Frontline Innovation Drives Major Gains at Georgia-Pacific
Georgia-Pacific is accelerating its digital transformation with the Manufacturing Intelligence Quotient (MIQ), a frontline-built platform that is changing how mill employees access information, solve problems, and stay safe on the job. What began as a bottom-up technology initiative is now demonstrating measurable benefits across multiple operations.
At the Brewton Containerboard mill in Alabama, utilities control room operator Waymon Neal has witnessed more than four decades of new systems and tools. Few, he says, have had the immediate impact of MIQ. “Having all the information right there in your hand is one of the greatest changes I’ve seen,” he notes.
All essential information in one place
MIQ consolidates what was once scattered across more than 60 systems—SharePoint sites, file servers, spreadsheets, chat tools—into a single, easy-to-use platform. Employees can view procedures, check startup and shutdown steps, access equipment history, and troubleshoot issues directly from where they’re working.
“It’s been a game-changer,” says Brewton maintenance mechanic Zac Busby. “If I had to go back to the old way, it’d add about four extra miles of walking to my day.” Fellow mechanic Jordan Monarch agrees: “You type in a piece of equipment’s number and instantly get everything about it. I can take photos of something I don’t understand and get answers right away.”
At Alabama River Cellulose (ARC) in Perdue Hill, the experience is similar. “Once you get used to having everything in the palm of your hand, it’d be hard to go back,” says ARC product unit mechanic Johnny Brock.
Built with the people who use it
Unlike many industrial digital systems, MIQ was not designed and deployed from the top down. Operators, mechanics, and mill teams directly shaped its development. Their feedback influenced every feature, ensuring the platform solves practical, everyday challenges.
The results extend beyond productivity. The tool is improving safety by reducing unnecessary movement across large mill sites and giving employees immediate access to the right procedures and guidance. It is also strengthening communication and breaking down the silos that traditionally separate functions.
Expanding across the network
After a successful pilot, MIQ is now being rolled out to additional Georgia-Pacific mills. The company expects adoption to accelerate as more employees recognize how the platform enhances decision-making and makes complex tasks easier.
“We dreamed this up so well in the beginning, but we’ve only scratched the surface,” says Jacob Turner, Brewton’s manufacturing transformation leader. “As more people get this in their hands, you’re going to see things we’ve never even thought of yet.”
Based in Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific is a major producer of tissue, paper-based packaging, cellulose, building products, and engineered wood. The company operates more than 150 facilities across North America and employs around 30,000 people, supporting tens of thousands more through its extended supply chain.
Source: Georgia-Pacific
