Client's Comments
About Panther as a Supplier Company
"Throughout the evaluation, the Production Systems groups developed a strong relationship with Panther Systems, which has helped solidify the recommendation to proceed with the Panther end-to-end option at the mills. The strength of the relationship is based on who Panther is as an organization, as well as their attitude and commitment during the tests.
- Panther Systems is a company whose entire focus is on the Pulp and Paper Industry.
- Panther’s software suite is tailored to (company’s) business processes at the mills, and can be installed with few major modifications.
- The relationship between the Panther staff members and the groups has developed into a mutually beneficial partnership.
- Panther has demonstrated acceptance of (company’s) ideas, and has welcomed joint development work.
— Production Management Team, major US Paper Company
“I feel the value proposition presented by Panther demonstrated a commitment to the needs of our company. During the decision process, we outlined certain criteria necessary for our mill to continue on their path towards excellence. Panther Systems stepped up to the plate and met the challenge.”
— Executive VP & General Manager, US Paper Company
About System Evaluation & Selection
“MES vendors were narrowed from a field of seven possibilities to a short list of three. Panther Systems and 2 other major suppliers were methodically evaluated and interviewed before settling on Panther Systems. The Production Team tested Panther systems software to meet business needs for reel creation at the paper machine, quality accounting, trim execution and roll production through scaling and labeling.”
— Evaluation Team, Major US Paperboard Company
“Our research identified several systems that met our technical requirements but few suppliers that aligned well with our corporate culture. Ultimately, Panther was chosen based on our assessment of the company, their people, and a demonstrated track record of implementing their systems on time and within budget.”
— Corporate Manager of IT, US Mid-Size Paper Company
“MES vendors were narrowed from a field of seven possibilities to a short list of three. Panther Systems and 2 other major suppliers were methodically evaluated and interviewed before settling on Panther Systems. The Production Team tested Panther systems software to meet business needs for reel creation at the paper machine, quality accounting, trim execution and roll production through scaling and labeling.”
— Evaluation Team, Major US Paperboard Company
About Paper Machine Measurement & Control
“I am also impressed with the job that Panther has done in a very short time. The systems are being evaluated and problems are being solved. If this level of performance continues, I look forward to an easier job for both the Mill(s) and Panther. The next proving point will be the installation of the new system on #2.”
— Mill Manager, Western Paper Mill
“The benefit from Panther is their expertise in heavy weight board paper machine control, and their willingness to take the time to assess the real needs. They were able to find problems that were never addressed by the previous vendor, and to convince us they knew what results can be achieved if the problems were resolved. In one instance, we jointly tried to save and reuse the existing moisture sensor, but it ultimately became apparent we needed to replace if we were going to be successful.”
— Mill Manager, West Coast Paper Mill
About Lab Quality Information Integration
“The new system has improved roll quality by allowing for increased attention to cross direction test profiles. This system will now allow wet end personnel to have access to real time test data and will let them look at reel averages, roll averages and CD profile graphs.”
— Manager of Quality Assurance, Mid Eastern Paper Mill
The integrated solution produced benefits in the availability and consistency of data. Since all the applications share a common data base structure, the integrity and immediacy of data allows operators to make informed decisions without consulting a supervisor to analyze an unusual occurrence. Increased data confidence also allows the mill to seek real causes of problems rather than assume a system data oddity. Two such instances were recorded that improved mill operations and reduced manufacturing cost.
— IT Manager, Southern Paper Mill
About Inventory Reduction
“With (our) new MillTools system, like rolls can be soft allocated in warehouse bays. An order can be quickly assembled and shipped from the available inventory. This flexibility initially decreased inventory requirements by 33%, while improving shipping efficiency and accuracy. It also drastically reduced overtime costs which were necessary to keep up to production requirements with the old system. Partial load shipments have been eliminated. Further inventory reductions are being pursued as the operational efficiency goes up. Flexibility of fulfilling orders quickly is a major benefit to the shipping department.”
— Shipping Dept Manager, Southern paper Mill
On Panther Reporting Software
“One of the major strengths of Panther Systems is their fully developed web based reporting system. A secured user can inquire on a ship-to customer and view all the associated orders for that particular customer and their current order status. By selecting one of those orders, the user can see all rolls associated with the order along with their quality attributes. The user also has the ability to view quality test information in graphical form. The logistics team views this ability as a valuable asset that can be used by local mill personnel, select customers and the sales group.”
— Logistics Manager, Multi-Mill US Paper Company
On Panther System Implementation
“The startup went very well, almost a non event. I attribute a great deal of that success to the diligence of the project team and their willingness to involve end users in the process early and often. The other component to that success was the due diligence we did up front in selecting the right system and a vendor with whom we could work.”
— General Manager, NE paper Mill
“I am very impressed with the service we are seeing from Panther. The issues are getting written down, a plan developed for addressing, and action is happening. This is dramatically different than our experiences of the past. Keep up the good work!”
— Vice President & General Manager, US West Coast Paper Mill Group
About Reduced Support
“Single vendor support for the combined roll tracking and dry lab systems enhances support efficiency”
— IT Manager, Southern Paper Mill
