„Papermaking. Next Level”
Voith Paper Customer Days in Hamburg
2016-07-27 - A very special industry gathering took place in Hamburg at the end of June. Under the banner “Transformance - Papermaking 4.0”, Voith Paper had invited customers from all over the world to come together to discuss the future of the paper industry.
And the long-established plant manufacturer was sending out some clear messages. As a technology leader, Voith Paper offers its customers solutions from a single source, from plant construction through digitization to customized services, enabling the profitability and efficiency of paper manufacturing to be raised to a new level. “A strong partnership with our customers for shared success,” was the proposition put to participants by Bertram Staudenmaier, Chairman of the Management Board of Voith Paper, at the start of the event. Exciting times marked by digitization and changing consumer habits are resulting in new markets and business models for the entire sector.
Because even in a world that is fast-paced and mobile, the medium of paper still has its place and has an important role to play. At the “Mehr! Theater” in Hamburg’s Wholesale Market district, a total of 18 speakers explained vividly and impressively the possibilities that Voith already offers its customers to enable them to produce paper profitably and competitively. The presentations covered the four themes of “Performance”, “Transformation”, “Transformance” and “Papermaking 4.0”. Along with the presentations, participants also had the opportunity to meet with experts in four “Tech Hubs” and discuss the key themes.
Competitive edge thanks to enhanced performance
The focus of almost all the presentations was on increasing profitability in paper production. Because alongside their shared passion for high tech and engineering ingenuity, the main issue for all participants was ultimately the competitiveness of their paper mills. Attractive solutions for existing facilities that don’t require major investments were presented as part of the “Performance” theme, which was introduced by Frank Opletal, CTO at Voith Paper. Rebuilds and optimizations, for example, offer the opportunity to improve the running costs of existing machines. Reference projects were used to illustrate how substantial cost savings are possible with integrated solutions that ideally match products with one another. In the area of sustainable paper production, solutions were presented that reduce the use of valuable resources and as a result have a positive impact on the paper manufacturers’ costs.
The focus of almost all the presentations was on increasing profitability in paper production. Because alongside their shared passion for high tech and engineering ingenuity, the main issue for all participants was ultimately the competitiveness of their paper mills. Attractive solutions for existing facilities that don’t require major investments were presented as part of the “Performance” theme, which was introduced by Frank Opletal, CTO at Voith Paper. Rebuilds and optimizations, for example, offer the opportunity to improve the running costs of existing machines. Reference projects were used to illustrate how substantial cost savings are possible with integrated solutions that ideally match products with one another. In the area of sustainable paper production, solutions were presented that reduce the use of valuable resources and as a result have a positive impact on the paper manufacturers’ costs.
Exploiting challenges as opportunities
In some situations, however, simply replacing individual components is not enough. Action is often needed when new players come onto the market, competitors cut their costs, new technologies become available or the market changes as a whole. Extensive rebuilds of existing facilities that allow production of different paper grades, or investments in new equipment, may be options to ensure a profitable future. The “Transformation” theme moderated by Andreas Endters, who is responsible for the Business Line Projects on the Voith Paper Management Board, presented various options. It quickly became apparent that Voith Paper has a lot of references and extensive experience in this area. This has resulted not only in impressive rebuild concepts but also in completely new business models for investing in new facilities. An important segment of Voith's product range was also presented: as well as graphic, board, packaging and specialty paper machines, Voith also has extensive experience and capabilities in the market segment for tissue papers. From stock preparation to dryer hood, press sleeves, roll covers, Yankee cylinders and engineering support, Voith Paper can assist tissue manufacturers over the entire production chain and beyond.
In some situations, however, simply replacing individual components is not enough. Action is often needed when new players come onto the market, competitors cut their costs, new technologies become available or the market changes as a whole. Extensive rebuilds of existing facilities that allow production of different paper grades, or investments in new equipment, may be options to ensure a profitable future. The “Transformation” theme moderated by Andreas Endters, who is responsible for the Business Line Projects on the Voith Paper Management Board, presented various options. It quickly became apparent that Voith Paper has a lot of references and extensive experience in this area. This has resulted not only in impressive rebuild concepts but also in completely new business models for investing in new facilities. An important segment of Voith's product range was also presented: as well as graphic, board, packaging and specialty paper machines, Voith also has extensive experience and capabilities in the market segment for tissue papers. From stock preparation to dryer hood, press sleeves, roll covers, Yankee cylinders and engineering support, Voith Paper can assist tissue manufacturers over the entire production chain and beyond.
Servolution: innovative service solutions that guarantee efficiency and availability
An important cornerstone was also the realignment of Voith Paper’s service portfolio. Thanks to its longstanding experience and expertise in the entire paper manufacturing process, Voith Paper can help its customers to not only maintain production capacities but to steadily increase them. “Transformance” – a made-up word derived from the terms transformation and performance – was therefore the title of the theme opened by Martin Scherrer, who heads the Business Line Fabric & Roll Systems on the Voith Paper Management Board. The key focus of Voith Paper’s service concept is to avoid unscheduled machine downtimes, reduce production costs and improve efficiency. To this end Voith Paper offers its customers sophisticated life cycle management, innovative technologies and sustainable concepts to avoid web breaks and improve machine efficiency. As with all presentations over the course of the entire day, those speakers discussing the service concept also emphasized the clear customer focus and the offer of collaboration based on partnership.
An important cornerstone was also the realignment of Voith Paper’s service portfolio. Thanks to its longstanding experience and expertise in the entire paper manufacturing process, Voith Paper can help its customers to not only maintain production capacities but to steadily increase them. “Transformance” – a made-up word derived from the terms transformation and performance – was therefore the title of the theme opened by Martin Scherrer, who heads the Business Line Fabric & Roll Systems on the Voith Paper Management Board. The key focus of Voith Paper’s service concept is to avoid unscheduled machine downtimes, reduce production costs and improve efficiency. To this end Voith Paper offers its customers sophisticated life cycle management, innovative technologies and sustainable concepts to avoid web breaks and improve machine efficiency. As with all presentations over the course of the entire day, those speakers discussing the service concept also emphasized the clear customer focus and the offer of collaboration based on partnership.
Papermaking 4.0 is key to the future
Digitization covers almost all branches of industry and also offers the paper sector unimagined opportunities. Dr. Dieter Wenninger, who is in charge of the Business Line Products & Services on the Voith Paper Management Board, facilitated the theme “Papermaking 4.0 – Big Steel meets Big Data” and illustrated how Voith Paper has already firmly established the process of digitization in the market and is working at full steam on numerous innovative solutions. The approach pursued by Voith Paper in respect of Industry 4.0 is both simple and complex. Paper machine processes are visualized, stabilized and then optimized, and the goal is always to be able to achieve the greatest possible commercial success. But this theme didn’t just focus on solutions that can already be introduced to the market today. Together with Jeffrey Ahlquist, an expert from Boston Consulting Group Digital Ventures, Voith Paper showed the opportunities that the digitization of the paper industry can and will provide in the near future.
Digitization covers almost all branches of industry and also offers the paper sector unimagined opportunities. Dr. Dieter Wenninger, who is in charge of the Business Line Products & Services on the Voith Paper Management Board, facilitated the theme “Papermaking 4.0 – Big Steel meets Big Data” and illustrated how Voith Paper has already firmly established the process of digitization in the market and is working at full steam on numerous innovative solutions. The approach pursued by Voith Paper in respect of Industry 4.0 is both simple and complex. Paper machine processes are visualized, stabilized and then optimized, and the goal is always to be able to achieve the greatest possible commercial success. But this theme didn’t just focus on solutions that can already be introduced to the market today. Together with Jeffrey Ahlquist, an expert from Boston Consulting Group Digital Ventures, Voith Paper showed the opportunities that the digitization of the paper industry can and will provide in the near future.
The mood was euphoric: following its restructuring, the company appeared at the customer symposium in Hamburg with innovative solutions and concepts for a sustainable and profitable paper industry. At the forefront is a working relationship with customers based on partnership, so as to develop and implement the best solutions to meet individual requirements. “We are delighted by the great response. There are exciting tasks and challenges ahead of us that we will approach and master together,” concluded Bertram Staudenmaier.