Email Jim at jthompson@taii.com
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They call them "chicken buses." In Guatemala, a primary means of transportation is old US school buses that have been repurposed for public transportation and the general hauling of goods as necessary in the local economy. You can see a clip about their transformation here.
This is the end of transportation month here at Paperitalo Publications. I wanted to take this time to offer a different perspective and a challenge to you.
As you know, I go to Guatemala often to help build houses and otherwise serve a mission there (http://porchdesalomon.org/). Two years ago, I took a group I called the Papermaker's Group. Last summer I could not, as I was ill. However, we will be doing this again this summer, 28 July - 4 Aug 2018.
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Save the date! The Pulp and Paper Industry Reliability and Maintenance conference, sponsored by IDCON and Andritz, will be held March 19-22, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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I get a number of satisfying experiences out of this. First, I get to help other people, and that in and of itself is worthwhile. Second, I get to observe their cultures and how they do things. I got to thinking about this here in transportation month. Yes, I think we can learn things about our transportation issues within our own industry by observing what others do. In this particular case, they are moving mountains with little resources. This makes them develop shortcuts, shortcuts we might never think about. Indeed, some of them may be unsafe by our standards, but others are not. I just get a different perspective when I watch people carry out their daily activities in cultures different from our own, perspectives I can bring back and offer to folks in our own environment.
So, this is a different kind of column than what you usually find here. I want to urge you to come join us and observe (and help) those in a poor environment. They will be better off for your investment of a week of your time and a small amount of money. You will be tremendously enriched from the experience yourself and I think you will even come back with some ideas you can use on your job.
You really have no idea how many resources, yours personally and your employer's, that you waste daily. Going to a place like Guatemala is eye opening when it comes to realizing our wastefulness.
Won't you join me? I only have ten spots, several of which have already been taken. We can sit around in the evenings, talking about our day, sharing our papermaking experiences back home. We'll have suppliers, we'll have papermakers, but in this place, we forget all of that and realize we are all just people, doing our part in our place in the world.
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Jim Thompson is back again...with a new book on a taboo subject: the personalities in the pulp & paper industry. Jim has written in the past on many subjects based on his four plus decades in the worldwide pulp and paper industry. This new book is packed full of information valuable to the senior member of the industry as well as the recent entrant. A must for every pulp and paper library.
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I guarantee you'll come back with a perspective you have never had before, one that can help you in your career every day.
Again, July 28th to August 4th. Email me (jthompson@taii.com) or call me (678-206-6010) for more information. Time is short.
For safety this week, if you want to see how NOT to do things safely, Guatemala is the place to be. When folks are very poor, they take shortcuts. More importantly, their blatant shortcuts have gotten me to thinking sometimes about the safety choices I have made that are not so good.
Be safe and we will talk next week.
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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
* An expanding company is looking for a Corporate Industrial Electro-Mechanical Engineer near Allentown, PA. Relocation is available. Do you have a storied list of unique electrical and mechanical engineering skills you're ready to take to the next level? Do you envision yourself in a corporate-level leadership role that your experience finally merits? And do you relish any opportunity to troubleshoot and solve real-time problems, all while designing and installing new services and systems that will not only ensure safety, but also turn a potentially hazardous work environment into a continuously thriving one? If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.
* An expanding company is looking for hands-on Electro Mechanical Maintenance Techs in Conyers, Georgia. Preference will be given to candidates with higher education and additional certificates or training. You must be able to work any shift. Pay is negotiable with excellent perks and benefits. Relocation assistance is available to the right candidate. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.
* We are a large automation company that has a line of consistency transmitters, sample valves and sheet break detectors that are marketed through a rep. network. We are seeking someone with a strong background in consistency control to facilitate start-ups, provide troubleshooting and technical advice. The individual should have experience in all major types of consistency measurement technologies (blade, rotary, microwave and optical). Knowledge of sheet break detection technology is desirable as well. Willingness to travel to paper production facilities across the US is a must. Travel & Living Expenses to be reimbursed along with an agreed upon daily per diem rate. For more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.
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