Introduction
Michael Kozlowski is an electrical engineer whose career reflects the increasingly technical nature of modernization in the pulp and paper industry. With more than two decades of experience in drives and power systems, he has worked with major industrial operations, contributed to mill modernization projects, and presented technical research at professional engineering conferences.
Much of Kozlowski’s professional profile is associated with ABB, where he has developed specialized expertise in pulp and paper drive systems. His published case studies and conference papers examine practical engineering challenges, including pump-system optimization, the modernization of traditional paper-machine drives, and the conversion of steam-powered equipment to sectional electric drives.
Education and Early Background
Kozlowski indicates that he earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from West Virginia University. His academic background provided the foundation for a career centered on electrical systems, industrial drives, automation, and power applications.
Before specializing in pulp and paper engineering, Kozlowski worked in the technology sector. His professional history includes positions or roles associated with IBM, Navteq, and Cisco Systems.
Career at ABB
Kozlowski’s career began in 2010, when he joined ABB and became involved with its pulp and paper business. ABB is a major global engineering company with technologies covering electrification, automation, motion, and industrial systems.
Kozlowski’s work focused increasingly on drive systems and electrical modernization within paper and forest-product facilities. By 2015, he was identified as a Senior Principal Engineer for the Paper and Forest Products Industry, with professional descriptions noting approximately 22 years of experience in drives and power systems.
Over time, his responsibilities developed into consulting work involving pulp and paper drive systems in North America. His professional role has included advising mills on modernization and helping evaluate electrical-drive solutions for demanding industrial applications.
This specialization is important because paper machines are complex systems containing numerous mechanically and electrically coordinated sections. Modernizing those systems requires more than replacing individual components; engineers must consider synchronization, process control, power requirements, reliability, and the interaction between different sections of a production line.
Michael Kozlowski and TAPPI-Related Technical Work
The search term Michael Kozlowski TAPPI is closely connected to his technical contributions to the pulp and paper engineering community. His work includes conference papers addressing real-world modernization projects and established engineering practices.
The notable subject has been the use of traditional TAPPI constants in paper-machine drive calculations. Kozlowski authored “Review of TAPPI Constants in the Modernization of a Lineshaft Paper Machine to Sectional Electrics,” presented at the IEEE Pulp and Paper Industry Conference in 2024.
The study examined legacy constants used in drive-system engineering when converting a conventional line-shaft paper machine to sectional electric drives. Such modernization can significantly change how individual sections of a machine are controlled, making accurate engineering assumptions particularly important.
Published Case Studies and Conference Recognition
Kozlowski has also contributed to technical papers dealing with specific industrial applications.
In 2022, he participated in the presentation of “Bleach Plant Pumping System Optimization Case Study” at the IEEE Pulp and Paper Industry Conference in Niagara Falls, Canada. The paper was recognized with a second-place overall award at the conference.
Another significant contribution came in 2026. Kozlowski co-authored “Conversion of a Paper Machine Dryer & Calender from Steam Turbine to Sectional Electrics” with Shawn Ballenger and David Deese. The paper received First Place in the Mill Paper category at IEEE PPIC 2026.
The subject is particularly relevant to industrial modernization. Replacing steam-turbine-driven equipment with sectional electric drives can alter a mill’s approach to machine control, energy use, maintenance, and operational flexibility.
Professional Recognition and Affiliations
Kozlowski’s conference participation and technical publications have established him as a specialist within the pulp and paper engineering community. He is also identified as a Senior Member of IEEE, reflecting his professional involvement with the electrical engineering field.
His association with TAPPI-related technical work further connects him to a professional community focused on the pulp, paper, packaging, and forest-products industries. His conference contributions are especially valuable because they translate engineering experience from operating industrial environments into documented case studies.
Current Professional Focus
As of 2026, Michael Kozlowski remains associated with ABB and continues to work in pulp and paper drive-system engineering. His professional focus centers on helping industrial facilities modernize electrical and drive technologies while addressing the practical requirements of large-scale manufacturing.
His career illustrates how specialized engineering expertise develops through a combination of formal education, technology-sector experience, industrial consulting, and technical knowledge-sharing.
Conclusion
Michael Kozlowski’s professional story is primarily one of technical specialization. From an electrical engineering education at West Virginia University and early experience with major technology companies to his long tenure at ABB, his career has increasingly focused on the electrical and drive systems that support pulp and paper manufacturing.
His participation in IEEE PPIC and TAPPI-related technical work has added another dimension to that career, allowing practical engineering experience to be shared with the wider industry. The recognition received by his conference papers, including the first-place Mill Paper award in 2026, underscores the relevance of this work.
