Week of 28 September 2020: What are you worth?

Friend of mine recently told me a story. It went like this. Decades ago, when he was first hired by a major company in this industry, his boss sat him down and said, "We have your salary wrong." This was a startling revelation. The boss went on, "When we hire young folks like you, we slot you into the system based on lots of studies and identifying attributes. But it is all just a guess. For sure, what you are worth is not reflected in your salary right now, for we are just not that smart. In a few months, we'll have a better idea of what you are worth. We may be overpaying you or underpaying you now, but the truth will come out in time..."

Horrible Bosses

Companies and/or owners should do more to see what the workplace environments are actually like beneath the top levels.

Patent Applications and Patents

Appvion Announces Antimicrobial Technology

SafeShield technology prevents the replication of DNA and new cell formation! Independent lab tests demonstrate up to 99.99% reduction in non-pathogenic bacteria on the paper's surface even after printing and post processing.

Essity Leans on Digital Tools to Fortify Their Manufacturing Supply Chain While Improving Machine Health and Productivity

Augury, a leading AI-based Machine Health solution provider, announced that Essity, an innovative global leader in professional hygiene, consumer tissue and personal care products, has chosen Augury's machine health solutions to help drive the digital transformation of its supply chain.

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

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

Is Going Paperless Really Better for the Environment?

Many banks, utilities, telecoms and other service providers continue to encourage (and sometimes force) their customers to switch from paper to electronic communications, using claims that electronic communication is "greener," "saves trees" or "protects the planet" as justification.

Employment Insurance Changes Welcome, but Must Be Made Permanent - Steelworkers

The United Steelworkers (USW), representing more than 14,000 workers in the forestry sector, are welcoming recent changes to Employment Insurance (EI) that will make it easier for workers to access benefits - at least in the short term.

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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Amcor: Sale of investment in AMVIG Holdings Limited

AMVIG is a Chinese tobacco packager.

Bain consortium bids for Ahlstrom-Munksjo

A consortium including Bain Capital said on Thursday, Sept. 24 it was offering to buy specialty paper maker Ahlstrom-Munksjo Oyj in a deal valuing the Finnish firm at around 2.1 billion euros ($2.45 billion).

Fire destroys sawmill at Katahdin Forest Products in Oakfield

A Sept. 16 fire at Katahdin Forest Products left one of its sawmill buildings totally destroyed, as well as most of the equipment inside it.

Paper cuts: U.S. coronavirus downturn hits timber-reliant towns

When a major U.S. paper producer decided over the summer to shut two of its mills, citing the drop in demand for paper amid the coronavirus pandemic, it sent reverberations through a region that is highly reliant on its timber industry.

Mondi Makes the World a More Sustainable Place with SAP Commerce Cloud

As a company, Mondi's goal is to continuously delight their customers with innovative and sustainable packaging and paper solutions. To do that, they wanted to get closer to their customers to better understand their unique needs and provide them with tailor-made information, in a way that is scalable and future-proof.

Nekoosa, Wisconsin closes streets by Domtar paper mill as crews respond to chlorine dioxide leak

A chemical spill Tuesday at Domtar caused fire and police departments to reroute city traffic while workers contained it.

First TP, now paper towels

The head of Canada's largest manufacturer of tissue products says he's concerned about the industry's supply of paper towel ahead of a potential second wave of COVID-19.

Update: 2 die in fire at Evergreen Packaging mill in Canton, N.C.

An early morning fire Monday, Sept. 21, at the Evergreen Packaging paper mill has left two contract workers dead, according to a press release from Evergreen.

Fire at Sappi woodyard extinguished in Skowhegan

A handful of fire departments responded to a structure fire at Sappi North America woodyard just after 5 a.m Saturday, Sept. 19 in Skowhegan.

Fire reported at Sofidel mill in Ohio

A four-alarm fire at the Sofidel is being reported by news outlets. Fire personnel on the scene report two fires inside the C building at 3:50 p.m.

Fire at Evergreen Packaging facility

Officials say there is concern over a possible structural collapse.

Ox Industries restarts White Pigeon Paper Mill

Ox acquired the mill from Graphic Packaging in June and has since converted the mill from clay-coated recycled paperboard (CRB) to high strength uncoated recycled paperboard (URB).

Tony Mollica Named CEO of Twin Rivers

Tony replaces Tim Lowe, who will return to his role on the Board of Directors after acting as Interim CEO.

Georgia-Pacific lays off 270 as disrupted natural gas supply halts containerboard production in Toledo, Oregon

Production was halted, and approximately 270 hourly workers at Georgia-Pacific pulp and paper mill in Toledo were laid off on Monday evening.

Park Falls, Wisconsin paper mill re-opens

The paper mill in Park Falls is opening their doors after being closed for over a year.

Resolute President and CEO recognized as Executive of the Year for contributions to sustainability

Yves Laflamme, Resolute's president and chief executive officer, was recently recognized for his contributions to sustainability. On September 10, 2020, The 2020 International Business Awards (IBA) honored Mr. Laflamme with a silver Stevie® award in the Executive of the Year - Manufacturing category.

Smurfit Kappa launches sustainable BanaBag for banana producers

BanaBag® is 100% paper based, which makes it renewable, recyclable and biodegradable.

The Forest Practices Board to audit BCTS operations on northern Vancouver Island, Canada

The Forest Practices Board will examine the activities of the BC Timber Sales (BCTS) program and timber sale licence holders in the North Island-Central Coast Natural Resource District, during the week starting Sept. 28, 2020.

Monadnock Paper Mills launches Hemp Envi Performance Board

Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc. is expanding its alternative fiber offerings with Monadnock Hemp Envi Performance Board. Monadnock developed the tree-free bright white premium board with a continued focus on both performance and sustainability.

Veritiv CEO Mary Laschinger to retire, successor picked

Mary Laschinger, one of Georgia's most prominent female executives, will retire as CEO and chairman of Veritiv Corporation on Sept. 30, the company announced on Monday.

Holmen mills receives the highest sustainability rating

Holmen's paperboard and paper mills have been awarded the highest possible rating by the international assessment company Ecovadis. The paperboard mills in Iggesund and Workington as well as the paper mills Braviken and Hallsta have all been awarded Ecovadis Platinum, which means that all Holmen's mills belong to the absolute top tier of all assessed companies.

Alan Smurfit dies suddenly at age of 77

Alan Smurfit, a member of the well-known business family that founded Smurfit Kappa, has died suddenly at the age of 77, the family has announced.

SCA: Renewcell wants to recycle textiles in Ortviken industrial area

Joint press release from Renewcell and SCA.

Metsä Fibre and Econia to cooperate in prevention of grey economy in Kemi and Rauma projects

Metsä Fibre and Econia have made agreements on consulting services related to contractor liability matters and the prevention of the grey economy in the Kemi bioproduct mill project and the Rauma sawmill project in Finland.

Weyerhaeuser to Support Wildfire Relief Efforts in the Pacific Northwest

Weyerhaeuser Company announced the company is making an immediate $150,000 donation to the Red Cross to support emergency response efforts in communities affected by wildfires in the Pacific Northwest, and particularly in Oregon.

SFI Conservation Grant to Help North Carolina State University Study Climate Change Mitigation and Preventing Biodiversity Loss in Forests

North Carolina State University is investigating the crucial role that SFI-certified forests play in facilitating landscape connectivity in a changing climate.

#MoveInMiami is Aug. 13

For the past seven years, the motto of #MoveInMiami has been, "They unpack. We give back." While the unpacking is different this year, Miamians can still support what matters to them most at Miami University on Aug. 13 through #MoveInMiami.

Student Spotlight: Geordin Craun of Western Michigan

Paperitalo Publications was able to catch up with Geordin Craun, a senior in the program. We asked her a few questions about her experiences at Western Michigan.

The Light Green Machine Institute

Ideas you can use now.

Saving energy

Saving energy was a topic Jim Thompson discussed a few weeks back. With fuel prices at record lows, it seems a weird time to discuss saving energy. But back in the day, when Union Camp was an entity in the 70s and 80s, the company leadership were geniuses at forecasting the paper industry fortunes six months to a year in advance. It seemed when everyone else was doing one thing we were doing another. And some time later, our approach was usually proven the best.

Capital Arguments for August 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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