This week’s episode of “WisBusiness: the Podcast” is with returning guest Scott Suder, president of the Wisconsin Paper Council.
Suder offers a snapshot of the state’s paper industry, as well as the outlook for the rest of 2026, calling it “stable and growing” with multiple recent high-profile projects.
“We have a huge presence and footprint here in Wisconsin; we’re the number one paper-producing state in the entire nation, we still hold that title proudly,” he said. “And you know, we’ve had some successes within the last three to five years.”
He pointed to two new $500 million paper mills being built by Georgia Pacific and Green Bay Packaging, arguing the companies chose Wisconsin for these investments based on the strength of its workforce and supply chain.
Suder also shares an update on an industry-led study developing a strategic roadmap for the state’s forest products sector.
The Wisconsin Forests FIRST initiative, fueled by a two-year $1 million state grant, is conducting research and data analysis to assess market conditions as well as growth opportunities. The effort’s strategic plan will be delivered by the end of 2028, with a goal of influencing policy decisions and sector investments going forward.
“And looking at investment strategies for the future, protecting the infrastructure we have, finding ways to enhance what we have in terms of our footprint, but also looking at workforce development efforts as well,” he said.
Suder stressed the importance of growing the industry and staying globally competitive.
“We want to keep, certainly for papermaking, our status as number one throughout the nation, but more importantly, we want to keep those jobs here and create even more jobs going forward,” he said.
Wisconsin’s forest products sector employs more than 56,000 workers, largely in paper and wood product manufacturing, according to state figures.
Part of that effort includes educating more residents about the opportunities presented by employment in the forest products sector, he said.
“These are great jobs, and you know, they can move very quickly up the employment ladder, and I think sometimes that’s not the impression that some individuals have, or they don’t have an impression of the forest industry at all,” he said. “And we need to turn that around, and we’re working to do that.”
Listen to the podcast below, sponsored by UW-Madison:
