NEW YORK,
Oct. 20, 2009
(Press Release) -
Executives from leading forest products transport companies agreed that the entire industry must work together to fully recover from the recent economic recession. During the four-day PPI Transport Symposium 18, held in Liverpool, England, UK, 6 - 9 October 2009, speakers and delegates from nearly 30 countries around the world convened to address the current issues affecting the forest products and transport industries, as well as look for new solutions and ideas for the future.
Organized by RISI and the International Forest Products Transport Association (IFPTA), PPI Transport Symposium 18 was attended by over 630 senior executives and managers from 125 participating companies. The higher than expected participation, despite the still fragile economic climate and cutbacks by most companies, showed that many executives see this period of economic recovery as the perfect time to increase collaboration and communication.
"The strong numbers at this year's PPI Transport Symposium showed the level of commitment these companies have to the future of the industry," said Mike Coffey, CEO of RISI. "PPI Transport Symposium has established itself as a can't-miss event for the global forest products transport industry."
The PPI Transport Symposium 18 Conference Program, titled "Steering the Right Course to the Future," featured speakers and panelists covering a variety of topics including: How Carriers are Addressing the Future of Forest Products Transport; Pulp & Paper Producers Panel; and Sustainability & Transportation of the Wide Range of Forest Products. The associated PPI Transport Symposium 18 Exhibition showcased the latest products and services available from leading companies in the industry.
"In recent years, the forest products transport industry has undergone dramatic regional and global changes," said Paul Doiron, IFPTA President. "This year's PPI Transport Symposium was the ideal place where those trends and issues could be debated and discussed."
PPI Transport Symposium 19 is confirmed for 11-14 October 2011 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Many of the leading companies in the sector have already signed up to participate in the event in two years time.