If you Mess it Up, Un-Mess It!

"If you mess it up, un-mess it."...Fred von Zueben, retired, CEO, The Newark Group

I was with The Newark Group 10 years prior to coming on board with TAPPI. One of the things I will always remember is the aforementioned comment. The comment was actually a bit more colorful than that, but you get the point.

If you have been around any time at all in our industry, you know that things will get messed up in the areas of finished goods—either in handling roll goods, forklift, or transit damage. Things are going to happen.

What's a papermaker to do? Damaged rolls can equate to big losses, so what are the options? I am always on the lookout for solutions for our members' problems.

I ran into a company, years ago, at a TAPPI event. They were actually part of the exhibit space at SRW—TAPPI's Shipping, Receiving & Warehousing Committee's annual meeting. I went by their booth and met Steve Mills of FiberCore Onsite Paper Services.

These folks have an answer for roll damage. They offer high quality, mobile, paper roll converting as well as a mobile service that can package rolls in a tight, kraft wrapper. Roll converting is done without rewinding, so original mill quality is preserved, which allows them to convert good or damaged inventory. Their list of products and services goes on way beyond what I described.

Steve visited with us at TAPPI World Headquarters on July 12, 2013.

He called his longtime friend Ken Patrick about a visit while he was in the Atlanta area on business. Steve wanted to brainstorm opportunities to advance his understanding of TAPPI's reach to our global industry.

He is planning a trip to China later this year in an effort to expand his business there.

Steve is a straight shooter and his employees are the same way.

In the photo above, Steve Mills (left) and Ken Patrick brinstorm about issues in our industry.

More information on FiberCore is available online.

More information on TAPPI is also available online.

There are two types of people in our industry; TAPPI members, and those who should be.

Until next time...................

Larry