We're excited to bring listeners our second of two episodes recorded at TAPPICon 2025 in Minneapolis, MN, May 4 - 7. TAPPICon 2025 was a huge success, with strong attendance and a revised multi-track program that let attendees plan exactly the experience they needed. As always, there was a high level of learning and engagement, people meeting new friends and solving problems together. To try to capture some of that energy, I set up my podcast table right off the exhibit floor and talked to folks...
Jul 03, 2025•45 min
We're excited to bring listeners this first of two special episodes recorded at TAPPICon 2025 in Minneapolis, MN, May 4 - 7. We had a great turnout for TAPPICon 2025 and there was more than enough positive energy to go around. TAPPICon’s multi-track program is planned and executed by real working papermakers, and it shows – always a high level of learning and engagement, people meeting new friends and solving problems together. Here is YOUR change to experience some of that energy! We've assembl...
Jul 03, 2025•39 min•Season 3Ep. 1
This episode was recorded on-site at TAPPI's 2025 Student Summit in St. Petersburg, FL. More than 300 attendees—including pulp and paper engineering students from 13 different universities—enjoyed panel discussions, a Career Fair, and Engineering Challenge, and so much more. We asked students to "take the mic" to host their own interviews and share their unique voices. Our first guest hosts are Tabitha Newberry, Katelyn Gyurich, and Shelby Conley, three students studying Paper Engineering at Wes...
Apr 02, 2025•40 min
This episode was recorded on-site at TAPPI's 2025 Student Summit in St. Petersburg, FL. More than 300 attendees—including pulp and paper engineering students from 13 different universities—enjoyed panel discussions, a Career Fair, and Engineering Challenge, and so much more. We asked students to "take the mic" to host their own interviews and share their unique voices. First up, Western Michigan University students Parker Langellier and Toby Archer interview Dr. Med Byrd, Professor and Undergrad...
Apr 02, 2025•43 min
On this episode of Better Together, host Jan Bottiglieri speaks with Naomi Gehling , Academic Programs Administrator for Auburn University in Auburn, AL. A former Auburn alum herself, Naomi shares her knowledge about what students in the pulp and paper sciences really want from a career in our industries. Our students are amazing—they're so smart, and they're ready to go," she says. "I've not met anyone in our Pulp and Paper program who is not excited about going into our industry. They're inves...
Dec 04, 2024•35 min
Welcome to the second of two special SuperCorrExpo 2024 episodes, recorded on site and unscripted at this amazing event. We do these event episodes to capture some of the energy you might experience if YOU were there: meeting peers, learning new things, and expanding the limits of your professional life. Today's guests are: Bowman Mitchell , VP national accounts at Redlist Software: "In this world, operations is king. You've got to get as many boxes out that door as possible." Jason Hooston , CE...
Nov 07, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Welcome to the first of two special SuperCorrExpo 2024 episodes, recorded on site and unscripted at this amazing event. Maybe you missed this year's SuperCorrExpo... maybe you were there and want to recapture some of the awesome energy... maybe you just love corrugated professionals for the cool and interesting people they are. Whatever the case, this episode is for you! Our guests include: Steve Rote , technical development director, Metsä Board Americas : "We need to adapt to the changing time...
Nov 03, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Safety is not just a buzzword for the pulp, paper, and packaging industries—it's critical to our operations and to our collective future. For an inspired group of TAPPI members and safety professionals, that was the motivation behind a new TAPPI Technical Information Paper (TIP) that outlines a proven approach to safety training that any mill can use. PIMA TIP 1502-01 Improving Safety Training - A Hands-on Approach represents a new category for TIPs and the first from the PIMA division. Our gues...
Sep 26, 2024•28 min
"Dark, dirty, dull, dangerous, and dumb"—that's a common misconception about careers in manufacturing, says guest Jake Hall on this episode of the Better Together podcast. Yet, according to Hall, "manufacturing is an industry that creates so much opportunity... I think it's the foundation of our economy." As the Manufacturing Millennial, Hall talks to corporate clients and audiences around the country about automation, technology, and what they can mean for modern manufacturers when it comes to ...
Aug 26, 2024•31 min
Strong attendance, special events, and a sold-out exhibit hall kept the energy high at TAPPICon, held April 28 - May 1 at Cleveland's Huntington Convention Center. Better Together host Jan Bottiglieri was in Cleveland to try to capture that energy at the podcast booth. In this episode, we bring you six fun, short interviews—here's a sampling of what you'll hear: Brian Mock —President, Event Capture Systems : "We want to reduce waste and delay... and we want to do that in such a way that allows t...
Jun 11, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Season 3Ep. 10
Strong attendance, special events, and a sold-out exhibit hall kept the energy high at TAPPICon, held April 28 - May 1 at Cleveland's Huntington Convention Center. Better Together host Jan Bottiglieri was in Cleveland to try to capture that energy at the podcast booth. In this episode, we bring you seven fun short interviews—here's a sampling of what you'll hear: Bobby Hyde —Application Specialist, Valmet : "If your heart rate doesn't get up... because you're in an uncomfortable spot, then reall...
Jun 05, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Season 3Ep. 9
In this episode, host Jan Bottiglieri speaks with Bud Chase and Alfredo Sarli, members of the TAPPI Tissue Division Dust Mitigation Committee. This growing, active group of professionals meets to discuss a critical issue: managing the risk of tissue mill dust fires. Listeners will learn more about the science behind dust combustion; how vendors and manufacturers are working together to identify new mitigation goals and techniques; the potential risk involved; and what top things our experts feel...
Apr 25, 2024•53 min•Season 3Ep. 8
WIN Division Panel Discusses Leadership Models in the Pulp, Paper, Packaging & Tissue Industries. In this special episode of Better Together, host Jan Bottiglieri is joined by three guests from TAPPI's Women in Industry Division . This dynamic group provides programming, events, and networking opportunities for women and men throughout the industry, with a focus on personal growth and career development For this Episode, our panel includes · Amanda Kernan of Valmet, who is our WIN Program Ch...
Feb 29, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Welcome back for the second of two episodes of Better Together recorded at CorrExpo 2023 in Cleveland, OH, August 29 and 30th. More than 1,200 people attended the event, which featured an active exhibit floor, memorable networking events, and an expert-led technical program. Whether you were lucky enough to be there or not, these mini-interviews capture some of the engagement and excitement on site. In this episode, we'll be speaking with: · Matt Condon, business development manager, digital pri...
Nov 10, 2023•45 min•Season 3Ep. 6
If you're interested in the latest corrugated industry innovations, you're in the right place! This is the first of two episodes of Better Together recorded on site at CorrExpo 2023 in Cleveland, OH, August 29 and 30th. The event was a resounding success, with more than 1,200 people in attendance, an active exhibit floor, memorable networking events, and an expert-led technical program. In this episode, we'll be speaking with: · Jonathan Fore, commercial lead at Baldwin Technologies Jonathan tel...
Sep 26, 2023•47 min•Season 3Ep. 5
This episode of Better Together welcomes Bob Chapman, chairman and CEO of St. Louis, MO-based Barry-Wehmiller, a $3B global capital equipment and engineering solutions company with more than 12,000 team members. Over the past two decades, Chapman's approach has evolved from traditional management practices to Truly Human Leadership—a people-centric approach where his team members feel valued, cared for, and integral to the company’s purpose. Bob Chapman will also be the opening keynoter at CorrE...
Aug 22, 2023•35 min•Season 3Ep. 4
TAPPICon 2023 was a huge success with attendees and exhibitors. Boasting high attendance and a top-notch program, the conference offered plenty for attendees, including a multi-track technical program and an exhibit floor packed with new technology. The event took place April 22 - 26, 2023 at Cobb Galleria in Atlanta, GA. Better Together Host Jan Bottiglieri was right there at TAPPICon interviewing exhibitors and attendees to capture some of that energy live, while it was happening. The energy a...
Jun 08, 2023•54 min•Season 3Ep. 3
TAPPICon 2023 was a huge success with attendees and exhibitors. Boasting high attendance and a top-notch program, the conference offered plenty for attendees, including a multi-track technical program and an exhibit floor packed with new technology. The event took place April 22 - 26, 2023 at Cobb Galleria in Atlanta, GA. Better Together Host Jan Bottiglieri was right there at TAPPICon interviewing exhibitors and attendees to capture some of that energy live, while it was happening. For this spe...
May 19, 2023•57 min•Season 3Ep. 2
In this episode we welcome John Dyck, CEO of CESMII - The Smart Manufacturing Institute, a post he has held since June of 2018. CESMII is a Manufacturing USA Institute chartered with transforming the US manufacturing market and increasing global competitiveness through the democratization of Smart Manufacturing technologies, knowledge, and business practices. Join Mr. Dyck and Paper360° Editorial Director Jan Bottiglieri as they discuss some of the innovative ways that CESMII is working to make ...
Feb 21, 2023•42 min•Season 3Ep. 1
In September, 2022, TAPPI and AICC came together to put on another outstanding CorrWeek event. Jan Bottiglieri, editorial director for Pape360 ° magazine, set up the podcast booth on site to capture some of that Texas-sized energy from the floor. Here are the professionals you will meet on today’s podcast: · Jonathan Lust, corrugated industry manager, for Signode Industrial Group, will tell us why IIoT and Industry 4.0 are the future for box makers. · Christine Little, senior sales manager, Corr...
Nov 30, 2022•55 min•Season 2Ep. 5
More than 1500 industry professionals were on hand for 2022 CorrWeek in San Antonio, TX, this past September. For those who were not lucky enough to be there in person, Better Together offers the next best thing: live-from-the-show-floor interviews to capture some of that show excitement. In this episode, we welcome four guests to the podcast booth to share their perspectives on the industry and this stellar event. They are: · Shlomo Nimrodi, CEO of Highcon, will share a leader’s perspective on ...
Nov 01, 2022•56 min•Season 2Ep. 4
For this special “double episode” of Better Together, we’ve rounded up four interviews conducted live at TAPPICon 2022 in Charlotte, NC earlier this year. Our guests represent the range of attendees who were at the event, and each offers a different perspective on what TAPPICon is and why it’s so popular with industry professionals. Guests on this episode include: · Earn Sakornpan , Cosasco, on how he and his company have grown since their first TAPPICon last fall; · WMU paper science students O...
Aug 04, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 3
In this episode we explore ForestBioFacts, a new “digital learning platform” from the Finnish Forest Products Engineers’ Association (PI). Covering 16 different learning themes (see list below), ForestBioFacts is based on PI’s popular and comprehensive Papermaking Science and Technology book series. Paper360° Editorial Director Jan Bottiglieri is joined by Markku Herrala , director, corporate communications, UPM; Heli Kankare , development manager at PI; and Dr. Antti Lindqvist, managing directo...
May 13, 2022•48 min•Season 2Ep. 2
In this episode, Olli-Pekka Riippa, a product manager for AFT, tells us more about a challenging project – a new product developed the company developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. With team members in Ireland, Finland, Japan, and elsewhere, the team leveraged digital technologies to launch the product successfully. In the end, Riippa says he found the process very positive. “Even if we were asking people to get up early or stay up late, everyone was willing to participate, because the project...
Mar 21, 2022•26 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Welcome to Paper360° ’s Better Together podcast, and our second “Live From TAPPICon” special episode. Designed and run by working professionals in the industry, TAPPICon features multiple program tracks, an exhibit floor, networking events, and more. In this episode, we capture some of this exciting event for listeners by welcoming these guests: · Claire Hammontree, fifth-year student at NCSU , who tells us about TAPPI’s interactive Mentor Match event held right at this year’s TAPPICon; · Chris ...
Dec 01, 2021•43 min
This is the first of two special “Live from TAPPICon” podcast episodes, each including four of our live mini-interviews from the 2021 event. Designed and run by working professionals in the industry, TAPPICon features multiple program tracks, an exhibit floor, networking events and more. Our guests for this episode are: · Mike Grey, senior vice president at Valmet Inc. , discussing technology, Resilience, and how both shape our industry; · Earn Sakornpan, product manager at Cosasco , who tells u...
Dec 01, 2021•49 min
This is the second of two special episodes of Better Together recorded during SuperCorrExpo in Orlando, FL, in August 2021. Packaging professionals know SuperCorrExpo as one of the most influential corrugated packaging shows in the Western Hemisphere. We set up our podcast booth on the huge exhibit floor to try to capture some of the energy and enthusiasm generated by this highly anticipated event. To share their perspectives on the corrugated industry and tell us about the innovations on displa...
Oct 19, 2021•39 min•Season 1Ep. 11
This special episode of Better Together was recorded during SuperCorrExpo in Orlando, FL, in August 2021. Packaging professionals know SuperCorrExpo as one of the most influential corrugated packaging shows in the Western Hemisphere. We set up our podcast booth on the huge exhibit floor to try to capture some of the energy and enthusiasm generated by this highly anticipated event. To share their perspectives on the corrugated industry and tell us about the innovations on display at SuperCorrExpo...
Oct 19, 2021•44 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In this episode we welcome Karen Dillon, an acclaimed author, speaker, and thought leader in the areas of innovation, leadership, and personal success. Join Karen Dillon and Paper360° Editorial Director Jan Bottiglieri as they discuss What Dillon calls “Market-Creating Innovation” – the type of innovation that can really make a difference for producers and end-users. It starts with a struggle, she says. Once companies learn to identify where their customers are struggling, opportunities open up....
Aug 31, 2021•34 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Today we talk with Ed Stuczynski, an engineer with Menasha Packaging Company and this year’s program chair for SuperCorrExpo, coming up August 8 -12, 2021 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. Held only once every four years, SuperCorrExpo is one of the most influential corrugated packaging-focused trade shows in the Western Hemisphere—and Ed will be giving us a “sneak peek” at what’s in store. We also talk about the effects that COVID-19 has had on the corrugated packaging indu...
Jun 30, 2021•36 min•Season 1Ep. 8
