PORT ANGELES — The new president of Nippon Paper Industries USA’s Port Angeles mill said the company is committed to continuing production despite the closure of 15 of its parent company’s mills in Japan this year.
“We have put in a lot of money in the mill and we would like to continue to do that,” said Yoshiaki “Johnny” Uchida, through a translator, during an interview Tuesday.
Uchida, 49, took over last Wednesday from Teruo “David” Tamaki, 59, who was the mill’s president for 11 years and is now senior adviser.
Tamaki translated for Uchida during the interview. Uchida speaks English, but preferred to have his responses translated from Japanese.
Uchida was promoted to the new position from senior vice president.
He took the former position in February 2008 and previously worked in the United States from 2000-2003 as production manager at the Norpac mill in Longview. Nippon shares ownership of that mill with Weyerhaeuser, said Tamaki.
The Port Angeles mill is the only mill that Nippon fully owns in the United States, he said.
Uchida said the mill is reducing costs and is continuing a policy of reducing work force through attrition.
The mill has 240 employees, down about 50 from eight years ago, said Harold Norlund, mill manager.
Norlund reports directly to Uchida, who also oversees corporate operations such as sales.
Norlund said additional furloughs this year are possible, but none are planned.
This year, the mill has been temporarily closed twice due to a lack of orders.
“We are not immune from the recession,” Uchida said.
To avoid further closures, he said the mill, which makes light-weight paper for phone books, is trying to expand its products.
The mill has conducted three trials this year on other types of paper, Norlund said.
New post
Tamaki said the advising position that he began this month is new.
He said his job is to advise Uchida, particularly on American culture and English.
Tamaki said he has worked at the Port Angeles mill since it was acquired by the former Daishowa paper company in 1988, and he plans to stay.
Norlund said Nippon acquired the mill when it bought Daishowa in 2003.
When asked about the change in leadership, Tamaki explained that it is typical in Japanese companies for management to be rotated in and out of positions to gain experience.
Uchida said there are cultural differences that he will have to overcome in the new position.
He said that Japan is more detailed-oriented in the work force, and he doesn’t want to give the “impression of micromanaging.”
After more than four years working in the United States, Uchida said he does enjoy the focus on positive reinforcement.
Uchida has worked in the paper industry since 1983.
His other previous jobs include paper production manager for Nippon’s Miyakojima mill and general manager of its Ishinomaki mill.
The international Nippon Paper Group had a change of presidents last year when Yoshio Haga took over during a controversy involving the company’s overstatement of the used-paper content in its recycled-paper products. His predecessor, Masatomo Nakamura, 68 years old, had stepped down after taking full responsibility for the scandal.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
