Design Prejudices -- September 2023



By Jim Thompson

I had the opportunity to walk through another relatively new mill this past week. Counting the other 22 which I have had the opportunity in the last 30 years to be a senior advisor, that makes 23.

Driving back to the airport, the folks with whom I am riding wanted to know what I saw different in these many various mills. I had to admit, there were a drastic amount of differences.

Some design choices were a matter of preference, others were a matter of prejudice. I think most companies build mills based on their unconscious prejudices and biases. In the end, they all work, more or less, but the initial capital costs, the ease of maintenance and the daily cost of operation are quite different.

The sad thing is most don't even realize their prejudices and what they might be costing them. They start without gathering the facts or hearing the options.

Now, this is going to sound like a blatant advertisement on my part, but I am going to say it anyway. Invite me to spend a day with your team, at the very beginning, and we can have an intelligent discussion on the various ways to design a mill these days. It will be the most valuable, least expensive expenditure on your entire project.

And for my clients, past, present and future, I can do this in a way that does not violate any of your deep dark secrets. At the highest level, the one everyone can see, the differences are significant and often ignored.

At least you should have a discussion of these matters and I can deliver it.

What is your opinion? Drop me a line at jim.thompson@ipulpmedia.com. I would like to hear from you.

And by the way, I come to mills and talk to various departments about many subjects. To arrange my custom visit to your mill, just email me at jim.thompson@ipulpmedia.com or call me at 678-206-6010.