Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/1148323
w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m A u g u s t 2 0 19 • I NSIGH T | 27 ONLINE: Listen to BPM Inc. General Manager Jim Koronkiewicz discuss how the Peshtigo company is uniquely situated to meet customers' needs through its papermaking, printing, coating and converting services. [ c o n t i n u e d ] » paid summer externship at an area business. e teachers come away with a better understanding of the skills and knowledge necessary for different jobs, while the participating businesses create lasting partnerships with educators, which can increase opportunities for student job shadowing, plant tours and career speakers. rough Inspire, students can learn about career opportunities and have a chance to go on tours, find mentors and secure job shadow experiences and internships. During the recent NEWMA membership meeting in Manitowoc, BPM's Inspire profile was held up as an example of what companies could do with the program. "With both programs, we raise awareness about what we do here and the But things weren't always that way. As Badger Paper Mill, the company had a bloated org chart that made operations less than efficient. Once Azzar purchased the company, some workers came back, while new ones also came on. Koronkiewicz says the company's entire culture changed overnight. "We went from being a place with a huge org chart to one where everyone's job was focused on getting the orders in, done and out the door," he says. "Our job was to make it work and we did." For the next 10 years, BPM focused on survival and building up business. For the past five years, the company has focused on another challenge: finding enough workers with the right skills. BPM — and Koronkiewicz personally — has been proactive in attracting new workers to manufacturing. e company is active with the Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance, works with CESA 8 on two programs and reaches out to postsecondary schools in the region. "Jim's a passionate leader and always looking for opportunities to collaborate and partner to promote manufacturing jobs," says NEWMA Director Ann Franz. "When we are looking for someone to help with a program, he's the first one to raise his hand." Franz says Koronkiewicz, a former member of the Peshtigo school board, is passionate about K-12 education, with BPM serving as a sponsor to send math and tech teachers to last year's "Get Real Math!" video premiere. With CESA 8, BPM is involved in its Career Academy Teacher Externship (CATE) and its Inspire program. With CATE, middle and high school teachers are selected to work side-by-side with industry peers during a three- to five-day types of opportunities here," Koronkiewicz says. "Some people may have an idea, but it's not always accurate." At the postsecondary level, BPM works with both Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and the University of Wisconsin- BPM INC. Headquarters: Peshtigo Year founded: 1929 What it does: Manufactures specialty papers and converted materials for the packaging, food service and confectionery industries. Provides full-service printing and in-house capabilities to add coating to flexible packaging products. Produces uncoated fine papers under the Envirographic 100 brand. Employees: 120 bpmpaper.com "Developing new products is one way we can really grow. Being small, we're nimble. We have a short chain of command here so if there's a new idea or special request, we can do it." —Rod Wiltzius, BPM converting manager