KapStone Kraft Paper Corporation recently hosted an appreciation dinner for its wood fiber suppliers. The purpose of the program was to recognize the suppliers for their efforts in supplying the mill with quality fiber and working safely.
Fiber suppliers are an integral part of our nation’s economy. According to the American Forest & Paper Association the U.S. forest products industry accounts for approximately five percent of the total U.S. manufacturing gross domestic product.
The industry generates more than $175 billion a year in sales and produces an annual payroll of $50 billion. Its more than 900,000 employees exceed the automotive, chemicals and plastics industries.
KapStone representatives in attendance were, front row, from left:Gary Zimmerman, forester; Sheila Clary, procurement lead tech; Anitra Collins, vice president – mill operations; Ben White, manager mill operations; Tom Coburn, forester; and Tonie Meyers, vice president, Domestic Kraft and Linerboard sales. Back row, from left: Mark Britton, forester; Eric Goodman, forester; Steve Huffman, area process manager; Bernard Rose, fiber supply manager; Bob Patterson, manager technical service and Steven Walker, manager, power pulp.
The U.S. forest products industry is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 48 states. Locally, KapStone’s 2010 wood fiber purchases were approximately $52 million.
“We place great value on our relationships with our suppliers” said Bernard Rose, fiber supply manager. “Our success depends largely on the quality fiber they bring into the mill. They are a key ingredient to the success of the Roanoke Rapids Mill.”
Others who greeted the suppliers included, Anitra J. Collins, vice president of mill operations, Roanoke Rapids Mill and Tonie Meyers, vice president domestic Kraft and Linerboard Sales.
Collins expressed that KapStone and their fiber suppliers were a winning team and that safety was an integral part of their relationship.
She also stated that many of the suppliers’ families have been delivering to the mill for several generations. Meyers talked about current and future Kraft and Linerboard markets.
She also shared with the suppliers samples of finished products made available with paper from the Roanoke Rapids Mill. Some of these products included pet food bags, grocery bags and corrugated boxes.
The Roanoke Rapids mill has over 90 suppliers throughout Northeast North Carolina and Southeast Virginia.
KapStone and its suppliers adhere to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standard. Voluntary third-party forest certification began in the 1990s in response to market concerns about forest management and illegal logging, primarily in developing countries.
Today, SFI, Inc. is an independent, non-profit organization responsible for maintaining, overseeing and improving a sustainable forestry certification program that is internationally recognized and among the largest in the world. KapStone’s commitment is to manage natural resources recognizing responsibilities to the environment, customers, employees, the communities in which we do business, and our shareholders.
