In this past winter, I was doing research for a paper I was presenting at a conference. I came to the conclusion that, in developed countries, a conventionally sized tissue machine serves approximately 4 million people. From this piece of information, it is quite easy to reach other conclusions.

The United State performs a population Census every ten years, with the most recent done in 2020. A result of the census is a reapportionment of the US House of Representatives, based on population moves. Thus, some states gain seats, and some states lose seats.

What is important going forward is to look at the numbers of seats one and lost. This may be a predictor of the balance in tissue machines and the planning for new tissue machines. This looks like a good place to start, tissue producers, as you look at the future of the business.

Jim Thompson is CEO of Paperitalo Publications.