Search

Better Together: Live @ 2025Student Summit - Ep. 2 "A Swiss Army Knife of Knowledge"

Join three Western Michigan University paper engineering students at TAPPI's 2025 Student Summit as they share their networking success stories, co-op experiences, and creative ideas for the industry's future. From toilet paper trivia to seaweed fiber innovations, these young professionals demonstrate how TAPPI involvement accelerates career growth through mentorship, technical skill development, and industry connections. The episode also features University of Maine student Jacob Levesque interviewing TAPPI's Sydney Carraway about standards committee opportunities, revealing how students can gain valuable technical experience, build professional networks, and contribute to industry standards development while still in school.

Better Together: 2025 TAPPICon Live! - Episode 1

This Better Together podcast episode from TAPPI Con 2025 explores advanced manufacturing technologies that drive operational excellence in pulp and paper operations. Industry experts from Schaeffler Group, Radix Engineering, and Conformant share insights on condition monitoring systems, data analytics optimization, and digital lockout tagout processes that reduce unplanned downtime and increase productivity. Mid-career professionals will discover practical solutions for predictive maintenance, advanced process control implementations, and AI-driven safety management systems that deliver measurable ROI. The discussion covers wireless vibration monitoring, smart lubrication systems, and digital transformation strategies that help operations managers benchmark performance, justify capital investments, and develop their technical leadership capabilities in today's competitive manufacturing environment.

Better Together: 2025 TAPPICon Live! - Episode 2

This Better Together podcast episode features three interviews from PulpCon 2025, showcasing cutting-edge industry solutions for mid-career professionals seeking advanced technical insights. Priya Venkat discusses Haber's AI software that assists paper mill operators with process optimization, improving yield while maintaining operator expertise. Rich Ehrlich presents his strategic clarity framework for achieving sustainable process excellence through fundamental operational improvements. Curtis Stone explains Schaeffler's universal spherical roller bearings that reduce inventory requirements by consolidating 25 bearing variants into two standardized designs, increasing asset availability and reducing maintenance costs for paper manufacturers.

Uptime: Dr. Selene Silvestri

Uptime: Matt and Jefferson, WESCO

Better Together: Matt Elhardt, Fisher International

Industry veteran Matt Elliott of Fisher International discusses navigating unprecedented market disruptions in the pulp and paper sector during this premiere Better Together podcast episode. Drawing from 20 years of strategic planning experience, Elliott explores how COVID-19 has reshaped demand patterns, from declining office paper consumption to surging at-home tissue and e-commerce packaging needs. He emphasizes the critical importance of data-driven decision making, scenario planning, and maintaining operational flexibility in capital-intensive manufacturing environments. Elliott also highlights emerging opportunities in sustainable packaging solutions and biomaterials as environmental consciousness drives market transformation, positioning the industry for long-term growth through responsible forest management and circular economy principles.

Better Together: TAPPI Students Leaders

Join TAPPI student leaders Leah from University of Maine and Andrew from NC State as they share their experiences navigating chemical engineering and paper science programs during the pandemic. This Better Together podcast episode explores virtual learning challenges, hands-on lab adaptations, co-op opportunities, and career aspirations in the essential pulp and paper industry. Young professionals will gain insights into TAPPI student chapter involvement, networking strategies, environmental sustainability in manufacturing, and emerging research areas like nanocellulose and Industry 4.0. Perfect for students and early-career professionals seeking mentorship connections and understanding industry career paths in this resilient, technology-driven field.

Better Together: Dana Mosora & Flexible Packaging

Industry expert Donna Misura discusses how the European Keflex consortium is accelerating flexible packaging circularity through proven mechanical recycling technologies and cross-value chain collaboration. With over 170 companies driving design-for-recycling guidelines and quality polymer recovery from post-consumer waste, the initiative demonstrates that 2025 circular economy goals are achievable using existing infrastructure. Mid-career professionals will gain insights into technical proof-of-concept developments, business case frameworks for recycling investments, and extended producer responsibility models that support sustainable growth while maintaining operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness in competitive markets.

Better Together: Thomas M. Nelson

County Executive Thomas M. Nelson discusses his book One Day Stronger, exploring how labor-management-government cooperation saved Wisconsin's Appleton Coated Mill from closure. Drawing from 30 years of Paper Valley experience, Nelson reveals innovative strategies that preserved 600 manufacturing jobs and $300 million in economic activity. The conversation examines paper industry leadership lessons, manufacturing workforce development, and collaborative approaches to industrial challenges. Nelson advocates for renewed investment in paper research facilities and addresses misconceptions about the industry's future, highlighting packaging growth driven by e-commerce and sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based products. Essential insights for senior executives navigating industry transformation and community economic development in traditional manufacturing regions.

Better Together: Valmet Project Managers - Success through Resilience

Four Valmet project managers share critical insights on building resilience in pulp and paper operations during COVID-19 disruptions. Learn how mid-career professionals adapted project delivery methods, leveraged remote technology solutions, and maintained customer partnerships when travel restrictions threatened major equipment installations. Discover practical leadership strategies for developing team resilience, implementing augmented reality for troubleshooting, and capitalizing on packaging industry growth opportunities. This episode provides actionable approaches for operations managers and R&D leads to strengthen project execution capabilities while navigating industry transformation and emerging mega trends in sustainable packaging solutions.