GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS VISIT SMURFIT-STONE FACILITIES
One of Smurfit-Stone’s key government affairs goals is to develop long-term
relationships with elected officials. Several of our facilities recently hosted plant
tours for legislators, allowing us to communicate our views on issues of
importance, while helping legislators see first-hand the positive role SmurfitStone plays in strengthening a community’s economy.
On February 6, U.S. Representative John Shimkus (R-IL) visited our
Highland, IL, corrugated container plant. John Knudsen, senior vice president of
manufacturing for the Corrugated Container division; Gary Chippendale, general
manager of the Highland plant; Kevin Carlson, Highland’s plant manager; and
Chris Brescia, director of government affairs; accompanied Rep. Shimkus during
his tour of the facility. The group provided Rep. Shimkus with an overview of
Smurfit-Stone as well as the issues the company is facing in the areas of
transportation and energy costs.
Before touring the manufacturing areas of the plant, Rep. Shimkus spoke with all
Highland employees regarding issues he is currently pursuing for the citizens of
Illinois. Rep. Shimkus has been active in supporting Smurfit-Stone and the
American Forest & Paper Association in passing energy provisions designed to
reduce the cost of electricity to consumers.
----On Feb. 8-9, Smurfit-Stone’s Packaging Systems group in Orlando, FL,
hosted customers and processors attending the National Turkey Federation
Conference, as well as two high-ranking U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
officials. Smurfit-Stone is a member of the National Turkey Federation.
Dr. Richard Raymond, the USDA’s Under Secretary for Food Safety, and Dr.
David Goldman, assistant administrator for the Office of Public Health and
Safety, toured the Orlando facility to learn more about packaging and equipment
for the animal protein industry. The presentations and tour were directed at
addressing the needs and concerns for product protection, automation,
environmental issues and traceability through the supply chain.
This unique opportunity allowed Smurfit-Stone to demonstrate its Value
Proposition with seven different machines, including the META system and the
VPS patented packaging systems; and to discuss our RecyclaCorr™ wax
replacement medium; radio frequency identification (RFID) tags; our Auto Bin
easy-open combo bins; and EDC electronic packaing.
Also in attendance from Smurfit-Stone were Ray Osmus, director of marketing for
the Corrugated Container division; Tom Graham, general manager of the
Orlando plant; Mike Mullin, director of government affairs for the Mill division; Ray
Pozen, national product manager, meat and poultry; John Borman, Packaging
Systems sales manager; Jim Dennison, project manager; and Lisa Athas,
Orlando’s human resources manager.
----On January 25, Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer visited our Missoula,
MT, paper mill at the invitation of Maintenance Superintendent Bill Vetaly. In
2005, the 140 employees of the mill’s maintenance department achieved a major
safety milestone by completing one year without an OSHA recordable injury.
Increased employee involvement in the mill’s safety process and safety training
were key factors in increasing individual responsibility and commitment to
working injury- free in the maintenance department.
Gov. Schweitzer met with the maintenance department to recognize this
significant achievement, complimenting the team on their positive work ethic and
commitment to safety. He also fielded employee questions regarding mill- and
state-related issues.
Gov. Schweitzer completed his visit with a tour of the facility, and met with
numerous other members of the Missoula workforce along the way.