Paper Technology Journal 17 - Voith

Roland Pechtl
Special purpose machines
roland.pechtl@voith.com
Fig. 1: Mudanjiang Hengfeng
Paper Group Co. Ltd.
Fig. 2: Layout PM 12.
Hengfeng PM 12 –
new quality benchmark for cigarette paper
“We want to become China’s leading manufacturer for
cigarette papers, both in quality and quantity.” With this statement,
Mudanjiang Hengfeng Paper contacted Voith in the summer of
2001. A little less than two years later, at the end of June 2003,
the PM 12 started production at 80% of design speed and was
handed over to the customer after successful trial operation on
July 8, 2003. The official inauguration with a festive ceremony
was on August 8, 2003.
The contract
Paper Machines
Voith was able to demonstrate its system
competence also in the area of specialty
papers. The scope of responsibility included
the complete production line from
chemical pulp preparation to winding, including
secondary plants, broke preparation
as well as chemical additives metering
and fiber recovery.
The project
The project managers, one each from the
customer and supplier, had to face two
large challenges.
The first task was to meet a very ambitious
schedule – just about 17 months
would elapse from project start to
saleable paper. The difficult climatic con-
33
ditions were an additional problem. For
example, the necessary data for the
building had to be available within a very
short period of time to allow completion
of the building in time before winter began.
In addition, it was necessary to
store all rolls with temperature-sensitive
covers on the construction site before the
first frost.
The second task was not as obvious, but
the basic condition for success. How do
the project managers ensure smooth
communication between specialists from
very different cultures?
An interesting observation was made in
the course of this project: The teams
from the customer and supplier became
one team within just a few weeks. This
team, composed of competent experts,
pursued a common goal in a professional
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