Webinar event!
- When: Monday, May 12th at 12:00 PM-1 PM CST.
- Speaker: Vicki Updike
- Register: https://greenbayinnovationgroup.com/events/
Wi5P Presents: Navigating Your Journey with Vicki Updike!
Category: Women in the 5P Industries
“Women in Forest Products Scholarship Fund” Awards Its First Scholarship
August 26, 2024 – Kaukauna, WI: The Women in Forest Products Scholarship Fund awarded a $1,000 scholarship to its first high school recipient at an award ceremony at Ahlstrom’s Central Office in Kaukauna, Wisconsin.
The Women in Forest Products Scholarship Fund provides financial support to female graduating seniors in Wisconsin who are pursuing a career in the forest products industry or a related field, as well as develops women currently in the forest products field as future leaders.
The recipient, Carissa Ashman, will attend the University of Green Bay and pursue a major in environmental engineering. Carissa wrote in her scholarship application that her grandparents’ careers at Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget (SCA) exposed her to the forest products industry. “While it may not have been my own job, I look up to them greatly, from their stories of work with the forest products that are produced right here in my hometown, where we have many paper mills along the Fox River. These paper mills have also been a staple in my life.”
Carissa was also recognized with a Certificate of Achievement from the Office of Governor Tony Evers for being the first recipient of this scholarship award. The forest products industry is a key economic driver of Wisconsin and the industry employs over 57,000 people in the state. Michele Carter, Administrator of the Department of Workforce Development’s Division of Employment and Training, presented the certificate at the event.
The Wisconsin Paper Council (WPC) founded the scholarship in coordination with Ahlstrom, a fiber-based specialty materials company with mills in Wisconsin. Ahlstrom provided $20,000 seed money to the fund.
“Ahlstrom recognizes the need to have more women in the paper industry and this scholarship is designed to encourage women to enter fields in the paper and forest products industries, and to encourage women already in the field to grow their leadership skills through education,” said Don Guay, Head of Technology, Engineering and Reliability for Ahlstrom, and Chairman of the WPC Board of Directors. “The forest products industry is an innovative and strong industry, and we need to empower our diverse voices and encourage unique talent to join us.”
“The Wisconsin Paper Council has been advocating for Wisconsin’s paper, pulp, and forestry industries for more than 50 years,” commented Mykaela Chaffin, WPC Communications & Development Analyst.
“This scholarship program will help contribute to the sustainability of our industry and will benefit current and future women innovators and papermakers.”
The scholarship fund plans to award deserving applicants annually and continue to encourage women of all ages and backgrounds to join this key industry in Wisconsin.
“Empowering women in the forest products industry is not just about equality; it’s about harnessing diverse perspectives to nurture innovation and sustainability,” said Dustin Delsman, Business Representative for Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 400 and Chairman of the WPC Workforce Relations Committee. “This scholarship is a testament to the strength and vision that women bring to the field, paving the way for a more resilient and inclusive future.”
“I hope that I will be able to show younger girls that women can go into any field of work they want, no matter what others say,” said Carissa. “This scholarship money will help me to be able to show other females the obstacles I have and will continue to overcome as a woman in STEM, more specifically in a male-dominated field of work.”
The scholarship fund is housed with the Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region, Inc. which continues to be a valued partner to ensure the success of this first-of-its-kind scholarship collaboration.
For More Information Contact:
WPC Contact: Mykaela Chaffin | chaffin@wipaper.org | 608.733.0188
Ahlstrom Contact: Tricia Schwartz | tricia.schwartz@ahlstrom.com | 920.634.6089
About The Wisconsin Paper Council
The Wisconsin Paper Council (WPC) is the premier trade association which advocates for Wisconsin’s paper, pulp and forestry industries before state and federal elected officials and regulators. The WPC also works to educate the general public and the media about the importance of paper, pulp and forestry production in Wisconsin and throughout the Midwest. Learn more at www.wipaper.org.
About Ahlstrom
Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. Our vision is to be the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. We serve five growing and distinctive end markets, which form the basis for our five divisions: Filtration, Food & Consumer Packaging, Healthcare, Building Materials, and Technical Materials. Our net sales in 2022 for continuing operations amounted to EUR 3.3 billion and we employ some 7,000 people. Read more at www.ahlstrom.com.
About The Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region, Inc.
The Women’s Fund directs its resources and leadership on creating, strengthening, and accelerating economic opportunities that enable women and girls to achieve their full potential. Knowing that education is a pathway to economic security and financial stability, the Women’s Fund supports programs and initiatives to empower women to pursue and achieve their post-secondary educational goals.
Night at the Museum
September 21st 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Join us to celebrate the unveiling of the expansion plans of The Children’s Museum of Green Bay with hors d’oeuvres and drinks.
In the heart of Green Bay’s thriving industrial sector, the pulp, paper, packaging, print, & plastic industries are indispensable pillars of our community. It’s crucial that we educate the youngest members of our community about the significant role these industries play in shaping our lives. Discover how your company can become a valuable partner in this remarkable expansion.
Learn more about the ways in which we can join hands to create a brighter future for our community.
Wi5P Social Event at Cocoon Brewery!
Mark your calendars to check out Cocoon Brewery with us!
Monday, July 17th, 5:30 PM.
Come and network with the ladies of the 5Ps while we sip some brews!
Where: 2233 Kaftan Way, De Pere, WI
RSVP to Cassie – Cassie.Diedrick@robinsoninc.com or
Emily – ehaines27@gmail.com
Wi5P Presents: Leadership Series. Susan Stansbury: Evolution Not Revolution
Set to talk about her decades in industry and the debut of her e-book 14 Dinners and a Lunch, Susan Stansbury will speak in Green Bay August 30. “Her career is unique with so many assignments as the lone woman in management, and with her breadth of experience,” says Marty Ochs of Green Bay Innovation Group, co-sponsor along with Women in the 5P group. 5P chairs Cassie Diedrick and Emily Haines will act as co-hosts.
“While I did not set out to work in the manufacturing world back in the 70s, the markets and incidents along the way are the stories of my book,” says Stansbury. “I used 14 Dinners and a Lunch as occasions to reveal certain happenings and surrounding times; I was often determined, sometimes distressed, occasionally amusing. I kept many of the details to myself, believing in evolution, not revolution.” Her August 30 speech will include comments on business methods and mechanisms that led to career growth.
A skilled speaker, Stansbury has been a presenter for many years at industry conferences throughout the U.S. as well as in Europe. She plans to include some strategies that served her well during her career. Her working career included jobs at major paper producers, specialty work on healthcare products, flexographic printing, and packaging. She had stints leading a quality process, strategic planning, and product development. During the pandemic, she worked on mask and wipes products as well as materials sourcing. She also originated and owned the Converters Expo at Lambeau for several years. More recently she consulted with clients across the U.S.
Hosts for the Green Bay event:
- Cassie Diedrick: Cassie. Diedrick@robinsoninc.com
- Emily Haines: ehaines27@gmail.com
Diedrick and Robinson represent today’s Women in the 5P (Packaging, Printing, Paper, Pulp, Plastics). They will lead with questions after the speech.
For more information about Stansbury’s book release, contact via email: Details@14Dinners.com. Susan R. Stansbury’s short bio is on LinkedIn.
Women Leaders in Industry Series presented by the Women in the 5P Industries January 23, 2023 starting at 1:00 p.m.
Details
Please join us for an industry update on Wisconsin’s diverse business development and upscaling talent featuring: Barb LaMue; President & CEO of New North, Inc., an 18-county regional economic development corporation in northeast Wisconsin.
Speakers (3)
- Emily Haines – Project Engineer – New Product Integration
Kohler Company - Cassie Diedrick – Business Development Coordinator
Robinson Inc. - Barb LaMue – President & CEO
New North Inc.
Women Leaders in Industry Series
Women in the 5P Industries and New North are sponsoring a free virtual webinar from 1-2pm CST on Tuesday, Jan. 23. Barb LaMue, president and CEO of New North Inc. will speak about Wisconsin’s diverse business development and upscaling talent. The New North is an 18-county regional development corporation in Northeast Wisconsin.
New Chairs Announced for Women in the 5P Industries
Green Bay, Wisconsin, May 25, 2022
Women in the 5P Industries (Wi5P), developed from the networking association of Green Bay Innovation Group (GBIG), is proud to announce new co-chairs, Cassie Diedrick and Emily Haines. Cassie and Emily bring different backgrounds and perspectives to Wi5P, and both are committed to the power investing in the future leaders of the industry. Wi5P also extends a warm welcome to Ashley Rothmann for marketing support and looks forward to her contributions to the committee.
Wi5P’s mission is to attract, grow, and retain women of all ages in paper and paper-related careers in the pulp, paper, printing, packaging, and plastics industries. Today’s career women aspire to be enriched through training and networking opportunities. Wi5P is committed to ensuring women receive what they need and want to succeed. To advance this, the group collaborates with Wisconsin business communities to inspire females by breaking through barriers. Connect with Wi5P on LinkedIn to learn more.
About Wi5P
Women in the 5P Industries (Wi5P) empowers women to excel at every stage of their paper and packaging related careers – from the classroom to the boardroom. As a branch of Green Bay Innovation Group, Wi5P’s goal is to promote programs, connections, volunteer opportunities, and events that enable the development of the 5P community. We are driven to support women as they write their success stories throughout their careers and continue their evolution as 5P industry leaders in Wisconsin.
Women in Business & Manufacturing: Part 3
A Round Table Overview for GBIG
An exclusive interview with Michele Moran, Hoffmaster,
Director of Marketing & New Product Development.
Hoffmaster produces specialty disposable tabletop products.
Hosted by Susan Stansbury, Industry Consultant
Michele Moran, Hoffmaster
Susan: How do you see your business outlook and the key issues you are facing this year?
Michelle: We’re seeing good sales results, and we think it’s going to continue on that track. With all the supply chain issues we are seeing more of a demand for American made products. Our factories in Oshkosh, Clintonville, and GMSP division in Oconto, WI, as well as the paper straw facility in Fort Wayne, IN—are all busy. Of course, there are issues around continuing covid outbreaks, inflation, gas prices, and other factors that could affect growth.
What are some of the other factors and challenges occurring?
Michelle: First, we continue to see raw material difficulties with paper, tissue, and board stock availability. Second, there are labor concerns where we cannot hire enough people to meet our demand. Due to a workforce shortage, figuring out how to further automate becomes increasingly important.
Then, third on the list are freight issues with costs per container going from $4,000 to $20-30,000. Associated with that are a lack of truckers to drive and to pick up product. We are seeing a shortage of people who aren’t entering into the trucking industry, causing more problems with the supply chain. Finally, inflation has led to rising costs for raw materials, electricity, wages, and freight.
How did you work during the pandemic, from home? And now?
Michelle: During the pandemic I worked from home for almost 2 years. Currently, I work at the office three days per week, and I think that will continue very similar to what we see with other businesses. Use of cell phones, zoom calls and Team’s calls makes it easier than in past decades to be efficient at home.
Are your products made of recycled materials?
Michelle: We have several napkins, placemats, and traymats that are made of recycled materials. However, with more online ordering and items being shipped to homes, it has led to less recycling in many cases. Normally the corrugate boxes would have been recycled at the store level, and now with people ordering online they aren’t as good at recycling the boxes. This has caused a shortage of recycled materials and has increased the costs of the tissue and paper. Inflation has impacted the price of corrugate packaging, and we continue to see increases.
Any other thoughts about the industry?
Michelle: We are optimistic about people continuing to go out to eat, seeing travel come back, and concerts happening. This is all great for business. A couple of things could cloud this such as seeing a continued uptick in the COVID variant, or rising inflation, or more supply chain issues with raw materials.
Women in Business & Manufacturing – Part 2
A Round Table Overview for GBIG
Hosted by Susan Stansbury, Industry Consultant
Part 2:
Hosted by Susan Stansbury, Industry Consultant
Ann Franz, Director, NEW Manufacturing Alliance
Kristin Manteufel, Director of Marketing, Resource One
Amber Schuh, Vice President, Press Color Inc.
Susan: What are some of the key issues you are seeing in 2022?
Ann Franz: As we promote the manufacturing industry, we are focused on employment, and this year, preparing people to rise to higher levels in business. We have heard that many are “data rich, but information poor.” Working with St. Norbert since 2019, more than 200 professionals improved their data analytical skills; and since then, many more have improved their skills, become more efficient and wise in their work.
Kristin Manteufel: We have been looking forward to coming out of Covid restrictions and seeing optimism in the markets. We have been seeing bids and projects that were on hold being revived. However, there continue to be hurdles such as delayed receipt of raw materials needed to manufacture our products. There are still a lot of unknowns for manufacturers such as staffing shortages, materials on allocation and some force majeure. Once these difficulties can be overcome, shipping becomes an issue with labor shortages and weather events affecting large sections of the US.
Amber Schuh: As an ink and coating manufacturer, the largest issue for 2022 is the uncertainly in the supply chain for raw materials. Constant communication with our vendors is essential for trying to reduce disruptions to our customers. The printing industry continues to see growth in flexible packaging and food packaging markets. Additionally, the market continues to look for advancement in the overall safety and environmental sustainability in the products they purchase.
Susan: Ann, what is the latest you offer to your 200 manufacturing members?
Ann: For middle management people, and others, we plan to offer project management training. In addition, we have female high school students on our radar. This includes a range of females, from STEM students to those in various club activities.
Susan: Kristin, what are some of the holdups in obtaining raw materials?
Kristin: In the paper industry, there have been mill conversions and shutdowns that have influenced what is made, the amount and types of papers being manufactured. These changes a have affected the sourcing of where our printing paper come from for wallpaper and gift-wrap at our Waldan division. Therefore, we have to be smart at sourcing and not have single sourced materials.
Susan: Amber, with your PhD in biochemistry, what are some of the developments you are pursuing?
Amber: Although my day-to-day tasks have taken me a bit away from the biochemical pathways my dissertation was on, I continue to use my Ph.D. experience for experimental design in our research and development pursuits. We tailor our inks and coatings for each individual customer to optimize performance on their specific equipment. Whether that is meeting a customer’s end use resistance requirements, CoF specifications, desired gloss, or a variety of other parameters our lab works one-on-one with our customers for optimization of their inks and coatings. Markets ranging from retail packaging and printing support, to business-to-business supplies, continue to be a focus among Northeast Wisconsin manufacturers.
Look for Part 3 next, featuring three more women with the spotlight on the converting industry.
