DRJ Fall 2021: A Virtual Experience

BREAKOUT TRACK 3 - SESSION 5

Hurricane Florence (Sept. 2018) Impact on IP-Riegelwood’s Facility and Surrounding Community

When: Tuesday, October 12, 2021

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EST

Along much of the U.S. Coastline, hurricanes pose a major risk of operational disruption every year. When a major tropical cyclone, like Hurricanes Michael and Florence, impacts the area, the team at International Paper encounters new challenges to their business continuity plan.

Large facilities such as International Paper’s Riegelwood Mill often take several days to fully shut down in the event of a Hurricane. International Paper takes employee safety as the highest priority and has developed a detailed plan on how to manage these events. Each storm presents unique conditions, requiring a unique response. International Paper turned to StormGeo to provide weather data and decision guidance specific to their sites, to ensure they are making the most informed response decisions to help mitigate the impact to assets as well as their people.

This session will look at how International Paper has responded to these major storms over the past 5 years and how they have made key adjustments to their response plan. Some area we will look at include how IP has utilized its employee benefit disaster relief plan, overcome supply chain disruptions, and implemented seasonal preparations ahead of hurricane season.

Speakers:
Tim Gill, International Paper

Tim Gill has 24 years experience at International Paper. Currently, the Environmental, Health & Safety manager at the Riegelwood NC Mill, a fully integrated fluff pulp production site. He is responsible for Hazardous Weather & Emergency Response Programs.

Ian Nicolson, StormGeo

A native of Scotland, Ian Nicolson is a Senior Industry Manager at StormGeo. He has a long-standing track record providing solutions to companies, helping them solve their greatest challenges while offering new and innovative strategies to grow business.