Part of McKinsey’s Basic Materials Practice, McKinsey's Pulp & Paper/Forest Products group helps clients focus on fundamentals so they can excel. We serve companies in a range of related forest-products industries, including forestry companies; producers of pulp, paper, and allied products; producers of lumber and solid-wood products; commercial printers; and packaging companies. Our team also works with suppliers of chemicals, minerals, and equipment used by forest-products companies.
Our expertise
Marketing
With a deep understanding of what drives the economics of the paper value chain and a focus on the needs of the paper producer's customer (and the customer's customer), we help companies move from a cost leadership mentality, where cost reduction is the only value-creating strategy, to becoming a partner with customers in order to increase productivity, and even innovation, in the entire value chain.
Organization
In the wake of increased merger and acquisition activity, companies often find that their old processes and organizations do not provide sufficient flexibility. We help clients understand which organizational structures and processes work best in their particular situation, and assist them in designing and implementing changes.
Productivity
We have broad experience in helping clients improve total productivity, including cost productivity (improving day-to-day manufacturing operations); capital productivity (making the right investments decisions, both on large-scale projects and day-to-day investments); and customer productivity (creating greater value from customer relationships).
Strategy
We work closely with our clients on growth, corporate and business-unit strategies, as well as other business-shaping initiatives. In devising growth strategies, we help evaluate the potential for overall segment consolidation, identify candidates for merger or acquisition, and assess the benefits (or risks) of individual transactions.