Paper 360
More than 80 years ago, a small group of manufacturing executives, concerned about improving the internal conduct of businesses manufacturing engineered equipment in the United States, decided that the best way to address their concerns was through working together. In 1933, this group founded the Pulp & Paper Machinery Manufacturers’ Association (PPMMA). PPMMA was comprised of executives from US companies that manufactured and sold process machinery, parts, and components to the US pulp and paper industry. At that time, PPMMA’s goal was to promote high standards in manufacturing, marketing, and occupational safety.
The association grew and thrived through the 1980s as the US pulp and paper industry expanded. The name was changed to the American Paper Machinery Association, yet its membership had already grown to include many international companies. In addition, the association widened its focus from equipment manufacturing to the sale 
and supply of diverse products and services.
As the industry and its markets and technologies continued to evolve, so did the association. In early 2003, the name was changed again to the Association of the Suppliers to the Paper Industry (ASPI). This change embraced the fundamental strategic focus of the association toward the customer base it serves.
Today, ASPI is a global organization with a North American focus. About half of ASPI’s current membership is foreign-based and more than 80 percent of ASPI members have a percentage of their business outside North America; member companies supply a wide range of products and services. The diversity of its membership is a major asset of ASPI.
Upcoming Meetings
ASPI holds two meetings a year with informative programming designed to help ASPI members and their customers improve industry performance. Only members may attend the ASPI Fall Meeting. To learn more about joining 
ASPI, visit www.aspinet.org.
2016 Fall Customer Alignment Initiative
Customer Host: WestRock
November 16-18
Hilton Atlanta NE
Atlanta, Georgia
2017 Spring Meeting
February 22-24
Ritz-Carlton
Sarasota, Florida
Join the Conversation!
ASPI provides forums for supplier executives to connect with one another and with executives from their customers. ASPI strives to improve overall industry performance and maintains a strict antitrust policy for activities. Only ASPI members can receive copies of presentations given at ASPI meetings; members also have access to all past presentations. ASPI also conducts a biannual Performance Benchmarking Survey.
If your company can benefit from being part of an engaged group of professionals dedicated to performance, now is the perfect time to join ASPI—in time to attend the upcoming Fall Customer Alignment meeting. To learn more, visit www.aspinet.org or contact Grayson Lutz at [email protected].
Today’s ASPI
Two annual meetings are key to today’s ASPI member experience. Every fall, the ASPI Customer Alignment meeting (which is only open to members) is hosted by a leading pulp, paper, or packaging company, which gives attendees the rare chance to network with their customers’ senior executives. The ASPI Spring Meeting (which is also open to non-members) provides industry updates and includes the presentation of ASPI’s two awards: ASPI Customer Executive of the Year, which is the highest honor ASPI can bestow on an individual; and the ASPI Excellence in Leadership Award, which honors senior level managers for leadership during major projects.
WestRock will host the ninth ASPI 2016 Fall Customer Alignment meeting November 16-18, 2016, in Peachtree Corners, GA. Attendees will have the chance to learn more about the 2015 merger that formed WestRock, trends in the packaging industry, and also gain insight into effective leadership from a customer point of view. The 2017 ASPI Spring Meeting will be held February 22-24, 2017 in Sarasota, Florida. The host venue will be the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Sarasota.
ASPI members at the ASPI 2015 Fall Customer Alignment meeting, which Georgia-Pacific hosted at its Atlanta headquarters. Consultant Darin Dredge gives an overview of Georgia-Pacific’s Market-Based Management strategy during the ASPI 2015 Fall Customer Alignment meeting.
ASPI officers Mike Grey, Valmet and Keith Kemp, AstenJohnson present the 2016 Executive of the Year Award to Steve Voorhees, WestRock at ASPI’s 2016 Spring Meeting.
