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Around This Table, Everybody Helps Each Other

One unique benefit of the PacWest meeting is the peer-to-peer roundtable meetings, such as the Pulp Machine Superintendent Round Table. Dwayne Sklapsky, who organizes the group, describes it as face-t…

One unique benefit of the PacWest meeting is the peer-to-peer roundtable meetings, such as the Pulp Machine Superintendent Round Table. Dwayne Sklapsky, who organizes the group, describes it as face-to-face discussions among people who do the same job. Sklapsky is machine room superintendent at Zellstoff Celgar Ltd., Castlegar, B. C.

“Even though we can be a diverse group, the problems can be very similar. We discuss some operational issues, but 90% of what we have in common is people issues,” says Sklapsky. “It’s very reassuring, like a support group.”

The group is a loose collection of individuals in similar positions at pulp mills across the country, with a few participants from the U. S. and one from New Zealand. A few months prior to the meeting, Sklapsky sends an invitation and solicits questions for discussion. Anyone not able to attend can still benefit from the group’s expertise by reading the detailed minutes circulated after the meeting.

The Pulp Machine Superintendent Round Table usually has about 8 to eleven participants. They convene for two all-day meetings during PacWest. Participation in the group is free, but those wishing to attend the round table must be a registered attendee of PacWest.

“We’re not an organized association,” remarks Sklapsky, “just a network of peers. We have discussions that are very open, very frank.”

Plus, he says, if you’ve met someone at the round table, it gives you confidence to call them and get their input on problems at a later date.

One attendee of past meetings comments: “The ideas generated through exposure to the experiences of other mills have a positive spin on increasing equipment reliability and machine runnability.”

For further information about the group, contact Sklapsky at 250-365-4120 or dwaynes@celgar.com.