I started my packaging career 41 years ago by sweeping the parking lot at Lin Pac in Atlanta, GA. I worked my way up to Corrugator Supervisor at Lin Pac in Greensboro, NC. Then, I returned to Lin Pac in Atlanta as Corrugator Supervisor. I was Corrugator Supervisor at Weyerhaeuser in Charlotte, NC, and Corrugator and Converting Supervisor at Inland Container, Rock Hill, SC. I recently celebrated my 27th anniversary with Pratt Industries. Some of my assignments over the years at Pratt include: Corrugator Supervisor in
Conyers, GA; Assistant Plant Manager in Statesville, NC; Plant Superintendent in Conyers; Operations Manager for PrattPak; Quality Manager for Pratt Conyers mill; Customer Technical Services Manager for Pratt Mill Division and co-authored the original ISO system used by our corrugated plants. I designed, managed construction, and operated Pratt Industries’ Technical Center for six years. I am currently the Technical Manager for Pratt Industries Mill Division.
I have a wonderful bride of 40 years, three children, and two grandchildren. I am a Christian. I enjoy hunting, camping, and trying to stay ahead of Mother Nature at home.
A TAPPI Member since 1995, I am a former Chairman of TAPPI’s Corrugated Board Technical Services Committee (CORBOTEC) and am currently Chairman of TAPPI’s Fiberboard Shipping Container Testing Committee (FISCOTEC). I am also a member of the Corrugated Packaging Council.
I am a member of the Fibre Box Association (FBA) Technical Committee. I was a member of the FBA team that created the Corrugated Chapter of the college textbook “Fundamentals of Packaging” (2014), the FBA team that updated the Fibre Box Handbook (2015), and I now serve as the FBA Wax Alternative Materials Technical Advisor.
“I would tell people that have never participated in TAPPI Standard activities that there’s no need to be intimidated. Knowledgeable people involved with TAPPI Standards welcome new faces and new input.” – Glenn Rogers
1. Tell us about your volunteer experience at TAPPI.
During my time working in corrugated, I built the Customer Technical in 2004 and managed it until 2010. So, it was critical to understand Standards, which is why I joined the Fiberboard Shipping Container Testing Committee (FISCOTEC). When reviewing TIPs and Standards it was only right that I do my part. I had no desire to be the head of a committee; but it happened organically, and I have grown to really enjoy the involvement.
2. Why do you think Standards are important? How have you used them in your field?
Consistency! I’m the keeper of the specs at Pratt Industries. The consistency across the mills is important. I have used Standards to set production specifications. In fact, those specifications are based on Standard Test Methods. Without them we can’t condition or re-condition certain properties. We have also used Standards to deal with complaints in terms of measurements. Often, a customer will run a test under an air conditioner, which is not a lab environment. So, you can’t really consider those types of results relevant to the test.
3. What has been your experience serving as Secretary, then, Chair of the Fiberboard Shipping Container Testing Committee (FISCOTEC)?
I assumed the secretary position in FISCOTEC because I was uncomfortable with my understanding of the Standards process. I stepped out of my comfort zone to develop a better understanding and to be more comfortable with it. I eventually grew into the position and became Chair of FISCOTEC.
4. Tell us a about your responsibilities as Technical Manager.
I’ve got the best job in Corrugated! Mill companies have multiple active personnel handling a variety of tasks. I check and troubleshoot quality issues, define quality within the mills, interact with customers as needed, and work on special projects. I literally have a one-page contract with our mill managers regarding production specs and how they respond to certain circumstances. It enables me to not encounter many complaints and allows me to focus on other things. I do not work directly with the paper mills; I work for corporate independently. I’m basically the independent watchdog over the Mill Division, and I have a good relationship with all the other Managers.
I started in the industry at Lin Pac in 1980. To my understanding Lin Pac was the first Sheet Feeder in the United States, I ran Corrugators from 1994 to early 1995. We based our work on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) system; it has changed a lot since then. I like to try different things and looking at different options within the company; I went to the mill side and it has worked out well for me (since May 1, 1995).
5. Tell us a bit about yourself (hobbies, education, and passion).
I spend my free time maintaining my property along with an elderly neighbor’s property; about 280 acres. I keep up with the area, my dogs and my 1978 Jeep CJ7 that I’ve been working on for two years. It may be mistaken for an old beat-up Jeep, but it’ll be brand new in a couple of weeks.
I went to High School in Albany, GA and graduated in 1971. I took courses in electronic technology and the rest is practical knowledge. Even though, I did not attend college I gained opportunities due to my positive work ethic. I was noticed and I took advantage of those opportunities and continuously worked towards growth.
When I was younger, I use to teach certain courses within the company. I created my own version of Box 101. Once a year we used to bring representatives from Latin American countries for intense training of that Box 101, which went from paper making corrugated to box making, sales and graphics. Different people within the company would also present; it was a group effort.
I have practical experience and I’m close to some of the brightest people in the industry that are highly educated; we definitely complement each other.
“No one believes that there’s such thing as a stupid question. It may be the right question that we all needed to ask. You never know, it could be helpful!” – Glenn Rogers
6. What would you tell people that have never participated in Standards activities?
First of all, people don’t understand the term Standard at times. I’ve encountered this issue with customers that think a Standard is a spec. TAPPI does not set specs; a Standard is a test method for establishing performance. May be the term “Standard procedure” would be more suitable to someone who isn’t involved with TAPPI.
I would you tell people that have never participated in TAPPI Standard activities that there’s no need to be intimidated. Knowledgeable people involved with TAPPI Standards welcome new faces and new input. As I’m close to the central group of TAPPI volunteers, I know that no one believes that there’s such thing as a stupid question. It may be the right question that we all needed to ask. You never know, it could be helpful!
7. What is the importance of reviewing a Standard Test Method every five to ten years?
Test Methods, along with the Fibre Box Handbook content, have changed across the board in the past 10 years; including changes in equipment production. Running a 450ft/min corrugated room 30 years ago versus running one now realistically at about 1300ft/min is completely different. Things that didn’t matter at 450ft, 750ft, or 1000ft now matter.
8. What do you enjoy most about your job?
My job requires working with people across the company. You never know, one week to the next which part of the company I’ll be involved with. Since COVID-19 started I haven’t been traveling much. I like to interact with people and help them work through problems. Occasionally an individual gets engrossed in a problem and they overlook something that should have been obvious to them; it takes a fresh set of eyes to notice. I enjoy solving problems. It may not be exactly the same thing we do in technical committees, but it’s still a matter of working towards improvement.
9. If you could describe the value of TAPPI membership in one word, what would it be?
Worthwhile! Pre-pandemic I have attended many TAPPI conferences and have gained self-confidence in many areas. For example, when encountering an angry customer, responding with facts instead of emotions is very effective. It’s probably one of the most important things.
Interview conducted/ written by Souadou Camara
Assisted by Mary Anne Cauthen
Special thanks to Editor in Chief: Janet LoBue
Thank you, Glenn Rogers for your contribution to TAPPI!
If you would like to share your experience with Standards, TIPs or U.S. TAG to ISO TC 6, please write to standards@tappi.org and the TAPPI Standards team will be happy to interview you.