PAPER AGENTS ASSOCIATION

The minutes of Section 4’s meeting (Carton, Industrial & Other Boards)
held at the Royal Thames Yacht Club, London on Friday 10th May 2013at 11.00am.

PRESENT: Mr Paul Woollett (Weig), who presided, Mr Peter Beckwith (Fiskeby), Messrs Keith Burgham & Tony Barton (M-Real), Mr Neil Skelton (Chapelton), Mr Andy Farron (Careo), Messrs. Jonathan Heywood & John Smith (IFP), Mr Phil Scullion (Profor), Mr John Tomkins (MayrMelnhof), Mr Devlin Osborn (BillerudKorsnäs),Mr Peter Seaton (Calington), MrJOhn Mitchell (Iggesund), Mr Geoff Ling (ME Muller) and the Secretary, Mr John Paine.

Also in attendance Mr John Uwins, Vice President of the Association.

1. Apologies for absence were received from6Members.

2. Minutes ofthe Last Meeting

The Minutes of Section 4’s meeting held on the 12th October 2012were approved and signed by the Chairman.

3. Matters Arising

  • BPIF. Relations with BPIF Cartonswere still under review by some members present and it was reported that it was becoming difficult to justify the cost in terms of the benefit received.
  • Future of the Association. The Chairman reported that much work had gone into developing the proposals outlined at the previous meeting by Mr Uwins. These were intended to address the issues caused by the changing face of the trade and the difficulties that have arisen in terms of attendance at meetings now that so many of the leading members had wider responsibilities in Europe.
    Mr Uwins was present again today and touched on some of the detailed actions now being proposed. In particular he commented as follows:
  • The change of name would include the word board to recognise the importance of board grades in the overall trade handled by members. Current proposal was to call it thePaper and Board Association.
  • As mentioned by the Chairman, attendance at meetings was proving a problem. It was proposed to address this by limiting the number of meetings to 2 per year. These would be meetings for the whole association membership and would involve a seminar/presentation on a topical subject of interest to all members followed by individual section meetings. Dates would be available well in advance and these should, as far as possible be “sacrosanct”. This did not preclude the sections from having interim meetings if there was a demand for a particular reason.
  • The subscription structure would be modified to give some relief to the bigger companies whose contributions were seen to be too high by their overseas employers.
  • It was an objective of the Council to make the Association more proactive and for it to interact more closely with other associations in the trade.
  • Anew class of membership for Associate members would be created which would be open to companies (not individuals) which interacted with our full members – eg Logistics, shipping and transport companies or environmental 7consultants who could bring a wider perspective to meetings.

Following Mr Uwins’s presentation, there followed a full and frank exchange of views.

  • It was felt by some members that the section meetings provided useful networking opportunities and this was particularly true of younger members or those new to the industry
  • The real value of being a specifically UK bases Association for many members was the wealth of local knowledge available within the sections which could be used to temper the European emphasis of European principals
  • There was concern that we would be placing ourselves in competition with other Associations.
  • The larger members felt that the proposals strengthened their case for continued membership when talking to their overseas principals.
  • Overall it was felt that the Association’s work on industry statistics and keeping members briefed on environmental issues was vital for members – particularly the smaller ones who did not have access to the facilities enjoyed by the larger ones.
  • Statistics was key and it was imperative to find a format for resolving relations with PPL or an alternative. (See below).
  • The website was seen as critical, but it was important that if members were allowed to post comments in the Members’ Only section of the site, then there should be robust rules and moderation to avoid copyright or competition compliance difficulties.
  • Social activities should continue, but there sould perhaps be a review of the nature and timing of events being organised

These points would be reported to Council when details were being finalised.

4. Reports

a)Council had met on the 25 March 2013and again,a large part of the meeting had been devoted to a discussion on the issues outlined above. In particular a Job Description for the new Director had been drafted and approved.

Statistics

The Statistics Committee had met in March and Mr Beckwith reported as follows:

  • GC: -1.7% compared with 2011. PAA returns cover 25% of the market.
  • This downturn indicates that PAA members providing statistical data are performing better than the overall market which is showing a drop of -4%. This would also mean that the non-contributing three-quarters of the sector saw a not inconceivable drop of -4.7%
  • GD: -5.8% compared with 2011. PAA returns account for around 65% of the market and our figure is largely in line with a total decline of-5%.
  • PPL Research.

PPL are the independent “post box” for our statistical data. They provide the collection, collation and distribution service free of charge to the PAA in return for the data that we provide. They are the publishers of Board Market Digest and the Annual Paper & Board Demand & Price Forecast series.

  • Due to falling income PPL are looking at alternative revenue streams and are also looking to restructure their cost base so that they will be able to continue to offer the service that they provide to PAA members.
  • Discussions are due to take place with PPL and with alternative suppliers of statistical services to ensure that all members continue to receive the best service that we can offer.

Social
The Secretaryreported that arrangements were complete for the May Dinner which would be held at Glaziers’ Hall on the 23rd May. Some members suggested that in future years this event should be a Members Only event (no guests).
The rescheduled AGM and Annual Lunch would be on the 28th June at Stationers’ Hall
Financial There was nothing significant to report. Annual Accounts for last year were awaiting audit.

6.Any Other BusinessThe following topics were raised:

  • The Chairman reported that Mr Mark Aubrey of Panka Board was a potential new member and he would follow up.
  • The death of Peter Laming (PAGS) was reported.
  • Mr Tomkins advised that MayrMelnhof had recruited two new members of staff in the UK. One would be aninteranlpost, the other would be a UK Sales Manager.

7.Date of next meeting.

To be arranged following the AGM on 28th June.

Chairman

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