Ahead of the Curve Archive

Paper Airplane Day is a thing, and it’s terrific

24 May 2017 We all love holidays, but we gripe about them too: Long drives through snowstorms. Over-commercialization. Weird sweaters. Diet-busting meals that take forever to prepare and clean up after. True, “the holidays” offer a great reason to gather for fun with family and friends—but most holidays don’t focus the fun nearly enough on something that really matters to Ahead of the Curve readers: PAPER. What if you could celebrate a holiday with none of the hassle, but ALL of the paper? That’s National Paper Airplane Day.

Women in Manufacturing: Making an Impact

17 May 2017 The Manufacturing Institute, Deloitte and APICS have released a study titled “Women in Manufacturing: Stepping up to make an impact that matters.”

FPInnovation’s Trevor Stuthridge on bringing nanotech to market

10 May 2017 As executive vice president at FPInnovations, Trevor Stuthridge oversees the organization’s research, business development, and strategy delivery. He is a board member for the Institute of Forest Biosciences, Innoventures Canada, and holds adjunct professorships at the University of British Columbia and University of Toronto. FPInnovations was created as Canada’s forest sector innovation hub in 2007 through the merger of three leading forest sector research institutes: FERIC, Forintek and Paprican.

The Knowledge Trail

03 May 2017 MURRAY ELLIS One of the most rewarding and enjoyable parts of my career in the pulp and paper industry has been the opportunity to investigate and solve problems. The problem-solving process means that you are discovering, adapting and generating new information to address the problem at hand. In simple terms, you are acquiring knowledge in the pursuit of a solution. However, sometimes this problem-solving process does not find a solution easily.

Redefining the Future: News from PaperCon 2017

26 Apr 2017 This annual event combines an expert-led technical program with a world-class exhibit. AoTC reports back from Minneapolis on some of this week’s event highlights.

Mentors Can Make A Difference

19 Apr 2017 Got relationship goals? A new ‘Mentor Match’ program for the pulp, paper, and related industries can help. Building leadership skills, gaining process knowledge, and collecting sage advice are all benefits associated with having a mentor. Mentors can also help their mentees gain that almost intangible “feel for the industry” that can lead to higher job success and satisfaction. According to a recent article by Forbes.com contributor Kaytie Zimmerman, “among millennials, there is a collective shout to employers to develop them, mentor them, and give them opportunities to lead. Companies that offer their youngest employees the ability to grow within their organization are more likely to hang on to them or prevent job-hopping.”

Top Young Professionals are Ready to Make Their Mark

12 Apr 2017 JAN BOTTIGLIERI and SAMANTHA GEIER The next generation of industry leaders are not interested in “the way things were” for pulp, paper, and packaging producers. They’re interested in the opportunities ahead, and in how they can launch careers that take full advantage of those opportunities.

Nanotech and the Forest-Based Bioeconomy

05 Apr 2017 As a leader in scientific research and policy-making for the Canadian Forest Service, John Kozij has a keen interest in innovation, market growth, and sustainability for forest products. He serves as director general of the Policy, Economics and Industry Branch of the Canadian Forest Service, and holds a degree in economics from Simon Fraser University and a Masters in economics from Dalhousie University in Halifax.

How to Prepare for OSHA

29 Mar 2017 GRAEME RODDEN Mention OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) to mill management in the US and often the reaction is one of dread—the fear of fines or other legal proceedings. It needn’t be this way.

Well-managed forests are key to a low carbon future

22 Mar 2017 PHIL RIEBEL In countries such as Canada and the US, continually improving sustainable forest management practices will play a key role in mitigating climate change and ensuring a long-term wood supply. Yesterday (March 21) was celebrated around the world as International Day of Forests and this year’s theme was Forests and Energy.