Valmet has signed an agreement with Graphic Packaging International to provide an operator training program that includes a site-specific Valmet Training Simulator for the Waco, TX facility in the U.S.
This operator training program is part of the coated board machine project announced in 2023. As part of Valmet’s integrated training package, these highly realistic simulators play a vital role in ensuring successful start-up and efficient long-term operation of key process and machine modules. The start-up of the machine is scheduled for early 2026.
Scott LeBeau, Senior Vice President, Paperboard Manufacturing, GPI, commented, “We greatly value our relationship with Valmet and are excited to partner with them on this advancement in training technology. We anticipate that the training simulator will effectively prepare our technicians for their roles and help to accelerate the start-up of our Waco paperboard manufacturing facility.”
“We value our partnership with GPI, and we’re pleased to offer the Training Simulator along with the new coated board machine. The simulator is going to bring the GPI operators up to a higher level of proficiency before start-up and enable them to better avoid and recover from unplanned shutdowns,” says Kari Huovila, Vice President, North America, Automation Systems, Valmet.
The Valmet Training Simulator is an exact digital copy of the mill’s processes and controls, allowing personnel to safely practice hands-on procedures and scenarios to strengthen safe behavior and prepare for troubleshooting. The Simulator has a planned delivery for the first quarter of 2025 with interactive training being done during the start-up and commissioning period that is planned throughout the first quarter of 2026.
