PABA Celebrates Nippon Anniversary
At yesterday's meeting, the Port Angeles Business Association honored the 90th anniversary of the mill that's now owned by Nippon Paper Industries. December 14th will be the 90 year mark.
The mill was started by two Canadian lumbermen who bought the property soon after the end of World War One. The mill was taken over by Nippon Paper of Japan in 2003. There are currently 198 employees. The company pays medical benefits to employees and retirees.
The mill was started by two Canadian lumbermen who bought the property soon after the end of World War One. The mill was taken over by Nippon Paper of Japan in 2003. There are currently 198 employees. The company pays medical benefits to employees and retirees.
Labels: Nippon Paper Industries, PABA, Port Angeles Business Association
posted by Tom Harper at 3:13 PM
10 Comments:
Knowing PABA member Jackson Smart reads this blog, and comments periodically, I'd be curious to hear what PABA does to help its' members survive and continuing to operate businesses in Port Angeles.
Besides showing up for coffee and breakfast every Tuesday morning, what exactly has PABA done?
Nice tribute to our finest employer on the peninsula!
Good question. VERY good question.
Prediction: Owing to the international nature of the paper market...And owing to the shrinking demand for the kind of paper this mill produces...And owing to the fact that Nippon (headquartered in Japan) doesn't owe this town anything, or have any real connection to it...I predict that this mill will not be with us for more than another five to seven years. At least not as a mill.
Of course, they want to switch to burning "bio mass" and go into the energy business, which is a totally different thing. How will they try to spin it when the power business makes them more than the paper business?
In any case, this city would be wise to think about and plan for these eventualities. Change is coming. It would be best to be ready for it.
Besides showing up for coffee and breakfast every Tuesday morning, what exactly has PABA done?
4:50 PM, December 01, 2010
Uh, that's about it, actually. A more sour and do-nothing group I have never seen. They make the PADA look like superstars by comparison.
I am no longer a member of PABA....and haven't been for several months.
I don't really believe it was intended to be an asset for helping
members survive in the local economy, even tho it is a great place to network, which is always a benefit to it's members. I believe it is more of an information gathering group and always gets the most relevant issues in front of the membership as quickly as possible. As we all know, information is very valuable if it is current. It gives the members and guests a heads up on the issues that face this community. It also reaches out to Olympia and the surrounding areas with guest speakers. I know I like to be informed so I can make decisions in my business that effects my bottom line...and you know we are ALL trying to get by in these times of uncertainty.
I also don't get involved in the politics of PABA...I would much rather listen and not judge the issue as right or wrong. I will leave that to all of you...;)
I will also say that my many years of being involved in PABA, I have seen some very positive things result out of thier involvement in local issues as well as some not so positive results. Oh-well, that is the nature of business groups. I would also like to add that unless you have been actively involved in PABA, when you make un-informed comments, is shows that you have not done your fact gathering before commenting.
There....you did ask for my opinion
so now you can agree with it...or not...I have no energy on it either way.
just my 2 cents worth....
Thanks for the reply! Much appreciated.
Jackson said...
"I am no longer a member of PABA....and haven't been for several months."
Any particular reason for quitting PABA? Just curious.
Thanks, Jackson.
You are most welcome.
After doing a 3 year stint as a board member of the Chamber and also a long time member of PABA, I decided to take a much needed break from both. Financially it was a big burden. Breakfast at Joshuas restaurant would run from $7.00 to $10.00 depending on what you had to eat plus coffee and then $15.00 for lunch at the crab house on mondays and then lunch at the board meetings plus the dues for both groups, it was becoming a problem. I was also working on the mural at the Fountain Park for the summer and PABA was at 7:30 in the morning, and even tho it was once a week, it was cutting into my much needed sleep....as I am a late riser in the morning. It felt good to not have to deal with any of the issues, especially at the chamber. That was mentally exhausting. So I quess I would say that it was mostly financial with a little mental and emotional burnout tossed in.
I do however, miss the PABA, so maybe someday I will return as a dues paying member....but not just yet. It feels great not to have to deal with any local issues. I do keep informed tho thru various people, so I am not out of the loop entirely.
Post a Comment
<< Home