Aug 02, 2005. /Lesprom Network/. Fisher International, Inc. and the Center for paper business and industry studies (CPBIS) have announced plans to work together in a sponsorship arrangement that jointly reinforces their individual goals of providing insight and guidance to paper industry stakeholders and decision makers. Fisher International, Norwalk, Connecticut, is the leading information services and consulting firm to the paper industry. CPBIS, Atlanta, Georgia, is a research led, business focused partnership that serves as a catalyst for creative and innovative thinking and provides thought leadership across the paper industry. As part of the agreement, Fisher International will make available to CPBIS its Fisher Pulp and Paper Worldwide(TM) database, the industry's only complete and accurate source of its kind. The database details every operating mill worldwide that makes at least 50 TPD and includes information about companies, mills, paper machines, finishing, pulp lines, bleaching, power plants, chemical recovery, recausticizing, grades, production capacities, costs, every major piece of operating equipment, process automation, environmental processes, and other areas. This specialized database is the foundation of Fisher's unique benchmarking and business optimizing tools. Fisher International will also help CPBIS in creating webcast education sessions. As a CPBIS sponsor, Fisher International will participate in a variety of CPBIS activities and have access to research, educational forums, and Georgia Tech graduate program resources. Rod Fisher, founder and president of Fisher International, will serve on the Center's industry advisory board. "We look forward to an active and productive relationship with Jim McNutt and his staff at CPBIS," said Mr. Fisher. "Both organizations are committed to enhancing the performance of the pulp and paper industry, each in our own way. By working together and supporting each other through this type of arrangement, we hope to add to the efficiencies and overall vitality of the industry." The paper Center at Georgia Tech seeks to provide formal and informal forums intended to both allow and stimulate senior industry and academic leaders, scholars, and industry professionals to exchange ideas, provide guidance, and promote a sustainable Center platform and direction. Jim McNutt, executive director of the paper Center said, "The partnership with Fisher International will allow our researchers and staff greater connectivity with the industry and solid fundamental process oriented basic research data while at the same time expanding the reach of the Center tremendously. We look forward to building this valuable relationship with Fisher International." Fisher International, Inc. is the best-resourced information services and management consulting firm to the paper industry and to other process industries. Operating since 1985 with offices in North America and Europe and staff throughout the world, Fisher offers an integrated solution that comprises unique asset, trend and operational data, business tools and industry insight. The Center for paper business and industry studies at the Georgia Institute of Technology is a globally recognized academic research center, dedicated to the creation and dissemination of business oriented research and knowledge that is vital to the paper industry's future prosperity. It is a joint venture of industry, academe, and the Sloan foundation.