MeadWestvaco Corporation
MeadWestvaco Corporation is a leader in producing packaging, coated and specialty papers and chemicals. MeadWestvaco’s internal consulting group employs sampling to offer a lot of information that assists the company in getting vital productivity benefits and competitive. The company’s managers require information that is reliable and accurate about timberlands and forests to evaluate the ability to meet the future raw materials needs of the company. Managers has to know the present volume, the past growth and the projected future growth of the forests. The managers will use such information to develop plans which involve long-term planting and harvesting schedules for the trees.
The sampling process entails collecting data from sample plots throughout the forest, which provides information about the population of trees. The method of sampling used by MeadWestvaco Corporation is random sampling. Timberland holdings are first divided into three sections, which are used for the identity of sample plots depending on location and type of trees. Also, MeadWestvaco analysts use maps and random numbers to random identity samples of 1/5 to 1/7 acre plots in every section of the forest. Data is collected by MeadWestvaco foresters from these sample plots to learn about the population of the forest. Foresters throughout the organization take part in the field data collection process. After a specific regular of time, two-person teams collect information on each tree in every sample plot. The sample data gathered are entered into the company’s continuous forest inventory ( CFI ) computer system. CFI system contains reports such as several frequency distribution summaries containing statistics on types of trees, present forest volume, past forest growth rates, and projected future forest growth and capacity. Moreover, sampling and the associated statistical summaries of the sample data offer the reports crucial for the effective and efficient management of MeadWestvaco ‘s forests and timberlands.