Wausau Industry - Research Paper Example

Wausau Paper Company Executive Summary The history of paper production back to many years and included in the preceding is the role played by Wausau Paper Industry. Wausau Paper has evolved through many stages to the current position in the paper industry because of the many tactics employed by the management. From acquisitions to mergers, the corporation did wade through hurdles to establishing itself as one of the leading paper factories in the United States. Qualified personnel and production methods have been successfully employed to ensure continued growth of the corporation. Consequently, more products have been added to the list with each added product being designed to meet the required customer needs effectively. Further, the company managed to grow and expand throughout America making it even more determined to meet customer needs and environmental protection and sustainable production requirements. History of the Corporation Termed as the leading paper industry in the U.S., Wausau Paper Industry was founded in the year 1899 as among the first paper industry to be on the Wisconsin River. The individuals who played a part in laying its foundation included personnel such as the brothers E.A and W.L. Edmonds and Norman H. Brokaw under the name Wausau Paper Mills. It has grown substantially from the first mill to the current ten production plants. It was among the first industries to be in North America (WausauPaper, 2015). Later in the year after 1910 it was renamed Mosinee Paper Mills after the establishment of the first integrated mill in the region. This followed the construction of the Wausau Sulphate Fibre Company in Mosinee, Wisconsin. In the year 1928, the firm bought another company, Bay West. Bay West had been in the production of paper napkins among other products such as paper towels and creped papers. The above was made in its efforts to expand its production and the market as well (WausauPaper, 2015). More capital was pumped in during the years 1958 and 1961. As a result of the money, the industry was expanded making the company produce more of its products. The expansion process did not stop there as in the year 1966 there was the purchase of another company, the Nekoosa Edwards Special Products Business. Consequently, its name was changed to Mosinee Paper Corporation four years later (Content, 2013). The company continued to grow further introducing more products to its line. As time went by, there was more market for the products leading to the acquisition of more plants in the Northeast to meet the demand for its products. In the year 1997 there was a merger between Mosinee Paper Corporation and Wausau Paper Mills Company to make Wausau-Mosinee Paper Corporation. The merger made it even better placed to serve the large market (Content, 2013; WausauPaper, 2015). It was in 2004 that the merger was Wausau Paper. This happened after the two companies started working as one body. The preceding was followed by an acquisition of another mill in Minnesota. More capital was pumped in 2010 leading to the establishment of another plant in Harrodsburg. One of its earlier machines in Wisconsin was closed giving way to the new and more efficient paper machine, the Harrodsburg in 2012. It was because of the largest investment in 2012 that saw the future production of the company to its current status of continued success (WausauPaper, 2015). Wausau Paper has eight members on the Board of Directors. The board is chaired by Michael C. Burandt, who was appointed in 2014. Michael had previously served in the products division of Georgia-Pacific’s North American Consumer Product as the Executive Vice President. His term is set to end in 2015. Another member is one Londa J. Dewey, the President of QTI Management Services, Inc., in the department HR. Ms. Dewey had earlier served as President of Private Client Group and U.S. Bank Market President. Ms. Londa also serves as a director of MGE Energy, American Family Insurance. She is also the chairperson of board of directors for Meriter Health Services. She was appointed in the year 2011 (WausauPaper, 2015). On the list, we also have Gary W. Freels, who also serves as both the CEO and the President of Alexander Properties Corporation in the Department of Investment Management. He was appointed as a board member in 1996. Charles Hodges is also a member of the board of directors. He also serves as the President of The Hodges Group LLC and was earlier for Port Townsend Paper Company. He served as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer. He had also served in many paper companies and other associations on different levels (WausauPaper, 2015). Watts Humphrey, Jr. is also a member of the board of directors and also a Chairperson and the CEO of International Plastics Equipment Group. He is also the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Centria and Owner of Shawnee Farm. Further, he directs Churchill Downs Corporation and came to Wausau Paper in 2007. John Kvocka comes in also and serves as the Chief Executive Officer and the President of Finch Paper LLC. In SCA Tissue North America, Mr Kvocka served as the assistant president. Additionally, he also serves as a director of Apex Resources Technologies. He was brought on board in the year 2013 (WausauPaper, 2015). The seventh member of the Board of Directors for Wausau Paper is Gavin T. Molineli, who is also a partner of Starboard Value LP. He formerly worked as a Director and Investment Analyst for Ramius LLC. He became the Director for Actel Corporation earlier on and was incorporated into Wausau Paper in 2014. Last on the list of Directors for Wausau Paper is George P. Murphy. He also serves as Senior Operating Partner for Hudson Ferry Capital LLC and also as an executive team member of Mason Wells Advisors. Having previously worked as Director for Converting Corporation and Advanced Modern Technologies Corporation, he was appointed to Wausau Paper in 2013. These are the members that have worked alongside other dedicated employees to see that Wausau Paper continues to serve the needs of its customers, as well as continued production of environmental-friendly products. The previous comprises the vision and mission of Wausau Paper respectively (WausauPaper, 2015). Wausau has been producing a number of products for its clients. Among the products made by Wausau Paper we have are; Roll towels, single roll bath tissue, folded towels ,jumbo roll bath tissue, facial tissue, towels, seat covers, industrial wipers, roll towel dispensers, folded towel dispenser, household roll towels, bath tissue dispensers, seat cover dispensers, hand care products, hand care dispensers, dairy towels and windshield towels. (WausauPaper, 2015) Apart from producing the best products in the country, Wausau Paper boasts of a competent and well-organized team that ensures its products reach the desired markets on time. It has qualified customer care and representatives in each and every area that ensures the services are well rendered. Not only does it boast of the preceding but it also has service agents that offer personalized services (WausauPaper, 2015). All of the company’s products are environmentally friendly as they are from recycled materials. Other chemicals that may also affect the environment are in the process of producing their products. Further, there are no added fragrances or harmful compounds (WausauPaper, 2015). On resources and the companys capability, the company has been in the industry for many years and had more attention to the resources it employs. They are concerned about the long-term impacts of the company and its products. As such, they have been keen with the materials they use in their production. Not only have they been sustainably using their raw materials most of which include recycled materials, but they have also avoided any harmful elements that may impact negatively on the environment. They have employed methods such as sustainable manufacturing and conservation of energy among other environmentally acceptable means of production. This can be proved by the well established environmental protection bodies such as the Green Seal that certify environmental-friendly products and means of production. As a company with long history in the paper industry, they are well placed to keep maintaining the source of their raw materials as covered under their product guide (WausauPaper, 2015). Conclusion The paper industry has evolved for a long time now since the inception of companies such as Wausau Paper. From the nineteenth century up to now it is a long period, and no other words can perfectly describe the sustainable production that has been carried on for all that period. From production through the use of environmental unfriendly materials and more energy consuming methods, to the use of more friendly materials is a way forward to the conservation of the environment. Works Cited Content, Thomas. "Wausau Paper to Sell Specialty Paper Business." Journal Sentinel. 21 Mar. 2013. Web. 18 Apr. 2015. http://www.jsonline.com/business/wausau-paper-to-sell-specialty-paper-business-vm98nc8-199426921.html. WausauPaper.com. Wasaupaper. Web. 18 Apr. 2015. . Read More