Ahead of the Curve

The New Strategic Role of Human Resources

29 Jan 2014 Today, the human capital leader from the human resource (HR) function of an organization is emerging as a true business partner to the enterprise. They must be operational-excellent and customer-focused to other business units. Five trends are responsible for changing and shaping the role of a human capital leader in a global manufacturing enterprise.

Nanotechnology + Renewable Materials = Opportunity

22 Jan 2014 The combination of nanotechnology and renewable materials offers a potentially significant commercial opportunity for the forest products industry.

Oji further restructures its Japanese packaging business

15 Jan 2014 Oji Holdings, the diversified Japanese-based paper and forestry group, has in the last few weeks announced further steps in an ongoing restructuring of their business portfolio. Three paper machines, namely PM 10 in Fuji #2 mill and the #B-1 and #B-2 paper machines in Tokai Fujinomiya, will terminate production. The production of corrugated medium on PM 10 will be taken over by PM #N-1 in Fuji Oji Paper mill (aka Fuji #1). PM #N-1 which is currently idle will be rebuilt before resuming production. The white board part of the production output from PMs #B-1 and #B-2 will be transferred to other sites within the group.

Partnership to Advance Cellulosic Nanomaterial from Wood

08 Jan 2014 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a public-private partnership to rapidly advance the development of the first U.S. commercial facility producing cellulosic nanomaterial, a wood fiber broken down to the nanoscale. The partnership is between the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (Endowment) and the U.S. Forest Service.