Philippe Bourgeois: a passion for paper serving the future of MPH1865
With over 20 years of experience in the paper industry, Philippe Bourgeois joins MPH1865 as director of the paper mill. Driven by a passion for hands-on work, a sense of community, and a desire to share his knowledge, he is enthusiastically embarking on this new industrial and human adventure, with a focus on innovation, operational excellence, and the transmission of expertise.
Can you introduce yourself in a few words?
My name is Philippe Bourgeois, I am 48 years old, married, and the father of four boys. I am driven by a passion for the paper industry, a sector in which I have been working for over 20 years. What motivates me on a daily basis? A taste for hands-on work, the richness of teamwork, the constant quest for progress, and the desire to pass on my expertise to the next generation of paper makers.
What was your career path before joining MPH1865?
My career began in the pharmaceutical industry, a rigorous and demanding field that taught me method and precision. But it was in the paper industry that I truly found my calling, when I joined Delipapier, which later became a subsidiary of the international Sofidel group.
I worked my way up the ranks before becoming a foreman in charge of a team of 17 people.
It was also during this time that I had the pleasure of meeting talented colleagues such as Christopher Colin, a promising young engineer with whom I shared some memorable moments.
But one of the highlights of my career was my assignment in the United States: I participated in the creation of two paper mills, one in Ohio with the installation of two Valmet machines and another in Oklahoma with one Toscotec machine.
Working with Valmet, Toscotec, Sofidel, and above all, training American teams in a multicultural context was an unforgettable human and technical experience.
What motivated you to join MPH1865?
Two of my brothers have been working at MPH since the launch of the first machine. They shared with me the ambition of the projects underway:
- Start-up of a new machine,
- Launch of a Waste Paper Line,
- Modernization of processes,
- And above all, a family business spirit on a human scale, combined with a fierce desire to reinvent itself.
What ultimately convinced me was the personality of the president and his team, who are passionate about innovation, attentive to their employees, and deeply committed to the development of a local, sustainable, and forward-looking industry.
MPH is a family business rooted in its values, but resolutely focused on the future. It is an ideal environment in which to continue to progress, share my experience, and support the major industrial challenges that lie ahead.
What were your first impressions when you arrived?
As soon as I arrived, one thing struck me: the energy that drives the teams. MPH is a company that is constantly progressing, driven by ambitious management and committed employees. The focus on training, skills transfer, and continuous improvement is palpable. The exchanges with suppliers, the investment in equipment, the constant search for innovation… All of this confirms that I have joined a modern company that is resolutely focused on the future.
What are the major challenges you see for the group’s paper mill business?
The industrial world is changing rapidly. Customer expectations, environmental requirements, energy constraints, process digitization… these are all challenges that we must anticipate and integrate. In my opinion, the major challenges ahead are:
- Maintaining a high level of performance while innovating: developing our lines to be more productive and flexible,
- Successfully integrating technology: moving towards a connected factory (4.0) capable of leveraging artificial intelligence and data,
- Training and developing the men and women in the workshop: this is the key to our success,
- Maintaining a strong team spirit, in a context where technology cannot function without people.
What is your vision for the future of our paper business?
I firmly believe that the future of our business lies in striking a balance between tradition and modernity.
Our profession remains rooted in valuable expertise, but today it must embrace new tools, a culture of sharing, and a collaborative and sustainable approach.
My vision is that of a paper mill that is:
- Modern, data-driven, with increased process control
- Responsible, training its teams for the jobs of tomorrow
- Innovative, integrating the best technologies in the sector
- And above all, human, where the expertise and passion of the teams are recognized and valued.
Any words for the teams or for those who will read this?
I am proud to be part of the MPH adventure. Joining a company undergoing rapid transformation, driven by solid projects, is a real source of motivation.
To all the teams, I want to say thank you for your welcome, your commitment, and your professionalism. Together, we will write the next chapter in this wonderful industrial story. And for those who are still hesitating to join our sector or our company, I would say: Take a chance on industry! It is a world where every day is different, where there are many challenges, but where we build something concrete, as a team, with meaning.