Having started working in industry in 1970, I would say the industry of those days was more closely related to the inventions of the Fourdrinier brothers than it is to the industry of today.

Nearly all computerization and electronics of today have been invented or perfected since 1970. This is true from the most mundane tasks through the most sophisticated operations to the headquarters functions.

It is nearly impossible to keep up with the pulp and paper industry on a wholistic basis. We have specialists at every level that know their piece and some fringe connections, but no one today who has a grasp of the whole picture. One person I can think of who had this kind of grasp of the entire business was George Mead of Consolidated, at the prime of his career. One still living and active, who may be of this level, is Joe Kruger. Anthony Pratt is another.

All aspects of the business are moving very rapidly.

Professionals in the ranks know their science and engineering, but don't seem to have a grasp of sales or financing.

Senior level people are recruited from other industries that may operate on a discrete product production basis (autos, washing machines and so forth). Others may be recruited from process industries (paint, perfume and so forth). Pulp and paper is an odd hybrid of process/discrete products. The only thing close to this is steel, with also a small nod towards cement (not concrete) manufacturing. I call them the rocks, paper, scissors industries.

The point is today, from financing to business structure to sales to manufacturing, the industry is moving very, very fast.

Leaving us with this sobering thought--there is no school, no institute, that takes a wholistic view and trains people thoroughly to excel in all the functions needed to succeed from top to bottom.

Bill Laidig started out as a junior engineer sinking wells in islands on the Wisconsin River to inject spent black liquor. He rose to the top of Great Northern Nekoosa. He built such a good company that he lost it in a takeover battle to Georgia Pacific, it was so attractive.

Where are the Bill Laidig's of today?

Jim Thompson is CEO of Paperitalo Publications.