President's Letter

John Sommercorn
Foundation Board of Directors,
Vice President Global Sales,
Albany International

A Turning Point

The outlook is beginning to brighten. The paper industry has begun a slow, but steady recovery. In most segments, demand for paper is expected to grow marginally over the next five years. Paper companies will continue to focus on value-added products, reuse of byproducts and consolidation of capacity. The pressures of globalization, environmental restrictions, tight capital budgets and reduced staffing will further challenge engineering, technical and research capabilities.

In spite of what appears on the surface of an industry in hardship, those considering a career in paper should consider the antidote that ‘adversity breeds opportunity.’ In the aftermath of reductions to technical staffing throughout the recession by all indications the industry has begun to grow not only in staff, but in the number of career paths necessary to meet the challenges facing the industry. It is only recently that the industry began using terms like “lean initiates”, “green initiatives” ,”renewable” and “sustainability”. These initiatives require that employees learn skill sets that complement conventional math, chemistry or engineering degrees. Companies have begun using six sigma/lean projects as the new training ground for prospective engineers. The green initiatives utilize multiple disciplines including carbon foot printing, recycling, bio-fuels and environmental science. The number of associated career paths has grown accordingly and at an increasing rate. The need for universities to offer classes relative to these initiatives has also increased.

UWSP Paper Science & Engineering has recognized and reacted to the demand. The majority of the 2010 UWSP PS&E graduates are employed as lean six sigma project engineers. There are numerous graduates working in the environmental science field and soon there’ll be graduates with bio-fuel focused careers as well. All this is the result of the PS&E program’s ability and flexibility to meet the educational needs of today. The PS&E Foundation is proud to support the financial needs of the best and brightest students as they are educated to lead the industry into the future. Please contribute and be a part of that success.

John Sommercorn, Vice President Global Sales, Albany International
UWSP Paper Science and Engineering Class of 19840