Friday began with a “Process Controls Fundamentals” short course presented by Carl Sheehan of Norpac Controls Ltd. and Jack Tippett of Emerson Process Management….
Friday began with a “Process Controls Fundamentals” short course presented by Carl Sheehan of Norpac Controls Ltd. and Jack Tippett of Emerson Process Management.
The day continued with a complete afternoon of technical presentations, followed by an affiliate-sponsored reception and banquet with a 60th birthday cake presented by past chairs. The guest speaker was Catherine Bell, Vancouver Island North MP, NDP Critic for Natural Resources and Western Economic Diversification. Ms. Bell’s speech on the role of the Federal Government in supporting the pulp and paper industry provided an enlightening and unique federal and western province perspective on the current state of the pulp and paper industry in Canada.
“We are at a point now that the industry, and each individual company within it, needs to take stock and plan which direction to head in,” she said. “The federal government can also help by fostering a positive environment where research and development will replace do-nothing and pray-for-the-best as solutions to the problems in the forest industry. Innovation and new thinking will be part of the solution to the challenges. We need people like you to keep working on technological innovations that mean we can [continue to] produce high quality paper products.”
On Saturday, Paprican’s Paul Watson provided delegates with an update on the Mountain Pine Beetle crisis. Graydon Hackett of Catalyst Paper, Elk Falls Division, was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by the executive for his outstanding contribution to the Pacific Coast Branch during the past four years. Hackett fulfilled four executive positions in as many years as secretary, treasurer, vice-chair and chair and was responsible for a substantial donation to the BCIT Library Foundation. Additionally, he organized the branch’s short course on How to Run a Successful Mill Trial, in collaboration with Martin MacLeod and Vic Uloth of Paprican, Mike Elsinga of Fransen Engineering and Paul Sadler, mill manager of Pope and Talbot’s Harmac facility.
Mill personnel and affiliates presented a total of 11 technical papers.
Best Paper and the Big Bird Award – Benjamin McGuffie, Catalyst Paper Corporation – Elk Falls Division, “Non-Process Element Mass Balance Improves Recaust and Lime Kiln Efficiency at Elk Falls Mill”
Best First Time Presenter – Roberto Allende-Garcia, Catalyst Paper Corporation – Port Alberni Division, “CSI-Vancouver”: A Synergistic Combination of Technology, Cooperation and Determination Solves a “Sticky” Case.”
Best Open Paper – Zhirun Yuan, Paprican, “Improving TMP Rejects Refining Through Alkaline Peroxide Pre-Treatment: an opportunity for SCA paper?”
The conference concluded with the branch AGM and the election of branch executive officers. Christopher Hammar ended his term of office as the branch chair, and Ben McGuffie started his term. Howe Sound Pulp and Paper’s Angela Singbeil commenced her term as the 2006 vice-chair, while Colin Schenk, also of Howe Sound, was elected to start his term as treasurer.
Following the conference, Kemira’s Dave Semple organized the first ever mini-putt golfing tournament at the Parksville Paradise Fun Park. Nothing beats a sunny day, 18-holes and ice cream to finish off a conference in style! The 2007 Pacific Coast Branch Technical Mini-Conference is scheduled to be held Parksville, BC on April 20-21, 2007. Plan to be there!
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