MESSAGE FROM CONFERENCE CO-CHAIRMEN

Focusing on what you do best

Jaap Simonse, IFPTA Vice President Europe and Conference Co-Chair, PPI Transport Symposium 19

DECEMBER 2010 – In the middle of writing this column, I had a computer failure. I was panicking knowing that the deadline was fast approaching. In the end, I managed to get hold of a nephew who is in the computer business and he came down to Middleburg to sort it out. I was sure that things looked bleak, but it only cost him five minutes to solve the problem.

About two years ago, it was misery everywhere. The financial results of many companies were all written in red figures. Many people were losing their jobs and there was a general feeling here in the western world that the recession was never going to end. I remember very well the stories of my parents and grandparents about the Great Depression in the 1930s. We all have seen the black and white images of men and women queuing in the streets for food and the hope of a job. World War Two was the end of that crisis, but at what cost?

My generation has grown up after the war in an ever–improving society and during a long span of improving economic conditions. For us, the Great Depression was just a story. We always seemed to believe, apart from the occasional setback, that there would never be a reoccurrence of that terrible decade. The world has grown to be an open place, with computers and the Internet making a new society. Every- thing seemed to be under control. That was my firm belief.

Lessons learned

That belief held until the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the whole world began to unravel. And look where we are a few years later, recovering slowly but steadily. Although there are some fears for a second dip, it looks like we are on the right track: and hopefully learning the lessons from what happened. We are all going to have to pitch in to make sure the recovery takes hold: governments, banks, companies, and individuals. It goes without saying that most of the western nations will pay a heavy (tax) burden for what happened during this recession.

Forest products logistics are starting to see better times. Ports all around the world are an- nouncing they are back at pre-recession volumes, meaning cargo is moving again. Not only forest products, but raw materials such a steel, and finished goods in containers are making headway. But is it still easy to remember how bleak the world looked just a year ago.

When my nephew left, after fixing my computer, he told me, "If you do not have any knowledge whatsoever about computers, do not try to solve the problem. It will only make things worse."

We should all learn from that remark. Focus on what you know how to do. Let others fix the problems they know how to fix. Together, you can accomplish what you set out to accomplish.

Looking ahead to Amsterdam

Despite the recession, we had a very well attended and high quality PPI Transport Symposium 18 in Liverpool. And in less than a year from now, we trust PPI TS19 in Amsterdam will be a record event in attendance and exhibit placement. But we will have to work hard for it. Nowadays, maybe because of the recession, we have all learned that a dollar can only be spent once. Instead of visiting one conference after another, business people are more selective. With a good program, a good exhibition and a good venue, forest products professionals coming to Amsterdam will get to do what they do best.

For networking, education, collaborating, PPI Transport Symposium is your program. I encourage you to assist wherever you can to help make PPI TS19 a success.

Finally, I promised my friend and co-chairman George Hudson not to mention football anymore. So let's make a few remarks about golf. I had my holidays during the Ryder Cup at a nice cottage in England about 100 km east of the big event. I was reading the English newspa- pers before, during, and after the event, which Europe won. Everything was covered in detail; the event's history, the wives clothes, every single shot, and, of course, the weather. But did I really need to read that "Monty was simply magical."? Well, okay, but it was really very close, George.

P.S. The airline that was supposed to take me to Chicago last May apologized. Looks like I’m back on the good side of the USA again.

CEPI joins PPI TS19

We are pleased to announce the participation and cooperation of CEPI, the Confederation of European Paper Industries, at PPI Transport Symposium 19. CEPI will take part in the PPI TS19 Conference Program and invite its mem- bers to the event. For more information on CEPI, visit www.cepi.org.