Jan/ Feb 2018 BoxScore by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association

Jan/Feb 2018 Vol. 22 Issue 1

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A PUBLICATION OF AICC, THE INDEPENDENT PACKAGING ASSOCIATION

ALSO INSIDE: UNPACKING 2018 | AN EXPANSIVE NEW YEAR

January/February 2018 Volume 22, No. 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS January/February 2018 • Volume 22, Issue 1

COLUMNS

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

132 THE ASSOCIATE ADVANTAGE 136 THE FINAL SCORE DEPARTMENTS

122 WELCOME NEW MEMBERS 125 GOOD FOR BUSINESS 134 ICPF UPDATE

6 FEATURES

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE AICC Associate members highlight their diverse offerings

EQUIPMENT

DIES, ROLLS, PLATES, AND ACCESSORIES

INKS AND COATINGS

SHEETS, PAPER, AND PRINTING

101 SERVICES 112 SOFTWARE AND ELECTRONICS

126

Visit www.aiccboxscore.org for Member News and even more great columns. Scan the QR code to check them out!

126 UNPACKING 2018 Three AICC members share their insights on the months ahead

BoxScore is published bimonthly by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association, PO Box 25708, Alexandria, VA 22313, USA. Rates for reprints and permissions of articles printed are available upon request. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of AICC. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial or advertising matter at its discretion. The publisher is not responsible for claims made by advertisers. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to BoxScore, AICC, PO Box 25708, Alexandria, VA 22313, USA. ©2018 AICC. All rights reserved.

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

OFFICERS Chairman: Al Hoodwin, Michigan City Paper Box Co. First Vice Chairman: Joe Palmeri, Jamestown Container Companies Vice Chairman: Jay Carman, StandFast Packaging Vice Chairman: John Forrey, Specialty Industries/Krafcor/ NuPack Printing Vice Chairwoman: Jana Harris, Harris Packaging/ American Carton (SP/FC) DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE Kevin Ausburn, SMC Packaging Group Matt Davis, Packaging Express Eric Elgin, Oklahoma Interpak Marco Ferrara, Cartones Sultana Finn MacDonald, Independent II Nelva Walz, Elegant Packaging DIRECTORS Doug Rawson, Superior Lithographics David DeLine, Deline Box Company Justin Mathes, Vanguard Companies Mike Schaefer, Tavens Packaging & Display Gary Brewer, Package Crafters Inc. Guy Ockerland, OxBox Pedro R. Aguirre, Tecnología de Cartón Joe Hodges, Mid-Atlantic Packaging Larry Grossbard, President Container Group Peter Hamilton, Rand-Whitney Corporation John Franciosa, McLeish Corr-A-Box, Coyle Packaging Group Kim Nelson, Royal Containers Ltd. President: A. Steven Young, AICC Headquarters Immediate Past Chairman: Tony Schleich, Lawrence Paper Company, American Packaging Division Chairman, Past Chairmen’s Council: Mark Williams, Richmond Corrugated

Secretary/General Counsel: David P. Goch, Webster, Chamberlain, and Bean Counsel Emeritus: Paul H. Vishny, Esq.

SUBMIT EDITORIAL IDEAS, NEWS & LETTERS TO: BoxScore@theYGSgroup.com

EMERGING LEADER BOARD DELEGATES Josh Sobel, Jamestown Container Companies Terri-Lynn Levesque, Royal Containers Ltd.

CONTRIBUTORS Mike D'Angelo, Vice President Maria Frustaci, Director of Administration and Director of Latin America Cindy Huber, Director of Meetings and Conventions Chelsea May, Member Services Coordinator Laura Mihalick, Senior Meetings Manager Taryn Pyle, Director of Training, Education and Professional Development Alyce Ryan, Marketing Associate Richard M. Flaherty, President, ICPF

ASSOCIATE MEMBER DIRECTORS Chairman: Ed Gargiulo, Equipment Finance Corp. Vice Chairman: David Burgess, JB Machinery Secretary: Pat Szany, American Corrugated Machine Corp. Director: Joe Morelli, Huston Patterson Printers Immediate Past Chairman: Jeff Pallini, Fosber America ADVISORS TO THE CHAIRMAN Kim Nelson, Royal Containers Ltd. Ed Gargiulo, Equipment Finance Corp. Jim Akers, Akers Packaging PUBLICATION STAFF Publisher: A. Steven Young, syoung@aiccbox.org Editor: Virginia Humphrey, vhumphrey@aiccbox.org EDITORIAL/DESIGN SERVICES The YGS Group • www.theYGSgroup.com VP, Marketing Services: Jack Davidson Editorial Director: Annette Gray Senior Managing Editor: Ashley Reid Senior Editor: Sam Hoffmeister Copy Editor: Steve Kennedy Associate Editor: Drew Bankert Creative Director: Serena Spiezio Art Director: Jason Deller Account Manager: Brian Hershey

ADVERTISING Information: Virginia Humphrey, vhumphrey@aiccbox.org Opportunities: Howard Neft, InTheKnow Inc. 847-899-7104 • thneft@aol.com Taryn Pyle 703-535-1391 • tpyle@aiccbox.org AICC PO Box 25708 Alexandria, VA 22313 Phone 703-836-2422 Toll-free 877-836-2422 Fax 703-836-2795 www.aiccbox.org

ABOUT AICC AICC, The Independent Packaging Association, is uniting and celebrating the success of inspired, independent packaging companies. We are a growing membership association which has served independents since 1974. AICC SERVES: Passionate professionals; The independent and united; The responsive and agile. AICC WILL: Connect and cultivate; Deliver success.

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At C&M Conveyor, we’ve enhanced our ability to meet the demands of today’s corrugated marketplace by adding products and manufacturing capability. The benefit to you: maximum throughput with the flexibility to meet your customers’ ever-changing needs. Our project management approach means we’ll identify your requirements, manufacture to your specs and install on time. Contact us today; let us solve your toughest problem. Leading supplier to the corrugated box industry 4598 State Rd. 37 • Mitchell, IN 47446 812-558-7960 • 800-551-3195 www.cmconveyor.com

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

New Industry Leading Software iNEXT Renamed EnCore

“I think the name EnCore says it all! We will continue to challenge our Software Solutions to deliver more, so our 600 customers and 50,000 users can do more for their customers.” - Cosmo DeNicola

After an industry wide naming competition, with hundres of submissions, Amtech’s iNEXT software is now EnCore! The winning submission was received from Nathan Bevers of Dura Fibre “My inpiration came from Amtech’s long history of constantly going the extra mile by updating their software, creating new modules and transitioning to the latest technology.” EnCore, previously known as iNEXT, is the cloud-based next generation software to Amtech’s industry leading Imaginera.

“When your customers demand more, turn to EnCore!” For more information, please contact Darren Artillio at DArtillio@amtechsoftware.com

Chairman’s Message

BUY AICC!

his issue of BoxScore takes an in-depth look at where our industry is headed in 2018. This discussion will then continue at our Spring Meeting at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass in Phoenix, April 16–18, as we look into the future of our paper supply, as well as several disruptive forces that are affecting our industry, such as the theoretical decline of retail and the continued rise of e-commerce. The purpose of providing you with all of this insight is to help you make the right capital expenditure decisions to ensure the continued success of your organization. A critical player in all of this is our Associate, or supplier, members. The Associate members of AICC support our industry and our efforts to remain a fiercely competitive and sustainable segment of our marketplace. They are on the road every day and in the doors of all of our members, and they know what is going on in the marketplace. They know which solutions work and which don’t. There would be no excuse not to listen to what our Associates have to offer when making these major decisions. But getting advice from our Associates is just one small benefit. The real benefit of our partnership culture at AICC is the collaborative efforts that occur between our suppliers and our members. When I look at my own shop floor, the machines that are the most productive are the machines that have been developed in collaboration with my machinery suppliers. As hard as an Associate member works in developing a new piece of machinery, it is only with time on the shop floor that the real improvements can be made. I’m blessed to have a talented mechanical department, so when they figure out an improvement on a new machine, we share that improvement with our Associate members so they can enhance and include that improvement on future machines they sell—even to my competitors. The next time I have to buy the same machine, it will already come pre-installed with all of our improvements, along with some improvements suggested by other customers. It is a win-win situation. So, when you are implementing a new project in your plant, please invite your AICC Associates to the table. Listen and learn from them. Work with them. And if you do buy a solution from a nonmember, encourage them to join AICC and to invest in the organization that is here to ensure your future success and agility in the marketplace. Support those who support you. Buy AICC.

Al Hoodwin CEO, Michigan City Paper Box Co. Chairman, AICC

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE began when AICC Vice President Michael D’Angelo, who formerly worked at an Associate member company, said, “You know what I wanted when I was a member …?” This issue is a venue for AICC Associate members to tell the membership at large who they are and what they do.

The opportunity to submit a company article was opened to all Associate members in good standing, and more than 80 companies provided material. We were impressed with the participation we saw. We hope you are as well. Associate members have always been welcomed in AICC. The Association often relies on them to keep us informed on changes in the market and technology, as expert speakers and trainers, and as contributors to AICC publications, including BoxScore. Associate members also offer significant financial support that allows AICC to continually enhance its member benefits. One of AICC’s goals is to help members see opportunities, and then gather information and materials that will be helpful in shaping the future of their business. It is our hope that The Big Associate Issue will serve as an effective tool for increasing your understanding of all that is available to you. It is a reference book of what is available to independent converters today, segmented into:

• EQUIPMENT • DIES, ROLLS, PLATES, AND ACCESSORIES • INKS, COATINGS, AND ADHESIVES

• SHEETS, PAPER, AND PRINTING • SERVICES • SOFTWARE AND ELECTRONICS

To the converters reading this magazine and using it throughout the year, as Al Hoodwin, president of Michigan City Paper Box and current chairman of AICC, says, give your fellow members a “first look.” Support the companies that support your Association. When you speak with an Associate member, please let them know that you saw their article in BoxScore to allow us to continue to offer this benefit to the membership.

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

EQUIPMENT THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

ALLIANCE MACHINE SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, LLC Intelligent Productivity From Alliance Without a doubt, the efficiency of any corrugated converting machine is defined by the technologies that feed the blanks and take away the finished boxes or die cuts. For over 35 years, Alliance Machine Systems International has improved customer performance and continues to focus on delivering high productivity. Automation of U.S. corrugated production lines has picked up momentum as technology has become faster and more reliable. Alliance has successfully automated some of the fastest lines in the world. Double kicking, breaking, and twin box slitting (TBS) can double the throughput of the finishing machine without increasing its KPM speed (kicks per minute). For example, with the addition of a twin box slitter, a 350-KPM high speed FFG can now produce up to 700 boxes per minute. At 25 count bundles, an automatic palletizer has to place 28 bundles per minute. Solutions that run at these speeds have to be specifically engineered for the product mix and plant layout. Mark Duchesne, President of Alliance, reports, “2017 was a year of growth for Alliance as we continue to automate

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

corrugated box production lines around the globe. We offer the fastest, most reliable, and best-supported feeding, palletizing, bundle processing, and stacking systems for the corrugated box manufacturer.” Alliance offers an unsurpassed array of automated palletizing systems, such as the Raptor™ family of palletizers. State-of-the-art, vision-controlled robotic bundle positioning is the core of this fully integrated, high-throughput system, complete with automatic bottom sheets, tie sheets, and bundle preparation. Also included is the patented Triminator™ working as a small-footprint, fully automatic trim and scrap removal system for Rotary Die Cutters. After introducing the world’s largest Folder Gluer (190") in 2015, Alliance went one step further in 2016 by introducing the 210" J&L Mark 5™.

This machine is equipped with Jumbo Two-Piece Box capability—once again expanding the range of box sizes that can be produced on this single machine center. Alliance understands the value of long-term productivity to its customers and has structured the products and company to deliver that value. Once the equipment is installed and commissioned, the Customer Care Team is chartered with keeping the line running at peak performance, over the lifetime of the equipment. Alliance has an installed base of over 11,000 machines worldwide and takes pride in superior customer support. From start to finish, Alliance provides layout collaboration, application expertise, productivity audits, retrofits, parts, service, and training. For more information about Alliance visit www.alliancellc.com.

™

Robotic Load Former

Fits New and Existing LOADMASTER

Improves Overall Productivity and reduces labor costs

Fully Automatic Palletizer or robot arm can be parked allowing traditional operation

Modular Design Allows

retrofit to existing load formers

Outstanding Service 24/7 customer care

Advanced Optical Recognition Technology

Identifies the exact location and skew of each bundle as it moves down the conveyor, allowing the robot to grasp the bundle “on the fly” and quickly place it in its proper position with the load Patent Pending

® www.alliancellc.net

EQUIPMENT THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

AUTOMATÄN

utomatän, located in Plover, WI, is a supplier of innovative equipment to the corrugated, folding carton, and commercial printing industries around the world. Our product lines include Labeling/Laminating Equipment, Load Handling Equipment (Joggers/Aerators), and our Robotic Product Line (AutoFeed, AutoStak, and MasterStak systems).

Robotics The Robotics product line has continued to provide continuous growth in the market and is a popular choice with our customers who wish to increase their productivity and profits while saving costs in energy, floor space, and maintenance. Our robotic solutions are very safe and reliable, and they utilize cutting-edge technology that showcases our customers’ plants in an innovative and modern way.

systems have the ability to singleface laminate, spot and full mount litho sheets to corrugated sheets, knocked-down boxes, and diecut sheets. Technical Improvement Programs (TIPS) Our engineers are continuously looking for improvements for your new and aging equipment. We currently have several TIPS available. If you have an upgrade you would like to see on your current machine, please contact Dennis Tackmier, our Customer Service Technical Specialist, at 920-883-9463. Lease to Own We are now offering to our customers a lease to own plan. 100% financing available, and the first payment is due 30 days from loan/lease commencement. Please contact us at 715-341-6501, and your Regional Sales Representative will provide more information.

Have you considered trading in or refurbishing your aging equipment? Our World-Class Customer Service Specialists and Technicians supply competent and fast technical service, professional audits, preventive maintenance, and comprehensive commissioning of machines and technical improvements. Please contact our Service Team at 715341-6501 for more information. Our Commitment to Service Our customer service is why many people choose us and the main reason they come back. We value and appreciate the partnerships we have developed with our customers over the past 42 years and look forward to continuing to serve our customers and the industry with the commitment to our core values of integrity, continuous improvement, and being result-oriented.

Photo courtesy of Automatän.

Labeling/Laminating We continue to be the leader in sheet-tosheet laminating equipment. Our latest

Automatän emphasizes a commitment to customer service with its customer service team.

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

Your Ad Here BoxScore reaches approximately 2500 readers.

Advertise in BoxScore and reach your marketing goals with AICC, The Independent Packaging Association, the only association dedicated to the independent corrugated, folding carton, and rigid box manufacturers and industry suppliers. See all advertising opportunities at www.aiccbox.org/mediakit.

Ad Reps Virginia Humphrey | 703.535.1383 | vhumphrey@aiccbox.org Howard Neft | 480.391.1189 | hneft@aol.com Taryn Pyle | 703.535.1391 | tpyle@aiccbox.org

EQUIPMENT THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

BAUMER HHS CORPORATION BY CHRIS RANEY

selling tool to demonstrate quality to the end user. All of these quality devices can generate a signal for optional interface with a bundle reject solution installed behind the counter-ejector.

he control of quality on Flexo Folder Gluers is critical to ensure that the cases delivered to customers meet their stringent criteria. Baumer hhs offers a range of quality control solutions to enable the glue application, the slot depth and gap to be accurately monitored throughout a production run. Glue is typically applied using our rugged and reliable three-valve non-contact solution. The integrated water bath ensures the tips are kept moist during non-use so that the first case through the machine is glued correctly, to minimize waste and maximize quality. The glue line can be inspected using either of our optical technologies—the economical MLT, or the full featured Xcam system, which displays an HD image of the glued tab on the screen. Also offered is the Inverto glue applicator, which allows top-down and bottom-up gluing from a single side. The Inverto can also be equipped with MLT sensors for quality control.

The quality of the finished box also depends on clean and accurately cut slots as well as the consistency of the manufacturer’s gap. A camera reads the slots in the case and reports if position and depth match the set specification. The display on the touch screen allows the operator to see the position of the slots and ensure that they are clean from scrap. At the end of the folding section a laser focuses on the manufacturer’s gap of the folded box and reports if this matches the set specification. Ensuring a consistent lead and trail gap is critical to control fishtail and ensure consistent quality of the finished box. Although most machines employ a “spanker” squaring device in the counter-ejector, the correlation between the measured results at the end of the final fold section and the finished box have proven extremely high. Having an accurate measurement of the real-time trendline of the manufacturer’s gap is a

Chris Raney—Baumer hhs Corp. Chris Raney became the president of Baumer hhs in February 2015. He leads the North American organization supplying high-quality extrusion glue and quality control equipment to the market. Chris has extensive experience in the packaging business around the world, gained through four years at Heidelberg as vice president of postpress packaging, and prior to that, over 20 years with Bobst, including more than eight years in charge of the Folding Carton Business Area for the North American market, which includes all the Bobst product lines sold for the Folding Carton industry.

Non-contact gluing station with Xcam Inspection.

Inverto Glue Station.

Gap and slot screen display.

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

EQUIPMENT

Gluing Systems · Quality Assurance Systems · Camera Verification Systems

Inverto – top-down and bottom-up gluing With Inverto, the system for non-contact gluing and glue detection from top and bottom, you can glue inner and outer flaps with just one blank guide. Switching between top-down and bottom-up gluing takes only a minute. Baumer hhs – two in one.

Non-contact gluing from top and bottom ■ One blank guide for inner and outer flaps ■ Glue detection from top and bottom ■ Switchover in less than a minute ■

baumerhhs.com

0102-161202_Bhhs_Ad_Inverto_177.8x107.95mm_AICC-BoxScore.indd 1

18.01.17 18:16

The next generation WANTS to grow.

Help them.

www.aiccbox.org/leaders Emerging Leaders, which are defined as roughly 35 years of age or younger, meet regularly at AICC’s national meetings in sessions specific to their needs; they participate in active industry training programs; and they provide valuable input to the future direction of AICC, and of our corrugated, folding carton and rigid box industries. We develop at least 3 EL programs per year and occasionally offer ELs exclusive discounts on programs that we think are most relevant to them. Employees of AICC General and Association Member companies are invited to apply.

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

EQUIPMENT THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

BAYSEK MACHINES INCORPORATED

aysek Machines was incorporated in 1995 in the small village of Amherst, WI, to provide corrugated converters an alternative die cutting solution to bridge the significant gap between traditional rotary and platen die cutting. As advancements in technology continually allow, the Baysek team respectively responds with state-of-the-art equipment for maximum converting results. The servo driven C-170 die cutter offers quick setup with no make ready, a large die format and no required stripping tools. Directed by a single operator at the touch of a user friendly computerized screen, decreased operating costs are predictable promoting a quick return on investment. The Baysek precision cuts and automatically strips nick/tag and angel hair free simple one-out to complex multi-out pieces, eliminating unnecessary manual labor while meeting increasing health and safety regulations. Accurately counted and neatly stacked finished units are ready for shipping preparation upon exiting the machine. Adaptable to any existing production line, the newly enhanced optional

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

auto-load feature allows manufacturers to take sheets directly from the corrugator to the C-170 for immediate converting without manual handling. The optional extended out-feed conveyor provides a flat surface for operator set-ups, as well as moves finished product down the production line for shipping preparation. Servicing well over 100 machines throughout the world, company growth is credited to both new and repeat customers. Several factories operate multiple Baysek die cutters on a multi-shift basis proving Baysek die cutters are predictable and reliable to produce ideal solutions from simple brown to high quality graphics for all venues including the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Baysek not only offers unique, safe, and superior equipment, but houses a knowledgeable, friendly, and trusted staff that takes pride in making each customer’s experience personal yet professional. Conceptual design, research & development, machine reconditioning, parts, service, and marketing are performed through the experienced corporate staff. To assist with fabricating the C-170

die cutter to Baysek specifications, the company teams with longtime acquaintance Rolf Erisman of RJE Machinery, Clifton, TN. Vern Engle of Equipment Sales handles Eastern North American sales while Western North American sales are handled in house. Baysek also has a subsidiary servicing company, Baysek Machine & Engineering U.K., for customer care throughout the U.K. and Europe. In further response to needs of converting facilities the world over, Baysek willingly accepts challenges converters experience and stresses the unique benefits of Baysek die cutters as the solution to mastering jobs difficult or impossible to accomplish on traditional die cutters. With a constant goal of surpassing customers’ expectations with quality innovative equipment and excellent after sales care, the company is fundamentally changing the industry’s perception of die cutting one machine at a time. The corporate team and extended team of worldwide representatives stand ready to assist with all die cutting inquiries. For more information visit www.baysek.com.

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

EQUIPMENT

Mastering the emmeci rigid box machine Seminars co-hosted by:

and presented by EMMECI USA

Intermediate troubleshooting

Tues, February 26- Thurs, March 1, 2018 8:00 am- 4:00 pm each day Training Location: Burt rigid box, oneonta, NY Registration Fee: $995 This intermediate training is designed for operators who have run rigid box machines for more than six to twelve months. The students will be trained on a live machine that is running jobs, providing them the skills they need to do advanced setups more efficiently and effectively. They’ll also learn how to address a variety of equipment problems.

• • • • • • •

Electrical Troubleshooting Troubleshooting, Maintaining Vacuum Pumps Troubleshooting, Adjusting Quad Stayer Rolls Troubleshooting, Setting Zero Points Board, Paper, Stay Tape Challenges Rigid Box Designs & Challenges Mechanical versus Mechatronic Lines

LEARN MORE at www.aiccbox.org/intermediate BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

EQUIPMENT THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

BOBST BOBST launches SPEEDPACK — THE ULTIMATE PACKER The high quality of its machines and technological innovations that allow it to meet the real needs of clients are the reasons why BOBST is one of the world’s leading suppliers of equipment and services to the packaging and label industry. At this year’s European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers (FEFCO), BOBST announced the launch of their latest innovation: SPEEDPACK. A revolutionary automatic packer for corrugated packaging, SPEEDPACK allows users to realize the full potential of their BOBST folding-gluing lines. With the highest possible number of batches per hour and very short set-up times, it increases productivity dramatically. This patented equipment’s extensive modularity allows enormous flexibility; enabling it to handle a vast range of box formats and types: solid board, double wall, and disproportionate shapes. Its unique shingle inverter module allows the easy packing of crash-lock-bottom boxes in batches of 5/5/5/5 and 4-corner boxes with the last box reversed. With SPEEDPACK, bundles can be attached with single, double or transversal

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

strapping. It is even possible to strap box batches in both directions while the automatic band splicer guarantees non-stop operation. All this technology opens up new packaging possibilities, not only thanks to remarkably improved productivity but also thanks to the guaranteed box integrity—and customer satisfaction—enabled by the unprecedented fluidity of the SPEEDPACK’s operations, together with its soft banding and variable band tension. “SPEEDPACK is a revolutionary corrugated-box packer that gently picks up boxes as they exit the folder-gluer and batches them up in exactly the right way—quickly and reliably, while preserving the quality of your boxes,” explains Jacques Reymond, Head of Product Marketing of Business Unit Sheet-fed. “We have listened to what our clients say they most need to optimize their folding-gluing machines and SPEEDPACK delivers exactly that. We believe it sets a new benchmark in this space.” Thanks to its exceptionally fluid operation, its minimal footprint and optimal ergonomics and accessibility— which render set-up times for repeat orders negligible—this robust packer

can process literally any type of box while maintaining irreproachable levels of quality. What’s more, the machine is completely modular, making it a futureproof investment that can grow with your business. “The machine will help to reduce costs and optimize quality and line efficiencies, enabling a rapid return on investment,” says Emilio Corti, Head of Sales of Business Unit Sheet-fed. “As the most productive packer on the market, we believe SPEEDPACK will become the natural extension of your corrugated folder-gluer.” About BOBST BOBST is one of the world’s leading suppliers of equipment and services to packaging and label manufacturers in the folding carton, corrugated board and flexible materials industries. Founded in 1890 by Joseph Bobst in Lausanne, Switzerland, BOBST has a presence in more than 50 countries, runs 12 production facilities in 8 countries and employs over 5,000 people around the world. For additional information on BOBST, visit: www.bobst.com or you can reach BOBST in North America at 1-888-226-8800 or sales.us@bobst.com.

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

EQUIPMENT

BRITISH CONVERTING SOLUTIONS Autobox Boxmakers help you profit from Short Runs. The Short Run box market continues to grow, and our customers all over the country continue to enjoy the benefits of a flexible, multi-use machine to complement their operation. Simply put, if you are using Rotaries and FFGs with 30-minute+ set-up times to convert anything under 500-piece orders, you are doing it inefficiently! The Autobox Boxmaker can produce over 100 styles of boxes—ranging from mini regular boxes to OPFs and large pallet boxes—all without the need for extra tooling. Once the user has input the desired box parameters, the Autobox does the rest—setting all the scoring tools and slotting knives into the correct position automatically—ready for production. A typical set-up time is between 1 and 2 minutes. In addition to the regular features of intelligent cutting in-line & across to size a sheet, along with die-cutting, customers can specify 2-color Flexo print, Fully Auto-feeding and/or Autostacking options, and now, Digital print options, too! Our Digital Print is an exciting development for this type of work-mix— boxplants can now print BMCs and Part IDs without having to go to the trouble of making plates and mounting them in a flexo printer, saving on both set-up and wash-up time. They work well when specified in tandem, too, where the flexo is used for the main panel logo, and the digital for the smaller flap information. Rob Garvey, VP, commented, “The Autobox has always been very flexible and quick to set up. Our focus in recent times has been to offer our customers a far more controlled, efficient, and more

The BCS Autobox can produce all of these boxes, with 1–2-minute set-up time and no tooling!

automated process. Our machines now fit into the more streamlined working environment of the modern boxplant looking to increase production efficiency. The growth of e-commerce, and the emergence of On Demand box making machines that are targeted at the high margin end of the box business, all present fresh challenges to a typical boxplant. The BCS Autobox machine is the perfect piece of equipment to counter this growing threat. You’ll free up existing high-volume machines for volume orders, reduce the number of machine processes, reduce tooling requirements,

and improve your reaction time for your customers. It will make a genuine, tangible difference to your boxplant.” The Autobox is a workhorse of a machine capable of running multi-shifts, producing Jumbo boxes or Mini boxes, running grades from single through triple wall, and all whilst occupying very little plant space, utilizing a light crew, consuming very little power, and requiring little maintenance or wear on parts. Contact: Rob Garvey, VP of Sales, BCS North America LLC, rg@bcs corrugated.com, 1-630-537-1203.

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

EQUIPMENT THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

FUJIFILM Onset X Brings Brand on Demand to Corrugated In today’s competitive retail environment, brands and retailers are creating new ways to differentiate themselves in-store. Brand owners are creating frequent campaigns with multiple versions. These typically shorter run jobs also require faster job turnaround, and have not been profitable for corrugated printers with traditional processes like flexo and offset. The good news is that corrugated printers can now meet these challenging demands, and do it profitably, due to advancements in inkjet technology. A key factor in the growth of inkjet is the ability to print with UV-curing inks, delivering incredible productivity, quality, versatility, and application range. UV inkjet is a technology that was pioneered by Fujifilm and Inca Digital, with the launch of the first dedicated flatbed system in 2001. Today, Fujifilm’s wide format printing portfolio includes the most powerful inkjet printers in the industry. This expertise has been applied to the corrugated market to create an inkjet solution for corrugated display and package printing. The most recent addition to Fujifilm’s powerful lineup of UV flatbed printers is the Onset X series. Onset X is the leading UV flatbed platform for the production of high-quality, high-impact graphics with outstanding productivity. It provides printers with a range of benefits, including: • Business efficiency: Onset X produces like-for-like print quality

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

at higher throughput than other UV inkjet flatbed presses. • Business development: Onset X extends production of short run jobs to include higher run jobs, which until now were not viable using inkjet technologies. • Low investment risk: Onset X can pay for itself in as little as six months, giving owners a quick return on their investment. Onset X can be configured in a variety of ways depending on business needs, and has the capability to accommodate up to 14 ink channels. Capable of printing over 180 beds/hour, the Onset X3 features Fujifilm Dimatix drop-ondemand printheads with 3 x CMYK ink channels plus the choice of two channels of white or a single channel of orange. The printheads jet a 14 picoliter drop size providing an excellent balance of

quality and volume for the corrugated, sign & display, and industrial markets. For efficient substrate handling, Onset X features three automation options, including a fully automated dual robot handling system designed to handle difficult materials like unconditioned corrugated board. The Onset X1, Onset X2, and Onset X3 provide a unique combination of quality, productivity, and flexibility on a common, scalable platform. These printers set a new versatility standard in high-end flatbed printing, and enable corrugated printers to produce customized multiple version short run jobs and deliver Brand on Demand campaigns more profitably than traditional offset or flexo printing. For more information regarding the Onset X for corrugated, visit www.fujifilminkjet. com/onset-x3-c.

Know-how makes

your business, our business. Providing equipment financing to the corrugated industry for over 20 years.

Our industry knowledge and understanding of your business can give you an edge in the marketplace. At People’s Capital and Leasing Corp., we provide: • Capital access for new/used equipment • Corrugated industry expertise • Comprehensive financial resources

CONTACT ME TODAY. Tom Davies, SVP 203-338-6412 tom.davies@peoples.com

Equal Housing Lender

EQUIPMENT THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

GEO. M. MARTIN CO. BY BOB MORGAN

LBX Scrubber ® Series Rotary Die Cutter Stacker.

Geo. Martin Introduces New Products The popularity of Geo. M. Martin’s Scrubber® technology has led the company to offer two models of the high-performance rotary die cutter stackers. The Martin LBX Scrubber Series Stacker offers top-of-the-line performance to maximize the speed, efficiency, and productivity of the world’s fastest die cutters. With superior scrap removal, maximum sheet control, and automatic setup, the LBX Scrubber Stacker combines versatility, performance, and ease of use to take advantage of the die cutter’s full speed and anvil surface area. The LBX produces perfectly square, scrap-free shrink wrap or strap-ready stacks and nicked bundles of up to 4-across die-cut blanks. The SBX Scrubber Series Stacker is a simplified version of the LBX, which combines superior sheet control with enhanced scrap removal to create a cost-effective high-output material handling solution. The SBX is the ideal choice for converters who require high-performance, perfectly square strapready stacks and bundles with enhanced scrap removal capabilities, but may not need the high-end technology of the LBX Series Stackers.

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

An expansive range of standard and optional features allows both to be configured to meet today’s needs while providing the capability to adapt to future customer requirements, product mixes, and evolving technology. Martin’s Custom Select Series Rotary Die Cutter Stacker is based on Geo. Martin’s well proven and tested round/ linked belt layboy design. The Custom Select provides an option for converters who may not need the advanced features of the Scrubber Layboy design. The Custom Select is a fully customizable stacker that can be configured as a most basic stacker, all the way to a sophisticated high-performance, auto-set machine capable of running 4-across by multi-up stacks and bundles of simple to complex die-cuts. Recently introduced, the Quik-Break™ III (QBIII) is the latest generation of the popular Geo. Martin Quik-Break Separator. The QBIII enhances productivity and product quality with a number of feature improvements. It has a cycle time that is substantially faster than the QBII, features an upgraded “Soft Start/Stop Break and Pull” cycle, unique multi-function “gapless” upper platen, narrow

bundle mode and liquid cooled proportional hydraulics. The QBIII is available in 68" as well as 92" widths. Benefits of the QBIII include eliminating edge roll on small-width bundles, multi-across breaks in a single cycle, quick setup with reduced stacker setup time, “Batch Mode” indexing, automatic wide belt tracking, platen offset for nested bundles, and bundle height sensing. A single-source provider of complete nicked bundle line systems, Geo. Martin offers a full range of bundle line components to create a production solution that perfectly matches the converter’s needs. Geo. Martin bundle line components are engineered to provide a fully integrated solution with the versatility to run a wide-ranging product mix from simple one-up die-cuts to multi-across, multi-out bundles and stacks of typical and atypical nicked die-cuts. The Quik-Break Bundle Line Systems are recognized around the world for providing consistent, high-quality stacking, breaking, and palletizing of odd-count, uniquely shaped, and deeply nested bundles. For more information visit www.geomartin.com.

There’s something far more expensive than adding our patented Scrubber Technology. ®

Like losing customers over scrap. As the number of automated filling lines increases, the tolerance for scrap in your loads drops to zero. So, if you think adding our revolutionary, patented and virtually scrap-free stacker technology is an investment you’re not willing to make, perhaps your customers will tell you something different. Maybe, “So long” or “See you later.”

Our unique Scrubber Technology is a set of exclusive features that are re-defining run speeds and delivering the highest quality cleanest output in the history of rotary die cutting. Learn more about the virtual elimination of scrap on new stackers or as an add-on to an existing installation. ®

ROTARY DIE CUTTER STACKERS & PERIPHERALS

GEO. M. Martin Company • 1250 67th Street Emeryville, California 94608, United States 510.652.2200 • Fax 510.652.6447 • email info@geomartin.com The Martin logo and Scrubber are Registered Trademarks of the Geo. M. Martin Company. The Scrubber is also covered by U.S. Patent 9,027,737

EQUIPMENT THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

GLOBAL BOXMACHINE Expertise, Innovation, Evolution Since 1955, Global has been an innovator in the corrugated industry. Innovation and evolution are essential for continued success. Our industry is changing like never before. The horizon is bright! E-commerce is making us all think a little differently. Global is right there leading the pack with our top quality, affordable, and innovative KL line of Rotary Die Cutters, Flexo Folder Gluers, and Jumbos, all available with inside outside (io) printing in a single pass. That’s right, in a single pass. Half the set-up time, half the labor, with more profitability for your bottom line!! Introduced at the SuperCorrExpo in 2016, sales of this innovative line have taken off at a record pace. With the amazing response to this innovative line of equipment, Global is evolving into a world class service organization. We have assembled a team of top technical, mechanical, and service professionals to take us to the next level to provide top quality service and support. Systems and processes are being put into place to efficiently meet any needs our customers may have; from training, support, service, and parts to quality assurance—24/7. Furthermore, we are pleased to announce the recent acquisition of Shinko Manufacturing in Osaka, Japan, by KL. Shinko has been in existence since 1931. They specialize in high-speed, high-graphics quick-set Flexo Folder Gluers. Shinko has long been a viable competitor to the major manufactures of high-speed Flexos in many markets outside of North America. We intend to give life to these machines as we have to the mainstays of the KL product line. Look for more details in Q1 2018.

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

The new KL machines feature the latest technology including Siemens / Omron PLCs and touch screens, computerized set-up with 6-digit memory, motorized board calipers and feed guides, vacuum transfer, auto zero, air-conditioned cabinets, and optional Servo-driven die cut section. Our standard features, optional on most machines, include vacuum sheet cleaner, anvil grinder, variable speed anvil, and computerized pull collars on the die cutting section. Safety is top priority at Global. The KL line of Rotary Die Cutters, Flexo Folder Gluers, and Jumbos incorporate all the latest safety protections meeting CE standards. Some of the safety features include: walk-along open/close, warning lights and alarms, unit interlocking, safety pull cables, and e-stops on every unit. Durability and reliability have been built into the KL line. 2.75" heavy duty cast frames, heat hardened gears (> 60HRC), heavy duty bushings and bearings, automatic oil lubrication system, chrome plated shafts and cylinders, and cast-iron tracks with hardened wear strips are among the quality features.

The demand for boxes printed on both sides is increasing rapidly; from internet B2C, to major players such as Amazon and WalMart. As more and more clients have the desire to print inside the box, whether it be outstanding graphics or simple messaging, Global has you covered with our io capable line of equipment. From mid-sized Flexos & Rotary Die Cutters to Jumbos, KL has solutions. From open-close machines to fixed architecture, Global and KL have solutions—all with single pass inside outside printing capabilities. The KL line provides extraordinary value with all the latest technological features, high quality components, and expert craftsmanship at a very attractive price point. The KL Line of equipment is revolutionizing the landscape for the way box makers respond to their customers’ needs. We believe io printing is the wave of the future; the “other” new innovation in printing. While others are talking about doing it, Global is successfully doing it right now! Let us help you evolve and innovate to increase your bottom line! Call Global today!

UN-BOX-ING

noun an act or instance of removing with anticipation a newly purchased product from its packaging.

Make it happen in a single pass with the

K7io Flexo Rotary Die Cutter

800-621-4343 www.boxmachine.com

EQUIPMENT THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

GÖPFERT MASCHINEN GMBH Göpfert, The Next Generation Göpfert is a global leader in innovation for the supply of flexo-post-print machinery, offering production lines that fulfil the demanding requirements of the market to produce the smallest order sizes of high-quality printed packaging. The combination of high automation to reduce make-ready to a minimum and the extremely robust design of a Göpfert machine is the core of the rotary die cutters, available in the modular RDC Evolution as well as in the run-while-set version of the RDC Evolution HBL. The precision of every Göpfert machine

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

underlies in the implementation of real direct drive on all components and shafts, as well as the high accuracy of the vacuum belt transport. Carbon fibre chambered doctor blade and ceramic anilox inking technology and sophisticated drying systems allow High-Quality Post Print that rivals offset quality. Whilst both versions of the Evolution boast best-in-class print and die cutting precision, the RDC Evolution HBL can be configured with automatic anilox roller changing and the revolutionary double die cutting unit that allows both

print and die cutting forms to be set up while the machine is in production. The significant make-ready time savings allow the efficient production of low-run jobs. Numerous installations of double rotary die cutters in the USA and Europe have proven productivity gains on high frequency job changes. Featuring zero-defect capabilities, the Göpfert print inspection system Automatic Print Control ensures that what you deliver is what customers expect. All components, from the pre-feeder through the RDC Evolution die cutter to the stacker, are designed and manufactured by Göpfert in Germany and ensure that all elements are seamlessly integrated into one line. Operation and maintenance is uniform and a single control system ensures maximum productivity. Göpfert’s expertise goes beyond supply of new machines. Just as important is the commitment to Service. At Göpfert, service already begins when a new machine is delivered. A comprehensive project management ensures that delivery and start-up are worry-free. Service also means support throughout decades of machine lifetime in the form of process optimization, machine extensions, relocations, retrofits, upgrades, and training. 24/7 remote access support allows quick and effective help to keep production running. And should parts or a Göpfert specialist on site be necessary, Göpfert Inc. USA, based in in Charlotte, N.C., is only a call away to ensure fast delivery. Göpfert, more machine. It is more than just a message. It’s a philosophy, and it’s a pledge.

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

EQUIPMENT

HAIRE GROUP Haire Group Is on the Rise With tremendous sales and growth across North America in 2017, Haire Group and its APSTAR Rotary Die Cutter made a huge impact on the industry this year. The response to the APSTAR Rotary Die Cutter was incredible. To answer the demand, Haire Group expanded its product line to include the APSTAR Flexo Folder Gluer, a very modern, efficient, and highly productive machine. The APSTAR Flexo Folder Gluer is capable of handling a large band width of products, from simple RSC business to more complex die cuts, all while not compromising on color. Keith Umlauf, Executive VP of Sales, stated, “Our customers have discovered the value that APSTARs are bringing to the marketplace. APSTARs are designed with top-level engineering and built using the best components available. All that adds up to a very high-quality machine that is providing the level of efficiency, product quality, and return on investment that companies need to see.” Jeff Quinn, VP and General Manager, added, “It’s been a whirlwind at Haire Group as of late. With so many of our APSTAR machines in operation on factory floors, people are seeing firsthand the quality and value APSTARs bring to the market, and the response has been amazing. It’s been a great thing for us and our customers. We love seeing them take advantage of what we are offering and then seeing it bring so much return to them. It’s a great feeling.” In addition to record sales, Haire Group continues to provide top-notch service and support to all its customers. “Having a Midwest-based support

team has allowed us to provide top-level training programs to our customers, ship parts overnight for just-in-time delivery, and travel to any of our clients within a day. Haire Group has always focused on supporting its clients, and that certainly hasn’t changed. In fact, it’s more of a focus now than ever,” Quinn added. For over 40 years, Haire Group has focused on building relationships. As the industry evolves, machinery changes, and technology skyrockets, one thing will remain the same—Haire’s focus on people, relationships, and providing

the best customer service and support in the industry. “The best way to serve a customer is to truly know them. Only then can you understand their needs,” said Tim Engle, New Machinery Product Manager. “When someone asks me what I do, I say, ‘I’m in the people business.’ At the end of the day, that’s what we do. We help people succeed; because when they succeed, their companies prosper.” To learn more about Haire Group, please visit hairegroup.com or call 219-947-4545.

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

EQUIPMENT THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

HITEK EQUIPMENT

itek Equipment has noticed a resurgence in the converting world regarding quick setup flat-bed die cutters and tooling storage. Our customers have been updating us consistently about the industry changing. Orders are getting smaller and need to be turned out faster than they have in years past. Smaller orders have had a twofold effect on our customers. They have much more tooling to store and a need for machines that can set up fast. With that, our Marumatsu Die Cutters and BCM Storage Systems have been incredibly helpful to our customers. Marumatsu Die Cutters can easily set up in under five minutes and require less tooling than other die cutters. The Marumatsu uses a vibration stripping section which eliminates

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

the need for stripping dies and saves our customers thousands of dollars in tooling and labor. Marumatsu Die Cutters can set up and run a short order faster than the time it takes to just set up other machines. Our customers have found this to be a huge advantage over other die cutters on the market. With the use of the vibration stripping, our customers also need to store less tooling to do the same amount of work. This eliminates the need to have tooling all over the plant and requires less time to set up the machine. This has been another factor as to why our customers are enjoying their new Marumatsu Die Cutters. With three machines installed in the last 15 months and another on its way, it’s no wonder our customers have

increased their profitability since their machines have been installed. We also see customers with other machines acquiring more and more tooling, to the point where tooling is stored haphazardly throughout the plant and requires a lot of man-hours to maintain and track. Customers are running out of room in their plants and have been looking for a way to utilize less space. The answer for many has been the BCM Storage Systems. By utilizing the height in a customer’s plant, we can take up less floor space. By going up instead of out, combined with a more efficient way to locate dies, our customers have saved countless hours and have a much safer way to handle tooling. We see both trends continuing in the upcoming years.

CUTTING DIE STRIPPING DIE BLANKING DIE CUTTING PLATES MAKE READY SAFELY IN CASSETTES

Manual or Fully Automatic Flat Die Storage Systems by BCM

Rack up more space, productivity and efficency WhyAgonize.com Info@AskHitek.com 262-842-1700

EQUIPMENT THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

he possibilities of digital technology have transformed every aspect of the print industry. Packaging, particularly corrugated, is the latest segment to realize the potential. As the market sees a drive towards personalization, regionalization, and shorter product lifecycles, the demand for a versatile, robust print platform has become more pronounced. Planning has become more complex and time-to-market more important, so packaging companies need a way to avoid analog downtime. Adding digital capabilities to the production floor enables them to break free from traditional printing. In an analog environment, each job requires a specific make-ready, which reduces overall productivity because these jobs need different plates and newly mixed inks. Digital does not use plates or require ink mixing but simply a modification of the file. Make-ready time approaches zero; there is no minimum run length, and every job can be customized. This means there is no longer a barrier to creativity. If you can imagine it—the technology and solutions are available to bring it to life.

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

The BoxMaker is an innovative packaging company experiencing an increase in opportunities thanks to the HP Scitex 17000 Corrugated Press, which then later added the HP Scitex 15500 Corrugated Press to its fleet. It is constantly trying to push the envelope, as demonstrated by its new web-to-print company, Fantastapack. “The BoxMaker started in 1981 and now covers six locations. In 2011, we invested in our first HP Scitex press, which has made an incredible difference,” explains Richard Brown, President, The BoxMaker. “In May 2016, we added the HP Scitex 17000 Corrugated Press primarily to accelerate our growth and meet the quality of printing requirements, such as fine detail and large areas of color on the same press.” Both HP Scitex Corrugated Presses enable printing of high-quality graphics on a wide range of corrugated media using HP Scitex High Dynamic Range (HDR) Printing Technology. The new HP Scitex 15500 press provides capacity to grow current corrugated packaging production from 2 million to over 3 million square feet in monthly digital print. “The speed and quality of the machine has exceeded our expectations,” adds

Daniel Dixon, Director of Operational Excellence, The BoxMaker. “It has given us exactly what we need to meet our customers’ requirements.” The company can now produce high-end graphics on its online custom packing solution, Fantastapack, using 30 different corrugated styles. “Digital is revolutionizing the corrugated packaging market,” says Brown. “Our investment in HP technology continues to grow our business and we expect HP technology to drive the business forward. Without it, our Fantastapack web-to-print business would not be possible.” David Joseph, Segment Marketing Manager David Joseph is the Segment Marketing Manager for Packaging in the Americas. He is currently responsible for leading the marketing efforts of the HP digital corrugated portfolio. His previous experience includes roles in public relations, marketing operations, and sales consulting. Dave holds a B.A. in Communications and Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh.

Deliver more than just a box Produce versioned jobs cost-effectively with HP digital solutions for corrugated packaging and displays

HP PageWide T400S Press

HP PageWide C500 Press

HP Scitex 17000 Corrugated Press

HP Scitex 15500 Press

HP PageWide T1100S Press

HP has reinvented the versatility, productivity and offset quality of corrugated printing so that you can help your customers differentiate themselves from their competition. From basic corrugated to high-value boxes, reduce delivery times on long and short runs with end-to-end support from HP. The HP Scitex 17000 and 15500 Corrugated Presses are designed for smooth, automated production of promotional displays and short-run packaging. The HP PageWide T400S Press is designed with preprint and digital all in one. The HP PageWide T1100S Press with Multi-lane Print Architecture lets you print multiple short runs of variable box sizes on a single roll. And the HP PageWide C500 Press delivers economic, litho-quality prints direct to board via a digital press. Take advantage of HP PrintOS, an open and secure cloud-based print production operating system, and get more out of your HP PageWide Web Presses. Simplify and automate your production processes, and enable new forms of collaboration. Call us at 1-877-303-1887 or find out more at hp.com/go/pagewidepress/corrugated, hp.com/go/scitex/corrugated and hp.com/go/PrintOS.

ÂŠ 2017 HP Development Company, L.P.

EQUIPMENT THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

JB MACHINERY

ith over 20 years of leadership in the sheetfed corrugated market, JB Machinery continues to develop a complementary suite of products to optimize the safety, efficiency, productivity, and quality of direct print on all corrugated substrates. The expanded range includes IR drying, LED & MV based Cold UV curing, printing defect and plate wash elimination, ink temperature control, and more. ColorDry™ XL3000™ IR dryer with Sentinel™ technology is the latest version of JB’s core product and, after extensive R&D efforts, is the safest IR dryer in the marketplace. It includes the most all-encompassing LED sheet detection system, lead edge sheet detection,

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

RFID reset for real time HMI and smart phone reporting, VisionMaster® 1080P HD monitoring, inspection and DVR with RFID accountability for simultaneous remote reset. Automatic intelligent power management tools render more industry firsts for costing and optimized energy consumption from job to job. KleenPlate® 3.0 printing defect and plate wash eliminator has refined and fully automated the make ready process with plate preset inputs for all potential plate ranges. KleenPlate 3.0 also provides superior consistency and repeatability with an all-electric based operating system, auto sensing for paper jams and laser mapping for initial set-up.

NOW … KleenPlate 3.0 introduces a 3–5 minute auto plate cleaning cycle that renders no more than five waste sheets per plate cleaning. Plates can now be cleaned at any time prior to or during the printing cycle. InKomand® ensures consistent printing results by controlling the ink temperature. Flexo ink performance is optimized between 66°–74° Fahrenheit or 18°–22° Celsius. Temperatures outside this range will cause dramatic swings in pH and viscosity. Such swings will require the automatic or manual addition of chemical adjusters (water/pH conditioner). The addition of such chemical adjusters will in turn cause chemical imbalance of the inks, leading ultimately to an inability to print, significant waste, and lost production time. InKomand® provides instant, on-demand heating or cooling for a five-minute response to target temperature by print unit. This stabilizes the viscosity and pH throughout the run, minimizing the use of chemical additives, and thereby reduces overall operating costs. Furthermore, InKomand® provides improved ink drying, faster set-ups, less ink tack, fewer sheet wraps, and reduced wash-up times. ColorCure® ColdUV™, with the newly introduced UV TurboBoost™ power supply and proprietary custom UV lamp, provides a massive increase (>50%) in cure speed, ensures a longer lamp life and is easily retrofitted on all existing JB UV Curing Systems. All JB product and software updates are retrofittable to existing JB products. We thank all AICC members for their continued support. Phone: 1-203-544-0101 Web: jbmachinery.com

ColorDry XL3000 IR Dryers ®

the Elegance of Intelligence

Optimized Safety, Printing, Performance & Speed to Market with Intelligent Power Management  Intelligent Power Management for maximum profitability  Safety & Accountability WiFi Reporting  Endorsed and preferred by all major press manufacturers  Superior efficiency and performance with over 2,500 dryers installed globally

203-544-0101 | Fax 203-544-0202 | 9 Sasqua Trail | Weston, CT 06883 USA | www.jbmachinery.com

EQUIPMENT THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES AMERICA Setups. Changeovers. Short runs. Throughput. HOW THE MATH BEHIND THE EVOL BOX-MAKING MACHINE MAKES IT A MUST FOR INDEPENDENTS.

It started as an engineering challenge. To design and manufacture an all-in-one Flexo Folder Gluer that had the speed and agility of a Thoroughbred racehorse but with the rugged endurance of a Clydesdale draft horse. It had to get out of the gate fast, yet be able to put in a full 3 shifts of work each day and be happy doing it … week after week, month after month, year after year. That was the thinking behind the Mitsubishi EVOL through its development and ultimate introduction to the box-making market in 2004. In the 13 years hence, that engineering and its anticipated performance has been fully proven at over 300 installations across the globe, figuring prominently in the success of box makers of all shapes and sizes … and as expected, especially among Integrateds. But, an interesting thing happened during that period. The very characteristics and features that made EVOL the darling of the long-run, million+ box crowd, was discovered by Independent box makers to be a secret weapon— enabling them to zig and zag between Integrated packaging giants to win short-run business that ultimately was not in the big boys’ wheelhouses. That’s where the math comes in. We call it EVOL Economics. You see, EVOL is unique among Flexo Folder Gluers. With its ease of operation, the more box jobs you throw at it, the more money it makes you.

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

More profits per box. More variety in box sizes and configurations. More flexibility in run lengths. And because it is engineered to run and run, there is less money lost to downtime and fewer precious minutes lost to setups and changeovers. With EVOL, Independent box makers become more competitive and satisfy a niche previously unfulfilled. After all, winning more business and earning more profits is the name of the game. Right? This is not new math, folks. This is documented performance.

If you are an Independent that is looking to land more business with true, square box quality and turnaround times that will turn the heads of your competitors, it’s time to saddle up. Because you don’t need to be a mathematician nor even an accomplished equestrian. You simply need an EVOL. From Mitsubishi, of course. For more information, contact: John Bacot, Sr., Sales Manager of the Northeast region at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America. He can be reached at 443-841-9517 or jbacot@mhicorr.com.

M i t s u b i s h i

B o x

M a k i n g

M a c h i n e s

Industry Leading Technology Folding unit’s 22 Guide Rollers ensure smooth folding Stable sheet transfer assures accuracy Forming belts effectively support sheets Set-up time of 2 minutes gets the machine to production faster Versatility and speed is ideal for short runs

Making Better Boxes… Faster… Over Short or Long Runs A key reason Mitsubishi EVOL box making machines produce the highest quality boxes is their revolutionary folding unit which features an exclusive configuration of folding rails, guide rails, forming belts and gauging rollers. Successively narrower inside angles of each of the 22 guide rollers yields smoother, more accurate folds, helping deliver industry-leading box squareness, better corners… for a higher quality box. Add to that EVOL’s quick 2-minute setup time and you have a production machine that is equally effective and efficient for short runs, long runs and everything in between.

3 Color 400 bpm

Start making better boxes and more profits with EVOL.

North American Office • 11204 McCormick Road • Hunt Valley, MD 21031 Phone: 410.584.7990 • Fax: 410.584.1252 • mhicorr@mhicorr.com • mhicorrugating.com

4 Color 350 bpm

EQUIPMENT THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

PPC TECHNOLOGIES AND SOLUTIONS LLC

PC Technologies and Solutions LLC (PPCTS) is the USA and CANADA exclusive distributor with sales, parts, and service support for DGM and IMPACK PACKAGING machinery. The PPCTS DGM product line includes the SMARTFOLD folder gluer series for folding carton and light corrugated applications and the MEGAFOLD specialty folder gluer series for corrugated applications. All PPCTS DGM folder gluers are equipped with motorized carriers for full and sectional job/memory recall that includes machine operational settings for fast changeovers, a wireless operator remote control, dual pivoting HMI operator touch screens, non-proprietary “off the shelf” PLC, electronics and servo drives systems, as well as additional technologies that complete folder gluer designs able to produce simple to complex carton structures

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

with high efficiency and quick turnaround, and maximize uptime. The SMARTFOLD family includes the CLASSIC, ULTRA, and ULTRA X models with various technologies from crash/auto lock bottom with integrated “bump & turn” capability, left and right upper driven folding belts, servo driven back-folding systems, and open access extra long final folding section with pneumatically retracting upper and lower center carriers for easy transitioning from small to large size cartons to multiple machine servo drive technologies. The MEGAFOLD family includes the AC, PC, SL, and SL/SC+ models that can be tailored to specific machine configurations for applications from straight line, crash lock, 1st and 3rd score pre-folding, back folding for 4 & 6 corners, as well as inline scoring found in the SL/SC+. All MEGAFOLD models are open

designs for easy operator access, with upper driven carrier belts and independent servo drive for each machine section, including the final folding outer belts. The IMPACK product line includes various pre-feeding, case packing, carton banding, blank turning, inverting, and stacking solutions, for handling of straight line, lock bottom, and 4 & 6 corner boxes, and is available for both folding carton and corrugated applications from semi- to fully automatic. The IMPACK product line technology is designed to offer converters simple standard solutions to complex multifunction customized configurations. IMPACK’s solutions can reduce workforce requirements and increase productivity. For more information, contact PPCTS: 262-695-7536, sales@ppcts.com, www.ppcts.com.

Folder Gluers

MEGAFOLD SERIES for Corrugated Board Available in 1100, 1450, 1650 & 1850 widths

SMARTFOLD SERIES for Folding Carton Available in 650, 800 and 1100 widths

Corrugated Die Cutters

MWZ 1650 Automatic Corrugated Die Cutter

Folder Gluer Packing & Banding

ERGOSA UNIVERSAL CASE PACKER

VIRTUO PACKER

For more information call: PPC Technologies & Solutions LLC (PPCTS) 262 695 7536 ● info@ppcts.com ● www.ppcts.com DEMO CENTER located in Waukesha, WI

EQUIPMENT THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

SUN AUTOMATION GROUP Printing Outside and Inside “The Box” With SUN Automation Group SUN Automation Group, a global leader in the corrugated industry, delivers box converters proven printing solutions to maximize efficiencies, opportunities, and quality. Having spent over 30 years exclusively focused on developing solutions for the corrugated industry, SUN takes great pride in offering customer-centric solutions that meet demands for today as well as tomorrow. This commitment is evident by its most recent innovations. Those looking to hop on the proverbial “digital train” were introduced to SUN’s acclaimed CorrStream® digital printer last year. Currently in full production with HSG, the proven and disruptive solution provides unparalleled opportunity to box converters. CorrStream is the first self-contained, production line ready digital printer installed on a converter’s factory floor. This means users can place the printer next to their Flexo unit without fear or need of a controlled room to house their digital solution. Furthermore, the intuitive and modular design of the CorrStream provides users both immediate, value-added results and the ability to retrofit new technologies. Most recently the company also released its SUN Spectrum Print Unit for Inside Printing. The single pass system allows users to print on both sides of a corrugated box—leveraging previously untapped space to display additional advertising or other messaging. Efficient and flexible, the SUN Spectrum Print Unit for Inside Printing can be retrofitted seamlessly to nearly any machine. The unit features servo controls that make it easy to integrate the solution with ease and maximum productivity. The unit also comes equipped with a Harmonic

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

As a U.S. manufacturer with domestic service and support, customers can depend on SUN for quick, localized, unmatched support for all their corrugated needs. ABOUT SUN AUTOMATION GROUP ®

Drive Digital Register, which provides maintenance-free operation and registration adjustments within .001"—all of which greatly reduce costly downtime. The SunTrac Vacuum Transfer system which comes standard permits accurate sheet control, allowing for more productivity and optimal production speeds. For those needing quick drying time, there is also room available for an interstation drying unit. In addition to supplying customers with new state-of-the-art equipment and solutions, SUN continues to build on its successes with existing solutions like the SUN625® fixed-frame, high speed, wide format rotary die cutter, and MicroGrind® Die Cut Accuracy Control System. Since its introduction several years ago, the SUN625 has been successfully incorporated throughout numerous box plants. The rapid growth of the SUN625 can be largely attributed to the system providing greater reliability, flexibility, and productivity. Its fixed-frame, vertically opening platform allows operators to safely step inside the machine for quick order changes. Combined with the industry’s first and still best anvil trimming and compensation system, MicroGrind allows customers to produce consistent die cutting for multiple-out and multiple-up orders.

SUN Automation Group® is a global industry leader providing corrugated box plants with innovative equipment for feeding, printing, and converting. The wide range of products are proven solutions for increasing production, efficiency, and profitability. With 24/7 on-site technical support, SUN Automation is known for its exceptional service and care. Headquartered outside of Baltimore, MD, SUN Automation has service centers around the globe. To keep up to date with SUN Automation’s innovations and news, visit www.sunautomation.com or follow the company on twitter @SUN Automation. EDITORIAL CONTACT:

Simona Georgescu President Adduco Communications O +1 702-434-0341 M +1 916-213-5354 simona@adducomm.com Christina Nuzio Vice President Adduco Communications O +1 702-434-0341 M +1 516 368 4387 christina@adducomm.com SUN Automation Group 2201 Long Green Pike Glen Arm, MD 21057 410-472-2900 www.sunautomation.com

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EQUIPMENT

BAHMÜLLER Be Ready for the Future BAHMÜLLER’s TURBOX is well established in the corrugated converting industry—more than 75 units will be up and running by the end of 2017. In addition to the 67" and 90" TURBOX, BAHMÜLLER introduced the TURBOX XL specialty folder in 125" working width. The new TURBOX XL is designed to meet the North-American requirements and bases on the wellproven TURBOX technology. The company’s BOXFLOW®CONTROL has undergone a complete re-design. Now the machine is able to provide more sophisticated data about energy consumption and operational status. With the optional maintenance billboard, operators now have a tool to document small check-ups and all necessary health and safety checks, direct into the machine’s PLC. The data can also be made available by regular interface technology. The company’s main target is to provide sophisticated solutions, and part of that is the newly developed DFS—DIAGONAL FOLD SUPERVISION—another contribution to zero defect delivery. With the latest generation of BOXFLOW®CONTROL, the TURBOX can be equipped with a sensor kit positioned in the DYNAMIC FOLD II section. The sensor block detects torn flaps and even misfolded flaps, by measuring the length and height. Set-up of this kit is done mainly automatically, due to its location next to the powered top belts and independent from box type and style. The location provides best availability, even for small and narrow flaps, where optical systems tend to fail. The combination of different sensor

types enables the system to work under standard lighting—no extras required. Sensor adjustment is done by a “Golden Template” reference run. Faulty products will be ejected inside the optional “UNIQUE EJECT” module at production speed. These systems grant the perfect preparation for the POWERPACKER. Almost 30 machines have been installed now all over the world, offering significant benefits to the current users, including: • 40% higher production compared to manual pick-up; • Reduced sick leave of employees due to less manual handling; • Equal packaging and box count; • Reduction of head count at the line.

Overall, customers are reporting an ROI of 3 to 5 years—depending on local circumstances. Further to the basic POWERPACKER strapping solution, BAHMÜLLER is able to provide the latest system with ATS Banding—a 30mm-wide flexible ribbon. The banding solution does not harm the sensitive surface and corners of the boxes. It is an excellent solution for high graphics and sensitive products. POWERPACKER ATS was named as a leading technical innovation at SuperCorrExpo in 2016. Furthermore, the POWERPACKER can be installed behind almost any brand of speciality folder gluer. www.bahmueller.de

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

EQUIPMENT THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

XANTE

Photo courtesty of Xante Corp.

ante would like to thank AICC and its members, which have been leading the corrugated packaging industry in adopting and implementing digital printing technologies. Over the past several years, Xante has heard many success stories of how digital printing has created new opportunities and expanded capabilities of AICC members. Here at Xante, we are always excited to hear about how our customers are utilizing digital printing.

Team 6 won the AICC Package Design Competition at the 2017 Annual Meeting in Las Vegas.

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

• Our customers are digitally printing prototypes on demand, which can emulate a production flexo order better, compared to samples printed on a roll-to-roll printer with adhesive back paper. Also, sales teams can quickly provide many versions of designs printed directly to the customer’s containers for a very professional sales presentation. • Many corrugated converters are using a digital printer to simply expand the capability of their current flexo presses by offering full color packaging; lower minimum order quantities; minimize turn-around time by eliminating printing plates; or lower inventory held by producing a customer’s order just-in-time in the exact quantity needed. • Other companies are using digital printing to add variable data such as barcodes, serial numbers, or personalized information directly to the packaging instead of labeling. The AICC Design Lab Competition, held this past September in Las Vegas, showcased how a digital printer can be used for prototypes and small runs. The creativity of the design teams was brought to life by the digital cutters and the Xante Excelagraphix 4800. Each team’s designs were printed directly to the corrugated sheets at 1600x1600 dpi

in a matter of seconds. This allowed the design teams plenty of time to adjust the artwork, cutlines, or image placement and print many variations until the perfect design was achieved. There is no other corrugated printer available which has the small footprint, low power consumption, incredible speed, and affordable price as the Excelagraphix 4800. The printer is user friendly and includes Xante iQueue Workflow RIP software. Xante’s iQueue allows the operator to easily apply barcodes, assign variable data, or custom match existing colors using Xante’s patented RightOn spot color tool without going back to the design team. Xante is eager to see what 2018 brings for the corrugated packaging industry. We look forward to helping more AICC members bring digital printing in house to further expand their capabilities, enter new markets, and continue to lead the packaging industry through innovative and creative packaging. 1st Place, AICC Design Lab—Team 6 • Brian Labonte of Lawrence Paper Company • Adrian Lozano of Corrogados Logo • Scott Neff of Skybox Packaging • Kristin Warehime of Dunwoody College of Technology • Matt Whitlock of Sumter Packaging

OFFER YOUR CUSTOMERS NEW PRODUCTS

I can produce on demand, I can make the box on demand and print on demand.

I have the ability to print on anybody’s boxes, as well as the ones that I make. Major advantage.

– Rob Wornock

– George Moretti

INNOVATIVE INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS The Excelagraphix has had a major impact on our business growth in two specific ways:

No. 1 was to take existing customer base and offer them a new product, which expands the reach inside that customer No. 2 is that it allows us to approach different segments in the marketplace

– George Moretti

251.473.6502

xante.com

VISIT HERE FOR WHITE PAPERS AND CUSTOMER VIDEOS

WWW.XANTE.COM/PPM

EQUIPMENT THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL MACHINERY

or over 40 years, American International Machinery, Inc., has served the folding carton and corrugated converting industry, providing quality solutions through new and used equipment and support. AIM is the exclusive North American distributor of Signature folding carton and corrugated converting equipment. The Signature brand is known the world over for modern technology and multifunctional system designs. Compounded with local service and training support, it’s obvious why Signature is the brand of choice for customers investing in operational growth. The Signature corrugated folder gluer line includes the Eagle and the Albatross. The Signature Eagle masters the high speed corrugated converting of small to medium format blanks. Capable of producing straight line, lock bottom, and 4&6 corner cartons, as well as inlet partition designs, the Eagle’s reputation is built on quality blank converting of paperboard 32–60 point (200–800 gsm) and corrugated board N to A flute. The Eagle is designed with a built-in spanker for precision carton squaring and engineered for the same easy setup and quick changeover as is standard for all Signature converting equipment. The Signature Albatross series is engineered to produce large-format corrugated products and is available in two unique configurations. The Albatross (for straightline, lockbottom, and 4&6

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

Serving the Folding Carton and Corrugated Converting Industry for over 40 years.

corner) is capable of run speeds up to 350 m/min and features wider feed belts, an auto make-ready device, and an extended alignment section for precise carton control. The Albatross SL (for straightline only) features a motorized feed system, a creasing line press roller, spanker, and an auto make-ready device. For folding carton converting, the Signature brand offers the Elite, Premier, and Compact. The Signature Elite can run straightline, lockbottom, and 4&6 corner cartons effortlessly and is known for its standard carton aligner, inline carton ejection, pneumatic carriers, and extended/dedicated prebreak section. The Signature Premier has been declared the most affordable in the international

converting market and offers a wide variety of option selections including a Servo-backfold, carton aligner and/ or in-line carton ejection unit. The Signature Compact is a heavy-duty folder gluer designed to take up minimal floor space and to run small straight line and lockbottom cartons for the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and vending industries. New to the Signature brand family is the Beverage Plus. This upgraded Elite or Premier folder gluer is specially designed to produce bottle carriers, along with straightline, lockbottom, and 4&6 corner cartons. For more information visit www.aiminc.net or contact American International Machinery, Inc., at 414-764-3223.

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

EQUIPMENT

AICC Members have saved

over $56,000 on training

costs since onlined education became free to member companies.

How much have you saved?

Signature Corrugated Folder Gluers the Eagle, Albatross, and Albatross SL. Built with the same durability, versatility, and affordability the Signature brand is known for worldwide.

www.signaturefoldergluers.com kkoplin@americanintl.com 414-764-3223

www.aiccbox.org/packaging school

Mastering the emmeci rigid box machine Seminars co-hosted by:

and presented by EMMECI USA

operator’s training TUES, March 13- FRI, March 16, 2018 Designed for beginning operators who have run machines for between six and twelve months, the beginner course will show students how to set up a job from start to finish. They’ll learn how to use a squaring tool, how to make wooden frames and how to put forms on the machines. The session should give those operators who frequently need help from more experienced coworkers the tools and confidence to set up jobs on their own.

8:00 am- 4:00 pm days 1-3, 8:00 am- noon on last day Training Location: EMmeci usa, east providence, RI Registration Fee: $695 • • • • • • •

Basic Knowledge Of Paper, Board, Adhesive, Stay Tape Basic Knowledge Of Rigid Box Forms and Hardware Basic Knowledge Of Rigid Box Making Machine Electrical/ Mechanical Timing Procedures Machine Setup & Startup/ Size Change Procedures Presentations from L.D. Davis and Newman & Co VisValue and Zahn Cup Measuring Procedures

LEARN MORE at www.aiccbox.org/operator BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

EQUIPMENT THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

VALCO MELTON Valco Melton’s CLEARVISION BOXCHEK 7 is the next generation of the Perfect Box™ One of the first leading companies to design and develop camera inspection systems, Valco Melton utilizes innovative research in identifying the existing needs of the corrugated box and carton manufacturing industries. In today’s world of manufacturing with automatic case packers, case erectors, and carton filing machines, it is more important than ever to produce defect free boxes and cartons. Valco Melton has taken ClearVision® equipment to the next generation to continue helping manufacturers produce not only The Perfect Box™ but also the most advanced box. Valco Melton has since developed a wide variety of cameras all encompassed in their BoxChek 7 system, evolving their technology beyond GlueChek™, FoldChek™, and BundleChek™ to include much more. With continued advancement in software and product development, Valco Melton’s latest BoxChek 7 technology is used across a complete line of solutions for the corrugated box and carton producing customers.

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

The new features of Valco Melton’s Clearvision Systems with BoxChek 7, which takes the idea of “thinking outside the box” to a new level, include: *CodeChek includes barcode and 2D code detection and inspection. *PackChek is an automated packaging inspection system which takes a thermal and visible image of every package to ensure the hot melt glue has been applied to the correct locations. *ScoreChek finds and rejects sheets fed upside down or reversed, inspects corrugator score location and sheet orientation, and uses the innovative ShadowChek camera technology listed below. *RegChek prints to cut registration inspection. *SlotChek inspects the width and depth of the slot. This is included in RegChek. *Bundle FoldChek inspects the bottom box of each bundle and records the manufacturer’s gap for statistical analysis per customer’s requests. *GapChek is the next evolution of the Perfectly Squared Box. Two cameras inspect the manufacturer’s gap on the front and back of each bundle, checking all the boxes. Placed after the strapper or CE, bundles containing defective

boxes are marked and ejected by the BundleChek eject system. *ShadowChek inspects back—fold flaps on specialty folder/gluers and glue placement from the same camera at the same time. The ShadowChek camera also uses LED lighting to effectively light the target area from all angles to create the desired shadows needed. UV additive is NOT needed when using the ShadowChek camera. *BrailleChek reads and identifies the integrity and quality of Braille embossing on folding carton packages. BrailleChek is able to detect Braille on the printed side of the box, ignoring all colors and patterns. *TagChek is designed to locate RF tags, security tags, labels, and any of the type of insert that has thickness or depth of 0.250mm. *MegaGlueChek for carton and rigid box is used to inspect all the glue lines up to an 18" wide area. *WindowChek is the complete window checked: height, width, position, contaminates, glue pattern, and cello with slit are all compared to the master image or measured. Visit http://bit.ly/2vPvCRn for more information.

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EQUIPMENT

t h e p er fe c t b ox

DELIVER THE PERFECT BOX TM

DISCOVER HOW http://bit.ly/2iU3fJ4

BoxChek7 MAKES QUALITY, VISIBLE TM

BoxChek7TM offers a host of quality inspection tools:

CC GlueChek

CodeChek ScoreChek RegChek

BC gC GapChek

Adhesive Dispensing & Quality Inspection Systems World HQ: +1.513.874.6550 | ask@valcomelton.com

Folding Carton Essentials Wednesday, March 21- Thursday, March 22, 2018 hosted at NuPak, Red Lion, PA

PRESENTATION TOPICS • Paperboard Substrates & Applications • Paperboard Manufacturing • Characteristics of Paperboard • Packaging Sustainability • Package Design • Prepress • Printing & Converting

HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES • Packaging Materials • Manufacturing Effects • Characteristic Test Comparisons • Packaging Design • Printing Comparisons • Die Cutting and Scoring

Build Your Team. Build Your Company.

www.aiccbox.org/calendar

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

EQUIPMENT THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

A.G. STACKER, INC.

A.G. Stacker, Inc., is located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley in Weyers Cave, Virginia, in a 100,000-plus-squarefoot facility. We have been serving the corrugated industry since 1996. What started as a rigging company and machinery rebuilding business quickly turned into a new machinery manufacturing business focusing on rotary die cutter stackers. Owner Clarence Allen’s goal is to build innovative, state-ofthe-art stackers, retrofits, and ancillary equipment and deliver customers better

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

support than they have ever received. Over the last 21 years and hundreds of customers later, we feel we are achieving just that. From inception, A.G. Stacker’s goal has been to focus on our customers and innovation. We realize without the two, we would not be in business. Our work force value their reputation for being the best at what they do. A.G. Stacker’s customers deserve nothing less. Our honesty, integrity, and professionalism have kept A.G. Stacker customers coming back and bringing with them new customers, ideas, and projects. We consider trust to be the foundation of our relationship with our customers by continuing to invest in a highly skilled work force, top-of-the-line equipment, safety and technology advances, and facilities to better service our customers

and earn that trust. As a corrugated machine manufacturer, we understand your business. Clarence brings 10 years of experience as a plant manager at a premier sheet plant, as well as over 10 years of maintenance supervisor experience. It is this background and passion for machinery combined with the knowledge of our employees that has gone into every design change and U.S. patent we have completed. A.G. Stacker, Inc. Standard Business Hours Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM (Eastern) Call: 540-234-6012 After-Hours Support Call 24/7: 540-470-0292 E-mail: 24seven@agstacker.com

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EQUIPMENT

AIR CONVEYING CORPORATION BY MICHAEL REGAN

A LITTLE ABOUT AIR CONVEYING CORPORATION Next year Air Conveying Corporation (ACC) will be 50 years old, founded in 1968 in South Holland, Ill. ACC started as a sales and engineering company that designed complete trim removal, shredding, and baling systems for the corrugated, printing, folding carton, wood, and grain industries. Now located in Memphis, TN, we strive to be the best, most reasonably priced, conscientious, and professional provider of trim removal systems including all of the components, systems, and accessories needed in today’s box plants and printing plants. ACC is a quality provider to all of the major integrated companies as well as a huge base of independent converters. With about 150 years of combined experience, ACC has the resources to handle every phase of a project, from concept through completion, whether it’s a new plant or an existing operation. This includes professional engineering analysis for support steel and foundation design with stamped and certified drawings for permit acceptance. Other support functions include rental equipment, crane and electricians, plumbers, and concrete contractors. ACC can also help with EPA, OSHA, and NFPA inspections, certifications, and permits, and ACC has alliances with consulting firms and recycling organizations that can finance projects. The entire product line is made in-house with the exception of motors and gearboxes. Visit the web site at www. accfilter.com for a complete listing. A few examples include:

SEPARATORS: • Classifier®: The only TRUE zero

•

• • • •

pressure separator and filter assembly on the market today. Tangentair®: An extremely economical under roof separator patented by ACC. Low Profile Tangentair®: This patent pending separator is used in low ceiling elevation applications. Cylindrical Separator®: This is an emergency Corrugator Bypass Unit. Cyclone: Standard cyclones from 6-foot diameter to 20-foot diameter. Internal Filters: Standard cyclones with a filter on top. Relay Separators: Any of the separators listed above to be used as a relay to provide extra capacity for growth utilizing your existing Separator.

FILTERS: • Manual Filters: These are filters that

are manually cleaned and are the least expensive. • Reverse Jet Filters: These filters are self-cleaning and are entirely automated. • Cartridge-Style Filters: These filters use a cartridge as the filter media. ACC PATENTED SHREDDERS: • G Series: Pinch Conveyor fed 40" to

110" wide for sheets, rolls, cores, flat stock, and odd-shaped material. • L Series: Roll Pinch Conveyor fed 40" to 110" wide for chop out, sheets, and flat stock. • Top Feed: Mainly inclined metering conveyor fed 24" to 84" wide for signature and material that can be dumped into a metering conveyor.

• Floor Sweep: For small sheet waste, large converting belt conveyed waste, stripping waste. • Gtf Series: Pinch Conveyor and Top Feed Combination 40" to 110" wide for anything listed above for the G Series and Top Feed combined. CONVEYORS: • Slider Belt Conveyors • Airveyors • Inclined Metering Conveyors • Cart Dumpers • Trench Conveyors BALE ACCUMUL ATION AND WEIGHING SYSTEMS: • Feeder, Sheet Cleaner, Vacuum Transfer, Die Cutter & Folding Rail Dust Recovery Systems • Dust Briquetters • Balers • Blowers, Fittings, Elbows, Pickup Hoods, and all of the Accessories • Touch Screen Controls with state-of-theart networking and real-time pressure adjustment for differing paper grades • Service, Repairs, and Upgrades to existing systems CONTACTS:

Air Conveying Corporation 2196 E. Person Ave., Memphis, TN 38114 Phone: 901-454-5016 Fax: 901-324-7979 Engineering: Mike Regan extension 306 – mregan@accfilter.com Sales: Mike Tipsord extension 305 – mtipsord@accfilter.com Website: www.accfilter.com

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

EQUIPMENT THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

AMERICAN CORRUGATED MACHINE CORP.

78 X 197 Sunflexo 2/C Jumbo Flexo Folder Gluer

JUMBO SunFlexo Folder Gluer A Sechang Company, LTD Providing “High Quality, Cost Efficient, and Modern Technology” 78 X 197 Sunflexo 2/C Jumbo Flexo Folder Gluer MACHINERY FEATURES

Model 2050, Sun Lead Edge Feeder, Steel Print Cylinders, Ceramic Anilox Rolls, Chambered Doctor Blades, Dual Slotting Sections, Rotary Die Cut Section, Folding Section With Downstacker, Computerized Setup

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

As always, ACM is here to serve all of your machinery and appraisal needs. Please call or visit http://www.acm-corp.com for more information on this machinery & all available ACM machinery offers. ACM

American Corrugated Machine Corp 110 Liberty Lane, P.O. Box 357 Indian Trail, NC 28079 Toll-Free 800-528-2331 or 704-821-6799; Fax 704-821-6831

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EQUIPMENT

BALDWIN Boost Your Productivity! With Baldwin’s Corrugated Solutions Energy-efficient Drying & Curing • FlexoDry IR • LED UV On-press Print Plate Cleaning • FlexoCleanPick • FlexoCleanerBrush

FlexoDry IR

www.baldwintech.com CONTACT tel: +1 913-888-9800 email: csrteam@baldwintech.com

LED UV

FlexoCleanPick

FlexoCleanerBrush

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

EQUIPMENTâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

BRAUSSE GROUP

rausse & Eterna, a 30 years young Canadian branding, started in Vancouver, BC, Canada. A member of Bobst Group since 2011, it has always been committed to innovation for new technology and product, post-sale support to both

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

folding carton and corrugated industries in North American market since 1987. This commitment will continue and grow in future because this is our mission and passion. For more information, please visit www.brausse.com or call 888-853-4760.

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

EQUIPMENT

BW PAPERSYSTEMS

Think Inside the Box! A recent survey found that 40% of consumers are likely to make repeat purchases from a merchant that delivers premium packaging. That is an 11% growth from 29% in 2015. End customers are seeking and expect high-end packaging, and so do your customers. Grow your business by offering the additional feature of inside the box printing! Furthermore, eCommerce is expected to grow to 17% of U.S. retail sales by 2022. In eCommerce, versus physical retail, merchants have fewer touch points to impress customers, so it’s important

to utilize every touch point to create a stand-out branded experience. A key touch point that is especially valuable in eCommerce is packaging. Multicolor, high-quality graphics provide a unique and memorable branded experience. The addition of a personalized message, such as a thank you, image, or product instructions on the inside of the packaging takes this experience to the next level. It is the next generation of value added! This value is increased through the ever-growing role of social media. Nearly 4 in 10 consumers would post a picture to social media of an online order if it arrived in unique, branded packaging. This trend of sharing the experience of opening a package is called unboxing. The trend of unboxing is gaining popularity online. Social media users are tweeting, posting, sharing, and liking unboxing content! BW Papersystems currently offers single pass inside the box printing on 50-inch G-Grafix Flexo Folder Gluers and MiniPro Flexo Folder Gluers. The addition of an inside print unit to a new or existing machine will enable you to be on the leading edge of industry trends

while increasing your margins compared to dual pass inside printing. The G-Grafix Flexo Folder Gluer builds on MarquipWardUnited’s tradition of robust, gear-driven machines. Top quality impression, sheet transfer and ink metering provide the capability to print process, fine screen, and block work with quick and easy changeover for specific jobs. The MiniPro Flexo Folder Gluer features direct drive technology for impeccable control of all production phases at fast production speed. The vacuum transfer system and the closed chamber doctor blades provide excellent printing accuracy. Patented Corrusleeve® technology enables fast order change. Printing plates are prepared off-line on sleeves so that sleeves can be changed as fast as 60 seconds per sleeve. Contact us: BW Papersystems 10615 Beaver Dam Rd. Hunt Valley, MD 21030 Phone: 410-584-7700 Email: sales@bwpapersystems.com www.bwpapersystems.com

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

EQUIPMENT THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

COPAR CORPORATION

opar Corporation has had a busy year. Some highlights include: Update design of our CSSC Wet End control to use Allen Bradley L33-ER PLCs. This new hardware platform has allowed literally hundreds of software improvements. Redesign our operator interface screens to allow the new “Millennial” generation to more quickly understand and use our corrugator controls. Replace existing operator touchscreens. The retro-fitable low cost screens are 23-inch diagonal measure compared to our old version 17-inch. Support existing customers. We have developed update kits to convert older vintage controls to the modern PLC control base. These kits are relatively low cost and can be installed quickly over a weekend.

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

Offer our “Deep Dive” on-site training seminars where our customers’ engineers and operators meet with Copar service and control experts to refresh proper operating procedures. Institute weekly Friday morning meetings to allow our technicians to review their experiences and to share knowledge. There have been many important control improvements which have resulted. Revise the designs on several of our machine interface sensors for improved reliability and serviceability. Add the trademarked “Black Box” data collection feature which allows Copar in-house service to recall archives of machine operation including sensor inputs, operator actions, and other data. Using VPN to access this information

makes customer support much faster and simpler. Refine aspects of our Warp Wacker closed loop laser corrugator inspection and control system including a link to our segmented water spray for non-uniform warp. Install a new Haas CNC VF-4 4-axis 30-horsepower milling machine. Continue to offer free software updates to our existing customers. Copar — 65 years of service to the box industry info@copar.com www.copar.com 5744 W. 77th Street, Burbank, Illinois 708-496-1859

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

EQUIPMENT

DYNARIC, INC.

ynaric, Inc., is a leading manufacturer and supplier of strapping equipment and polypropylene strapping operating facilities in Virginia Beach, Va., and Mexico. Dynaric, Inc., has built a solid reputation as an innovative leader in the plastic strapping market. Our facility located in Virginia Beach, Va., manufactures a complete line of strapping products including machine-grade, controlled-elongation, and high-tensile polypropylene plastic strapping. For corrugated box and carton bundling applications, Dynaric, Inc., offers several machine models including the N3400, N3400CB, and the SMB COR Bundler. The N3400 is an automatic

strapping machine ideal for manual bundling operations. N3400 comes standard with foot bar and photo eye for hands-free operation and is available in various arch sizes to fit all production requirements. N3400ACB is fully automatic with power roller conveyor and can be equipped with compression, bundle stops and four-way squaring for optimum flexo folder gluer bundling operations. SMB COR bundler has been designed to be used with specialty folder gluers and is ideal for bundling multi-point glued and crash-lock bottom boxes and cartons. Both the N3400ACB and SMB COR feature “SMART TOUCH” operator controls for easy setup and operation. Up to 5,000 customer product recipes

can be programmed and stored for quick product changeover. All Dynaric corrugated box and carton bundling machines use the same N-type strapping head. The N-type strapping head technology features low voltage 24VDC servo drives with minimal wearing parts. N-type strapping heads can be easily adjusted to use 5mm to 12mm strap sizes. Servicing and maintaining the N-type strapping head is easy with direct access technology, DAT, requiring no tools to access the strap path. To learn more about Dynaric corrugated box and carton bundling solutions please visit us at www.dynaric.com, and contact us at 800-526-0827 or gd@dynaric.com.

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EQUIPMENT THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

EAM-MOSCA CORPORATION Keeping Pace With Higher Throughputs Hazle Township, PA — EAM-Mosca, the leader in the corrugated industry for bundling and unitizing solutions, has developed systems to meet market demands for greater speed, faster changeovers, and increased uptime. From the base TRC-6 bundler line to its fully automated SQ4A Tandem system and the company’s unitizer line, EAM-Mosca has an offering that matches customer requirements and integrates with the latest flexo folder gluers, die cutters, bundle breakers, slitters, and material handling systems for maximum performance. Bundler/Squaring Integration: The TRC-6 bundler features Mosca’s latest technology in precision sealer head and track design, including the proprietary Sonixs ultrasonic sealing system. The TRC6-SQ4 squaring bundler incorporates a backstop and squaring panels to greatly improve bundle appearance. A single TRC6-SQ is capable of squaring and strapping up to 24 bundles per minute. Where higher production or redundancy is required, the SQ4 Tandem offers a 4-zone solution: dual zone entry conveyor and SQ4 bundler, a second dual zone conveyor and a second SQ4 bundler. The SQ4 tandem system is capable of squaring and strapping up to 36 bundles per minute. All Mosca bundlers come with upstream and

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

downstream interlocks as well as other integration options. Unitizers: The CTR is a high speed, high performance, all-electric, threeheaded unitizer. It has a peak throughput of 220+ loads per hour and features Mosca’s Sonixs unitizer strapping head that has proven to be a highly reliable and low-operating-cost device over its eight-year operating history. The CTR’s popular options include MoscaTrak™ diagnostic system, internal turntable, pallet lances, and custom paint, and was designed for the high-throughput requirements found in many American box plants. The new BSG-4 coil splicer option welds the lead edge of the new strap coil to the trailing edge of the

previous coil, which saves strapping and reduces coil change time by 50%, further increasing effective throughput capability. The BSG-4 runs on a rechargeable battery and is portable so that it can conveniently service multiple strapping heads. EAM-Mosca also offers the CTE all-electric unitizer, which is available with the aforementioned options but has the additional opportunity to install a fourth strapping head. All EAM-Mosca unitizers are effectively designed to run 9mm PET strapping. To learn more about any of EAMMosca’s other productivity-enhancing strapping systems, please call us at 800-456-3420, or email us at info@ eammosca.com.

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Is everyone making the most of your company’s AICC membership?

FREE ONLINE EDUCATION SQ4 Tandem Bundler

Proven Performance in Demanding Applications •

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Outstanding Reliability. Maximum uptime enables you to get the most out of your production lines. Industry Benchmark Speed. Remarkably fast ultrasonic Sonixs heads have been proven in high-throughput plants for over a decade in both bundlers and unitizers. Time Saving Options. Add Dual Coils with Automatic Changer to your bundler for fast coil replacement; Unitizers can include MoscaTrak for measuring performance, our Advanced Platen Safety System, and much more!

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Innovative Technology. Practical Solutions. Superior Performance.

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ELITRON What’s the need for digital cutting? Companies operating in the packaging industry need volumes to achieve profitable economies of scale; however, market trends are increasingly pointing towards smaller production batches with quick turnaround applications to provide end users with the level of customization that they demand. Traditional die cutting solutions even if capable of producing in high volumes are not versatile enough to make short runs profitable; on the flip side of the coin, digital cutting solutions, albeit a solution to short runs, are not suited for industrial workloads because of the lack of automation and workflow integration. What makes Kombo TAV-R unique? The future of the cardboard industry runs through smart automation and for now there isn’t anything smarter than Kombo TAV-R.

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The innovations with Kombo TAV-R are many but the most striking feature of Kombo TAV-R is certainly represented by its fully automated material handling logistics that allows 24/7 unattended pallet-to-pallet productivity while, at the same time, making it easily fit into every company specific layout. Such a high-volume productivity for a digital cutting solution is possible thanks to two other breakthrough patented innovations: Seeker System and AiroPanel. The former is a dual camera system which automatically recognizes the reference marks from the underside while the sheets are loaded and automatically launches the cutting files allowing the machine to run unattended 24/7. The latter is a revolutionary unloading system which consists of a powerful vacuum panel which uses suction power to remove the cut materials from the

working area in just a single go. This one-step unloading makes the overall throughput incredibly shorter and more efficient; furthermore, this technology allows for a complete cut which eliminates the need for attachment points. This translates into dramatic cutting quality improvements and easier and quicker stripping. Kombo TAV-R in a nutshell Kombo TAV-R represents the state of the art in digital finishing for the corrugated industry. Elitron’s innovative technology has all the advantages of a digital cutting solution in terms of both versatility and capability of easily handling short production runs, while at the same time providing the productivity of a fully automated solution. Kombo TAV-R is the technology that can bridge the gap between non-automated sample tables and high-volume die cutters.

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FELINS

Ready to explore the world of Ultrasonic banding? ATS US-2000 banding machines and automated systems have revolutionized bundling in the corrugated industry and offer efficient, cost-effective solutions for all applications. Installed post-folder/ gluer, our banding solutions utilize Ultrasonic technology that offers an alternative to both strapping and use of master cartons. Benefits include: • Reduced damage. Our wide plastic banding is strong enough to hold boxes tightly together but gentle enough to not damage the edges of top and bottom pieces in each bundle. Since Ultrasonic welding

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technology doesn’t require heat, jams from residue build-up are eliminated. Efficient palletization. By replacing master cartons with compressed banded bundles, more product can fit on each pallet, resulting in fewer pallets and truckloads required per order. Safe & hassle-free cleanup. Banding is conveniently removed by hand without dangerous tools and easily disposed of, minimizing waste when compared to master cartons. Perfect for specialty projects. Banding is versatile and adaptable to nearly every project from specialty corrugated boxes to die cut sheets. Satisfied customers. When products arrive damage-free and material

can be easily removed (and recycled!), customers are happier than ever before. Felins USA, Inc., has a passion for creative alternative sustainable packaging solutions and believes packaging is fundamentally exciting and environmentally important. We have been manufacturing machines to securely bundle a variety of products since 1921. Contact our Automation Sales Manager, Regina (Basconi) Bence, to schedule a live demo today! regina.basconi@ felins.com w ww.felins.com 800-336-3220

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GRAPHIC WEST PACKAGING MACHINERY, LLC

raphic West Packaging Machinery is a Sales, Service, Spare Parts, Engineering, and Manufacturing company specializing in automated solutions for folding cartons, Laminating, POP Displays, and Pattern Gluing or Taping in many print and corrugated fulfillment applications. As the North American provider of parts and service for Jagenberg Folding Carton equipment since 2004, Graphic West continues to offer equipment reconditioning programs, technology upgrades and retro-fit solutions for existing Jagenberg folder-gluers, pre-feeders, and case packers.

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Additional information can be found at www.graphicwestpm.com. Graphic West is the exclusive Sales and Service partner in the USA for Lamina System in Sweden. Lamina equipment offers a variety of solutions for sheet-to-sheet laminating, display assemblies, and folding many shapes and sizes of 1- or 2-piece boxes. The Lamina sheet-to-sheet laminators can accommodate a maximum size range up to 63" x 78". The Lamina large-format Gluer options can handle up to 197" in working width. Lamina Working Stations are available in standard and custom sizes.

Additional information can be found at www.laminasystem.com. Graphic West is also the Exclusive North American partner for Bickers GmbH in Germany. Bickers offers multiple sizes of their GLUEJET and TAPEJET machines for automated shapes and patterns of cold glue, hotmelt, and specialty tape applications. These programmable XY axis elevator tables are proving to be very efficient and cost-effective solutions for POP displays, multiple-piece assemblies, and other fulfillment center applications. Additional information can be found at www.bickers.de.

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HYCORR, LLC

YCORR LLC is a leading domestic manufacturer of rotary die cutting machinery headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Our new state-ofthe-art facility provides enhancements to HYCORR’s manufacturing capabilities that directly impact quality, efficiency, and the overall customer experience. Kalamazoo, Michigan, has been HYCORR’s home for more than 30 years, and during this time we have established a uniquely qualified and dedicated staff that is the very core of our company. HYCORR machines are known for their robust quality, enduring serviceability, and unique features, including the CORR-Pilot machine controls; Hycorr 360 service diagnostics; Siemens operating platform; servo drive lead edge feeder with precision indexing and increased overall machine speed to 12,000 sph; quick change anilox rolls; automatic wash-up; AutoComp anvil cylinder drive; slotting and scoring section; single pass top and bottom print capability developed and in operation for over 20 years. Operating 24/7/365, HYCORR is the only machine manufacturer that provides after-hours phone technical support at no charge to its customers regardless of the age of their equipment. Many of the first machines ever produced by HYCORR 30 years ago are still in operation, and are still supported by our best in class service technicians and customer service team. For optimal production support the HYCORR 360 remote diagnostics service can be used by our customers for direct communication to the factory. The HYCORR 360 opens a portal for communication with the customer and the machine.

Exclusive to HYCORR is the machine control system CORR-Pilot; this Siemens-based HMI (human machine interface) has been rolled out across the company’s comprehensive line of machines. Holding true to its time-honored tradition of American-made and American-supported technology, the ultra-intuitive HMI meets customer demands by delivering uncomplicated resetting, multi-machine data exchange, and malfunction-free operation. The operator is guided step-by-step through the operating procedure by an interactive dialogue; the ideal interaction between man and machine to dramatically reduce downtime for increased productivity and profitability. CORR-Pilot is quick, user-friendly, and delivers multiple points of entry. Operators have instant feedback from the machine and on-the-fly adjustments that can be saved to a job file and recalled with 50,000 job storage and retrieval for efficient machine setup. CORR-Pilot also allows changes to be made to the print

register, impression caliper, lateral print position, and diecut register—just a few of the axes controlled by the operator. The CORR-Pilot’s open architecture and XML language enables seamless machine integration with current MIS systems using HYCORR’s 360 portal, another of the standard offerings on HYCORR machines. With HYCORR our customers deal directly with the manufacturer; not an agent, not a distributor, not a joint-venture company. The machines are built here, serviced here, even the parts are here. HYCORR LLC is a subsidiary of Kolbus America, Inc., and remains a privately held U.S. firm with sales and service representatives throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Andy Hergenrother, West Coast U.S. & Northern Canada; Art Crawley, Mideastern U.S.; Kelly Adams, Southern U.S.; Cynthia DePriest, Midwest and Eastern U.S.; Roman Lopez, Kolbus de México, S. de R.L. de C.V.; Robert Shafer, Europe.

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JD ENGINEERS BV New Tanabe JD BoxR Speciality Folder Gluer A machine with high output and accuracy and at the same time, more functionality through improved servo controls from JD, combined with the well-known sturdy mechanical design of Tanabe. Upgrade Your Speciality Folder Gluer “JD engineers in the Netherlands with so many years’ experience with Speciality Folder Gluers, offering solutions for technical problems encountered on almost a daily basis with older equipment. Having developed these retrofit solutions, it became clear that they could market these products as complete units as opposed to just offering them as a quick fix.” These retrofit solutions include: Box straighteners for folder gluers (LSU: Latest Squaring Unit), Servo drives for back-folding, Glue controller, Top carriers, Speed controller, Quick-set, Auto-set, and many more options. In the first quarter of 2018 our new facility will be ready and we will move in.

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LATITUDE MACHINERY CORP. The Large and the Small L ATITUDE MACHINERY USA IS THRIVING ON THE EDGES

Over the last few years, Latitude Machinery has experienced both ends of the market for machinery size. According to Lance Head, President, “we went through a period when the most requested machine was a ‘mini’ (27" x 71") flexo-folder-gluer, and now the emphasis seems to be on ‘jumbos’ (89" x 165" through 89" x 216").” Mid-size machines also get interest, and Latitude, which offers a full line of machines, is ideally positioned to meet machinery needs across the spectrum. LMC is a world-class manufacturer of corrugated converting machinery. Since its inception in 2002, LMC has

sold over 400 Fast Set Up Flexo Folder Gluers, Open/Close Flexo Folder Gluers, Rotary Die Cutters and Printer-Slotters in 82 countries. International packaging companies such as DS Smith, SCA, Dentas Group, SFT, Unipak, International Paper, and over 30 North American Independent boxmakers have purchased machines from Latitude Machinery Corporation. With more than 80 machines currently installed in North America, Latitude has become the machine of choice for value-oriented customers, providing consistent high-quality, square boxes to independent and integrated boxmakers alike. Latitude machines have one of the lowest costs of ownership in the market. Parts with same day/next day delivery

are provided from a large U.S.-located distribution operation. Remote access or telephone technical support is available 24/7 through one service phone number. ALL remote access or telephone support is free of charge to all customers. Regional-based service technicians are available to provide mechanical, electrical, or controls support. Latitude Machinery Corporation also has service technicians available in the U.S. on a rotation basis. Annual Service Agreements are offered to customers who require scheduled regular maintenance visits. For further information, contact Lance Head at 269-372-9376, or lhead@latitudemachineryusa.com.

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OHIO BLOW PIPE Don’t Settle With a Poor Performing Scrap System A recent AICC poll taken identified that 76% of respondents plan on some form of expansion in 2018 and 97% expect to acquire or improve equipment. Evaluating your scrap system should be an important part of your planning process. As a box manufacturer, you have a multitude of demands placed on you and your business. Having a poor performing scrap system should not be one of your issues. Evaluating your current scrap system and any issues you have and making this a part of your plans will help ensure you achieve your expansion or new equipment objectives for growth and profitability. Your scrap system should be assisting your bottom line, not detracting from it. It should help you meet deliveries, not cause missed deliveries. Plugging, poor suction, scrap blowout, cold weather scrap issues, machine downtime, excessive dust, OSHA citations, permitting issues, poor bale quality, and negative air pressure are the typical signs of settling with a poor performing scrap system. The questions that usually follow are: can I add more equipment to my system, will cycling

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any of our machines work, do I install an under-roof system or a cyclone above the roof, can I save energy costs, what is the efficiency of my cyclone, can I get it permitted by the EPA, what are the current NFPA regulations I must comply with, should I return the air from my scrap system back inside, will I save money doing this, am I compliant with current regulations, is my insurance carrier or the Fire Marshal telling me our dust collector is not compliant? What must I do? Sound familiar? Are you currently experiencing any of these issues? Are you having trouble getting answers to your problems or even getting someone to respond to your inquiries for help? If any of the above sound familiar, you are settling with poor performance, and more importantly, settling with a poor scrap system provider. In business for 85 years, Ohio Blow Pipe has dedicated itself to box and folding carton manufacturers. Ohio Blow Pipe has been supplying trusted experience, sound advice, innovative solutions, experienced engineers, installation technicians, and after the sale support aimed at helping box makers and carton makers become more productive and more profitable. Ohio Blow Pipe and our wholly owned subsidiary Advanced Airsystems keep abreast of all current codes and regulations, keep abreast of the new converting equipment and how to process the scrap, offer guidance, offer alternative solutions to problems, and provide the widest range of scrap removal solutions to the industry. If you are experiencing any of these scrap system problems and are looking to add equipment, expand, or open a new facility, Ohio Blow Pipe has a wide range of scrap system solutions and experience aimed at your specific needs and requirements.

These include: • Cyclone based systems with tested performance and emission data • AIRSCREEN® systems to allow all of your scrap handling to be performed under roof • Cycling systems to share existing scrap lines • Pit belt systems that eliminate individual scrap system fans, thereby significantly reducing energy requirements • Slider belt systems that can eliminate shredding with direct feed to a baler • CLEANAIR® dust collection that complies with all existing OSHA and NFPA regulations • Dust briquetters to reduce the handling of collected dust • Patent-protected Mist-Clone system to handle the vacuum transfer dust issues found on today’s high-speed converting equipment • Floor sweep systems, airveyors, belt conveyors, and diverters • New auto-tie balers, shredders, and hoggers • Remanufactured balers and shredders refurbished to OEM standards • Noise abatement equipment • Scrap system audits and site surveys No need to settle anymore! Get the best advice, know-how, solutions, options, and after the sale support to help make your business thrive. And, it is backed by an 85-year tradition of servicing the industry with innovative products and systems, being responsive and putting the needs of our customers first. Contact Ohio Blow Pipe at 216-681-7379 or at sales@obpairsystems.com. 446 East 131st Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44108 • 216-681-7379; www.OBPairsystems.com

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ROBERDS CONVERTING COMPANY Right size, right price, right now! YOU GIVE US YOUR SIZE, WE SHEET IT HOWEVER YOU’D LIKE

• • • • • • • •

Custom-sheeted to your job All 1st line material Rapid turn times on all orders Savvy Customer Service team Abundant paperboard grades Domestic 70/80/95# C1S Contract sheeting Family-run for 40 years

Give us a call, shoot us an email, or visit our website to learn more! We are happy to answer questions or inquiries! Contact Phil Weinrich for help. philipw@roberdsconverting.com 513.348.6211 113 Northeast Drive, Loveland, OH 45140 www.roberdsconverting.com

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SAMUEL R. PARRY MACHINE COMPANY

arry Machine Company has been a leading supplier to the Rigid Box Industry for over 125 years. Originally Parry Machine supplied Auxiliary Equipment such as Board Corner Cutters, Paper Miter Machines, and Laminating Machines. Recognizing the needs of the Rigid Box Industry, Parry Machine expanded its services to include New and PreOwned Spare Parts for Rigid Box Equipment, and Sales of reconditioned and rebuilt Rigid Box Equipment. Parry Machine expanded its services by purchasing Spare Parts and Prints of Crathern and Smith, FMC, and Stokes and Smith equipment from Crathern Engineering. Most recently Parry Machine has successfully developed and perfected a fully Automatic Robotic Spotting System for the Crathern and Smith and FMC Rigid Box Lines. This system can be adapted to existing equipment, adding less than five minutes to your setup time. The system also includes extra safety functions. For more information please contact Mike Coughlin at 315-597-5014 or mcoughlin@parrymachine.com.

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SOLEMA USA INC.

Board Converting & Graphic Arts EXCEEDING WORLDWIDE INDUSTRY STANDARDS SINCE THE 1980S

First* In Pads & Partitions — Small footprint, minimum setting time, strong cycle automation. These are main features of our cutting and assembling machines for solid and corrugated paperboard. Through the years, Solema automation components have acquired a proven technical and functional reliability that, together with an always-increasing level, puts our firm at the top of the list for design and construction of machines for today’s bindery and post-press automation needs. In 2013 Solema, Italy, acquired from BHS Corrugated the business unit of the

company Roda manufacturing machinery for cutting pads and assembling partitions in different models and with different automation processing levels. Customers who have experienced firsthand the reliability of Roda will be pleased to see what Solema has added and how it is determined to evolve and add to this range of converting solutions for the paperboard industry. Machine’s Ranges — We have machines to cut, die cut, score, and perforate paperboard (Gandria, SuperCombi, Sol-Combi, Multi-Roll Cut), machines to assemble partitions (Andax, Andax-Jumbo, Moser, Multiline), and special machines to glue partitions directly inside boxes (Casiermatic). Machine’s Features — Touch Screen & Servo Adjustments shorten

make-ready times thanks to servo settings. Absolute precision handling paperboard with ±0.2 mm (±1⁄128") accuracy; perfect square cut always guaranteed. Versatility-speaking our machines are designed to work with premium paperboard as well as recycled, foam, acetate, and plastic. Own Production Premises — High accuracy and minimum waiting time in parts production are assured by our latest generation of CNC work centers. We can assemble brand new drawings the day after they have been designed. After Sales — Service is a priority. Strong expertise of our representatives is the first warranty for Solema customers. Spare parts and upgrades are always available, managed directly in our warehouses.

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STITCHING & GLUING SOLUTIONS

titching & Gluing Solutions brings The Vega Group’s versatile, high quality specialty folder gluers and double feeders and the Gazzella Atlantique line of stitching, gluing, and taping machines to the U.S. and Canadian markets. Vega, in Milan, Italy, has been specializing in the design, production, and craftsmanship of specialty folder gluers for the most varied of commercial applications since 1947. • • • •

Lightning fast set-ups Custom solutions Perfect alignment, precise registration Increase the performance of your existing folder gluer with an automatic double feeder to create shelf-ready packaging • Economical Gazzella Atlantique has specialized in the manufacture of stitching

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technologies for the corrugated industry since 1979. Stitch single and two-piece boxes, from solid board to triple wall, and featuring the only fully automatic jumbo stitcher. Quality, cutting-edge stitching machinery. • Uniform and consistent stitching • Quality and cost-effective • 10 minute changeovers Stitching and Gluing Solutions • Unmatched customer support, service, and training • European-manufactured, Cincinnati-based • Providing you with solutions to exceed your customers’ expectations Contact Jeff Jensen to discuss your stitching, gluing, and folding needs. 513-382-9208 jeff@stitchingandgluing.com

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SYSTEC CONVEYORS

ur industry is changing and Systec Conveyors is changing with it. From our founding in 1992, Systec has focused on bringing innovative products to the corrugated converter. Some of our products have been awarded patents for their unique design, such as the De-Sheeter device and the Trim-Line Transfer Car. As we look to the future, it’s apparent the old adage, “the only constant is change,” continues to be the mantra. High-speed converting equipment brings

special challenges to material handling suppliers and safety continues to be a primary focus for everyone. As the industry has moved away from roller conveyor to the plastic mesh-belt conveyors, Systec has adapted and continues to look for new opportunities and products that take advantage of this new technology. Recently Systec Conveyors became a part of Inspire Automation. Our goal is nothing less than to become the corrugated converter’s “Supplier of Choice.” Our new company president, Matt

Cahill, brings a fresh voice and a depth of knowledge invaluable to our efforts. He, along with the many experienced “old hands” here, are changing to become more customer focused. Change is not easy and it can be a bit rocky, but change we must. To our loyal customers who have stayed with us all along, thank you, and to those who have not yet considered Systec Conveyors, I invite you to take a closer look. Visit us online at www.systecconveyors. com or call us at 800-578-1755.

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W. H. LEARY COMPANY

. H. Leary Company offers a wide variety of gluing and quality assurance solutions for both the high-speed/long run and short run demands of the specialty corrugated box market. Leary’s portfolio focuses on solutions for the rising demands of high quality graphic corrugated boxes, produced on Specialty Folder Gluers. This rise in printing on corrugated board is due to more readily available single-pass printing options and the need for manufacturers to reposition and rebrand their packaging to survive outside of traditional brick-and-mortar consumer purchase points. Leary’s patented, fail-safe solutions guarantee every box is inspected by each detection station on the folder gluer. The Quantum™ cold glue valve and UV40 glue detection sensor ensures +/- 1 mm accuracy. The slim valve design is equipped with adjustable mounting hardware and heavy-duty guides for product containment. Detect for glue presence, placement, and volume with ease, set up detection, and make finetune adjustments remotely. Monitor for mixed copy and verify customer code readability at 2,000 scans/sec, reading each code multiple times to guarantee reliability. Guarantee box quality with missing or dropped flap detection. This

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solution monitors absence and presence of flaps, inspects for hanging scrap and correct cut outs, as well as detecting dropped 45° crash lock or 4/6 corner flaps. Reliable rejection devices ensure that defective products are correctly identified for delivery of 100% quality product to your customer. Leary takes your gluing and quality assurance a step further with the unique iQ™ Smart Services technology, which provides relevant data to help make informed process improvement decisions. The cloud-based data collection solution delivers real-time data from the production floor to your browser or smart device providing multiple production reports for analysis. Additionally, iQ Serialization can deliver comprehensive details about the quality and production conditions of each individual box immediately, or stored for retrieval in the future. Demonstrations of Leary’s specialty folder gluer solutions running on a Bobst Expertfold 165 are available in our Demo Center at our corporate headquarters in Tinley Park, IL. To see how Leary solutions can improve your specialty folder gluer box quality and processes, contact W. H. Leary at sales.us@whleary.com or +1-708-444-4900. For more information visit us at www.whleary.com/ corrugated-specialty-folder-gluer.

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WSA-USA, LLC Three Productivity Boosting Solutions for Under $100K The economy is in a really good place right now, just ask any corrugated box maker and they will be happy to tell you about how busy they are. Many will then go on to explain how the additional volume has exposed bottlenecks and other manufacturing deficiencies within their operation. As a supplier of innovative material handling solutions, WSA-USA has been asked countless times, “What do you have that can help us increase our throughput while decreasing labor costs, all without breaking the bank?” Being a “Full Solution Provider” provides us the ability to offer a number of low cost solutions that can immediately begin to pay dividends from day one. These include: the semi-auto prefeeder, the bundle doubler with XY pairing corner, and the bundle breaker. Our semi-auto prefeeder allows one person to feed a top or bottom printing press without having to physically lift any material into the hopper. This enhances productivity, minimizes the risk of injury, and in many cases reduces what used to be a two person job to something that one person can now easily manage. The semi-auto prefeeder can feed either a top or bottom print machine and is designed

for nearly any size application from minilines to jumbo machine. Its compact design is also well suited for those plants already taxed on space. Our bundle line solution with bundle doubler with XY pairing corner has also seen a lot of success as a simple “drop in” solution. With very little investment the efficiency on a bundle line can be greatly improved. The bundle doubler working in unison with the XY Pairing Corner will allow for not just doubling of the bundles put pairing them as well. This can increase the efficiency of the line by a factor of 4 and in some cases 6. This greatly improves the efficiency of the load former operator, reduces the flow rate of bundles, and creates nice gaps in between units. Our bundle breaker is designed to maximize the productivity of a rotary diecut or flat bed diecut lines and is available in widths of 1700mm, 2400mm, and 2800mm. By nicking diecut blanks together the plant is able to utilize the full width of the press for greatly enhanced machine efficiencies. WSA breaker solutions are available in single breaker or double breaker formats. These are just a few of the lowcost solutions WSA-USA can offer to help maximize our customers’

productivity—many of which can be implemented for less than $100,000 each. WSA has been providing the most comprehensive range of material handling equipment for the corrugated industry for over 30 years in over 60 countries worldwide. This includes: full plant automated conveyor systems, centralized pallet inserting systems, semi and automatic prefeeders for all sizes of FFGs and RDCs, bundle handling systems for diecutters and flexos, robotic palletizers, high speed tri-zone load formers, and much more. By partnering with a single source material handling supplier our customers will experience: Economies of scale savings, streamlined and efficient installations, improved communication between machine center components, and a single point of contact for parts and service support. For additional information on our company, products, and services please visit our website www.wsa-usa.com or contact Doug Vandergriff at dvandergriff@wsa-usa.com.

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YOUNG SHIN USA LIMITED • Maximum sheet size of 82.50" x 59.05" (accommodating KBA’s sheet size of 81.00" x 59.05" that competitors cannot match) Also integrated are the following:

Young Shin ZENITH 210 Plus Diecutter — Cutting Edge Investment for 2018 Considering a high-speed, flatbed diecutter in your capital investment plan for 2018? With rising economic momentum and projected sustainable growth, the acquisition of a Young Shin ZENITH 210 Plus Diecutter can accelerate productivity and yield greater profitability. The 2018 U.S. economic forecast includes numerous positive indicators. Inflation under 2% is projected while the GDP growth rate should track within the ideal range of 2% to 3%. Unemployment is anticipated at 4.1% and capital investments are expected to rise by 3–4%, matching the equally positive rate of business spending in 2017. OPPORTUNITIES TO MA XIMIZE PROFITABILIT Y

Designed and manufactured in Daegu, South Korea, by Young Shin Industries, the ZENITH 210 Plus Diecutter offers sophisticated technology, superior make-ready advantages, extensive safety features, automated set-up, die

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

compatibility with existing Swiss-made equipment, and low cost of ownership. The ZENITH 210 Plus offers modern, advanced technology and reduced equipment operating costs strategically supporting increased productivity and accelerated profit growth. Since today’s run lengths continue to shrink, the ZENITH’s rapid make-ready capabilities, including its integrated chase turner, can yield greater turnaround, higher efficiencies, and reduced overhead. The high-speed ZENITH 210 Plus integrates sophisticated automation features, a wide range of applications, superior performance, and exceptional quality, including: • Single and double wall board corrugated • Solid substrates such as micro flute • Litho label and single-face laminated board • Foam core • Plastic corrugated and paperboard down to .060 point • 5,000 sheets per hour

• Scissors lift in feed area is included • Chase turner allowing make-ready of next job while current job is running • Triple action stripping — male, female, and pin stripping • Feeder lead edge hold down for feeding warped board • Bobst-compatible cutting dies • Globally-sourced electronics including Becker, Siemens, and Omron • Utilizes standard U.S. 480V The economic factors supporting the Investment of a Young Shin ZENITH 210 Plus are in place, making this strategic acquisition timelier than ever before. About Us In 2007, National Sales Manager, Phil Mack, established Young Shin USA Limited, the North American wholly-owned subsidiary of South Korean-based Young Shin Industries. With sales and operations located in suburban Chicago and parts headquarters situated in Atlanta, the firm oversees the sales, service, parts, and training operations for both Young Shin diecutters and German-based STOCK litho-laminating products. To learn more about Young Shin diecutters and STOCK products, visit www.youngshinusa.com or contact Phil directly at 847-598-3611 or pmack@youngshinusa.com.

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

EQUIPMENT

ZÜND

ith the latest wide-format printers now approaching throughput rates of thousands of sheets per hour, there is no stopping digital printers. Having invested top dollar in a super-fast, high-volume digital press, the last thing print service & packaging providers want to do is simply push the printing bottleneck further downstream to the finishing department. It is true that higher-end cutting system manufacturers have made great strides in tweaking maximum processing speeds with improved blade technology and more robust tooling; nevertheless, because of the physical forces involved in driving cutting tools through materials—especially some of the more challenging, rigid kind—there are limitations that are difficult to overcome without sacrificing edge quality. The answer lies in improving automation (and thereby productivity) in every aspect of the production process: in prepress and nesting, material loading, file retrieval, tool setup and changeovers, robotic off-load and stacking & kitting of cut product. Now more than ever, your best bet is cutting smarter. Zünd, as the leading manufacturer of multi-functional digital cutting/

converting solutions, can help you do exactly that. Built for 24/7 operation, Zünd cutters offer the widest selection of tool options and workflow automation, making digital cutting simple, productive, and profitable. Choose from several different lines of cutting systems, including the S3, G3, and the dual-beam D3. Pick a size up to 10"x10" and the tooling and material-handling automation that make sense for your particular production requirements—from custom

fabrication or prototyping to high volume, fully automated non-stop operation. With a wide range of tools for cutting, creasing/scoring, perforating, routing, and even labeling & marking, Zünd cutters can handle flexible and/or rigid materials up to 24 in. thick. Zünd Cut Center, Zünd’s complete digital workflow with various nesting options, offers an extremely user-friendly interface and ensures simple, efficient operation and unbeatable productivity.

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

DIES, ROLLS, PLATES, AND ACCESSORIES THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

DICAR

nnovators of the one-piece urethane soft anvil rotary diecutter cover/blanket, Dicar nears 50 years of providing world leading service and durable urethane products to the corrugated packaging industry. Dicar’s extensive range of products includes the Anvilok series soft anvil rotary diecutting covers, lead edge feed wheels, wheels and rollers, creasers and crease profiles, anvil systems, and a full offering of specialty items. Dicar’s most recent innovation is the Equalizer™ G4. This latest version of the very popular Equalizer anvil system used Dicar’s new patented Snap Sleeve “split bearing” design. The Snap Sleeve bearing allows removal of individual bearing sections for easier and more efficient mounting and rotation especially in close quarters. The split bearing design also accommodates thermal expansion, maintaining consistent cover mounting and allowing the bearing to easily slide along the cylinder for simplified installation and rotation. The Equalizer G4 is available for most popular diecutter sizes. Other recent Dicar innovations include: Dicar’s Emba Die Cut Bearing Upgrade brings a new level of ease-ofuse and efficiency to Emba diecutting stations. Like the Equalizer G4, the Emba bearing upgrade uses the patented Snap Sleeve design and offers the same benefits and advantages of the G4. AnviLatch™ is Dicar’s ergonomically friendly modern anvil cover mounting technology, which eliminates the need to use a mallet when mounting or rotating.

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

A simple indexing of the die cylinder secures the covers to the cylinder. AnviLatch™ Die Cylinder Gripper Bars 2.0 are magnetic handles that quickly attach to the die cylinder for an easy and ergonomic means of indexing the die cylinder when rotating or mounting covers, or mounting cutting dies. Dicar’s Geo. Martin Scrubber Replacement Wheels feature a Wrap-on™ design for simple and quick removal and installation. The precision sized and cast wheels meet or exceed the OEM specifications and are designed to deliver optimum wear and sheet control without marking the sheets. Replacement MHI EVOL CounterEjector Wheels from Dicar are available in both solid and Crushless® styles engineered to be an exact fit replacement. makes an ideal cutting surface allowing hundreds of thousands of cuts. Its dense The Dicar replacement wheels incorpomolecular structure prevents accidental rate two high-precision 606zz bearings “cut-through” in most manual cutting and meet or exceed OEM specifications. operations, and its magnetic backing SpeedStrap™ reusable magnetic pull bands for printing or diecutting provide a makes it perfect for mobile applications. More information on Dicar’s full range quick and cost-effective way to maximize of products can be found at www.dicar. sheet control through the printing com. Dicar’s newly redesigned website and diecutting stations. The magnetic features product information, our prodbacking allows the straps to be quickly uct catalog, and technical information. and easily positioned and secured to the The most recent addition to Dicar.com print or die cylinder to provide maxiis the Dicar Store. Customers can now mum sheet control resulting in enhanced order many Dicar products 24/7 online. registration, fewer jams, and higher To set up your Dicar Store account, quality of the finished product. call 1-973-575-1174 or email stephenc@ Magnetic Scratch Pads™ provide dicarinc.net. a durable surface that protects your countertops and other work surfaces, Phone: 1-800-240-4157 tools, and parts from scratches, cuts, Web: www dicar.com. and damage. The self-healing urethane

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

DIES, ROLLS, PLATES, AND ACCESSORIES

® A new generation of accuracy and efﬁciency ■ NEW patented Snap Sleeve split bearing ■ Maintains die-cut quality and accuracy ■ Perfectly matches speed between anvil and cutting die for maximum die-cut size stability ■ Permits removal of individual bearings from any position ■ Accommodates thermal expansion for consistent and easy mounting ■ Simpliﬁes installation and rotation ■ Install covers from most convenient location then slide into position

Dicar, Inc. | 30 Chapin Road, Pine Brook, NJ 07058 | 800-323-4227 | www.dicar.com Dicar, the Dicar logo and the color of blue used in Dicar products are registered trademarks of Dicar, Inc. Snap Sleeve is a trademark of Dicar, Inc. Snap Sleeves are covered under one or more US and International patents or pending patents. Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved.

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

DIES, ROLLS, PLATES, AND ACCESSORIES THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

PAMARCO BY JOHN BURGESS

pending the larger part of my life in the corrugated business, I have a distinct perspective of its needs and strong friendships based on mutual trust and desire to see our industry prosper. Pamarco is proud to be part of a select group of companies recognized for stimulating industry-wide growth through consistent innovation. A unique position of serving both the flexographic and coatings markets allows Pamarco to deliver a product portfolio tailored to specific areas and to leverage advances in one market for further growth in another. For example, our wide web customers running 175 LPI plates at 2,000 feet per minute on a consistent basis have forced development of processes now regularly implemented in rolls produced for corrugated clients expanding their graphic capabilities. If this drive for increased graphic capabilities is to continue allowing the flexo process to dominate, it must be profitable and efficient. Education at all levels of the industry becomes vital, which is why Pamarco has committed to participate in the AICC Partners in Education program. But our belief in education doesn’t end there. We offer in-plant programs as a service to

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

our clients, designed to provide press crews, maintenance departments, and plant management with knowledge for achieving maximum value from their investments in Pamarco products and beyond. Each program includes the dedication of a team thoroughly trained on current trends, maintaining our commitment to be industry experts. Pamarco is known for anilox manufacturing and quality products. Our OEM-specification base production begins in Walton, KY, while finishing occurs in one of our four laser facilities. Situated in Batavia, Illinois; La Palma, California; and Atlanta, Georgia; and

Warrington, UK, these facilities make for a quick delivery to any region or location. Continuous investment, such as 2 new laser engraving systems for La Palma and Warrington in 2018 and upgraded plasma coating facilities in all locations, guarantees quality replication at each plant, an advantage in cases of national disaster or special needs. Mechanically engraved rolls, a Pamarco staple, are used to manufacture corrugating glue rolls and specialty coating applications. These remain a significant part of our growing business, with production in multiple U.S. locations. Roughly five years ago, Pamarco purchased Absolute Engineering. Anthony Whiteside, President of Absolute, pioneered the introduction of carbon fiber doctor blade chambers and single blade systems, with current global installations exceeding 5,000. Together, we will propel our industry into the future through innovation and the education of coming generations. Though industry demands constantly fluctuate, by keeping an ear to the market and trends, we predict continued success.

The 1st word in

nilox

FACT:

In corrugated converting, the paper board has a huge impact on printing quality. Pamarco provide detailed advice on anilox selection, which guarantees 100% consistency of print, for all your paper boards. ~James Chesley Technical Sales Engineer

Service... For nilox applications speak to a Pamarco representative by emailing ďŹ&#x201A;exosales@pamarco.com.

pamarco.com

nilox

DIES, ROLLS, PLATES, AND ACCESSORIES THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

PRINTRON Judged by Your Success Printron provides graphic services, flexographic plates, and cutting dies for the packaging industry. From file building to print, cutting dies to custom applications, digital assets to lean and dedicated workflows, our flex is your success. We manufacture Baysek, flat, rotary, and Bobst cutting dies to precise specifications and tolerances. We do not use a “one size fits all” approach to cutting die manufacturing. We consider the specific machine capabilities, and working together—determine which materials work best on the equipment, and specifically, on each individual project. We supply our clients with tools that give them the best opportunity to exceed their customers’ expectations, including: QUANTUM DIGITAL FMD SHEET PHOTOPOLYMER

Our proprietary printing plate features flat top dots, in addition to cushion between the plate material and substrate, which allows the plate to conform to the corrugated flutes and reduces print gain. RETAIL-READY TEAR-OUT RULE

We offer unique perforating rules that provide excellent holding strength, but allow the package to be torn effortlessly and with smooth, clean edges. An excellent choice for all retail-ready packaging that incorporates tear-outs in the design. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Rick Pomerenka Sales Manager rickpomerenka@Printron.com Visit us at www.printron.com.

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

Thank you Education Investors These companies are making a significant contribution to the online education available to all AICC members.

Education Investor Program The Education Investor opportunity is available to 15 AICC member companies for $15,000, each. Companies may partner to meet the threshold. It is an annual commitment that offers the companies great exposure and impact. For more information, contact Mike Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Angelo, Vice President, 703.535.1386 or mdangelo@aiccbox.org.

DIES, ROLLS, PLATES, AND ACCESSORIES THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

QUEST7, INC. BY TIM J. BURNS

Quest7, Inc., Celebrating 15 years— Committed to the Corrugated Box Industry Quest7, Inc., will celebrate its 15th anniversary in March of 2018. I want to recognize and thank the people and organizations who influenced my career path and opened doors of opportunity from what began from an inspiration while I was in high school. Their influence on my life has led me through a journey of growth. Through success and failure, I find value in what I have learned and the people who have helped me to learn. Their impact on my life has allowed me to be a positive impact on the lives of others. As a family business, we acknowledge the relationship we have with employees and customers who are “like family” to us. This partnership and common bond strengthens Quest7’s focus and commitment to the corrugated box industry. To many, it is “just a box.” To us, it is the way we “do life” together. We appreciate the friendships we have made and look forward to the people we will meet in the future. It is amazing how this industry has evolved since I began in 1983. I recall mixing starch from bags, making splices by hand, setting up triplex slitters in a pit, and hand stacking off the corrugator. We used to push stacks of board around on conveyors and hand feed converting machines. Ideas of “one box setup” seemed impossible. Mixing ink was just that, we mixed ink with a skill unique to each operator. Warp, delamination, skewed boxes, and print issues were a few of the battles we faced every day. Delivery times of one to two weeks was

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

normal. Seeing how far this industry has come is a credit to the many people and organizations who committed themselves to making us all better. I truly appreciate the hands-on experience and hard work during those days, as it allows me to have a better understanding of what our customers are going through on a daily basis. Others on our team have similar hands-on experience and hard work specific to their career in this industry. Together, we utilize our knowledge to help our customers solve their challenges. There are two key principles I have observed in our successful customers. First, they supply their customers with a better product that meets their needs, and second, they get that product to their customers very quickly. Therefore, for Quest7 to be a successful company, we must give our customers the same—a better product that meets their requirements and a quick turn-around time. We have both the ability and willingness

to work with our customers to create a custom-made knife, in a matter of hours, allowing us to be very responsive to each customer’s unique need. In addition to custom-made knives, Quest7, Inc., supplies other various products to the corrugated industry. As a manufacturer and distributor, our product lines include converting male and female slotters and corrugator carbide and steel razor slitters, splicing tapes, re-enforcement tapes, strings, and tear tapes. Please visit our website, www.Quest7. us, and contact us to learn more about the products we offer. We look forward to a personal face-to-face connection with you. Tim J. Burns, President Quest7, Inc. 9853 N. Alpine Rd. Machesney Park, IL 61115 Phone: 815-654-7737 Cell: 815-979-7020

B R AT I

YEARS

2003 - 2018

ILY-OWNED FAM Est. 03.03.03

AND

O PE R AT E D

DIES, ROLLS, PLATES, AND ACCESSORIES THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

ANILOX ROLL CLEANING SYSTEMS Dirty Rolls Got You Down? When your ink, coating, and glue rolls are plugged, a lot of time is wasted making unnecessary adjustments to try to offset decreased cell volume in your anilox rolls. We know how disruptive downtime can be for your production schedule. Let us help you increase your uptime and production gains! Anilox Roll Cleaning Systems (ARCS) has been helping corrugators and converters improve their print quality and reduce their operating costs by cleaning out dried ink, coatings, and adhesives from their printing and coating rollers for over 20 years. SERVICES DIVISION (offering nationwide coverage) On-Site Roll Cleaning Services — We offer both on-press and off-press cleaning options. Our ability to clean large corrugated rolls on-press saves time and eliminates any risks associated with removing these rolls from their presses. With branch offices located in the Philadelphia, Charlotte, Chicago, and Dallas areas—we have you and your anilox roll care needs covered! Contact Elizabeth Boynton by telephone at 800-699-3722 or by email at elizabeth@ aniloxrollclean.com for more information or to schedule a roll cleaning service. In-House Roll Cleaning Services — Performed with the NEW ECLIPSE™ LASER CLEANING TECHNOLOGY, your rolls will be returned to you with a new level of clean! We know how important your anilox rolls are to you and your production schedule—our turnaround time is 24–48 hours.

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

EQUIPMENT DIVISION For companies looking to perform their own roll cleaning, we offer two choices: L ASER SYSTEMS

Eclipse™ Laser Roll Cleaning Equipment provides state-of-the-art cleaning technology using a proprietary laser pattern. These easy-to-use systems only require electricity to work—no compressed air, water, or media are ever required. Laser cleaning also helps companies achieve their sustainability initiatives and move away from the use of chemicals and other processes that produce waste during roll cleaning operations. Our Eclipse™ Laser Roll Cleaning Equipment is PROUDLY MADE in the USA!

SODA SYSTEMS

We also offer on and off-press baking soda systems which provide a dust-free and efficient way to clean rolls. PRESSROOM ACCESSORIES In addition to our anilox roll cleaning services and roll cleaning equipment, we also provide the following: • A line of environmentally safe and user-friendly cleaning solutions • Capatch Disposable Cell Volume Testing Strips • Microscopes for cell inspection (AniCAM & Handheld) • Dry Ice Blasting Equipment for pressroom/press frame cleanup. (Not recommended for roll cleaning.)

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

DIES, ROLLS, PLATES, AND ACCESSORIES

APEX NORTH AMERICA BY DAVID McBETH, VICE PRESIDENT, NORTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA

s the global leading anilox manufacturer, Apex NA is committed to providing the very best technology for corrugated printers and board producers in North America. Apex as a global organization services approximately 70 percent of the corrugated anilox and glue set market in Europe from its Global HQ in Holland and 80 percent of the South America market from its Brazilian HQ. “Our Accora glue/meter technology is what really sets us apart from the competition,” comments Dave McBeth, North American sales director—corrugated. McBeth adds, “Our customers in North America, and a key OEM partner, have helped us to recognize that the North American market is underserviced in terms of quality offerings for rework of glue/meter sets. By completely reworking and bringing the rolls back to OEM specs and using our hardened stainless steel fusion process for the glue

rolls, married to our proprietary ceramic doctor rolls, we can offer the tightest T.I.R./O.D .00002 to .00004 max. This tolerance is the highest of any manufacturer and allows significant savings in terms of starch usage, along with the requirement of less drying needed, meaning a dramatic cost reduction in power consumption of the corrugator while maintaining the highest speeds. In 2018, whether our customers are interested in the standard engravings 60-degree cell, elongated 75-degree cell, which are brand names (such as EFLO, HVP, EXT), or Apex’s proprietary global patented GTT engraving, Apex is the ONLY company globally that has the capabilities to service the entire range of anilox engravings that our customers desire. The Apex GTT open channel engraving is the very best anilox for the corrugated market, and as the demand grows for better board ink coverage,

there’s reduction in skip feeding and higher-quality direct print on corrugated board. GTT engravings offer the printer much more flexibility from one roll (GTT L spec), allowing high volumes at the solid end while allowing 100-lpi screen to be printed, all from one plate. This means the solid would be equivalent to a 220-lpi roll while the screen work would be an approximately 440-lpi roll. Apex welcomes discussing these offerings further and demonstrating our capabilities in person. General sales inquiries can be directed to 724-3798880 or info@apexnorthamerica.com. David has spent 36 years in the Flexographic market and worked for some of the largest organizations in the global marketplace. He has an MBA in business and is passionate for products that add true value to customers.

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DIES, ROLLS, PLATES, AND ACCESSORIES THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

ARC INTERNATIONAL BY STEVE WOODARD

Stainless Steel Cladded Glue & Meter Rollers For many years, engraved single-facer and glue machine applicator rollers have been supplied with a traditional chromeplated surface. The underlying material, either mild steel or electroplated copper, is mechanically engraved to form the cells that carry starch, and then the roller is chrome-plated with a thin layer which is usually .0004 in. to .0006 in. thick. These rollers can perform quite efficiently until corrosion begins to set in or contact with the corrugating roller results in the removal of chrome. Small cracks in the chrome surface can allow water, starch and other additives to attack the underlying layers. The thin chrome plating over mild steel or soft copper offers little resistance to pitting and corrosion. So how can we insure corrosion-resistance with a build-up material that has exceptional durability? The stainless steel cladded glue applicator roller provides the best of both worlds. This proprietary process involves the removal of the old, worn or damaged surface, whether mild steel or copper. Then, to gain proper OEM diameter specifications the roller is cladded with stainless steel wire. This cladded material becomes an integral part of the roller’s shell and cannot delaminate. The roller is then precision-ground to minimize TIR (total indicated run-out) and mechanically

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

GLUE APPLICATOR ROLLER Optional mechanical engraved surfaces: • Stainless steel cladded • Steel cladded and chrome Cladded surface Optional traditional mechanically engraved size surfaces: 16, 20, 25, 35, 45, 50 LPI

METER ROLLER Precision ground; optional surfaces: • Tungsten carbide • Chrome • Chrome oxide ceramic

ARCInternational.com 800-526-4569 AR115 BxScorGMetr.5pgAd.indd 1

engraved to achieve the finished surface. The chrome plating step is eliminated and the full thickness of the stainless steel build-up protects against any pitting or corrosion. The stainless steel cladded surface can be engraved with traditional pyramid or quad tooling, positive pin-up designs or our Starch Saver™ hexagonal tooling. With the hexagonal design, the necessary amount of starch to be transferred is achieved with cells that have less depth and are less prone to clog. While the stainless steel cladded glue applicator roller is a more expensive avenue, the end product will provide a durability and longevity that will translate to limited downtime and

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substantial maintenance savings over time. ARC offers a five-year guarantee against corrosion or delamination. ARC International suggests that glue and meter rollers be replaced as a matched set to ensure efficient application and faster run speeds. While tungsten carbide is the dominant surface today, meter rollers can be precision-ground with chrome oxide ceramic or chrome-plated surfaces. Steve Woodard is vice president of Sales and Corporate Services for ARC International and has been with the company for 31 years.

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

DIES, ROLLS, PLATES, AND ACCESSORIES

FLEXO CONCEPTS TruPoint Green Fills the “Gap” Between UHMW and Steel TruPoint Green® is a great alternative to steel for corrugated printers producing mid-level graphics when line screens increase to a point where UHMW is no longer effective. WHY DOESN’T UHMW WORK?

As corrugated graphics requirements grow, many printers are finding a “gap” between where UHMW is effective and steel is required. In this line screen range, UHMW’s effectiveness declines, and box makers are resorting to steel blades despite shorter blade life and the risk of injuries. When line screens approach 300 LPI (120 l/cm), UHMW begins to lack metering precision due to its insufficient contact area with the anilox roll (growing to as much as twice the blade’s thickness). The blades can no longer effectively wipe excess ink from the roll, and printers start to see changes in tonal value, dot gain, dirty print, and ink waste.

The large contact area is made worse by the UHMW’s poor mechanical creep characteristics. “Creep,” or “spring memory,” is the ability of a material to return to its original shape after being flexed. UHMW loses 70% of its reaction force in the first 30 minutes of use and 78% of its force over a 14-hour period. As the blade loses its elasticity, press operators increase pressure to maintain blade contact with the anilox roll. This increased pressure further deforms the

blade tip and enlarges the contact area— all while accelerating blade wear. WHAT’S DIFFERENT ABOUT TRUPOINT GREEN?

TruPoint Green is a blade that can handle these mid-range metering requirements while maintaining the benefits of polymers—longer blade life and better safety than steel. Green is made from a next generation polymer material. In lab tests, the material demonstrated better stiffness and only half the creep of UHMW and a much lower wear rate than steel. Green is a nice drop-in replacement for UHMW to maintain good blade-anilox contact and meter effectively in mid-level graphics applications. When using Green, press operators notice better print quality and don’t have to stop their presses as often to make blade adjustments and changes. In all, TruPoint Green offers a good blade option for corrugated printers challenged by the “gap” in line screens between where UHMW doesn’t work and steel is required. With better stiffness, creep resistance, and blade life, Green can fulfill the needs of printers producing mid-level graphics so they don’t have to turn to steel.

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

DIES, ROLLS, PLATES, AND ACCESSORIES THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

STAFFORD CUTTING DIES Impression Counters. Accurate count of impressions for a more proactive approach to die maintenance. Jonco Score. Reverse crease for rotary, improved double scores, reduced rolling, and score fracturing. Press Side Repair Cart. Reduced downtime at press-side, bring your tools and materials press-side for repair. RED Die (Retail Engineered Die). Made specifically for short runs, more aesthetically pleasing diecuts. These are a few of the innovative processes and systems that you asked for and we provide.

Stafford Cutting Dies: ‘Clear Cut Results’ Since 1991 we have offered the industry’s best Flat and Rotary Cutting Dies. We specialize in the corrugated industry. Stafford Cutting Dies currently serves our customers from facilities in Charlotte, NC, Reading, PA, and Atlanta, GA. OUR TOOLING PERFORMS WITH:

• • • • •

Faster Setups Tighter Tolerances Enhanced Stripping Reduced Maintenance Longer Life

We achieve superior performance by utilizing cutting edge technology, the latest materials, quality craftsmanship, and a true understanding of your machine’s capabilities. LISTENING

The words “listen” and “silent” are formed with the exact same letters. What does that tell us? We should

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

listen without interruption to better understand your needs. This is the basis for the success of Stafford Cutting Dies. UNDERSTANDING

Listening to you enables us to fully understand your needs. We understand the necessity of providing press-side assistance with highly technical resourceful people. Being press-side also enables us to hear and see firsthand the challenges your diecut operators face daily allowing us to innovate to satisfy those needs. ACTING

These are just a few of the innovative products you have asked for that are available from Stafford Cutting Dies. TopMatrix. Longer die life, faster press speeds, improved stripping, reduced wrinkling, etc. TrimSaver. Reduced sheet sizes, reduced pressure, longer anvil life, improved trim management, etc.

• Online Customer Service (Quoting, Order Status, Reprinting of Packing Slip, Invoices, etc.) • DPS (Die Performance System) In-house die maintenance programs. • Expedited product delivery by our own fleet of vehicles. • Freestanding repair facilities that expanded our serviceable market area. • Affordable localized Artios training sessions. • QR codes on all dies for efficient visual information. We will continue to listen and bring to market the innovations that support your success. For more information, contact us or visit our website. Stafford Cutting Dies 131 Business Park Drive Indian Trail, NC 28079 Guy Earley 704.821.6330 www.gostafford.com

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUEâ&#x20AC;&#x201A;

DIES, ROLLS, PLATES, AND ACCESSORIES

TECHNOFLEX, INC.

echnoflex, Inc. is a full-service company offering state-of-the-art equipment to the flexographic, gravure, coating, and laminating industries. We have been in business for over 22 years selling both ancillary and capital equipment. We strive to offer only the best products and service to the industries that we serve and have changed some of our products over our 22 years to make sure that our customers maintain a competitive edge. Some of those changes have included the addition of Packaging Plast; the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first TOTAL carbon fiber chamber and single wiper blade systems, BFT; auto ink pumping, recovery, and wash-up systems, Uteco; Pre Print Flexo presses and Baldwin Technology; UV/ IR, UVLED, and plate cleaning systems. All of these companies are the leaders in technological advancements in the industry and have a proven track record of success. With successful installations in all of the major integrated and independents alike, Technoflex has become the trusted name for upgrades and new equipment. For more information please contact our sales office at 1-800-884-0455, +1-770-439-9004 or email sales@ technoflexinc.com.

PACKAGING

PLAST

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INKS, COATINGS, AND ADHESIVES THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

BCM INKS USA, INC.

BCM Ink’s ColorConneXion® — Simply Controlling Color Consumer product companies once paid little attention to the accuracy of color printed on their corrugated packaging. Today they are providing strict guidelines when it comes to printing their brand colors. In many cases, the corrugated box is being used to display product, especially in club stores. This necessitates colors on the corrugated packaging to match the primary packaging. Therefore, stricter color tolerances have been placed on the corrugated printer. Because of this, corrugated printers can no longer rely on visually assessing colors. They now have to print colors within tight tolerances and prove the color was printed correctly. This requires instrumentation and software … something BCM Inks has addressed with ColorConneXion®. The BCM Inks USA, Inc., customer base is corrugated printers. After researching several software packages built to manage color and talking to customers, BCM saw an opportunity … develop a simple to use, customized software that would

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

link multiple departments within an organization at an affordable cost. The result is ColorConneXion®, which was introduced to the corrugated market at SuperCorrExpo 2016. This web-based software has many unique features. • Designed specifically for the Corrugated Market — functionality specifically developed for corrugated printers • User-Friendly — navigate through software easily. Anyone can operate. • Unlimited Seats — entire organization can access central color library, reducing inventory and allowing accurate job pricing • Remote Access — real-time readings can be viewed globally for faster color approvals • Job Building — jobs are built to individual press and anilox configurations for quick and accurate color referencing • Conditional Tracking — valuable conditions are stored (pH, viscosity and dryer settings) for future reference and better repeatability

• Color Reporting — creates individual color or job reports for QC reporting • Historical Reporting — generates historical color or job reports for statistical analysis • Color Correction — suggestive direction to improve or correct color, reducing downtime • Multiple Plant Access — multiple plants can access, share or transfer color and job information BCM Inks is providing ColorConneXion® to their blending system customers or customers that have no other means to measure, monitor and record color readings. Customers have recognized reduction in waste, reduced downtime, faster make set-ups and more consistent color after implementing ColorConneXion® software. To learn more about ColorConneXion® and how this software may benefit your company, contact BCM Inks USA, Inc., at sales@bcminks.com or call 1-800-678-6238.

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

INKS, COATINGS, AND ADHESIVES

FLINT GROUP

lint Group Paper & Board is dedicated to providing exceptional products and expertise to packaging converters worldwide through its People, Products, and Services. In 2016, Flint Group demonstrated this dedication through the acquisition of American Inks and Coatings. The investment in AIC was an important part of Flint Group’s long-range strategy to be number one in the Paper & Board market through the provision of the best solutions and products to our packaging print partners. With the partnership of Flint Group and AIC, package printers receive the highest quality inks and coatings supported by the most knowledge people.

To enhance our products and services for the future, Flint Group’s Corrugated Pre- and Post Print development teams work with all key stakeholders to identify market needs and develop products and solutions to meet those requirements. As stated by Michael Mosley, vice president of Paper & Board North America for Flint Group, “Unlike other ink suppliers, Flint Group’s Paper & Board division focuses on corrugated. What does this mean for corrugated printers? We understand what works for corrugated printing—no ‘short cuts’ and no ‘special adds’ are needed. Flint Group delivers the right ink with the experts who can support printers anytime they

need it. Inks, coatings, and top-notch service—it’s the focus of what we do.” In 2018, Flint Group will launch VIVO Colour Solutions to the North American market—VIVO Colour Solutions is a modular set of products and services supporting an effective endto-end color management workflow. Stay tuned for more about VIVO in 2018, when Flint Group will present its digital color communications platform delivering 24/7, 365-day expert color services. Flint Group’s VIVO is underpinned by its XtraMile® suite of services. XtraMile is designed to assist customers in optimizing quality, performance, and cost throughout the entire value chain. XtraMile has been created for customers who want to achieve improvements in their processes and increase overall profitability by streamlining their operations through press efficiencies, ink management, waste reduction, color consistency, and innovative technologies. Interested in learning more about XtraMile? Email Flint Group to set up a consultative discussion at info.packaginginks@flintgrp.com. Flint Group is dedicated to providing innovative products, dedicated technical support, and service solutions that will deliver best-in-class products, and increased productivity, to our customers. Wherever you are, you can rely on Flint Group Paper & Board to provide consistent quality products and unrivalled service. For more information, please contact Deanna Klemesrud at +1-763-398-2716 or deanna.klemesrud@flintgrp.com.

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INKS, COATINGS, AND ADHESIVES THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

ASTRAL ADHESIVES & COATINGS, INC. Thinking Outside the Box: Astral President Talks about Customer Service, Partnerships, and Meeting Tight Deadlines Vikas Singhal makes customer service his business. Vikas, President of Astral Adhesives & Coatings, Inc., talks about bringing innovation and teamwork to every project, while partnering with clients to make sure their needs are met. WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT COATINGS AND SUPPLIERS AVAIL ABLE, WHY CHOOSE ASTRAL?

We are a smaller company that thinks big. As a rapidly growing supplier to the packaging industry, Astral specializes in providing customized coatings for the paperboard market. We offer exceptional personalized service on each and every order. We absolutely treat every client as if he or she were our only client. One way we show our dedication to our clients is delivering what they need, when they need it. Even if that means meeting extremely tight deadlines. At one point a client called us and said he was almost out of product and desperately needed us to turn around a truckload of coating in 24 hours. We scrambled, rearranged our manufacturing schedule, and delivered as promised. No problem.

WHAT MAKES ASTRAL DIFFERENT FROM OTHER COMPANIES?

I think our innovative approach to problem solving sets us apart. Our partners and principals have more than 75 years of experience in the coatings business, and are committed to finding solutions to the most challenging projects. By working with each customer, we can figure out what is needed and then find the solution that works best. In one example, a client was trying unsuccessfully to reach a COBB target while running coating on their corrugator. Working with a large coating supplier, they were unable to achieve the target after numerous attempts and product trials. The company reached out to us and we worked together to develop a product that met the COBB target they were aiming for. This innovation eventually allowed them to expand their business, and we are now their primary coating supplier. YOU MENTIONED THAT INNOVATION IS A HALLMARK OF ASTRAL, BUT DOESN’T THAT MAKE YOUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES MORE EXPENSIVE?

Our innovative coating technologies allow us to offer cutting-edge products, yet we remain highly competitive. Astral is a small company with a very low overhead. Because of this, we are able to

pass those savings along to our customers. We believe we are the lowest cost-solutions provider in the industry today. In other words, we have great ideas and our products will save you money. IT SEEMS THAT YOU HAVE FOUND GREAT SUCCESS BY APPROACHING PROJECTS AS A “PARTNERSHIP”— HOW DOES THAT WORK?

Building partnerships is our business model. Being a part of the client’s team puts us in a unique position to offer ideas and business solutions to challenges they face daily. You probably noticed a theme running through this Q&A—teamwork. That means we get to know our clients like clockwork. We understand their cyclical requirements and make it a priority to inventory product so we can proactively meet their needs. By taking this kind of initiative and getting to know our clients on this highly detailed level, we are prepared to contribute to their success. I’m proud to say that feedback on this business model is extremely positive. Our customers see us as an extension of their team. One client said he considered working with Astral as more of business “partnership,” rather than a traditional vendor relationship. This is the kind of relationship we work hard to establish. We understand your business because this is our business. In addition, our service is second to none, which puts us a step above the rest of the industry. We endeavor to grow with our clients and are proud to be a valued partner in their success. www.astralcoatings.com

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

INKS, COATINGS, AND ADHESIVES

QUANTUM INK COMPANY

o understand “ink different” you must first understand the Quantum Theory of 98/2 … Quantum Ink Company was founded and has built its successful business model around inking different, thinking different, and addressing problems and/or opportunities for improvement head-on. Ink costs are about 2% of your total cost but often 98% of your headaches. Why not ink different and let that 2 work for you? The packaging industry, more than ever, is pushing the boundaries of what can be accomplished. It’s solid partnerships that build the foundation of a growing industry; we must learn together to be more efficient, to produce higher quality products, and to push the limits of what we can do. Ink different, think different, create a partnership with your ink vendor so that they can become a value-added part of your team and processes. Not just different, better … Take the Captain Ink Challenge. Captain Ink is not a fictional character appearing in comic books. Captain Ink

is the nickname a client gave Quantum Ink. It all started with the work we were doing for clients. They started calling us superheroes because we reduced press downtime so much and increased ink mileage more than they’d ever experienced. Frankly, they told us it was the best performance they’d ever seen on press. So, we embraced what was being said about us, and to prove just how confident we are that you will receive the best performance on press you’ve ever seen or we pay a competitor, we created the Captain Ink Challenge.

Adam Bland, president, Quantum Ink Company

ink different.

Quantum Ink The Best Print Performance You’ve Ever Seen or We Pay a Competitor 502-364-8900 | www.QuantumInk.com

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INKS, COATINGS, AND ADHESIVES THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

MAGNUM INKS & COATINGS

agnum Inks & Coatings® (MIC) is a full-service ink and coating manufacturer specializing in corrugated inks and rod coatings. We pride ourselves on lightning-fast delivery of consistent, quality products. Speed — MIC has a complete line of GCMI “centerline” colors in stock and ready to ship. Special colors are matched and shipped the same day they are ordered. Quality — Magnum Inks & Coatings’ quality process ensures correct color matches and functional properties. Consistency — When you deal with Magnum Inks & Coatings, you enjoy the benefit of our technical expertise and culture of continuous improvement. Our constant focus on improving our

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

processes at all levels of the organization makes us lean, efficient, and accurate. What’s New? Magnum Inks & Coatings® recently announced its new line of display quality CORRPRINT™ corrugated inks offering significantly higher rub resistance than standard corrugated systems. MIC introduces our Excess Ink Recycling Program. Turn your excess ink into cash. Ask us how. What’s Next? Magnum University technical training— Ink 101. We are developing a brand-new training program to assist your operators in day-to-day printing issues. Call today to reserve your spot.

Who Can I Call? The MIC team stands ready to help. Call today to discuss your ink and coating needs! Magnum Inks & Coatings Main Office—Toll-Free 877.460.8406 Mark DeSandre. General Manager – Director of Business Development Roger “Buck” Jones. Market Segment Manager – Rod Coatings – North America Peter Bernard. Midwest Regional Technical Sales John Jones. Mid-Atlantic Regional Technical Sales

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

INKS, COATINGS, AND ADHESIVES

J.M. FRY INKS The Best-Kept Secret We are an ink and coatings manufacturer inspired for more than 80 years by the demands and designs, the relentless pursuit of innovation, and unbridled passion for our industry. We are dedicated in the quest of an exceptional customer experience with products, systems, and services focused on the rigorous demands of today and beyond. Always committed to the preservation of the environment in concert with our partners.

support and superior value to our customers’ experience. ALL FOR ONE

J.M. Fry, we know no limitations. Through experience, technology, and innovation we are dedicated to our customers’ success. STEWARDS OF THE ENVIRONMENT

WE COMMIT TO OUR CLIENTS

J.M. Fry is dedicated to providing products and services that make a positive contribution to every customer. TRUST

J.M. Fry earns our customers’ trust by holding ourselves to the highest standards. QUALIT Y

J.M. Fry produces exceptional products, provides unmatched expert technical

J.M. Fry products are designed and produced with respect and reverence for our planet. Eighty years of experience and knowledge in conservation is a part of our corporate DNA.

TESTIMONIAL

From: Valued Customer To: ‘hugh.mills@jmfryinks.com, Ciarlelli’ ‘Mike <mike.ciarlelli@ jmfryinks.com>’ Subject: Meeting Hugh and Mike, Just a note to say thank you for today’s training. I received several comments this afternoon about the great info presented. Hugh, you did a great job. I also want to say what a great job JM Fry does for our facility. That is not luck. You have a valuable team and culture. On my end … it is my desire to be your best customer.

DRIVEN TO WIN

J.M. Fry’s success has always been the result of the partnership established with our valued customers. Our customer support knows no bounds.

Safe travels. www.jmfryinks.com 866-512-5577 Sales: billy.hodges@jmfryinks.com

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INKS, COATINGS, AND ADHESIVES THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

LD DAVIS INDUSTRIES Improved Cake Glue Scoring at LD Davis Industries After getting very useful feedback from protein glue (animal glue) users, we have made improvements to our cake glue scoring. Through the years, we have visited many manufacturing plants that use protein glue. The feedback from the glue users and equipment operators was that protein glue cakes are inherently difficult to pull apart or cut into smaller chunks. We took that feedback and have developed an improved scoring (cutting) method. All LD Davis Industries cake glues that are packed in cartons will now be scored into sections that are much easier to pull apart, without the need for cutting with a knife or blade. Smaller chunks of glue will not only melt faster, but this scoring will make our protein glue a much safer choice for equipment operators. In addition, since our glue cakes are not shipped in pillow packs, there is

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

less plastic waste for your facility to dispose of. If you are currently using our protein glue products and your glue cakes are scored, they will automatically be switched over to our new scoring method. The product and formula are exactly the

same as before; the only change will be the cutting. There is no additional cost for this improved scoring. For more information on LD Davis Industries protein glues and other glue products, visit www.lddavis.com.

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

SHEETS, PAPER, AND PRINTING

WESTROCK BY ANDREW WOODROFFE

Delivering Consistency in Graphics to Brand Owners Great packaging businesses never compromise the image targets of their customers’ brands. Great packaging businesses know that the visual consistency of high end substrates can make all the difference in printing quality, repeatable images from run to run. Great packaging businesses use WestRock DiamondTop™ family of white containerboard products. If you know color theory, you know that visual consistency of substrates has a significant impact on corrugated postprint results. Not all white top liners are manufactured in a manner that creates inherent visual stability. WestRock DiamondTop products are made with virgin fiber and without the use of Optical Brightening Agents (OBAs). Other white top liners in the market are produced with a high degree of recycled fiber which contains large amounts of fiber bleached with OBAs. Uncontrolled amounts of OBAs can alter the color appearance of a substrate when viewed under different lighting. This can dramatically affect a brand’s package appearance when viewed in different retail lighting formats. How do you know if your white top supply is produced with consistency? Ask for b-value (blue-yellow measurement) variability data. When comparing b-values of DiamondTop

CONSISTENCY

ISN’T A COMMODITY. WestRock DiamondTop™. A complete line of white containerboard products delivering unbeatable consistency for all of your printing needs.

STEADY SUPPLY

3 mills and 4 machines, so capacity is never an issue.

NATURAL BRIGHTNESS

Made with no Optical Brightener Additives (OBAs).

Get the facts at westrock.com/diamondtop

BROAD PORTFOLIO

Flexo to digital, retail-ready corrugated to club store packaging.

Together, we win.

WestRock DiamondTop™ White Containerboard Products

89920_WR_DiamondTop_Print_8x10_75.indd 1

to b-values of other white top liners in the market, DiamondTop shows considerably less variability and more consistency. Consistent b-values help ensure color matching for the brands you supply and will also help minimize SKU proliferation and inventory. Download our white paper to learn more about how to measure consistency and why consistency is the reason great packaging businesses and smart brand owners choose the DiamondTop family of white containerboard products for all

6/29/17 11:58 AM

their graphic printing needs. Get the facts at westrock.com/diamondtop. Andrew Woodroffe, WestRock, Vice President of Containerboard Mill Quality & Technical Services, leads a team responsible for managing the quality/technical services program and product management systems for WestRock’s containerboard mills. Andrew is a leading authority on the production and use of white containerboard products. He has been involved in WestRock’s white containerboard product line for the last 20 years.

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SHEETS, PAPER, AND PRINTING THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

HUSTON PATTERSON

uston Patterson has been providing unparalleled value and performance through the use of craftsmanship and technology by incorporating the principles of trust, integrity, and commitment since the late 1800s. This is something not many people in this country can say, regardless of the industry. We can, though, as Huston Patterson is the longest-standing privately owned package printer in North America. What makes us stand out? How have we not just survived all these years, but also thrived? We could have included endless pictures including the fleet of state of the art KBA printing presses we have invested in over the past decade giving us the capability to handle almost any print need. We thought about featuring our in-house sheeting capabilities, giving us the ability to reduce the cost and turn times for our clients

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

because we can sheet our own paper. We also thought about highlighting the fact that we are one of only a few printers in our sector that supplies litho and top sheets from coast to coast. Our strategic location and large capacity for work allows us to hit our clients in all corners of the U.S. and everywhere in between in a timely manner. Finally, we could have decided to talk about our talented team of sales representatives who have the experience and knowledge to help your business succeed. Instead, we decided to go in a different direction and highlight something totally unique to us. Something that I truly believe makes us stand out as a company. Our people. It is these people, some of whom have been with Huston Patterson for decades, which make our success possible. They are fathers, mothers, grandparents, hobbyists, risk takers, and

sports fans … but together, they make up the backbone of our team. Huston Patterson values our clients and is thankful for the business we have done together over the last 100 years. We have built our company with the foundation of our people and the commitment they have made to our company and our clients. Without these real people, HP wouldn’t be where it is today at the forefront of innovation in the large format print and packaging industries. Sincerely, Tonya Kowa-Morelli

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

SHEETS, PAPER, AND PRINTING

KBA Rapida 145 Press With UV Launches J.W. Moore Printing Into New Era Adapting to a new landscape in the packaging printing industry, J.W. Moore installed a new KBA Rapida 145 six-color sheetfed press plus coater at its Memphis facility. “Our client base consists of local, national, and international companies, many of whom have been with us since our beginning, and now thanks to our new press and Memphis being an international distribution center, we can ship freight to over half of the U.S. next day by or before 10:30 am,” says Matt Moore, J.W. Moore’s president. J.W. Moore is a third-generation family-owned business opened by Jack Moore in 1958. “With 59 years of experience, we have what it takes to handle our clients’ specific printing needs. We constantly monitor the multiple complexities inherent in every print job so that, from their perspective, the process is as simple as possible. Not only do we have one of the largest presses in the Mid-South, but we also utilize several presses of varying sizes and capabilities to fit the job.” The new KBA Rapida 145 will provide the firm with great opportunity, especially as it grows into the plastic/synthetic markets. While other printers have stumbled, J.W. Moore has continued to grow, necessitating more equipment to deliver additional capacity. Moore’s management team wants its customers

Photo courtesy of J.W. Moore Printing Co. Inc.

J.W. MOORE PRINTING CO. INC.

From left: Matt Moore, Gary Moore, and Michael Moore.

to know that it is investing in the latest innovative technology that will transform its pressroom. New to its workflow is the KBA QualiTronic ColorControl, which will be complemented by the KBA ErgoTronic ColorControl; both will provide the ability to control and monitor color on every single sheet the press produces while improving efficiency and reducing makeready. J.W. Moore owes much of its success to its willingness to be a hands-on ownership group that gets very involved

in day-to-day operations and is accessible to its customers. “Our customers really appreciate our availability because they know they can contact us directly at any time,” says Moore. “As an ownership group, we aren’t afraid to get our hands dirty. Plus, our employees care deeply about the jobs they produce. We’ve got a talented mix on our pressroom floor—long-tenured employees along with new graduates from our trainee programs. We’re all working together to be fast, focused, and flexible.”

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SHEETS, PAPER, AND PRINTING THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

NEWMAN & COMPANY, INC.

or over 90 years, Newman & Co., Inc., has had one primary goal: To provide quality products with exceptional service. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, our family-owned mill produces more than 70,000 tons of paperboard annually.

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

Our products are used in a variety of industries including paper boxes, game boards, puzzles, book covers, and tablets. We can inventory your order requirements in our state-of-the-art warehouse offering both “make and hold” and “make and replace” services.

Call us at 215-333-8700 so we can offer shipment of our products at mill pricing. We also offer small-quantity, next-day shipment from our extensive just-in-time inventory.

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

SHEETS, PAPER, AND PRINTING

CORRUGATED SYNERGIES INTERNATIONAL BY VICTOR PINTO

Optimal Print Requires an Ideal Substrate Today’s corrugated sheet must meet a higher standard than in the past. A conventional corrugator, with its hot, multiple thermal cycle combining process, is challenged to meet today’s premium quality requirements for digital, flexographic, and lithographic post-print. In short, board must be consistently: flat, uniform, with no delamination, washboarding, or contaminants, and have clean cut edges. QUANTUM is the first major innovation in the production of corrugated board. Fully redesigned, it features a low-temperature, single thermal cycle process, providing measurable advantages over traditional board production. QUANTUM requires two thirds the space of a traditional corrugator, consumes 30–35% less energy, with fewer operators, while running up to 1150 ft./ min. This new process protects paper surfaces from machine effect damage, preserving preprint, specialized coatings, and post print opportunities. The result is stronger, flatter board, with minimal flute lines on both sides of the sheet. In the QUANTUM, formation of the single face web and the application of the external liner are achieved virtually at the same time, in only one thermal cycle. This simplified process eliminates typical dimensional and moisture variations of the paper and combined board. This results in consistently high-quality, flat board no matter the paper combinations or flute profiles.

• Higher board rigidity and mechanical strength • Flat board, no washboarding and basis weight capabilities as low as 8 lbs./MSF • Dual-sided printing surface (suitable for Offset, Flexo, and Digital Printing applications) QUANTUM EXCELS IN THE FOLLOWING ENVIRONMENTS:

• Corrugated Plants—Requiring a fully diverse mix of high quality products • Sheet Feeders—Providing highest quality sheets in all flutes and paper combinations • Converting Plants—Desiring self-manufacture of corrugated board • Print Houses—Seeking to expand product range and offerings

Customers are demanding high quality and superior performance results in all flutes and paper combinations. Corrugated sheets for digital and conventional applications must contribute to the highest achievable post-print quality and, at the same time, provide optimum structural strength. QUANTUM excels particularly in these applications where traditional corrugators have limitations in machine size, productivity, quality, and waste. Victor Pinto is principal of Quantum Corrugating, LLC. He can be reached at +1-817-366-7754 or victorp@quantumcorr.com. www.quantumcorr.com

QUANTUM ADVANTAGES:

• Cost advantaged manufacturing process

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SHEETS, PAPER, AND PRINTING THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

SAPPI NORTH AMERICA BY DAVID NILES, SENIOR PRINT AND CONVERTING SCIENTIST

LusterCote, C1S for Litho Label Applications Over my 30+ year career at Sappi North America and 25 years in the graphic arts industry, I’ve witnessed many changes in print systems and capabilities. I’ve also had the opportunity to be a part of the team that developed LusterCote, Sappi’s coated one-side (C1S) solution for litho label. Designed with customer feedback in mind, I believe LusterCote is the perfect balance of production efficiency and optimal surface smoothness. LusterCote is available in 70, 80, and 95-lb. basis weights for applications such as litho labels, envelopes, book

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

dust jackets, set-up boxes, and pointof-purchase displays. We proudly produce LusterCote in North America at Sappi’s state-of-the-art mill in Cloquet, Minnesota, which recently celebrated the safety milestone of 2 million hours worked without an injury. LusterCote is designed to perform with superior printability and ink holdout using both conventional and UV curable inks as well as a wide variety of aqueous coatings. The runnability is excellent on a variety of presses including Offset, Flexographic and Gravure, including wide-format and multi-color sheet fed presses. Downstream, LusterCote offers superb rotary and flat-bed cutting and laminating qualities with a wide range of adhesives. One aspect I’m particularly proud of is Sappi’s dedicated technical services group that can help our customers with all aspects of the printing and converting processes. A national team of experts is available for trials, product qualification, or troubleshooting at all hours of the day. Additionally, Sappi’s Technology Center in Westbrook, Maine, is dedicated to product development efforts. Chemists, engineers, physicists, and materials scientists are housed together in a facility

with two pilot scale coaters and extensive analytical and testing equipment to enhance our current products and create new ones. Our sustainability story is also very important to us. The Cloquet Mill is a fully integrated facility that generates over 80% of its energy from renewable resources, resulting in a low carbon footprint for LusterCote. One hundred percent of our fiber meets the SFI® Certified Sourcing standard, assuring that wood is sourced responsibly. FSC® and PEFC® are also available upon request. Sappi is an active member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, working with other thought leaders— from landowners to brand owners—to help minimize the environmental impact of packaging products. Working with Sappi is easy because we provide a dedicated direct sales team focused on selling into the packaging segment. Supported by a responsive and proactive inside sales team, customers can count on Sappi to deliver outstanding customer service at every step of the way. For more information on how LusterCote can elevate C1S litho label efforts, please visit sappi.com or call 1-877-727-7401.

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

SHEETS, PAPER, AND PRINTING

METSÄ BOARD

etsä Board is a leading European producer of premium fresh fibre paperboards including folding boxboards, food service boards, and white kraftliners. Our lightweight paperboards are developed to provide better, safer, and more sustainable solutions for consumer goods as well as retail-ready and food service applications. The pure fresh fibres Metsä Board uses are a renewable resource, traceable to origin in sustainably managed northern forests. In the Americas, Metsä Board continues to be a focus area for future growth in the industry. Food service applications are a large portion of

the American market, as on-the-go lifestyles and safety and protection are extremely relevant to consumers. “At Metsä Board, we started to innovate for sustainability long before it became a trendy thing to do. This expertise is now more relevant and important than ever in the U.S. market, where brand owners, retailers, and consumers are increasingly aware of sustainability and environmental issues,” explains Nina Happonen, VP of Sales at Metsä Board Americas. “Brand owners and retailers are already acting upon this, and this is affecting the whole packaging industry, too.”

Metsä Board’s next-generation bioproduct mill in Äänekoski came into operation as planned on in mid-August, and pulp deliveries from the new mill to customers began in September 2017. The Äänekoski mill is the first next-generation bioproduct mill in the world. Its annual pulp production capacity is 1.3 million tons. In addition to high-quality pulp, it is producing a broad range of bioproducts, such as tall oil, turpentine, bioelectricity, and wood fuel. The mill is designed to allow for a broad, diverse range of products manufactured by a unique bioeconomy ecosystem of companies.

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SHEETS, PAPER, AND PRINTING THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

HOOD CONTAINER CORPORATION The Best Of Both Worlds in Corrugated Packaging™ We recognize that our CUSTOMERS are the reason we exist. We will be the PREFERRED CORRUGATED MEDIUM SUPPLIER and EASIEST COMPANY to do business with in the CORRUGATED INDUSTRY. Have a question or comment for us? We’re the easiest company in the containerboard industry to do business with. Contact one of the following representatives at right to find out why.

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PLEASE CONTACT:

Ron Zimbelman 931-209-4410 ron.zimbelman@hoodcontainer.com Mike Butler 804-366-7163 mike.butler@hoodcontainer.com Larry Huey 317-696-0771 larry.huey@hoodcontainer.com

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

SHEETS, PAPER, AND PRINTING

SONOCO Product Spotlight: EcoTect® Recycled Paperboard for Packaging EcoTect® recycled paperboard for packaging from Sonoco is an innovative, sustainable packaging solution. With a consistent color and smooth surface for image fidelity and a brightness that makes images and colors pop, Sonoco’s EcoTect offers consistent high-quality printability and is a proven substrate in flexo, offset, and digital technologies. It’s also an environmentally responsible option—EcoTect is made from 100% recycled fibers and is fully recyclable.

• Meets FDA requirements for food contact packaging • Dedicated product development team skilled at creating custom solutions • A commitment to quality, responsiveness, and service • Multiple mill locations providing supply security • Sourced from 100% recycled materials (85% post-consumer, 15% post-industrial) • PIQET (Packaging Impact Quick Evaluation Tool) analysis available • FSC® and SFI® Certified (see information below)

ENHANCED SHELF APPEAL

In a 60-person study on how consumers perceive the EcoTect substrate for cereal, rice, and granola bars in the organic category conducted in Clemson University’s immersive retail shop, eye tracking metrics indicated that Ecotect recycled paperboard enhanced the shelf appeal of products conveying a natural brand message. Three out of four shoppers thought the products packaged in EcoTect were the most organic when compared to existing brands in the rice, cereal, and granola bar categories, and 83% of shoppers thought that the products packaged in EcoTect appeared to be the most high-quality.

Sonoco is committed to responsible use of natural resources through responsible sourcing, recycling, and use of recycled fiber in our paper-based packaging. Sonoco’s U.S., Canadian, U.K., Brazilian, and one of our Mexican mills are certified to one or more fiber certification programs. These are: the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®), Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) and the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification® (PEFC®) Chain of Custody and Due Diligence System Standards. Additionally, we have plants in our composite can packaging,

industrial tubes & cores, and primary packaging carton operations that are certified to these programs and can produce certified packaging. SONOCO PAPER AND ADHESIVES

We manufacture highly engineered tubes and cores, specialized paper structures, and high-performance adhesives using the toughest quality and performance testing in the industry. Our product portfolio includes 100% recycled and 100% recyclable solutions: containerboard, lightweight tissue, and towel core-stock, core-board, separator sheets for pallet pack-out, folding cartons, canboard, floor liner, drum liner, engineered grades used for protective packaging, and many other custom solutions. If one of our standard products does not meet your unique needs, we have a seasoned team of paper scientists and product development engineers with a combined 300 years of industry experience, who can design and commercialize a customized solution just for you. For more information, visit www.sonoco.com/paperandadhesives or send inquiries to ecotect@sonoco.com or 888-499-5330.

ECOTECT PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

• Caliper range of 16 to 32 pt. Additional caliper options available upon request. • Low densities ranging from 3.40 to 3.65 for excellent yield • Optimum stiffness, flatness, and bending endurance for folding carton applications • Proven substrate for offset lithography, flexographic, and digital printing technologies

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SHEETS, PAPER, AND PRINTING THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

KEMIART aimlessly through a mall, without a clear Women, Teens and E-Commerce: The vision of what I want. Most of the time Correlation Between the Three and Why I leave frustrated, empty-handed, worn It Is Crucial for Your Business to Hop on out, or with some sort of buyer’s remorse. Board the Subscription Train Plus, I have no fashion sense, so I’ll leave These words were chosen carefully. Just it to the experts. like “The Little Engine that Could,” a But this is not just an opinion. Let’s train is a powerful force to be reckoned with—fueled by coal; fiery and powerful. look at the facts. Subscriptions services are not just There is no stopping a train. for women. Men, Makeup, Food, You’ll notice “bandwagon” is not Mom, Baby, Kids, Wine, Coffee, incorporated in this column. According Fitness, Craft, and Pets are just a few to Webster’s Dictionary, a bandwagon is of the most popular categories. “a current or fashionable trend.”—Folks, According to research conducted E-Commerce is not going anywhere. by Shorr Packaging, subscription boxes It is a train. It is not a trend. The only are booming in a big way. As of March trend you’ll see here is the head-to-toe of this year, more than 2,000 subscripStitch-Fix outfit I am currently wearing, tion box services exist in the U.S. Visits which was delivered to my door-step in to subscription box websites have grown a box. In fact, this outfit was part of my by over 3,000% in the last three years. Fix #20—and they hope I love it. And there is no denying this incredible But it’s not just a box you are opening, growth. In 2013, visits to the sites it’s an experience—one hand-picked just capped around 722,000. By 2016, for Allie O’Brien; that feels good. subscription box sites received more You don’t need a digital press to than 21.4 million views. manufacture the packaging for these What about the brick and mortar customized delivery services. This box is stores? Without the overhead of a a one-color flexo job. But the box turns physical location, companies have to magic at the fulfillment center with more capital to invest. In a report the addition of customized cards, outfit by CNBC, “As part of a strategy to suggestions for each piece, and a note streamline its portfolio, Macy’s from your stylist who has incorporated moves will save the company an your feedback for an extra special touch. estimated $550 million a year starting For example, in my last Fix, I received a in 2017. The company will use these wool sweater. Not a fan. So, in the comproceeds to invest an additional ment section I voiced my opinions about $250 million in its digital business.” this piece. When Fix #20 showed up, my But how can they still convey their “personal stylist” Hannah wrote, “I’m sorry about the itchy sweater. For this Fix, brand image, their story, and capture their target audience? Packaging. I have put together a professional outfit Evoke an emotion, create a personal for you to wear in cold weather.” She just connection with the end user, and gets me. keep them coming back for more. Why stick with this subscription for 20 Don’t forget the hype of social media. months? Because I don’t want to “shopAccording to Social Media Today, till-I-drop.” We’ve all got a million things “teens now spend up to nine hours to do, and the last on my list is to roam

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a day on social platforms, while 30% of time online is now allocated to social media interaction” and “accordingly, brands are jumping in to social media with social media ad spend expected to reach $36 billion in 2017.” #yourboxhere. As a teen, my sister was a walking ATM—wallet stuffed with a continuous cash-flow from baby-sitting. Teens don’t have a mortgage, property taxes, or health insurance to pay. So, if teens are spending an unbelievable 9 hours a day on social media, don’t have thousands in expenses, and brands are spending the big bucks to get their products out on these platforms, where do you think their money is going to go? Straight to the latest trending subscription online. And let’s face it, not all of us were super-savvy savers in high school. Why do men need women in the corrugated industry? We have all read about the un-boxing experience, but how many men are participating in these services? During one conversation, I brought up un-boxing and its impact on today’s market and forecasting for the future. I was told that there aren’t many subscription services for men—I had to bite my tongue from naming 20 off the top of my head. What sells in today’s world? Just ask a woman. Don’t box me in: Un-Box Me. Allie O'Brien is a third-generation sales associate for KemiArt US, Inc. She has been in the industry for about only two years and covers a 23-state territory. She can be reached at 201-675-5982 or alexandra@ kemiart.net.

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

SERVICES

EQUIPMENT FINANCE CORPORATION

ince its inception in 1993, Equipment Finance Corporation has continually strived to increase and enhance our financial product offerings based on the specific needs of the packaging industry. Recently, we added our Special Long Term Amortization Program with terms of up to 15 years for financing of qualifying new packaging machinery. This term and payment flexibility is unrivaled in the finance industry. The program includes early prepayment and loan rewrite options allowing you to take advantage of extremely low monthly payments without locking yourself into a long-term commitment. Our financing terms and structures are set based on the parameters which best serve the needs of each individual borrower. With the addition of the Special Long Term Amortization program, Equipment Finance Corporation’s product offerings now include: financing of 100% of the total project cost of new and used packaging machinery including site prep, installation, electric, etc.; amortization terms of 3 to 15 years; loan, capital lease and operating lease structures; and early prepayment rights. With our experience & knowledge of the resale value of packaging equipment, our credit requirements are much more flexible than those of other lending institutions. Covenants, financial ratios, liens on all company assets, personal guaranties, etc., typically required by banks and bank-owned lending institutions, are not pre-determined requirements of our programs. While repayment and structure flexibility are extremely important in securing machinery financing, so is cost. Equipment Finance Corporation offers fixed and floating rates which are comparable to those of any financial institution

serving the Packaging Industry. Our large financial services volume allows us to access bulk borrowing from major money center financial institutions at extremely attractive rates which we can then pass on to our clients in the form of low market loan and lease rates. At Equipment Finance Corporation, our goal is to support our clients’ growth and success by working in partnership with bank lenders to insure access to the most attractive financing available for all of their asset acquisition needs. The most productive approach in financing the needs of your operation is to utilize each lending institution for financing of the assets which they know and understand best. Throughout our careers, each of us has been presented with situations in which we feel comfortable, and those in which we are less secure. Comfortable situations allow us to put our best foot forward resulting in the greatest benefit to our customers. Conversely, an uncomfortable situation most often results in a conservative approach which may prove to be far less productive and satisfactory. It is much the same in the lending industry. All lending institutions have industries and collateral which are familiar and understood and those which are not. Equipment Finance Corporation has specialized in the financing of new and used packaging and graphic arts equipment since its inception 25 years ago. We therefore have a unique ability to provide the lowest cost and most flexible machinery financing options possible, which increases in importance as the cost of packaging equipment continues to escalate. A strong, long-term bank relationship providing line of credit and land/building financing is a fundamental need of all

packaging companies. Banks have years of experience and knowledge providing line of credit and mortgage financing, and do so quite effectively based on their understanding of the receivables, inventory, land and buildings as collateral. On the other hand, banks have little knowledge or understanding of your plant machinery, nor its excellent marketability and resale value. Due to that knowledge gap, banks are ill equipped to provide long-term flexible financing for new and used packaging machinery. Therefore, banks typically add many unnecessary and burdensome requirements to their machinery financing approval criteria. The banking industry’s lack of comfort with machinery as collateral severely restricts its ability to offer the aggressive and flexible terms for machinery financing available through Equipment Finance Corporation. There is an old saying that “talk is cheap.” Contact Ed Gargiulo at 800-4691082 or 770-714-0662 or ed@efc-finance. com. We will be pleased to provide you with a list of your colleagues whom we have had the pleasure to assist in the past. They can share with you how Equipment Finance has helped them, and can help you grow your business and improve your bottom line.

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APPI ENERGY Low Temperatures Don’t Have to Spell High Electric Bills With the cold season upon us, the mind turns to winter preparation. Over the last few years, the United States has seen particularly volatile winters, from the ’13–’14 season’s weak polar vortex. This event resulted in heavy strains on power supply, increasing costs across the nation. In some areas of the country, retail electricity customers were forced to deal with dramatic price spikes, sometimes thousands of dollars more than usual. As advanced as technology is in the modern era, weather prediction is still not an exact science. However, with forethought and common-sense practices, we can mitigate the effect of extreme temperatures on our energy bills. STEP ONE: USE LESS AND TRACK USAGE

The primary and most common way to lower energy bills is to reduce usage. Energy prices, which contain components set by both private industries and governmental bodies, are less flexible and more difficult to control than usage. While supply prices can be negotiated, they are usually static throughout the duration of a contract. Usage, on the other hand, is user-driven, and there’s always room to improve on efficiency and controls. Many utilities allow customers to track their electricity usage online. Taking advantage of this benefit allows a customer to see which facilities are using the most power, and when. By monitoring usage regularly, it’s easier to notice any irregularities. Additionally,

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utilizing energy intelligence software may benefit larger firms via access to benchmarking and performance metrics. That’s beneficial for implementing sensors and controls, which helps lower usage without affecting productivity. STEP T WO: BE SURE TO REVIEW

Usage, while the largest, is not the only factor that contributes to energy bills. In states that are deregulated for electricity and/or natural gas procurement, there are a multitude of energy suppliers active in the market. It’s important to review an energy supply contract as thoroughly as any standard agreement, especially before seasons like winter and summer. The aforementioned polar vortex provides an important cautionary tale about reviewing contracts. The price increases that affected many retail electricity customers during the polar vortex event were due to energy suppliers passing through costs to customers by way of a “change-in-law” provision found in most energy supply contracts. This provision is an industry standard, even in contracts that otherwise fix prices at a standard rate. However, it should be noted that customers without fixed-rate contacts paid significantly more than customers who locked-in prices before the polar vortex. While reviewing a contract, one should take heed of the expiration date in an energy supply agreement. During the polar vortex, some customers hadn’t realized that their agreement had expired, and they were unknowingly paying a market-based rate. The market-based rate leading up to the polar vortex may

not have been too different from their previously contracted rate, so their bills didn’t raise any red flags. When the polar vortex hit, market prices reached record highs, and some customers paid as much as ten times their usual bill. Clearly, it pays to be aware of contract expirations, especially if there’s a chance of extreme weather in the near future. STEP THREE: LIMITING DEMAND

The second largest contributor to energy prices are capacity costs. Capacity is essentially the price we pay to ensure electricity supply meets demand. Capacity rates are set during an auction three years in advance, which isn’t anything individual customers can meaningfully influence. However, the other function of capacity costs, what’s known as a “capacity tag,” is influenced by each individual customer’s Peak Load Contribution, or PLC. By reducing usage during times of peak energy usage (some electric utilities have a service that will inform their customers before peak demand days), one can effectively lower your PLC, and thus pay less for capacity. Actions taken this year will affect capacity tags next year. One way to limit peak demand is via staggered start. Many electronics use more power than usual in the first few seconds that they’re switched on. If all the equipment in a facility is switched on at roughly the same time every day, it will adversely affect a company’s PLC, and thus, their capacity tags. Therefore, it may be rather beneficial to consider staggered starts to reduce energy bills in the future.

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

SERVICES

CARDCONNECT Interchange Optimization: What It Is and Why It Matters Learn how you can lower your credit card processing fees Interchange optimization is a phrase that’s sometimes difficult to fully grasp, but very important to understand. Interchange costs are the fees that merchants must pay to a credit card processor (like CardConnect) to accept credit cards from customers. The fees are set by card associations (like Visa) and card-issuing banks (like Wells Fargo), and vary based on card type, purchase amount, and how transaction data is specified. In total, there are over 300 interchange cost structures, and each can vary based on what kind of merchant you are, how big your business is, and what kind of credit card acceptance occurs at your company (card-present vs.

card-not-present transactions, or both). While that may seem overwhelming, there are ways your processor can reduce interchange fees for your business. While most merchants collect Level I data with each customer transaction (like basic billing information), Level II and III data goes a bit further for larger companies and requires information like customer codes, PO numbers, tax IDs, and sales tax. Having that additional data can help to lower interchange rates, especially for companies with a focus on B2B services. Here at CardConnect, our payments platform automatically passes Level II and III data with a transaction, all so that you qualify for the lowest possible rate every time. Passing Level II and Level III data presents a variety of merchant-specific

benefits. Merchants enjoy lower interchange costs from card brands, which in turn produces a lower overall rate. However, it’s important to note that these savings are meaningless if your credit card processing is priced with a flat rate. While flat rate pricing is appealing for its standardization, Interchange Plus pricing uses a complex algorithm to ensure you are getting the best rate per transaction (AKA interchange optimization). AICC is partnered with CardConnect to offer members a simple, secure, and reliable payment solution. Members save an average of 27% on processing fees by switching to CardConnect. To receive your complimentary savings analysis, visit cardconnect.com/partner/ aicc or contact us at 877-948-9733 or signup@cardconnect.com.

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PRINTERS401K

t’s no secret that human resources professionals and CEOs have a lot going on. Each day, they are pulled in many directions, from managing health benefits to recruiting employees. As plan sponsors they may find it difficult to juggle a healthy, successful retirement plan on top of these obligations. However, it’s crucial for plan sponsors to give their retirement plan and employees the extra attention they need. The good news is, an effective retirement plan isn’t out of a plan sponsor’s reach—with an organized course of action and with the help from The Printers401k®, plan sponsors can improve their plan and help employees be prepared for retirement. The Printers401k® Program provides a complete solution to retirement plan management. Including accepting Fiduciary responsibility, taking your name off the 401k Plan document, shielding you and your staff from personal liability which you are subject to. “If you are signing your plan’s 5500, you are the responsible party.”

RECENT RESULTS WE WERE ABLE TO ACHIEVE FOR ONE OF OUR NEW MEMBER 401K PLANS: • Reduced plan expenses by 19% • Provided Fiduciary delegation of Trustee, Administration, and Investments • Increased the plan participation rate by 175% • Increased the NHCE deferral percentages by 192%

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We are currently offering AICC members a complimentary Total Plan Analysis report designed to help improve your plan for you and your employees. The report will cut through the complexity of retirement plans, uncover “hidden” fees, and plainly show the total cost you and your participants are paying for your retirement plan. Below is a short list of the benefits that you can expect to receive as part of our Total Plan Analysis: • Fulfill Fiduciary Responsibility — Provide you with a due diligence report to help you fulfill your fiduciary responsibility surrounding monitoring of plan fees. • Benchmark Fees — Understand how your plan fees compare to plans of similar size. • Compare Low-Cost Investments — Determine the impact that new, lower-cost investment structures can have on your plan and plan participants. • Reduce Pricing Complexity — Increase your understanding of how fees are paid including revenue sharing and other payments between service providers that can be hard to understand and track. • Lower Fees — Determine if there are more cost-effective providers and solutions for your plan. I encourage you to request your free Total Plan Analysis report, which will

provide you with a snapshot of your plan investments, costs, and plan operations compared to other plans in the industry. This analysis can reveal strengths and areas of concern along with solutions to improve your retirement plan. Contact Joe Trybula CFP®, CPFA® today at 800.307.0376 or joe@printers 401k.com to learn more about the Printers401k® program, and to receive your free Total Plan Analysis report.

Joe Trybula, CFP®, AIF® is the Vice President of Diversified Financial Advisors, LLC, and a Registered Investment Adviser with more than 20 years of experience. He specializes in providing professional management of corporate retirement programs, including investment advisory management and consulting services. Working closely with his clients, he focuses on organizing, formalizing, implementing, and monitoring programs designed to meet their ERISA fiduciary responsibilities. Certified as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, an Accredited Investment Fiduciary®, and a Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor, Joe has advanced training, education, and knowledge in fiduciary standards of care and their application to the investment management process.

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SERVICES

WORKING WELL Training, Coaching, and Resources for leading, teaming, and working well. When a leader, a team, or a company needs an objective, data based assessment of the current state of operations and culture Working Well provides the brutal facts with a kind and actionable delivery. Training, coaching, and resources develop the ability to eliminate obstacles and sustain more effective and profitable results. Working Well exists to get you unstuck and accelerate effective work. SCOT T ELLIS, CULTURE TECH

“I describe myself as a Culture Tech because my job is to help you fix what is ineffective about the way things are getting done. Then I get out of the way.” Scott has served as a resource for development of individuals, teams, and organizations as a consultant, teacher, psychotherapist, coach, and general manager. His pragmatic approach and demeanor are shaped as much by his years laboring in lumber mills, construction, and farming as they have been in the boardroom and the university. Scott’s manufacturing experience in recent decades has primarily focused on the packaging industry. TRAINING FOR LEADERS

Working Well provides leadership development training with methods that emphasize learning by doing. Examples include: Leadership effectiveness training (from production supervision to boardroom) Process Improvement tools and facilitation skills Facilitation of AICC’s CEO Advisories and Emerging Leader program

FOR TEAMS

In-house or offsite learning experiences are tailored to provide insight through assessments and activities. Examples include: • Team strength and interaction assessments • Chef guided culinary team building experience • Assistance with team strategy and problem solving • Assessment and improvement of value streams such as the order process • Assessment and improvement of manufacturing productivity COACHING

If everything were riding on it … When your health and future depend on peak fitness you hire a personal trainer. When you need expert legal or accounting assistance you hire a professional. The same should be true when the quality of your leadership affects every aspect of your business and personal life. Scott Ellis is a Certified Professional Coach to leaders who leverage their strengths and develop themselves in ways that bring greater productivity, balance, and satisfaction. Together, you will assess the current state, strategize a desired future state, and craft a customized plan to accelerate the achievement of your goals. Having a thinking partner is a catalyst for greater professional and personal success

the customization and pricing on the products listed or new ones you would like created. Services to improve individual, team, and company performance. • Assessment with Action Plan for Individuals • Executive Coaching • Pre-Placement Screening for sales and key leadership positions • Operational Assessment: How Lean is your plant? • Denison Culture Survey: Objective data to make your company more profitable • Facilitation of peer advisory groups TOOLS

• • • •

Productivity Improvement Tools Visual Workplace Setup reduction kit Find waste of time & effort in any process • KPI Scorecards for each department • Team Charter & project planning tools BOOKS, ARTICLES, AND ONLINE TRAINING

• Changed People Change Process. How to build a continuous improvement culture where people act like they own the place. Written with the P2 team • Ongoing Leadership column in this magazine • Many e-learning modules on AICC’s Packaging School (free to members)

RESOURCES

Working Well is a resource for best practices in leadership and process improvement. Contact us for any of

Contact scott@workingwell.bz or call 425-985-8508 Learn more at www.workingwell.bz.

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ATHENA SWC, LLC BY TODD M. ZIELINSKI

See How Other AICC Members Are Securing Qualified Leads and Increasing Their Revenue Finding qualified leads and moving them through the sales cycle is time-consuming and costly. To internally implement an effective front-end marketing and sales support infrastructure, you must be willing and able to invest time and money into: • Developing processes and controls for lead generation (contact touches from direct mail, emails, outbound calling) • Creating market awareness processes and programs for securing market feedback, which is essential for market intelligence and continuous improvements • Investing in technology to execute the program (CRM, marketing automation software, lead management systems) • Hiring, training, and developing staff to execute and manage the program The costs to implement an internal model can be staggering. We estimate that firms could invest up to $300,000 over a two-year period to implement the model and systems identified above as a best practice marketing solution. For many, this is cost-prohibitive. There is a better way. A proven process model focused on lead generation, sales, and marketing support for packaging manufacturers. Athena SWC understands packaging, and we have the people, processes, and technology to fill your sales pipeline and increase your company’s revenue at a fraction of the cost of implementing it internally.

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We have a solid track record for securing highly qualified leads for contract packaging manufacturers that specialize in: corrugated boxes and packaging supplies, custom folding cartons, rigid boxes, and retail POP, which target a large variety of markets. This specialized experience means we speak your language and can find you qualified leads that are looking for the type of packaging you sell. Wondering How It All Works? Each client is assigned a team that includes an account manager, senior marketing associate, content writer/ graphics, and research associates. The core team will meet with your team to understand your business model and the goals you want to achieve for new business development. With the information we receive from you, we will mathematically customize your program, create relevant accountability metrics, and execute to our Outsourced Sales and Marketing Process Model to deliver results. Why Athena? Issues that stall new sales opportunity growth tend to be consistent across many packaging manufacturing environments: • Level to minimal YTY sales growth due to ineffectiveness to secure new accounts • Sales teams consist of good “farmers” or account management, but very little capabilities, resources, and process structure to “hunt” new business consistently to keep the pipeline filled

• Sales staff are fragmented and not able to focus solely on closing sales • Current customers are diminishing and/or margins are eroding, requiring new, profitable relationships • 80 percent of annual revenue is tied to 20 percent of the customer base, driving a need to diversify client portfolio If you are experiencing any of the sales issues above, and you are ready for a low-risk option to test and/or launch into new markets, obtain intelligence to better understand demand and generate sales results (without making large investments in operating overhead), stimulate stalled business development and marketing activities, or increase your resources and capacity to deliver qualified sales opportunities, our proven new business development processes can recharge your sales. We can help you fill your pipeline and increase your revenue! Don’t put it off any longer. Contact Todd Zielinski (tzielinski@athenaswc. com or 716-799-9324) to schedule a 45-minute introductory webcast to learn how the process works and how it will integrate into your current efforts and, more importantly, increase your revenue! Visit us at corrugated.theleadgen company.com/empowering. Todd M. Zielinski is a partner and the managing director/CEO at Athena SWC, LLC, Amherst, N.Y.

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUEâ&#x20AC;&#x201A;

SERVICES

JOHNSON, KENDALL & JOHNSON, INC.

KJ is an insurance brokerage and risk management firm handling insurance programs for the Packaging Industry for over 10 years. Our growth within AICC has come from: (1) Risk Control Services and Safety Training; (2) Exclusive Proprietary Insurance Programs; (3) AICC Vendors Endorsements; and (4) Participation in the Regional Meetings. INSURANCE * RISK MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEE BENEFITS * SAFETY

John Kiefner

Doug Friel

Julie Bartl

Robert Ball

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ENGINEERED RECYCLING SYSTEMS

ngineered Recycling Systems takes decades of industry experience and integration expertise to provide turnkey solutions. Being a market leader in the paper converting industries, we design, install, and service world-class: • Trim Removal Systems • Dust Collection Systems • Vacuum Transfer Air Filtration Systems

We are engineers and system integrators, incorporating the finest equipment technology with expansive industry knowledge and expertise, all of which enables us to provide our customers with the latest and most innovative systems in the world. ERS provides customers with equipment and system designs that deliver unprecedented levels of quality and craftsmanship. Our solutions increase production efficiencies and add to your bottom line profits. ERS trim removal and dust collection systems encompass proven technology

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of the past along with efficient, cost effective techniques and methods of today. We consider current market trends, OSHA and NFPA regulations and guidelines, existing and new production equipment and facility layouts, and manufacturing requirements to empower our customers with a whole package approach of system integration for air conveying and dust control systems.

Best-in-class equipment proven to drive your business forward. We back it all up with decades of experience. Engineered Recycling Systems Chicago & Atlanta Phone: 630-346-8663 Email: cc@engineeredrecycling.com engineeredrecycling.com

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SERVICES

QUALITEK SOLUTIONS Qualitek Solutions – Scorekeeper™ Qualitek Solutions is grateful for the opportunity to showcase the Scorekeeper family of products to AICC members. This shop floor collection system provides an automated solution designed specifically for our industry. Each product is a standard out-of-the box web-based solution with easy to follow Quick Start instructions. Users can install and begin collecting and displaying information within a few hours. The power of Scorekeeper comes from its ability to provide the information needed for assessing the performance of all your machine centers by: • Measuring machine performance using meaningful performance indicators—actual performance vs. job specs and plan • Knowing the actual uptime of your machines and the reasons for downtime • Motivating your crews to compete and rewarding them if they perform to your goals—for setups, speed, and uptime • Allowing accessibility from anywhere to real-time performance through dashboards and notifications on your smart phone or web browser • Utilizing actual run data to incorporate lean manufacturing concepts to improve processes and provide instant OEE

SCOREKEEPER—DMI (DIRECT MACHINE INTERFACE)

DMI utilizes on-machine sensors and a Programmable Logic Controller to automatically collect and accumulate machine performance metrics to include current machine run rate vs. target, machine set up time vs. goal, and accumulated machine downtime vs. budget. It also includes interactive PC or tablet displays which enable operators to designate reasons for machine downtime and incoming and process material waste so corrective action can be taken.

Kiwiplan, SAP, etc.) so management and crews can view current performance vs. goal from multiple locations. Qualitek Anywhere™ With both configurations, all your information is viewable from scoreboards on the plant floor, from a web portal on the local plant network, and through Qualitek Anywhere™—providing information anywhere you have an internet connection—through your web browser or via our Android and IOS smart phone apps.

SCOREKEEPER—LINK

Link extracts and displays key order processing metrics from planning systems (AmTech RPM, Avista, EFI/CTI,

Call us today at 770-543-0182 or email us at sales@qsolu.com to see how Scorekeeper can work for you!

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CHECK FIVE PRODUCTIONS Is your answer yes? • Do you want reduced operational costs? • Do you want improved production? • Do you want to access new markets? • Do you want to utilize new and existing equipment in ways you have never understood possible? • Do you want all levels of your staff educated and possessing the ability to be internal and external problem solvers? If you answered YES to any of these questions, Check Five Productions is the resource you should be using. We are an organization with a desire to advance the corrugated industry through a greater understanding of the printing and converting process. We believe that people are the most valuable resources in any organization. If individuals understand their process and their role, both the facility and the staff prosper. We will guide you to improved levels of manufacturing by producing value through understanding.

We have two tracks in our current program offerings. Track One is machine-focused. for Your Future With Your 1 Planning Equipment and Suppliers Printing and Converting 2 Equipment Assessment −− A Finding Hidden Value in Your Existing Equipment −− B Testing for Understanding of Your New or Existing Machine’s Abilities Track Two is staff instruction-focused and makes training more relevant. Direct Print 1 Flexography: on Corrugated −− A Sales, Customer Service and Management Sessions −− B Production/Manufacturing/ Maintenance Sessions

consumer product companies, thus meeting needs unique to their situation and goals Contact: Cordes Porcher, Lyon, France Cordes brings over 25 years of experience as a leading Process and Graphics Specialist in flexographic printing, in both preprint and post-print disciplines. His instruction and research have led to improved equipment functionality and advanced material utilization both nationally and internationally. These efforts have resulted in new markets and opportunities for the participating suppliers and manufacturing companies. Most importantly, his instruction has broadened the knowledge base of the manufacturing staff, resulting in increased value of the staff through their understanding of the process.

2 Color and Its Control

5 5

heck Five Productions

Specialty Programs – Designed and 3 delivered to manufacturers, suppliers,

Producing Value Through Understanding

We advance the processes on two continents. F. Cordes Porcher Check Five Productions Email: cporcher@ck5p.com

FRANCE:

51 rue Pierre Brunier 69300 Caluire-et-Cuire, France Mobile: 011-33-6-10-67-33-11 or 06-10-67-33-11 UNITED STATES:

1100 SW 27th St., Renton, Wash. 98057 Mobile: 908-448-7912 Office: 425-227-0300 ext. 141

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2018

May 16-18, 2018 Guadalajara, Mexico Riu Plaza Guadalajara Hotel

www.aiccbox.org/mexico

SOFTWARE AND ELECTRONICSâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

OM PARTNERS

M Partners provides packaging manufacturers with advanced technology solutions to greatly enhance their ability to meet customer demands, reduce costs, and boost production efficiency.

Benefits Short lead times, constantly changing deadlines, and complex manufacturing scenarios make it increasingly challenging to meet customer requests while balancing efficiencies and keeping costs and WIP under control. OMP for Packaging is an intelligent, innovative, and integrated solution that helps you solve this puzzle. It reduces costs by optimizing machine utilization, chasing waste, reducing trim, keeping WIP and stocks under control, and driving down transport costs. It enables you to reduce lead times while at the same time increasing productivity & balancing capacity utilization. OMP clearly identifies and ranks current and future planning and execution problems, assisting you in pro-actively solving issues at the lowest possible cost. This effective planning solution, combined with accurate and online production feedback, enables you to maintain delivery dates for your customers.

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Solution Overview OMP for Packaging is the leading supply chain planning solution for the packaging industry. Offering a user-friendly, comprehensive, and fully integrated production planning and control system to shorten lead times and guarantee order reliability while minimizing overall costs. OMP consists of a comprehensive and fully integrated set of modules for forecasting, order promising, capacity planning, cutting optimization, production scheduling, transport planning, automatic data collection, and management reporting. Integrated Planning Solution Master Planning, Cutting Optimization & Scheduling are all integrated into one planning application, allowing a smooth transition between planning levels. This integrated approach enables your planning department to achieve a good balance between pro-active load balancing and scheduling, and effectively handling last-minute order changes. Shop Floor Integration A tight two-way integration with the shop floor instantly displays scheduling instructions, automatically captures realtime production data, and immediately reflects their impact on the production

schedule. Additional extensions allow for quality tracing, pallet label printing, and more. Moreover, several shop floor interfaces provide automatic integration with conveyor systems, ink kitchen, palletizers, and others. Analytics and Reporting OMP monitors past planning and production details. Standard reporting allows for thorough analysis of machine performance, breakdowns, waste, paper consumption, and other relevant subjects. OMP also incorporates advanced interactive capabilities, allowing for flexible reporting and data analysis. Multi-dimensional pivots and charts allow the user to easily analyze data from different angles and further drill down for in-depth review. Peter Dobell, Senior Business Development Manager Peter is leading the business development efforts for the Mill Products Industry in the Americas, with special focus on the Paper and Packaging Industry. pdobell@ompartners.com

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

SOFTWARE AND ELECTRONICS

Software looked good on paper?

Has it kept pace with your evolving business? You have invested in new machines. Customers have more challenging requirements (more orders, less volume, shorter lead times and more last minute changes). Products are more complex and yet you want to manage working capital effectively. In this new world, you need to efficiently manage your assets to deliver the perfect order. The OMP solution supports your ever changing business aligning your strategy & operations with your customer’s demand. SUPPLY CHAIN DESIGN •SALES & OPERATIONS PLANNING•ORDER PROMISING•MASTER PLANNING•CORRUGATOR OPTIMIZATION•PRODUCTION SCHEDULING•SHOP FLOOR INTEGRATION•TRANSPORTATION PLANNING Optimize your supply chain management. For Excellence in Supply Chain Software: www.ompartners.com

AICC Sales Growth Bootcamp Wednesday, Feb. 14- Thursday, Feb. 15 Los Angeles, CA

• IDENTIFY your strengths and the strengths of the company. • MEASURE the right metrics. • UNDERSTAND how to identify the right accounts and the right customers. • ANALYZE your pipeline and determine if you will reach your goals. • DEVELOP a strategic account plan to minimize customer attrition. • CREATE an action plan to grow sales quickly.

Build Your Team. Build Your Company.

www.aiccbox.org/calendar

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KIWIPLAN People | Knowledge | Software | Services

“ We have outgrown our system” Dana Disney, Sr. Account Executive, Kiwiplan Americas Dana is a 35-year IT veteran with 22 years in the corrugated packaging industry at Kiwiplan Inc.

his is the most common opening statement made when systems implementations are discussed with our team and yours. Great companies in AICC are growing. They need their partners to support this. There are multiple issues cited which you believe will impede strategic growth. Service expectations are not being met. There is a lack of ease and vision regarding scale, function, or flexibility improvements. Industry expertise provided is inadequate. There is anxiety that legacy systems are rapidly reaching sunset. You are also concerned about long-term sustainability of your vendors. All of these are important to the independent community, especially service. Similarly wished-for by you (the AICC community), and our primary objective as a partner/supplier, are systems that exceed and differentiate in the areas above. You are concerned by change management with your staff. No one understands this more than we do. Let’s all smile here, I recall a VP as he pointed into a plant front office saying (out loud), “I want your system to get rid of all these!” We do not subscribe to this strategy! We do provide extraordinary tools to transform people challenges into people assets. Our system drives change management. We just need you as the conductor. Who are you guys? We have been directly involved as AICC members for over 20 years. Some of our earliest customers are AICC members. Kiwiplan

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is 200+ employees. We believe we have the largest coding staff devoted to the paperboard and corrugated industry. Our specialists average 16 years in the business. The consultant you meet during your install also answers the help-desk when not implementing. This often means you are speaking to someone who knows your local environment firsthand. The community has shared with us they want the ERP business system to have comprehensive, flexible, and managed estimating as well as post-production costing analysis built in. Today’s multi-capable independents desire quotation tools to ensure speed, volume, and accountability for customer service and sales teams. They want easy price management. Our customers embrace a top down hierarchy model throughout the Kiwiplan system. You have had interface issues with multiple systems. We understand! The community is challenged by the effort to optimize and maintain disparate interfaces between ERP and manufacturing systems. Is the multi-system best of breed methodology still the best solution for your business going forward? Based on the shared passion expressed in this area, the community is looking for a cohesive end to end solution, with integration under one system’s governance. You want visualization tools. What do you get with a unified solution? Firstly, the management lead team can obtain a visual of all business processes. This

includes sales, manufacturing, and logistics disposition. This is the “How are we doing today?” and extends to, “How does the week/month look in front of us?” Kiwiplan’s renowned scheduling systems project a forecasted view of the entire backlog. Sales opportunities and lateness can be immediately addressed. Can you conduct what-if scenarios? Yes. Let us demonstrate. Can you connect my systems? Yes. As advanced capability control systems are developed with each generation of machines, capturing and consolidating the production data automatically provides timely, credible, and accurate results. Our connections library with our vendor partners is extensive. We are excited the newest addition to our consortium is an HP partnership. Can you provide performance analytics? Yes. Statistics collected in Kiwiplan systems provide solid source data. The native applications provide dozens of reports. This is a key feature in our applications. Additionally, Kiwiplan’s recent success with our Consolidated Waste Report dashboard is providing our customer base with extraordinary savings in targeted waste reduction initiatives. Kiwiplan has also just released a new performance dashboard for comprehensive OEE data investigation. For customers who would like extended analyses, all data from our databases are available for porting to a data warehouse so that external business intelligence tools can be utilized to query and provide custom reports. You are motivated by systems that ensure continued growth with increased capabilities. We are happy to provide these. Have a great year!

SOFTWARE AND ELECTRONICS THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

ADVANTZWARE Focused on serving our valued customers and promoting a mission of partnership that includes sharing ideas, teaching, facilitating, and true long-term relationships. AICC and Advantzware As an industry trade group, AICC continues to be the foremost advocate, teacher, and facilitator, which is what we all think is critical to the success of our customers. Personally, as one of the founding members of AICC, I could not be prouder of the Association and its accomplishments over the years. Advantzware has a team with a similar vision and actual practice of partnering for success. We share the mission of working together with our clients and truly understand the difficulties inherent in surviving and growing box making operations. As the industry has grown to adapt and promote change, we also have the values that are so prevalent in the industry today. It is for this reason that Advantzware pays for the first year of membership in AICC with every new system purchase to help our customers excel in a competitive and fast-changing environment. We would like to thank AICC for the opportunity to communicate our

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message and our vision to you the Box Maker. Let’s think of it … How many industries have an environment where your suppliers are also your competitors—and sometimes your competitors are also your customers? How many industries have had to become more capital intensive in order to grow, with ever-shrinking margins, and shorter lead times and higher service demands than ever related to the manufacture of the products the industry produces? In order to succeed in this ever-increasing competitive environment, we provide you “the Mechanic” with the best “tools” in the business. Advantzware is here to listen and to understand your needs and desires, crafting an ERP solution to address your needs today and into the future. The work involved in package design (and re-design), quoting (and re-quoting), scheduling (and re-scheduling), production routing (and re-routing)—you get

it—things change, often by the minute, and you need the tools to not only do this, but do it well. Too often software companies attempt to be a one-stop shop with poorly designed and integrated, often purchased pieces, resulting in an inadequate implementation and an under-utilized system. Box Makers understand that it is all about the product and the service together that make a difference—it is not just the box! All key functions of Advantzware are designed in-house, providing a uniform functionality and appearance. But what really separates us from the competition is the customer-centric culture within our organization. We live with a singular focus: “Customers first, Customers for life!” James Beneroff Director – Corrugated Services Advantzware www.advantzware.com; 215-369-7800; sales@advantzware.com

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUEâ&#x20AC;&#x201A;

SOFTWARE AND ELECTRONICS

AICC MEMBERSHIP: VALUE ACROSS THE BOARD WWW.AICCBOX.ORG

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ARDEN SOFTWARE NORTH AMERICA LLC

mpact CAD for designers: The industry’s most powerful tool for structural design. Used by the world’s largest and smallest packaging producers. Created by packaging designers for packaging designers. Impact CAD covers everything you need through one integrated product. Everything has been designed to make things fast, simple, and accurate. Impact has been evolving since 1988, based on feedback from our customers and our own experience of packaging design. We’ve developed the features you want to make packaging design simple and cost-effective. There’s simply nothing else out there that compares. Imagine being able to automatically project manage your packaging production across the world. From first enquiry to final product, WEBcnx does the hard work for you. Acting as a virtual project manager, it sends your emails, makes requests, and takes the right decisions on your behalf. Automated management Communication breakdowns are avoided and approvals are speeded up as the

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system delivers automated email notifications that ensure everybody involved in a project is aware of key milestones. An intuitive dashboard increases project visibility. Access for all Your people will have the ability to download specs or access stored assets, available 24/7 via the web. In essence, the gap between manufacturing and design teams is bridged. Your customers can be brought into the approval process without the need for emails and presentations. WEBcnx will give them the option of viewing work and providing their comments at the touch of the button. Approval can be instant. It even operates on mobile and touch screens. Even your suppliers can self-serve and download the design files and information they need to create artwork, die tooling, or anything else, without troubling your busy workforce. Your business is unique, so WEBcnx was built to give you the tools needed to build a workflow that fits you today and

tomorrow. Helping you drive down costs, increase quality, and reduce errors. WEBcnx is working even if you’re not. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, WEBcnx can react to customer or supplier activity and keep things moving, making you more reactive. • Streamlines the flow of communication • Eradicate errors caused by duplication of data entry • Seamless transfer of data to and from other business systems • Minimizes manual intervention and reduces hand-offs • Enforces your business logic and provides repeatable performance Arden Software North America Arden Software North America LLC 1790 Sun Peak Drive Suite B 101 Park City, UT 84098 UNITED STATES Contact: Jim Silianoff jsilianoff@ardensoftware.com Tel. +1-435-709-3100

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

SOFTWARE AND ELECTRONICS

AVISTA SOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC. Avista Scrap Trakker® — World-Class Waste Management The greatest controllable cost in almost every corrugated plant is waste. Regardless of the type of plant, total controllable waste is a major expense and growing in importance every year. Paper cost as a percentage of overall cost has continued to grow. This has caused waste to become an even greater expense that can only be reduced by a well-executed waste reduction strategy based on proven principles. Every penny saved becomes an additional penny of profit. The corrugated industry has come to rely on the Avista Scrap Trakker to provide a method for accurate, timely, and cost-effective waste management and reduction. This system has a proven history in hundreds of plants worldwide. These plants will attest the waste reduction also achieved a reduction in the effort of collecting and analyzing the required data, and the ease with which they achieved a return on investment of less than one year. This kind of ROI is unheard of in any industry. The Avista Scrap Trakker is a turn-key system that includes hardware, software, consulting, and training—all designed to help facilities take better control of waste while significantly reducing the costs associated with waste data collection and reporting. The Avista Scrap Trakker is the most accurate means of tracking plant waste back to the root cause. By the proven Scrap Trakker methodology, any plant can improve the accuracy of waste data without creating burdensome tasks for production employees. In fact, most users have found that it reduces the current work level while providing much greater accuracy.

The system combines data collection and administrative software with a shop hardened hardware package utilizing touchscreen and barcode technologies. Compared to the traditional collection methods, these simple components enable the system to collect and report waste data faster, more accurately, and with fewer plant resources.

can you eliminate the expense and maintain the savings long-term. The Avista Scrap Trakker Reports automatically and instantly provide management and production staff with the ammunition they need to develop best practices and control processes that work for their particular needs—short-term and long-term.

DATA COLLECTION

With newly developed real-time Scoreboards, current plant waste data can be displayed throughout the plant, insuring that all employees are constantly made aware of the importance of waste reduction. These Scoreboards show the waste amounts and causes that have cost the most so far today, week to date, and month to date. They also show the progress that has been accomplished over several months. By constantly showing the cause of waste to all plant employees, companies can be sure that peak awareness is constantly achieved. Management can set goals that will result in cost savings, and by displaying the progress on these Scoreboards, plants are finding their goals are accomplished much faster. Scrap Trakker identifies the highest controllable cost in your plant, allowing management to focus on achieving real results that add to the bottom line!

EMPLOYEE AWARENESS

The Avista Scrap Trakker system will integrate with your existing waste processes and procedures to track the volume of waste in your plant by date, time, shift, type, and cause. Corrugated facilities nationwide rely on this system to make the scrap collection and reporting process FASTER and more ACCURATE while utilizing FEWER PLANT RESOURCES. Touchscreen and barcode use eliminates human error while creating a detailed data base for real-time and historic reporting. The system creates Automated Bale Tags and Bills of Lading documenting waste shipments, which saves time and increases accuracy. DATA REPORTING

The system provides complete and comprehensive data identifying waste by type, location, date, and time created, as well as the root cause. This data is used to create real-time Reports that allow you to react immediately and start saving money now. New users often find they are instituting action plans based on Scrap Trakker findings within the first week of use. Additionally, the system provides Historic Reports that allow you to build knowledge and make good long-term decisions. Only when you know the root cause and the real cost of ALL of your waste

For more information on the Scrap Trakker or other Avista software products, please contact Mark Gartrell at 952-949-0594, ext. 402; or mgartrell@ avistasoftware.com.

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PXI DIGITAL SOLUTIONS Package Design Made Simple Box It Now® is the ultimate digital packaging solution for exploring, visualizing, and quickly creating paperboard package designs. Ready to take the designer with you on every sales call? With Box It Now any packaging sales professional can work directly with customers to visualize concepts without having to wait days for quotes or prototypes. Discover how easy it is to add graphics, logos, or full panel artwork to your new carton design in minutes using our 3D interactive tool. Then export industry-standard file types like DXF, EPS, JPEG, PDF, and HGPL to create digitally printed mockups or forward to customer service reps for price quotes. Save valuable time to market with more accurate data and fewer design cycles.

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PACK AGING COMPANIES

DIGITAL PRINTERS

Allows non-designers and customer service reps to do basic CAD design for estimating and production. With over hundreds of box design styles to choose, everything from standard shipping cartons to display components like trays, bases, and header cards, Box It Now makes the process fast and simple.

Add Box It Now to your website to create positive traffic and lead generation. Having a fully resizable design tool that gives your customers more up-front information to visualize and approve the concept before you manufacture, makes the digital packaging process fast and easy.

CONSUMER PRODUCTS COMPANIES

AD AGENCIES & BROKERS

Brand managers can create package concepts like never before. Create both folding carton and corrugated designs in minutes. Instantly see a 3D Kraft or white version of your box to compare the look of each concept for approval or quick presentation.

Design and build packaging concepts without prior CAD or design experience. Design styles can be completely resized, and you can also choose material type and thickness. Preload your customers’ logos and use the complete library of standard symbols, graphics, and shipping

BOXSCORE January/February 2018

identification markings included with Box It Now. Enjoy all the tools you need to create comps as well as finished digital samples. Get ready to transform your packaging ideas into a mockup or sample for your trade show or production meeting. Box It Now can be licensed with a monthly subscription, and there is also an Enterprise version for companies that would like to customize Box It Now using their own logo, brand colors, and package designs. Get started today at www.boxitnow.com. For more information contact Kerry Drake, VP Sales & Marketing, 317-201-4434 or kerry@boxitnow.com.

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New Members

WELCOME, NEW MEMBERS! TYLER CORRUGATED BOX, INC. GREG PATTERSON President P.O. Box 8502 Tyler, TX 75711-8502 Phone: 903-581-4950 Fax: 903-534-1382 www.tylerbox.com greg@tylerbox.com SISCO CORPORATION JOEL WHITENER President 1520 S. Mill St. Nashville, AL 62263 Phone: 618-327-3066 www.siscobox.com jpwhitener@yahoo.com SHORELINE CONTAINER ROBERT J. ZUKER COO 4450 N. 136th Ave. P.O. Box 1993 Holland, MI 49422-1993 Phone: 616-399-2088 Fax: 616-399-7240 www.shorelinecontainer.com bzuker@shorelinecontainer.com

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GREAT PLAINS PACKAGING JARED MATHES Marketing & Brand Developer Director 8800 NE Underground Drive Kansas City, MO 64161 Phone: 816-455-4000 Fax: 816-454-4790 jamathes@greatplainspkg.com PROGRESSIVE PACKAGING RUSSELL CROWE President 1224 Old Stage Rd. Simpsonville, SC 29681 Phone: 864-271-8106 Fax: 864-967-2244 www.progpack.com russc@progpack.com ATHENA SWC, LLC TODD ZIELINSKI Managing Director & CEO 100 Corporate Parkway, Suite 200 Amherst, NY 14226 Phone: 716-799-9324 Fax: 716-250-6605 www.athenaswc.com tzielinski@athenaswc.com

DUPONT PACKAGING GRAPHICS ROBERT W. HANNUM Corporate Accounts Manager 974 Centre Rd. Wilmington, DE 19805 Phone: 800-345-9999 Fax: 302-999-4579 www.dupont.com robert.w.hannum@dupont.com HANGLORY USA ALEX XU General Manager 2223 Ingram Rd. Duluth, GA 30096 Phone: 404-496-6793 alex@hanglorygroup.com

April 16-18, 2018 Sheraton Grand Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa Chandler, AZ & 5TH ANNUAL INDEPENDENTS’ CUP CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT The AICC 2018 Spring Meeting will be held April 16-18, at the Sheraton Grand Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa in Chandler, Arizona. The 2018 Spring Meeting features a new format that offers more programming and networking opportunities for attendees, but will still run over a three-day period.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

In addition to the familiar schedule of sessions, workshops, plant tours, and optional events, this year, AICC has added a third general session, a new networking lunch, and will close the meeting earlier on Wednesday, April 18th to allow travel time for those that need to get back to the office. The meeting will explore the forces of disruption regarding ecommerce, retail, technology and the outlook for the global containerboard and paperboard markets. The Spring Meeting will also feature the popular Sales Managers’ Forum, a training and networking event for AICC Emerging Leaders, and the 5th Annual Independents’ Cup Charity Golf Tournament. The Tournament, which will take place at the Whirlwind Golf Club, at the Sheraton on Tuesday, April 17th, will benefit national and local charities. Back by popular demand AICC will also hold an optional event at Bondurant—the highperformance school of racing—on Wednesday, April 18 for all the speed enthusiasts!

Monday, April 16, 2018

John Rossman Former Amazon Executive & Expert on Digital Disprution

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Douglas Stephens Retail and Consumer Futurist

SHERATON GRAND HOTEL—AICC HOTEL ROOM RESERVATIONS Traditional Single & Double Accommodations: $249 per night*

*plus applicable taxes/fees—currently 13% and reduced resort fee of $10.00 per night

To make your hotel reservations directly into the group block you can call (866) 837-4156, and reference AICC 2018 Spring Meeting or to make reservations online directly into the group block, visit: www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/aicc2018springmeeting. Attendees are encouraged to make their hotel reservations before the group cut-off date of Thursday, March 22, 2018 in order to be guaranteed availability, and to ensure you receive the group rate. Please note the hotel block could sell out prior to the cut-off date so booking your hotel reservations early is strongly recommended.

Registration is Now Open at www.AICCbox.org/meeting

AICC • 113 S. West Street • Alexandria, VA 22314 USA • (703) 836-2422 • www.AICCbox.org

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Ed Rensi Former McDonalds’ CEO, Philanthropist and Race Car Enthusiast

GOOD FOR BUSINESS BOXSCORE TIPS, TRICKS, AND SOLUTIONS TO BETTER BUSINESS

ALL ACCESS

APPROVAL-FREE EDUCATION

re you tired of paperwork? Do you want your team to be educated, but don’t want to sign approvals for each and every course? The AICC Education iPass streamlines how you and your employees register for AICC seminars and webinars. One pass, one code, ALL ACCESS. No approvals, no credit card charges, and one code enables you to get webinars and seminars at a discount. When you invest in professional development, you invest in your organization’s potential. You equip your team with shared knowledge that helps them perform at a high level, and you position your organization to attract and retain top talent—professionals who value continuous learning and career growth. iPASS BACHELOR’S MASTER’S DOCTORATE

The iPass offers the best way to meet your team’s professional development needs. You don’t have to commit to particular programs or dates in advance.

• Employees stay current on what AICC is offering, and you know they are getting quality industry education. FAQs

Benefits • Discounts on all education course offerings: seminars, webinars, workshops, and education programming at AICC National Meetings and Summits. • Nothing to lose, your investment carries over year-to-year. • Employees can register for courses important for their development, knowing they are already approved and receive discounts* on registration fees.

INVESTMENT $10,000 $15,000 $20,000

*Discounts are applied at registration for a seminar or webinar. The discounted price is subtracted from your iPass account.

DISCOUNT* 10% 20% 30%

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

AICC’s live webinars, seminars, and workshops are covered by the iPass, including seminars held in conjunction with National Meetings and Summits. It does not cover AICC National Meeting or Summit registrations. To you as an AICC member, all online courses are already free, so online education is not impacted by the iPass. HOW CAN I PURCHASE AN i PASS?

All current AICC members are eligible to purchase the iPass bundles. If you are interested in a cost-efficient way to plan for your staff’s professional development, please contact Taryn Pyle at tpyle@aiccbox.org or 703-535-1391. WHEN WILL OUR IPASS ACCOUNT EXPIRE?

Your company’s iPass account will never expire. But we do hope you will use it!

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THREE AICC MEMBERS SHARE THEIR INSIGHTS ON THE MONTHS AHEAD BY ROBERT BITTNER

N “Companies have to find other channels to entice the customer. There’s a big surge away from brown boxes to ‘feelgood’ boxes.” — Tim Harris, partner and CEO, ColorHub

o one can predict what 2018 might bring to individual converters, printers, and their partners in the box industry. Yet, despite the fact that the industry is currently experiencing a time of relative stability, there are challenges and changes ahead that will likely affect every AICC member in one way or another, including the growth of new markets, shifts in technology, the potential for rising costs, and the ongoing need to hire and retain a quality workforce.

Overall Optimism Tim Harris, partner and CEO at Michigan-based digital printer ColorHub, sums up the general feeling of optimism regarding the current state of the industry: “The market is very strong right now,” he says. Chris Castleberry, president of Tennessee-based Knox Box, seconds that,

adding, “It’s a stable industry, and I’m cautiously optimistic for the near future.” Part of that optimism is due to the growing maturity of a market segment that did not even exist 20 years ago. “One of the biggest things that we’re seeing for 2018 is the emergence of e-commerce, with the retailers getting more sophisticated,” says John Van Allen, vice president of Oregon’s Northwest Paper Box. “Some are national and multinational, like Amazon, but there are smaller ones offering lots of opportunities, too. And then there’s the subscription-box business, which is growing significantly. We’re getting two or three inquiries a day from people who think they’ve got the next great home-delivery idea.” Harris agrees. “I think the biggest thing I see in 2018 is growth in e-commerce packaging and graphicsbased e-commerce packaging.” He also

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Part of what will make that experience more delightful is a greater reliance on printing.

“There’s speculation— some anecdotal information—that we’ll see additional price increases coming from the bigger mills in 2018.” — Chris Castleberry, president, Knox Box

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sees opportunities that extend beyond the sheer increase in corrugated volume driven by the Amazons and subscriptionbox services of the world. These are opportunities for doing more than simply providing the box that delivers the product to a customer’s home. “With e-commerce becoming such a big part of our lives—and with TV dying in the traditional sense, as is most of the printed media we used to look at—advertising is significantly changing,” Harris points out. “Companies have to find other channels to entice the customer. There’s a big surge away from brown boxes to ‘feel-good’ boxes”—that is, corrugated products that include features more typically produced by folding carton and rigid box manufacturers. “It’s become a lot more about the experience of opening the package that you purchased online.”

Digital Rising Harris believes that the reliance on digital printing will only increase. “Graphics production as we know it is changing,” he says, “and analog technologies are going to be used less for our high-end graphics. Today, digital is definitely higher-quality than flexo printing. Oftentimes it’s comparable to offset printing. Digital is not quite there yet for corrugated in terms of finishes, but I believe that’s coming.” “Specifically,” he continues, “I think the next few years are going to be very good for digital single-pass printing. As far as I know, there’s only one manufacturer that has a commercially viable single-pass machine, but in 2018 more will be hitting the market. At ColorHub we have a single- pass digital press that has a fixed array of heads all the way across the transport system and prints 180 feet a minute. It’s completely revolutionary in terms of what we’ve been doing.” Castleberry also sees continued growth in digital printing. “I think we’re getting closer and closer to digital printing being a production reality,” he notes. “Everyone’s waiting for that to manifest itself in day-to-day production, and I don’t think we’re quite there yet. But digital is something I think everyone agrees is going to be the norm as we evolve away from flexo.” Still, “I don’t have any near-term prediction for that happening in 2018.” “We are reading and seeing more about the digital world,” Van Allen adds, “and we’re getting requests for shorter and shorter runs with more color, and it’s not just in displays.” As a result, digital is seen at this point as “the impact player.” That shows no signs of slowing down. “Every

three months we hear about something more exciting than there was three months before.” While recognizing the value and increasing popularity of digital printing, Van Allen is not convinced that the days of traditional printing are numbered. “Flexo is alive and well,” he says. “It’s not going away.” Castleberry believes digital is only one part of the conversation when discussing technology’s future impact on the industry. “We’re seeing an evolution toward more intelligent equipment overall. As equipment ages out and becomes less justifiably maintainable, it’ll be replaced by machines that are more intelligent. We expect equipment in general within the industry to get smarter.” Challenges Ahead Castleberry, Harris, and Van Allen all believe that the opportunities in 2018 far outweigh any of the anticipated challenges. That doesn’t mean there is no room for improvement over the next year. “Most corrugated manufacturers here in the Northwest are pretty well-equipped and similarly equipped,” Van Allen says. With most operations not looking for major changes in equipment or market needs, he adds, “I think the main challenge is going to be figuring out how to do more just-in-time programs, with shorter runs.” “There’s speculation—some anecdotal information—that we’ll see additional price increases coming from the bigger mills in 2018,” notes Castleberry. “We do have some anxiety over that. If that does happen, it’s something we’re going to need to communicate effectively to our customers, which can create some flux.” “My biggest concern is that we don’t know what’s going to happen with the economy in 2018,” says Harris. “Obviously, we never know what’s coming.

100+ box styles Find out more at www.bcscorrugated.com

The ultimate shortrun boxmaker

USA & Canada: Tel 1 630 537 1203 • Email rg@bcscorrugated.com Europe & Rest of the World: Tel +44 1525 379359 • Email sales@bcscorrugated.com

www.bcscorrugated.com

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“I think our industry as a whole has an image problem, which leads us all to have a problem with hiring and retaining employees.” — John Van Allen, vice president, Northwest Paper Box

But right now things are very good in the packaging industry. Consumer sales are doing well, and that really helps drive our industry. So ColorHub doesn’t have any major concerns at the moment. That could change as the economy changes.” Speaking of Changes Economic changes remain a future unknown. But one other significant change has been growing over the last 15–20 years, and its impact—to varying degrees—already is being felt throughout the industry. “I think our industry as a whole has an image problem, which leads us all to have a problem with hiring and retaining employees,” says Van Allen. “It’s not always the easiest or cleanest work, and there are lots of businesses vying for people to work an eight-hour day who can pass drug tests. It is a challenge to hire and retain employees in a business that’s not all that sexy.” ColorHub, which, unlike many other printers, began as a digital-only shop, is in a more positive position. “I believe we’re fortunate, in that a lot of traditional print shops are closing or shrinking because demand for traditional print is

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getting lower,” Harris says. While that may initially sound harsh, that decreased reliance on traditional printing companies has meant that their now laid-off employees—who are equipped with industry knowledge and experience—are suddenly available for hire. “There’s a lot of people out there in the print trade who are looking for opportunities. Us being completely new technology is exciting and captivating to people, so we’ve been fortunate in being able to attract people. It puts us in a unique situation.” While admittedly being part of the “nonsexy” side of the industry, Castleberry is not overly concerned about the industry’s appeal—or lack thereof—for younger workers. “I’ve heard that some young people aren’t interested in our industry in a general sense. But I feel that will be self-correcting over time. I mean, there’s only so much bouncing around someone can do when looking for employment that has ‘the right vibe’ to it. There will always be a need for blue-collar-type work.” He believes that, eventually, young people will gravitate to blue-collar jobs once they accept the reality that they simply need a good job, even if it may not be

their dream job. “In time, someone with a different skill set will have to come to terms with working in a less-than-sexy industry,” he says. Nevertheless, Van Allen remains concerned. “The image among potential employees is that it’s hard work, it’s not upwardly mobile, it’s not very sophisticated. I think millennials want flexibility in work, time, their hours, those types of things. They’re asking how much personal growth is possible as opposed to just working an eight-hour-a-day job. They read about the Googles and Amazons that have pingpong tables and a campus where people can just come and go and work when they want to. In manufacturing, though, your machines can’t sit around waiting. Those machines need to work during an eight-to-10-hour day.” In addition, his company is competing with larger, better-known companies for staff. “We do have some large distribution centers here in the greater Portland marketplace that are sucking up a lot of employees, even if they’re temporary.” It also has been challenging to find people who are able to file an I-9 Employment Verification form.

And then there’s the new wrinkle that seems likely to affect more and more operations in 2018 and the years ahead: the increased community acceptance of— and local legalization of—marijuana. “The Northwest is right in the throes of the marijuana world,” Van Allen says. Regardless of pot’s legality, he is committed to enforcing entry drug tests and random screenings to keep his shop safe, even if that negatively impacts Northwest Box’s ability to attract and retain some workers. Marijuana use remains evident in drug tests for up to 30 days, even though its effects will have long since passed. Van Allen cannot help but wonder if this lengthy waiting period for the drug’s traces to leave the body is keeping some potential, conscientious employees from even applying for a position. “Unfortunately, our equipment doesn’t care if you’re stoned or sober. Either way, it still has the potential to cut your arm off. Forklifts can tip over. We believe safety is pretty important in our world. [Marijuana] may be legal by state statutes, but that doesn’t mean it’s legal or acceptable in our work environment. We have had lots of conversations with our management group about this topic. We haven’t got a perfect solution yet.” No matter what surprises 2018 may deliver, it is clear that AICC members have the skills necessary to successfully adapt their business and their products to explore every available opportunity and meet whatever challenges the future holds. Robert Bittner is a Michigan-based freelance writer and a frequent contributor to BoxScore.

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The Associate Advantage

THE VALUE OF AICC ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP DAVE BURGESS JB MACHINERY VICE CHAIRMAN DBURGESS@JBMACHINERY.COM

ED GARGIULO EQUIPMENT FINANCE CORP. CHAIRMAN EGARGIULO@EFC-FINANCE.COM

PAT SZANY AMERICAN CORRUGATED MACHINE CORP. SECRETARY PSZANY@ACM-CORP.COM

JOE MORELLI HUSTON PATTERSON PRINTERS DIRECTOR JMORELLI@HUSTONPATTERSON.COM

JEFF PALLINI FOSBER AMERICA IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN PALLINIJ@FOSBER.COM

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think when a lot of us as Associates start looking at our marketing budget for the coming year, we see a large amount of money allocated for AICCrelated items, whether that be National Meetings, Regional Summits, advertising in BoxScore, or event sponsorships. I am sure it always provokes the question from senior management: “What are we getting for this?!” The answer to this question is very simple: You are getting complete and total access to the owners, the decision-makers, the people who actually decide what they are buying and who they are buying from, and who write and sign the checks that pay for the goods or services! AICC is a unique group in that generally at the National Meetings, you are not just meeting a representative of the organization who will take your ideas back to a committee of people who are reviewing millions of dollars’ worth of spending over many facilities spread across the Americas. In most cases, you are talking one-on-one to the owner and germinating an idea in his head that will hopefully turn into an active project in the coming months. You also have the ability to use other owners as a reference for your idea to the prospective owner because, in most cases, even though they are competitors, they are friends. Which other organization in any industry offers that access?! I am convinced that at this particular stage of our industry, the network—a group or system of interconnected people or things—is very critical. Our customers

are extremely reliant on us as a supplier group to provide solutions for them that make them more competitive in the marketplace and put them at the leading edge of technology and productivity; hence, profitability! AICC gives us the opportunity to network with our fellow suppliers in a less-than-intense environment, and this enables us to put together collaborative ideas to present to a prospect rather than presenting piece-by-piece. There is a tremendous power to this, and it certainly helps the owners, knowing that as a group, we feel that this project will work! Obviously one of the issues we are facing at AICC is stagnant or declining membership as the independents are purchased by the multinational integrated groups. As AICC Associate members, it is all of our responsibility to do our utmost to talk up AICC membership to nonmember companies. All we ask is that we are given the prospects’ information, so either a board member or AICC staff member—we now have a great internal resource with Mike D’Angelo on board—can make formal contact to try to get the prospect to at least attend a Regional Summit or National Meeting, if convenient. Let’s face it: It’s in all of our interests to drive AICC membership and continue to grow this great organization. Here’s to a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2018 for all our AICC members and Associates. I look forward to seeing everyone in Phoenix! This article was written by Dave Burgess.

International Corrugated Packaging Foundation I N T E R N AT I O N A L

PACKAGING

CORRUGATED

F O U N D AT I O N

NEW UNIVERSITY ENDOWMENT TO FURTHER EXPAND CORRUGATED PACKAGING EDUCATION

ver the past two decades, ICPF has placed almost $12 million toward equipment and millions more in software at the packaging programs within colleges and universities around the country. While these colleges and universities signed agreements to place the maintenance and replacement of the equipment into their individual capital improvement budgets, there are additional opportunities to encourage and support the further growth of corrugated packaging and displays curricula at college programs. This past quarter,

ICPF sent a request for proposals (RFP) to the more than two dozen universities with which it has partnered to determine ways in which it can best advance their current corrugated packaging curricula. This spring, ICPF plans to select three of the submitted proposals to receive up to $150,000 each for new initiatives that might include: expansion or early introduction of corrugated packaging design education in the sophomore year; the addition of dedicated corrugated packaging student internships; the addition of corrugated faculty;

the introduction of corrugated marketing and sales or business into packaging coursework; the development of a new corrugated packaging program at a university or college in an underserved region; a prototype to track students and their career choices; or other creative proposals that will enhance student knowledge and further promote career opportunities in the corrugated packaging and displays industry. More information on this new endowment program will be reported in the upcoming months.

NATIONAL TELECONFERENCE TO INTRODUCE CORRUGATED CAREERS TO 500 STUDENTS

n February 22, ICPF will conduct its annual Teleconference on The Business of Corrugated Packaging & Displays and its Career Opportunities. As in past years, 400–500 packaging, graphic design, marketing and sales, supply chain management, business, and other students and faculty on 20 college and university campuses are expected to participate. This national broadcast event is not a webcast, but a live videoconference utilizing professional WKAR TV personnel and TV broadcast equipment at central Michigan’s public television studios for two-way interactivity. Campuses

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that are planning to participate include Appalachian State University, Bowling Green State University, California Polytechnic State University, Clemson University, Dunwoody College of Technology, Indiana State University, Illinois State University, Lewis-Clark State College, Michigan State University, Millersville University, North Carolina A&T University, North Carolina State University, Pittsburg State University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rutgers University, University of Florida, University of Texas at Arlington,

University of Wisconsin–Stout, Virginia Tech, and Western Michigan University. The Teleconference’s grand finale will include ICPF’s annual Best of the Best, Student Design Presentation Competition. Four student teams from Cal Poly, Clemson University, Millersville University, and University of Texas at Arlington will be tasked to show, tell, and sell their winning entries by explaining the objective, the research conducted, design, and other background. These four student teams, which earlier placed in AICC’s 2017 design competition, will be competing for cash prizes.

International Corrugated Packaging Foundation I N T E R N AT I O N A L

PACKAGING

CORRUGATED

F O U N D AT I O N

STUDENTS RECEIVE TRAVEL GRANTS TO ATTEND STUDENT/ EXECUTIVE DIALOGUE DINNER

n February 21, more than 20 top students from ICPF’s partner universities around the country will join visiting corrugated packaging executives for ICPF’s student/executive dialogue dinner on corrugated packaging careers in East Lansing, Mich. Ten or

more of the students will be out-of-state students who have demonstrated an interest in a corrugated packaging career upon graduation, and have received ICPF travel grants to participate. The next day they also will join the 125 or more Michigan State University packaging

students in the public television broadcast auditorium to view ICPF’s Teleconference and their remote campuses that will be participating. For more information on corporate participation, contact info@ icpfbox.org.

HOLIDAY WEEKEND IN NEW YORK — THANK YOU!

CPF wishes to thank the 2017 registrants and sponsors for making the 10th annual Holiday Weekend in New York one of the most successful to date. Established in 2007, the 10 annual New York events have combined for a net return of over $1,055,000 to support ICPF educational initiatives. The 2017 event sponsors included Pratt Industries, BW Papersystems, Fosber America, Bobst North America, Gerber Innovations, Equipment Finance Corp.,

Mid-Atlantic Packaging, Englander dZignPak, Smurfit Kappa, and Serenity Packaging. We also wish to recognize ICPF Vice Chairman Andy Pierson (Mid-Atlantic Packaging), who broke all recruiting records by bringing and recruiting a total of 10 couples. Corporate registrants and financial supporters included AccuBond, Akers Packaging, American Packaging, Amtech, Atlas Container, Bobst North America, Buckeye Corrugated Inc., BW

Papersystems, CEL Chemical, DiTech York, Equipment Finance Corporation, EFI, Fitzpatrick Container, Fosber America, Gerber Innovations, Goepfert Maschinen, Green Bay Packaging, Greif, Haire Group, Huston Patterson, Interstate Resources Inc., JB Machinery, J.M. Fry Printing Inks, KapStone Paper & Packaging, Kiwiplan, Kruger, Landaal Packaging, Mid-Atlantic Packaging, Packaging Corp. of America, Pratt Industries, President Container, Serenity Packaging, Signode, Smurfit Kappa, Sumter Packaging, Testing Machines Inc., WestRock, AICC, and FBA. Mark your calendar for the next Holiday Weekend in New York, which is scheduled for December 7–9, 2018. Richard Flaherty is president of the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation.

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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The Final Score

FORECAST FOR 2018? AN EXPANSIVE YEAR

ere we are, the beginning of a new year, and our thoughts turn to prognosticating: What will the year bring? How will the industry perform? What plans do you have for your company in 2018? We got a taste of what you, AICC’s members, have in mind when in September of this past year we posted the first of our regular Chairman’s Check-In Surveys on our website. In this brief poll, we asked you about your expansion plans for the coming year, and the results tell us that independents are poised for growth through capital investment, expansion, and acquisition. Granted, only 29 general members (out of 258) responded, but we think we got a good 10 percent snapshot of your plans. And this, The Big Associate Issue, is a perfect place to report the findings. If you’re an Associate member reading this column, take note of what we learned: What are your capital expansion plans for the coming year? Twenty-eight out of 29 will expand their plant and/or warehouse space; six will expand office space; and three Want to see the full reported they will acquire another company. “Growth has really pressed us for space, and we Check-In Survey results? are evaluating a building expansion,” reported one member, adding: “We are completing a Scan the QR code here to major converting equipment upgrade plan this year.” Another said, “We will invest over $5 read in our digital version. million in capital. A new flexo-folder-gluer, a new bundle breaker line, and new corrugator stackers. [We’ve had] double-digit growth for the past several years.” Do you have any equipment acquisition or improvement plans? The top three responses to this question were “Printing (flexo, litho, digital)” and “Die Cutting (flat or rotary),” with 27 out of 29 members saying they were acquiring new or upgrading their current equipment. This was followed closely by “Material Handling” (11 out of 29) and “Software Systems” (10 out of 29). Regarding the printing question, we drilled down a little further into that, asking specifically about plans for acquiring digital printing capability, a technology that one member called “truly disruptive.” Responding to the question of whether members thought digital printing was an important part of their companies’ strategies going forward, the response was 50–50: 10 out of 20 have already installed digital print capability or will make a final choice in the next six to 12 months; and 10 of 20 are still investigating it. “We have only installed digital printing capabilities in our design department and do not have ‘production’-type capabilities yet,” reported one member. “We are evaluating what direction we should go with digital.” Said another: “The technology is in front of the need, not to mention the technology is changing quite rapidly. There will be an entry point, but we are still waiting to assess the timing.” Another is relying on outside sources for digitally printed sheets: “[We are] currently working with a digital print company that operates like a sheeter (supplying print for independents).” So, it appears that many independents are in an investment and growth mode for 2018. And as our chairman, Al Hoodwin, says in his insightful column in this issue, AICC members would be wise to consult the brain trust present in the 200 Associate member companies in AICC’s membership ranks as you plan your company’s capital investment strategies. They are able and willing partners in your company’s success in 2018. Happy New Year!

Steve Young President, AICC

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