Mill speakers offer their insights at the 2016 ASPI Spring Meeting
Mill speakers offer their insights at the 2016 ASPI Spring Meeting
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With the highest member turnout for any Spring Meeting in more than 10 years, the ASPI (Association of Suppliers to the Paper Industry) says its Spring Meeting Feb. 24-26 in Miami offered a valuable opportunity for members to hear from customer companies in a professional atmosphere designed to foster communication. The program included presentations from the 2016 ASPI Award recipients and invited speakers, plus new member presentations, ASPI board meetings and networking events.
Steve Voorhees, CEO of WestRock, Norcross, Georgia, accepted the 2016 Customer Executive of the Year award, ASPI’s highest honor for an individual. He shared the management philosophy he has used to lead the global packaging producer on a successful path of growth and change. “If you take the time to notice our products, you’ll see what a terrific business we’re in,” he told attendees.
Don Forst, director of global sourcing, International Paper, Memphis, Tennessee, accepted the 2016 Excellence in Leadership Award. Regarding the relationship between mills and suppliers, Forst remarked, “In this industry, you need a trusted partner. That’s true in any industry, but it’s particularly true for our industry.”
Green Bay, Wisconsin-based Green Bay Packaging Vice President of Mill Operations Matt Symanski challenged ASPI members to share their expertise regarding two critical industry issues. “We invite you to approach us with ideas about training and safety,” he said.
Warren Allen, vice president of procurement for Resolute Forest Products, Montreal, echoed the importance of industry safety: “[At Resolute] we’ve done some remarkable things with safety—we all have, as an industry. But it’s never good enough.”
Industry analyst Chip Dillon concluded the program with an in-depth look at critical factors affecting the pulp, paper and packaging markets and offered a strategic outlook for the industry. “Consolidation has created much more discipline,” he said, offering ASPI members insight into which sectors are expected to see growth and outlining the economic and sociological trends creating that growth.
ASPI says attendee feedback is collected after each program segment to help the association create programs of highest benefit to attendees, with the 2016 Spring Meeting receiving positive comments from attendees. Only ASPI members and invited prospective members may attend meetings. The next meeting will be the 2016 Fall Customer Alignment Meeting, Nov. 16-18, which will be hosted by WestRock in Atlanta.
ASPI, Peachtree Corners, Georgia, is a leading association of companies that supply products and services to the pulp, paper and board industry. Member participation consists primarily of CEOs, owners and senior management executives. ASPI’s mission is to assist its member supplier companies in providing increased economic benefits to their customers through collective knowledge, initiatives and efforts.
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Source: Recycling Today
Mill speakers offer their insights at the 2016 ASPI Spring Meeting
<![CDATA[With the highest member turnout for any Spring Meeting in more than 10 years, the ASPI (Association of Suppliers to the Paper Industry) says its Spring Meeting Feb. 24-26 in Miami offered a valuable opportunity for members to hear from customer companies in a professional atmosphere designed to foster communication. The program included presentations from the 2016 ASPI Award recipients and invited speakers, plus new member presentations, ASPI board meetings and networking events. Steve Voorhees, CEO of WestRock, Norcross, Georgia, accepted the 2016 Customer Executive of the Year award, ASPI’s highest honor for an individual. He shared the management philosophy he has used to lead the global packaging producer on a successful path of growth and change. “If you take the time to notice our products, you’ll see what a terrific business we’re in,” he told attendees. Don Forst, director of global sourcing, International Paper, Memphis, Tennessee, accepted the 2016 Excellence in Leadership Award. Regarding the relationship between mills and suppliers, Forst remarked, “In this industry, you need a trusted partner. That’s true in any industry, but it’s particularly true for our industry.” Green Bay, Wisconsin-based Green Bay Packaging Vice President of Mill Operations Matt Symanski challenged ASPI members to…