How engineering managers can contribute to value creation in the paper and forest products industry

The challenge of creating shareholder value has been a particularly difficult one for the Paper and Forest Products Industry. A major driver of the industry's sub-par performance has been the ineffective use of capital funds. A possible cause is that financial and performance measures may not reflect the actual drivers of value creation in operations and in the marketplace. By understanding how value is actually created in paper mill operations and changing how capital projects are conceived, prioritized and implemented, there is an opportunity for engineering management to make a significant contribution to improving the industry's performance.