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Karl Meyers has seen the paper-manufacturing mill
in Muskogee grow from one paper machine in 1978 to five machines,
a $900 million capital investment, 1,500 employees, and 400 million
in shipments. Meyers is Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Muskogee
Mill operating vice president.
The Muskogee mill manufactures name
brand facial and bath tissue, towel, and napkin products.
"Since the startup of our Muskogee mill in 1978, (then known
as Fort Howard Corporation), it has not only been advantageous
but necessary for our maintenance department to work with Indian
Capital Technology Center to provide quality education and training
for our maintenance mechanics and electricians," Meyers
said.
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Karl Meyers |
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"During the initial months of our first construction phases,
our team members used the vast resources of the tech center to
bring their skills up to requirements," he said. "Over
the years, we have been actively involved with Indian Capital
satisfying special maintenance training requirements. Indian
Capital facilities, instructors and equipment and Georgia-Pacific
resources and trainers have been the answer to most all our needs."
That's why Georgia Pacific is being recognized
as one of Oklahoma's CareerTech Business Champions.
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CareerTech Business Champions attribute
much of their economic success to the partnerships they have formed
with the local technology center or high school CareerTech programs.
In 1986, Georgia Pacific's maintenance department kicked off a bold training
program to insure that all team members were trained in a broad base skills program.
"Again, Indian Capital was there, "Meyers said. "We had a long
list of skills training in this program. During the course of training, more
than 200 of our maintenance team members completed an average of 500 hours
each in education and training for an estimated total of 100,000 hours from 1982
to 1992."
In 1992, Georgia-Pacific announced a $160 million
mill expansion project. |
"Again, Indian Capital met our training
challenges by offering specialized training to meet our growing requirements
and those of our ever changing technology," Meyers said. "This
was accomplished through training set up with equipment vendors
at our Muskogee and Green Bay mills, at vendor offered schools,
and, of course, at our tech center."
Indian Capital has played a tremendous
role in coordinating and providing training opportunities for the
company's team members as it continues to meet challenges. More
than 498 people were trained in expansion-related skills in about
95,000 hours.
"This magnitude of learning would simply not be possible without the support
of the Oklahoma CareerTech system," Meyers said.
In 1968, Oklahoma CareerTech developed a state-funded training support
system to use as a selling point for new or expanding business and
industry to locate in Oklahoma. In that year, the Oklahoma Training
for Industry (TIP) program was introduced.
"We believe that what has developed is a mutually beneficial,
showcase system to promote investment in Oklahoma's future," Meyers said. |
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Over the years, the Muskogee mill has entered into many partnerships
with the technology center, such as serving on Indian Capital
advisory boards. The mill has been honored through both the state
and national CareerTech system as an outstanding corporate
citizen, educational partner, and for boosting Oklahoma's economy
and employment opportunities for it citizens.
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"Indian Capital Technology
Center programs are an integral part of the success of our Muskogee
mill's continued growth," Meyers said.
"Skills and continued training provided by Oklahoma's technology center
system are progressive and a definite investment in the people of eastern
Oklahoma," he said. "We are strong supporters of the Oklahoma CareerTech
system and look forward to a continued partnership in the future." |
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