Despite a decade of fluctuating markets and mill closures, Wisconsin remains the nation’s top paper producer. Further fuel is coming from nearly $1 billion in recent private investment and a renewed focus on high-tech sustainability, according to the Wisconsin Paper Council.
WPC President Scott Suder says industry leaders are currently navigating a landscape of workforce shortages and evolving international trade policies.
Recent expansions in the Green Bay area include new facilities from Green Bay Packaging and Georgia Pacific. Beyond manufacturing, the sector is currently focused on securing its future through a bipartisan two-year strategic study designed to create a roadmap for prosperity.
However, the industry’s global footprint brings modern challenges. WPC is keeping a close watch on federal trade negotiations and state-level legislation regarding foreign land ownership. While protecting national interests is a priority, there is a strong desire to maintain the flow of raw materials and investment from international partners like Canada and Mexico.
Addressing common misconceptions is also a primary goal for the industry as it faces a “senior tsunami” of retiring workers. To attract new talent, Suder says leaders are emphasizing that modern mills operate with world-class environmental standards.
“The water going out of the mill is cleaner than the water coming in. So it’s very sustainable, environmentally friendly,” Suder says.
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