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the two companies' relationship. The relationship started in November of 1993.

For the occasion, Talo Analytic International commissioned a "tombstone" reminiscent of those typically prepared to celebrate a deal closing and presented it to Mr. Byrd.

Talo Analytic International began working with Pratt Industries when Pratt's Conyers, Georgia Mill was first financed. Talo Analytic International has been the principal technical adviser on the financing of every Pratt mill in the United States. Talo Analytic International was also a key adviser on the Visy Tumut Mill in Australia in the late 1990's.

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Weyerhaeuser provides COVID-19 business update

Weyerhaeuser Company provided an update on actions it is taking in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19: Norske Skog provides Operational Update

In Norway, Saugbrugs will cease production on one paper machine due to negative market developments as a result of the corona virus restrictions. As a result of this, there will be given notice of temporary layoffs. In addition, administrative personnel at headquarters has been temporarily laid off as a result of the corona situation. The Skogn mill will delay temporary layoffs as earlier announced.

Louisiana-Pacific Says Reduced 2020 Capital Expenditure Plans By 50%

LP Building Solutions announced adjustments to operating schedules, reductions in capital expenditures, and steps to enhance an already strong balance sheet. LP also announced amended guidance consistent with these plans and the uncertainties surrounding the impact of COVID-19, governmental responses, and subsequent economic recovery.

Millwright: In 'abrupt but good' turnaround, WestRock grants sick leave

A union push to protect workers from COVID-19 has apparently prompted Longview WestRock mill managers to update the site's procedure for handling potential exposures to the disease.

LSC Communications Prepares Bankruptcy Filing As Shareholder Revolts

Weeks after issuing an earnings that report that revealed the company lost $295 million last year, publication printer LSC Communications is preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to reports, citing "people with knowledge of the plans."

International Paper Reaches Agreement to Sell Brazilian Corrugated Packaging Business to Klabin

This business includes three containerboard mills and four box plants.

Pratt Industries driver tests positive for COVID-19

Wapakoneta Mayor Tom Stinebaugh on Friday notified residents that a truck driver for Pratt Industries has reportedly tested positive for the novel coronavirus, while a second employee has since been sent home to self-quarantine for two weeks.

Operations continue at Irving facility after employee confirmed to have COVID-19

One of Nova Scotia's cases of COVID-19 has been confirmed to be an employee at the Irving Sawmill near Truro, N.S.

Canfor Pulp Products Inc. Announces COVID-19 Response Measures, With Production and Spending Cuts

The Company is postponing the planned extended spring maintenance shut at Northwood Pulp Mill until later this year, and instead will curtail the mill for three weeks during the period the turnaround was originally scheduled to occur. This will result in a reduction of approximately 35,000 tonnes of Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft pulp production.

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, Huhtamaki withdraws its outlook for 2020 for now

The COVID-19 pandemic is creating disturbance in Huhtamaki's global trading conditions and the demand for food-on-the-go packaging is being significantly impacted.

West Fraser Announces Additional COVID-19 Production Cuts

In response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic West Fraser is taking additional steps to respond to changing operating and market conditions.

Due to COVID-19. Norbord announces big production cuts

This adjusted operating configuration will initially result in a 25% reduction to Norbord's currently operating North American mill capacity.

Kruger to Maintain All Critical Activities in Accordance With Government COVID-19 Guidelines

As a provider of goods and services that consumers and businesses rely on for their everyday needs, Kruger Inc. announced that it will be maintaining all of its operations that have been declared essential by Canadian and U.S. authorities or COVID-19 government guidelines, including the manufacture of tissue products, food packaging and containerboard, newsprint, publication and specialty papers, as well as recycling services, the bottling of beverages and the production of electricity.

Anthony Pratt's top tips for managing the crisis

Pratt said his facilities were hiring more staff to cope with surging demand. Visy has had to radically adapt. Staff are getting temperatures checked daily, social distancing is in place and office staff are working split shifts to minimise contact.

Resolute to reduce capacity in wood products and paper segments due to COVID-19

Resolute Forest Products Inc. provided an update on the impact of the COVID-19 situation to its business.

Holmen postpones the Annual General Meeting due to COVID-19

The Swedish Government has decided to ban public gatherings and public events with more than 50 people as of March, 29. Since this decision is also the norm for other types of gatherings, Holmen's Board of Directors has decided to postpone the Annual General Meeting (AGM), which was planned to be held on March 30, 2020 in Stockholm, Sweden.

Judge dismisses Chemours lawsuit against DuPont

A Delaware judge has granted the DuPont Co.'s request to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that it massively downplayed the cost of environmental liabilities imposed on spinoff company Chemours.

Metsä Group's investment projects in Finland progress - the world's most modern sawmill will be built in Rauma

Metsä Fibre, part of Metsä Group, has made the decision to build the world's most modern sawmill in Rauma. The value of the investment is approximately EUR 200 million.

(Adv.) Allnorth Americas knows remote

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Jay Miele, Vice President of Allnorth Americas in Alpharetta, Georgia. Allnorth Americas (www.allnorth.com) is an engineering firm headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, with offices across North America. Allnorth has perfected working remotely, meaning using professionals in their various offices collaboratively in real time to execute clients' projects. No longer is there a need to move people from office to office or office to site to quickly and efficiently execute engineering projects.

Essity's Board of Directors proposes postponement of dividend decision

The Board of Directors' previous assessment of a dividend of SEK 6.25 per share remains. The final assessment on the size of the dividend will, however, be taken at a later date when the effects of the current COVID-19 pandemic are better understood.

UPM's Annual General Meeting will be held by special arrangements on 31 March 2020

The company has received a sufficient number of shareholders' proxies and cancellations of attendance, allowing the meeting to be held in accordance with the regulations set by authorities following the coronavirus pandemic.

Orora gets OK for Australasian fiber sale

In October, Orora entered into a binding agreement with Nippon Paper Industries to sell its Australasian Fiber Business for $1.72 billion.

Weyerhaeuser completes sale of Montana timberlands

Weyerhaeuser Company announced the completion of the sale of its 630,000 acres of Montana timberlands to Southern Pine Plantations for approximately $145 million in cash.

UPM received a sufficient majority of votes for the approval of Annual General Meeting proposals

Based on received proxies and voting instructions, UPM confirms that it has received a sufficient majority of votes to support the proposed resolutions on the agenda of the Annual General Meeting on 31 March 2020. Therefore, decisions on items on the meeting agenda can be made in accordance with the proposals if the meeting will be arranged.

Lenzing suspends 2020 guidance due to COVID-19 crisis

In order to mitigate a potentially stronger than expected decline in earnings, Lenzing has already started to implement cost saving measures across its sites globally.

NC State Names New Dean of College of Natural Resources

Myron Floyd has been named dean of the College of Natural Resources at North Carolina State University after a nationwide search. His appointment becomes effective April 1.

As Paper Days approaches, we catch up with University of Maine Senior Eliza Hosford

Paperitalo Publications was able to catch up with Eliza Hosford, a senior in the program. Miss Hosford is from Bucksport, Maine and graduated in 2016 from Bucksport High School as valedictorian. We asked her a few questions about her experiences at UMaine.

With N.C. State foundation's annual meeting and banquet nearing, we interview junior Claire Hammontree

The foundation's annual Spring Advisory Board Meeting and Pulp and Paper Celebration Banquet is coming up on Thursday, March 26. Paperitalo Publications was able to catch up with Claire Hammontree, a junior in the program and we asked her a few questions about her experiences at N.C. State.

The Light Green Machine Institute

Ideas you can use now.

Testing...

I’ve been working with kids preparing for the ACT/SAT for over 10 years. Through this time, I’ve come to some conclusions. I hope you find them of interest.

Capital Arguments for February 2020

Check out TALOtech groups on LinkedIn

The purpose of the TALOtech groups on LinkedIn is to provide a convenient forum for people working within the manufacturing part of this industry to share technical and operating related dialog to promote safe and competitive operations.

Energy & the Environment News

Your contributions are welcome in this department, regardless of point of view. A few criteria--if you send us a copyrighted piece, also provide a permission to publish statement from the owner. We will not publish overtly political pieces or anonymous pieces.

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January 2020

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