UPM has been one of the sponsors of a unique international cross-industry collaborative project that brought together expertise from across the entire paper supply chain from the mill, through transport, storage, handling and printing. As a result of the co-operation the project group has now published an 'Optimised Paper Handling & Logistics' (OPHAL) best practice guide. It serves as a global reference for suppliers, transporters, converters and printers to improve their efficiency.
Benefits of OPHAL guide
The content of the guide is written to supervisors, managers, administrative and production staff. It provides them with a unique tool to to give a better understanding of the supply chain and how to optimise their part in it. The guide gives guidance as follows:
- Reducing risks of accidents
- Improving economic and environmental performance
- Optimising working practices
The best practice OPHAL guide e-book's free download available from www.ophal.info »
Paper is handled 10-20 times and from when it leaves the paper mill to when it is put on to the press and every manipulation of rolls and pallets carries a risk of accidents and damage. Paper is a demanding cargo with a high economic unit value, requiring specialised techniques, tools and facilities for handling, logistics, storage and preparation for printing. Substrates are also the highest single cost for all printing and packaging applications — any reduction in their waste and damage improves both economic and environmental performance.
"This guide is a useful tool for our colleagues, customers and suppliers. It gathers the best expertise from professionals across the paper supply chain. We are proud to present this great guide to the whole industry", says Markus Zentraf, Manager, Logistics Damage Prevention, UPM Paper ENA.
Contents of the OPHAL guide
The richly illustrated guide features easy-to-read text detailing the best practices and providing troubleshooting guidelines for supervisors, operating staff, suppliers and supply chain managers. The 270-page guide is structured in 11 modules:
1: Paper & Cores - Wrapping & Pallets
2: Inspect, Report, Evaluate & Repair
3: Warehouse and Paper Store
4: Paper Handling Equipment
5: Roll and Pallet Handling
6: Transport — Securing & Lashing
7: Road Transport
8: Rail Transport
9: Transport & Containers
10: Transport & Maritime Shipping
11: At the Printer & Paper onto Press
'Optimized Paper Handling & Logistics' is a collaborative project made possible by the participation of ABP, Axel Springer, Bolzano-Auramo, Cascade, Dalim, Earthpac Oy, ERA, FMS, Goss, Holmen, Kasturi & Sons (The Hindu), icmPrint, Idealliance, IF P&C, INTAKT, Intergraf, KBA, Malayala Manorama, Mondi, NOPA, Paperdam, Sappi, SCA, Sonoco-Alcore, SpanSet, Stora Enso, tesa 'Times of India', TRANSWAGGON, UPM, WAN-IFRA.
For further information, please contact UPM Paper ENA, Markus Zentgraf tel. + 49 172 97 20 767 or Martin Schorn tel. +49 401 82 98 242.
