Managing Through Uncertainty

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, there has never been a more pressing need for organizations to rethink and reconfigure their businesses for a changed world.

Domtar, a leading global paper manufacturer and distributor, has refocused their efforts on supporting key areas that will help them to stabilize in the new environment and strategize for what comes next. Domtar announced earlier this year it would aim to cut $200 million in annual spending by the end of the year and reduce its workforce by nearly 800 employees – hard decisions for any leader to make.

“We performed very well in the quarter in a challenging operating environment. Our teams have demonstrated tremendous resiliency, continuously adapting to changing market conditions, maintaining a keen focus on health and safety and decisively taking actions to serve our customers in the face of unprecedented conditions,” says John D. Williams, President and CEO. “We benefited from further market recovery and we made good progress with some of our strategic initiatives.”

Join WACC for a discussion with John Williams as we learn how to “manage through uncertainty” in the global economy.

WACC Distinguished Speaker Series

Date: Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Time: 2:00 – 3:00 P.M. EST
Cost: Free (WACC Members); Donations Expected (Non-Members)

     

Biography
John D. Williams has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Domtar since January 2009. He is also a member of the Board of Directors.

Mr. Williams has more than 40 years of experience in both consumer products and packaging. He began his career in consumer product sales in 1976, gaining insight into key market dynamics in the U.K. and the U.S. Since joining Domtar in 2009, Mr. Williams has led Domtar’s transformation from a strictly paper manufacturing enterprise to a significant player in the absorbent hygiene market. At the same time, he cut costs and invested in new and innovative technologies to help grow their pulp production to the third-largest producer in the world.

Mr. Williams is Lead Independent Director of the Board of Directors of Owens Corning (NYSE: OC); a Director of Form Technologies, Inc., a privately-held leading global group of precision component manufacturers based in Charlotte, North Carolina; the Chair of the advisory board of the Stern Center for Sustainable Business at New York University. He also a board member for nonprofit Camp Blue Skies Foundation, which is dedicated to enhancing the lives of adults with intellectual disabilities, and he is Chairman of Trustees for the Palisades Episcopal School, a private school in Mecklenburg County.