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History
The
American Pulp and Paper Mill Superintendents Management
Association, known today as PIMA, was established in 1919 in
Appleton, Wisconsin. It was founded by a group of 40 pulp
and paper mill superintendents who wanted to improve
themselves, their firms and their industry by sharing their
expertise and experience as managers.
Although
there were organizations at the time that addressed
management issues and techniques, as well as those that
specialized in pulp and paper technology and equipment,
papermakers needed PIMA.
Established
to serve the specific needs of mill management, PIMA offered
industry professionals the chance to share various points of
view and experiences from different geographical regions and
various corporate cultures, physical facilities and product
lines.
PIMA's
goal to maintain a strong and profitable industry by
continually improving the management skills of its managers
is the same today as it was in 1919. While PIMA as we know
it today has changed and grown over the years, it has stayed
consistent with its mission:
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To
contribute to the strength of the North American pulp
and paper industry by providing the means for its
members to address issues of relevance to the industry
and to develop their management and leadership skills.
This
is important, because we believe that well-managed employees
will: develop better work methods, improve quality, operate
more safely, provide better service, be responsible
environmentally, develop more economical processes, products
and new markets, and actively contribute to the
organization's success.
PIMA
also believes that suppliers are an integral part of
association membership and involvement. As a result, two
kinds of membership have evolved over the years, one for
mill members and another for suppliers (affiliates). PIMA
believes that each group contributes to and helps the other
make a healthy, progressive pulp and paper industry.
Today
PIMA
believes papermakers at all levels contribute to the
industry's success. Workers today are better informed than
ever before. They work with technology and understand
economics. They want to be informed about the business and
want to assume a role in its progress.
Sophisticated
people such as these need managers who can lead them
effectively. And these mangers, in turn, need a forum where
they can share experiences, as well as successes and
failures, with others to better prepare them for their jobs.
PIMA recognizes that "managers" are not just those
individuals with that title, but those who are responsible
for "managing," regardless of title. This includes
staff managers working on the line and anyone who
participates in and contributes to a team's success.
This
commitment to providing growth opportunities and forums
where industry professionals come together to share ideas
and experiences is what PIMA's founding fathers envisioned
in 1919. PIMA is still dedicated to that goal.
Information
courtesy of www.pima-online.org |