
What the Industrial Goods Workforce Wants
A global survey of 16,600 industrial sector employees reveals changing attitudes about work, what’s important on the job, and the training needed to stay ahead.
Forest product industries must stretch from their roots to create new products, adopt new ways of doing business, and seek out new ventures. BCG has the industry knowledge, global reach, and tools to help.
Changing times mean changing practices, products, and organization structures for the forest product, paper, and packaging industries. Each one is adapting to thrive in a challenging environment, with digital communications continuing to outpace print media, pressure mounting to optimize operations in order to cut costs, and intense attention focused on sustainable business practices and environmental stewardship.
To evolve, forest product companies must look for ways to conserve resources and energy while maximizing output. Paper manufacturing companies need to seek out new applications for their products as shifting preferences alter demand and markets. Paper and packaging companies must accommodate growing interest in paper-based alternatives to plastic, especially when it comes to paper-based consumer products. And companies of all stripes must embrace digital technologies to improve manufacturing, supply chains, and other processes.
BCG uses its deep knowledge of the forest product, paper, and packaging industries to establish the kind of long-term client partnerships that are needed to navigate the transformation journey. By combining sector know-how, business function expertise, global coverage, and digital capabilities, we can assist clients of all types, from a multinational forest product manufacturer launching a digital transformation to an independent pulp and paper mill converting to producing a different grade of paper.
In addition to our proprietary sector knowledge, BCG brings ready-to-use market models, toolkits, and databases to its work with forest product, paper, and packaging clients. Project work spans key functional topics, including:
For work that involves digital transformation for forest products, our industry experts work hand in hand with digital experts from our specialty businesses: with BCG Gamma, for projects that involve advanced analytics and AI; with BCG Platinion, when developing and implementing business-critical IT architecture and digital solutions; and with BCG Digital Ventures, for projects that involve launching or investing in a new business.
The BCG forest products consulting team also collaborates with other experts in the firm on issues related to sustainability, forest building materials, operations, marketing, and sales and pricing.
A global survey of 16,600 industrial sector employees reveals changing attitudes about work, what’s important on the job, and the training needed to stay ahead.
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