How is the tissue industry coping in today's volatile world? - Paper Technology International 2023 - Paper Technology International 2023 - Flipbook - Page 65

How is the tissue industry coping in today's volatile world? - Paper Technology International 2023

PAPERTECHNOLOGYINTERNATIONAL
How is the tissue industry coping in today's volatile world? - Paper Technology International 2023
“ In my view, sustainability is included in material and
energy efficiency – so if you want to improve your material and
energy efficiency you are at the same time improving your
sustainability.”
The most room for improvement is in people, with equipment
and systems a close second
Initiatives grouped under the heading “People” – meaning
organization, processes and know-how – is by far the highest focus
area to improve.
Depending on the respondent’s location, workforce issues
also came into play – scarcity of workers and their low skill level
played a role.
Knowledge sharing and collaboration are crucial to
increasing efficiency at mill level, together with efficient use of data,
and realizing the benefits of digitalization.
Machinery and Equipment, Process Automation and
Systems investments are largely on the same significance level.
Interestingly, development needs in systems, such as MES, ERP
and S&OP, process automation and data & AI are seen as more
important than investments in tissue or
converting machinery.
Companies expect to invest in
energy efficiency in the coming years.
Remembering the probable overlap
between profitability and sustainability,
most of the respondents are planning
capital investment in reducing plant
emissions, and on-site investments in
green energy, such as their own solar
panels or wind turbines.
The most crucial investments
relate to new equipment to reduce
energy in production, on-site green
energy sources and on-site power and
steam generation equipment. Smart
energy tracking and automation are
high on the agenda, too.
A closer look at Sales & Operations Planning
Sales & Operations planning is an interesting area, which
merits a closer look.
Different kinds of optimization and planning work are at the
centre of S&OP in order to respond to the uncertainties caused
by an unpredictable and volatile market situation. By role, CEOs
and Manufacturing and Operations have different priorities when it
comes to developing S&OP.
Manufacturing and Operations, rather understandably,
look at the issue from a narrower point of view. Their main concern
is optimizing demand and supply balance. CEOs, for their part,
emphasize a more overall approach – automated sales forecasting
and understanding customer demand fluctuation.
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