The next concern
Markets are doing well for packaging and tissue. What could go wrong?
Well, what could go wrong has already gone wrong. The pulp and paper industry is having a devil of a time presenting an attractive image to young workers.
This is not affecting the professional set as much as it is the technician level. Young people find manufacturing to be dull, boring, sometimes frightening.
Paper mills that used to experience employee turnover rates of 5% or less are reporting rates as high as 30%. Working in a factory is not considered cool.
After many years of foot dragging, the industry finally got on board with the idea of projecting a good environmental image.
Now, we must do the same for employment opportunities.
Industry 4.0 promises an industry with more sensors, more precision and more efficiency. However, people are still in the equation, people willing to work in a hot, noisy environment.
The young folks today are not buying it. We need a concerted effort, much like efforts in the past to sell an all volunteer military, to up the game and project a solid image of modern industrial jobs. It is not going to happen on its own.
