Jan/ Feb BoxScore: The Big Associate Issue VI

THE ONLY INDUSTRY SOLUTIONS GUIDE FOR THE INDEPENDENT

OFFICERS

Chairwoman: Jana Harris, Harris Packaging/American Carton, Haltom City, Texas

First Vice Chairman: Matt Davis, Packaging Express, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Vice Chairs: Gary Brewer, Package Crafters, High Point, North Carolina Finn MacDonald, Independent II, Louisville, Kentucky Terri-Lynn Levesque, Royal Containers Ltd., Brampton, Ontario, Canada

Immediate Past Chairman: Gene Marino, Akers Packaging Service Group, Chicago, Illinois

Chairman, Past Chairmen’s Council: Jay Carman, StandFast Packaging Group, Carol Stream, Illinois

President: Michael D’Angelo, AICC Headquarters, Alexandria, Virginia

Secretary/General Counsel: David Goch, Webster, Chamberlain & Bean, Washington, D.C.

AICC Canada: Lee Gould

DIRECTORS

West: Sahar Mehrabzadeh-Garcia, Bay Cities, Pico Rivera, Califormia

Southwest: Jenise Cox, Harris Packaging/American Carton, Haltom City, Texas

Southeast: Michael Drummond, Packrite, High Point, North Carolina

Midwest: Casey Shaw, Batavia Container Inc., Batavia, Illinois

Great Lakes: Josh Sobel, Jamestown Container Cos.

Macedonia, Ohio

Northeast: Stuart Fenkel, McLean Packaging Pennsauken, New Jersey

AICC Canada: Terri-Lynn Levesque, Royal Containers Ltd., Brampton, Ontario, Canada

AICC México: Sergio Menchaca, EKO Empaques de Cartón S.A. de C.V., Cortazar, Mexico

OVERSEAS DIRECTOR

Kim Nelson, Royal Containers Ltd., Brampton, Ontario, Canada

DIRECTORS AT LARGE

Kevin Ausburn, SMC Packaging Group, Springfield, Missouri

Eric Elgin, Oklahoma Interpack, Muscogee, Oklahoma

Guy Ockerlund, OxBox, Addison, Illinois

Mike Schaefer, Tavens Packaging & Display, Bedford Heights, Ohio

Ben DeSollar, Sumter Packaging, Sumter, South Carolina

Jack Fiterman, Liberty Diversifies, Minneapolis, Minnesota

EMERGING LEADER DELEGATES

Lauren Frisch, Wasatch Container, North Salt Lake, Utah

John McQueary, CST Systems, Atlanta, Georgia

Jordan Dawson, Harris Packaging, Haltom City, Texas

ASSOCIATE MEMBER DIRECTORS

Chairman: Greg Jones, SUN Automation Group

Glen Arm, Maryland

Vice Chairman: Tim Connell, A.G. Stacker Inc Weyers Cave, Virginia

Secretary: John Burgess, Pamarco/Absolute, Roselle Park, New Jersey

Director: Jeff Dietz, Kolbus America Inc., Cleveland, Ohio

Immediate Past Chairman, Associate Members: Joseph Morelli, Huston Patterson Printers/Lewisburg

Printing Co., Decatur, Illinois

ADVISORS TO THE CHAIRMAN

Al Hoodwin, Michigan City Paper Box, Michigan City, Indiana

Gene Marino, Akers Packaging Service Group

Chicago, Illinois

Greg Jones, SUN Automation, Glen Arm, Maryland

PUBLICATION STAFF

Publisher: Michael D’Angelo, mdangelo@AICCbox.org

Editor: Virginia Humphrey, vhumphrey@AICCbox.org

ABOUT AICC

EDITORIAL/DESIGN SERVICES

The YGS Group • www.theYGSgroup.com

Vice President: Serena L. Spiezio

Content & Copy Director: Craig Lauer

Managing Editor: Therese Umerlik

Senior Editor: Sam Hoffmeister

Copy Editor: Steve Kennedy

Art Director: Alex Straughan

Account Manager: Frankie Singleton

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

CONTRIBUTORS

Maria Frustaci, Director of Administration and Director of Latin America

Cindy Huber, Director of Conventions & Meetings

Chelsea May, Education and Training Manager

Laura Mihalick, Senior Meeting Manager

Patrick Moore, Membership Services Manager

Taryn Pyle, Director of Training, Education & Professional Development

Alyce Ryan, Marketing Manager

Steve Young, Ambassador-at-Large

ADVERTISING

Taryn Pyle 703-535-1391 • tpyle@AICCbox.org

Patrick Moore 703-535-1394 • pmoore@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

PROVIDING BOXMAKERS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE NEEDED TO THRIVE IN THE PAPER-BASED PACKAGING INDUSTRY SINCE 1974

We are a growing membership association that serves independent corrugated, folding carton, and rigid box manufacturers and suppliers with education and information in print, in person, and online. AICC membership is for the full company, and employees at all locations have access to member benefits. AICC o ers free online education to all members to help the individual maximize their potential and the member company maximize its profit.

WHEN YOU INVEST AND ENGAGE, AICC DELIVERS SUCCESS.

Thanking Our Associates

When my sister, Jenise Cox, and I got into the family business in 2006, we knew very little about the industry, including the products and services our company needed. Through attending AICC’s meetings and utilizing AICC’s educational offerings, we began to learn a thing or two. Whether we have learned from the speakers at a meeting or from other converters and suppliers whom we have had the pleasure to get to know, with every AICC interaction, there is always a takeaway.

I tell people this Association has been invaluable to us. I truly believe being an active member of AICC has played a part in our company’s growth during our time as second-generation owners. We believe everyone, general members and Associates alike, is there to support one another and make our industry stronger and better for independents.

I have always appreciated the Big Associate Issue because it highlights our Associate members and gives them an opportunity to tell us who they are and what they do. Our Associate members are so valuable to independents and to our Association. Not only do they have products and services that support our industry, but they also play a big role in supporting AICC. We rely on them to keep us up to date on the most recent technology; we lean on them to volunteer as speakers and contributors at our meetings and for educational courses and publications.

Many Associates also offer support by sponsoring AICC events and donating to the Foundation for Packaging Education. We owe them a big thank-you for that. This financial support is greatly appreciated, and it helps AICC invest into more offerings for all members.

Our company has benefited from the relationships we make with the Associate members. We try to always look first at an AICC Associate member when we are getting ready to make a purchase. Supporting companies that support our Association is important, and in addition to that, they have great products and services to offer us.

So, take the time to read about our great Associate members and their products, and next time you see one of these members, thank them for all they do for us and our Association.

Always remember to “buy local.”

Jana Harris CEO and Co-owner, Harris Packaging and American Carton Co. AICC Chairwoman

Associate members have always been welcomed in AICC. The Association often relies on them to keep us updated on the market and technology, as suppliers, as expert speakers and trainers, and as contributors to AICC publications, including BoxScore. Associate members also offer significant fi nancial support that allows AICC to invest in benefits for all its constituents, such as free education, advocacy, networking opportunities, and much more.

AICC’s goals with this annual edition of BoxScore —the only such guide in our industry— are to help members see opportunities and gather information and materials that will guide the future of their businesses. We hope the Big Associate Issue will serve as an effective tool for informing you of all the useful, innovative products and services at your fi ngertips. 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, give your fellow members a fi rst look. Support the companies that support you and your Association. When you speak with an Associate member, please let them know you saw their article in BoxScore to allow us to continue to offer this member benefit.

When you invest in and engage with AICC and its Associates, you bolster the foundation for continued growth—for all independents.

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE, now in its sixth year of publication, is a venue for AICC Associate members to communicate who they are, what they do, and how their products and services support independent paper-based packaging businesses. The opportunity to submit a company article was opened to all AICC Associate members in good standing, and nearly 100 companies provided material.

A.G. Stacker

2022: A Year of Investments, Innovation & Recognition at A.G. Stacker

Founded in 1996 by Clarence and Helen Allen, A.G. Stacker is a leader and custom manufacturer of corrugated material handling equipment and technology. A proud American manufacturer, A.G. engineers, fabricates, and assembles all equipment and parts in their Weyers Cave, VA, facility. Equipment offerings are focused on complementing the G3™ RDC stacker, including systems such as the X12™ pitless lift conveyor, the ePX™ pallet inserter, the ball-belt bundle conveyor systems (BCS), and more. When combined with the fully electric eBREAK™ Bundle Breaker and the eZF™ Load former, 2022 became the year A.G. installed multiple full line systems.

2022 EQUIPMENT INNOVATIONS

Automation and digital connectivity were the focus in 2022. The patented and patent-pending Divert & Separate System (DSS), eXT™ stacker front end system, and eTAMP™ servo-driven tampers are newly engineered stacker innovations that allow full automation, order recipe recalls, and eXTreme board and scrap control, up to 20,000 kph!

Unveiled in 2021, A.G.’s fully electric, fully integrated eSERIES equipment line is proving successful in the market, with the fi rst systems installed in early 2022. The new line of equipment boasts digital connectivity, energy savings, and multi-faceted support options, without pits, pneumatics, or hydraulics. Part of the eSERIES line, the newly patented eBREAK™ Bundle Breaker is a game changer with the ability to break bundles in ways that were previously impossible.

“Our new systems are built to master the challenges of today’s corrugated market, with the ability to meet the speed and

automation demands of the future,” states Tim Connell, A.G. Director of Sales.

2022 DIGITAL INNOVATIONS

With the launch of DUO™ digital twin technologies, A.G. became one of the first OEMs to successfully implement digital twins in corrugated manufacturing. The new technology allows A.G. to innovate equipment, collaborate with customers, and train employees/operators, using a risk-free digital environment. In 2022, A.G. engineered its newest DUO™ asset for the eXT™ Stacker Front End system, providing eXTreme board and scrap control at speeds up to 20,000 kph. The customized digital twin systems were featured in the January 2022 issue of Control Design magazine and were also a large factor in A.G. winning the 2022 Innovation in Utilization award from the Shenandoah Valley Technology Council (SVTC).

Launched at CorrWeek 2022, SIMCORRA™ is the newest technology solution at A.G. The innovative software is a full factory simulation, customized to each client’s facility dimensions, equipment layout, and process flow. In SIMCORRA™, converters can create and test custom factory environments through a visual planning and evaluation tool, digitally manufacturing their most productive factory environment for real world application.

“In SIMCORRA™, the possibilities are endless. You can explore simulations custom to your unique operations to discover opportunities and downfalls in your facility, without the guess work. The technology is tailored specifically to the environments found in corrugated and will offer a virtual look into real world problems and/or solutions that would likely occur in a true production environment,” states Joe Wunder, President at A.G.

In early 2022, A.G. opened the doors to its new Digital Innovations Lab in Weyers Cave, VA. The dedicated space allows A.G. to train employees/operators, provide tours and demonstrations, and house their digital technologies.

2022 OPERATIONAL INVESTMENTS

A.G. has recently invested in new equipment and processes to increase manufacturing capacity and operational excellence at its Weyers Cave facility. Th is year the company purchased:

• Multiple CNC machines to assist with parts production, precision machining capabilities, and manufacturing capacity.

• COBOT welder to work alongside production staff for faster, safer welding processes.

• Laser tube cutting machine to increase production throughput and efficiencies.

• A dedicated electrical panel manufacturing space with advanced dust ventilation and tailored lighting, seating, and organization for efficient electrical manufacturing.

“We are incredibly proud of our team and all they accomplished this year. From new patents to new digital twins, new technology to new machining capabilities, we look ahead confident in our ability to deliver on our promise of innovation and service,” concludes Clarence Allen, Owner and Co-founder of A.G.

Please contact the A.G. Sales Team at 540-234-6012 or visit www.agstacker. com for more information.

Air Conveying Corporation

From Concept to Completion

Founded in 1968 in South Holland, Ill., and now located in Memphis, Tenn., the company provides trim removal systems, including all of the components, stateof-the-art electrical control systems and accessories needed in today’s corrugated box plants, folding carton plants and printing plants.

ACC is recognized as a dedicated partner, providing information and insight into the pros and cons of each type of system to make sure board converters get the best possible system for their budget.

ACC’s motto is to not intentionally stop the paper from moving until it is in the baling chamber. Systems that have multiple moving parts will require maintenance. A trench conveyor or rotary airlocks are examples where if they fail, all of the machines on the line will have to be evacuated by hand. A Draw Th ru or Neutralizing System does

not only work much better to precisely regulate the down pressure in the baler chute, they require no maintenance and if they do fail, all of the trim removal systems can still operate until the problem has been resolved at the convenience of the plant.

Unnecessary maintenance and cleanup jobs are labor costs that can be avoided if the trim system is confi gured properly ahead of time. Labor is also a cost that needs to be factored in when justifying the equipment for the trim removal system. ACC can supply and install all of the equipment needed. We make everything we sell from our own shredder line, belt conveyors and Airveyors, bale transfer and weighing systems, TangentAir® Separators, Low Profi le TangentAir® Separators, the unique Classifier® Filter, Vacuum Transfer Systems, support steel, material handling fans and all of the fittings, elbows and hardware. We can also provide the best briquetters in the world

that are not sensitive to either positive or negative pressure from the fi lter.

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, the company 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 is also well versed in EPA, OSHA and NFPA related requirements, inspections, certifications and permits.

Mark Bruno Project Sales mbruno@accfi lter.com 901-454-5016

Baysek Machines, Inc.

One Operator Nick-Free Multiple-Out Die Cutting

A prolonged state of world change and a diminished dependable workforce continues to keep decision makers on a quest for the ability to increase converting quality and production while reducing labor. Fortunately, proven technology of the “one operator” Baysek flat die-rotary anvil die cutting method strongly and consistently delivers on both fronts.

ONE OPERATOR C-170 DIE CUTTER

Baysek’s fl agship die cutter model C-170 has a large 1400mm x 1700mm die format that handles micro-flute through double wall corrugated with solid/thin board and single/open face capability and more. Setups and changeovers can be accomplished in as little as 10–15 minutes. Food and pharmaceutical grade Nick-Free multiple-out fi nished products

(up to 60,000 pieces per hour) are produced with little to no human handling. There are no stripping jigs or ancillary stripping devices with the Baysek method as all waste is automatically removed via the pneumatic waste hood. Whether hand stacking the standard load trolley or utilizing the optional conveyor in-feed system and extended out-feed conveyor, Baysek C-170 operation is reduced to a single person and the touch of a computerized screen.

ONE OPERATOR C-190 DIE CUTTER

Maintaining the same small floor footprint but expanding the sheet size to a larger 1400mm x 1900mm format, the NEW Baysek model C-190 die cutter has been field tested for over 3 years with multiple placements and new machine orders. Speed is not compromised on this larger format as the C-190 operates at the same maximum speed of the C-170 at 1800 sheets/ hour. Beautifully straight stacked, step/ stagger stacked, or stacks with tie sheet inserts are nearly effortlessly formed at the command of one person via a new and improved remote access HMI touch screen with job recall capability.

IR-6072 LOAD TURNER/PRE-FEEDER

The I-6072 and IR-6072 load turners require no pit and contain no messy hydraulics. Variable speed vibration allows easy squaring and removal of damaged sheets and dunnage. One operator can flip and/or rotate sheet stacks without the risk of physical injury. Optional multiple conveyor lines from the IR-6072 allow service to multiple Baysek die cutters or other equipment. It is not uncommon for Baysek customers to own and operate multiple Baysek die cutters in one facility.

TRADES & RECONDITIONED EQUIPMENT

Baysek accepts rare trade-ins of older machine models when upgrading to a new Baysek C-170 or C-190 die cutter. Servo and conveyor infeed conversions are also offered in the field upon request.

COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE

Baysek was built on customer service, caring for machines around the world with 24-hour technical service to keep customers running at maximum potential, and all Baysek equipment is engineered and manufactured in the U.S.A. Additionally, Baysek Machines & Engineering is located in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom, which services all of Europe. Parts are stocked for customer convenience at both Baysek locations.

Baysek’s knowledgeable and friendly team stands ready to assist. Contact Baysek at 715-824-5300 or sales@baysek. com. Livestream machine demonstrations and headquarters tours remain available by appointment.

EMBA Machinery

Upsize your output with the new 295 QS Ultima™

The latest model in the Ultima™ machine family has been unboxed—our 295 QS Ultima™. It brings flexibility and top-class performance to the larger box segment, and by adding this machine size to the corrugated packaging industry, EMBA Machinery Inc. now offers a machine range that will cover many of its customers’ needs.

Besides the outstanding output, the 295 QS Ultima™ has all the features and benefits recognized in the other Ultima™ machines like quick-set, true non-crush converting technology, four shaft slotter featuring the two sheets converting in one revolution doubling output, up to six printing units with either rubber doctor rolls or closed chamber doctor blade system and naturally, for this size of machine, the well proven heavy duty bottom die-cutter.

The 295 QS Ultima™ features the special DualBox™ innovation in its standard confi guration. Equipped with the extended four shaft Magna XL VSC Slotting enables making all slots of both sheets in the slotting unit at speeds up to 27,000 boxes per hour without any tolerance variations between the boxes. DualBox™ is already available as an option for the 245 QS Ultima™ and without a doubt much appreciated by users around the world. An encouraging

testimony of this is the fact that the majority of the 245 QS Ultima™ machines specified by our customers are with the DualBox™ feature.

The 295 QS Ultima™ includes the latest addition to our Ultima controls platform: CareControl™, a full condition monitoring system containing production data and statistics, full historic machine data for enhanced support, automatic countdown to next maintenance, dynamic on-screen maintenance manuals, plus machine “fi ngerprint”—a regular health check tool for machine function analysis, and building data for real predictive maintenance.

“With our true non-crush converting to increase box strength and allow paper grammage reduction, the 295 QS Ultima™ offers great potential for better sustainability also to the larger box operations in the 114" machine segment,” says George Linn, Director North American Sales, EMBA Machinery Inc. “and with its energy efficiency optimization through fully regenerative servo motion control with power factor correction, it provides much better energy efficiency compared to conventional machines.”

Linn concludes, “It creates great customer value by the fact all sizes are based on the Ultima™ technical platform with the same technologies and benefits and with a high degree of recognition for operation and maintenance.”

EMBA Sales

For sales inquiries contact:

George W. Linn, Sales Manager George.Linn@ embausa.com

+1-770-329-8586

Scott Davidson, Western Region Sales Manager Scott.Davidson@ embausa.com

+1-713-542-7202

General Sales inquiries

usa-sales@embausa.com

For complete information on our range of EMBA and McKinley products and services, visit us at www.embausa.com.

DualBox

Two-in-one productivity

Revolutionising box production with the EMBA unique solution enabling double production capacity of RSC boxes:

TwinFeed™ + XL Slotter = DualBox™ = 2x Output

TwinFeed™ is an option for the EMBA 245 QS Ultima™, which feeds two identical sheets from 280 mm up to 520 mm in running direction in a single machine cycle.

The extended 4 shaft EMBA Magna XL VSC enables making all slots of both sheets in the slotting unit at speeds up to 30 000 boxes per hour – with no tolerance variations between the boxes. Like having two machines in one.

The DualBox™ innovation combined with the intelligent Ultima™ platform, unique Non-Crush Converting™ and Quick-Set™, makes EMBA 245 QS Ultima™ unbeatable. Converting knowledge into productivity.

To double your output: EMBA 245 QS Ultima™ with DualBox™

Equipment Finance Corporation

ˆLarge Enough to Serve You, Small Enough to Know You Equipment Finance Corporation (EFC) has been providing long-term fi xed rate fi nancing for new and used Packaging machinery since 1993. Unlike commercial banks and bank-owned fi nance companies, our fi nancial terms and structures are set based on the parameters which best serve the needs of each individual borrower, not a regulatory agency allowing us to be a true “Relationship Lender.” We typically provide up to 100% of the total project cost of new and used machinery projects with amortization terms of up to 15 years for new equipment and 5 to 8 years for used equipment.

The corrugated packaging industry is stable and growing. EFC is ready to provide the capital required by our clients to take advantage of their opportunities. Our loan options include early prepayment, annual additional paydown, and loan term adjustment options, allowing our clients to take advantage of the low monthly payments of a long amortization repayment term, while having the options to shorten the loan term later, make additional principal paydown or early prepayment. Therefore, you can have low payments without locking yourself into a long-term commitment.

Investment in upgraded equipment is an ongoing requirement for packaging

operations in order to satisfy customer demands, improve production speed, capacity, & efficiency, and to reduce reliance on unreliable labor resources. The need to acquire more efficient, productive, and less labor-intensive equipment will only increase in the future, as will the cost of machinery. EFC’s 35+ years of industry knowledge and experience allow us to offer qualified clients structured and extended repayment terms plus fi nancial flexibility not available through commercial banks or bank leasing/ fi nance companies.

In addition to loans for newly acquired equipment, we provide debt refi nancing to reduce existing loan payments, fi x floating rate debt, or reduce higher rate debt. With our historical knowledge of the resale value of packaging equipment, our credit requirements are also much more flexible than other institutions. We do not burden clients with blanket asset liens, restrictive loan covenants, and personal guarantees as are typically required by banks and other lenders. You have worked hard for many years to build a strong, successful business. We recognize that and provide lending terms which you deserve based on your fi nancial strength and time in business, not terms determined by federal bank auditors.

While repayment terms and structure flexibility are extremely important, so

is interest cost. Equipment Finance Corporation offers fi xed rates, which are equal to or less than those of commercial banks, bank leasing & fi nance companies, or other fi nancial institutions. Our large fi nancial services volume allows us access to funding at below market rates which we then pass on to our clients in the form of lower rates, but with the attractive long-term, flexible repayment plans which are not available through regulated banks and bank-owned lenders. Most importantly in the current rising rate environment, all of our term fi nancing are fi xed rate loans which ensure that your monthly equipment loan payments will be fi xed for the entire agreed upon loan term.

Contact Ed Gargiulo at 800-469-1082 or 770-714-0662 or ed@efc-fi nance.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 advise you about how Equipment Finance has helped them, and can help you, grow your business and improve your bottom line.

Ed Gargiulo Executive Vice President ed@efc-fi nance.com

770-714-0662

Fosber America, Inc.

SMART BELT SF5-B

The Smart Belt SF5 SingleFacer is a quick flute change cassette machine, housed in a heavyduty cast-iron frame. The new design merges innovation, reliability, and technology to control belt pressure and tracking. Flute change can be accomplished from either side of the machine in as little as 8 minutes utilizing a motorized cart. All hydraulics for the roll change are engineered into the cart, resulting in a simple and reliable machine. Thanks to the machine design, maintenance operations are fast and very easy with 1 hour to change the pressure belt. The pressure belt is Teflon coated with a cloth base and merges innovation, reliability, and durability. Optional water decks for both the medium and the liner side create a balanced sheet that produces high-quality flat sheets. The water fi lm allows the machine to transfer heat more efficiently with less energy. A negative pressure designed machine allows for accessibility to glue roll and glue dams area.

The Smart Belt SF5 SingleFacer has automatic controls for wrap arm positioning, steam pressure, steam shower, and glue gaps. The machine can also utilize Fosber’s Syncro computer-based corrugator control system. Syncro utilizes intuitive touch screens to display information utilizing machine signals and production information of a complete corrugator. Syncro can provide control, monitoring, information display, data entry, diagnostics, and centralized operation for a complete corrugator or individual machines on the corrugator. The system is modular, flexible,

and can be confi gured to individual plant requirements.

The Smart Belt SF5 Belt machine can also utilize Fosber’s Syncro ProCare, a computer-based maintenance and diagnostic system. The program utilizes a fixed console and tablet to display information for machine procedures and advanced data monitoring. The maintenance intervals are automatically flagged to be completed based on time span (example: weekly), amount of product made (example: lineal feet), or number of sequence occurrences (example: cuts made). The system monitors upcoming and completed maintenance items and illustrates the relevant step-bystep procedures through easy-to-follow videos and instructional photographs. The ProCare system is modular, flexible, expandable, and can be configured to individual plant requirements.

Fosber’s Smart Belt SF5 Belt SingleFacer offers state-of-the-art technology, supported with the best service, parts, and training in the industry. Our

machines have been designed to guarantee maximum flexibility of the production process in terms of performance level and the quality of the fi nished product. Fosber America is committed as the leader in the manufacturing of corrugated machinery and services for North America.

Tony Battaglia Product Line Manager battagliat@fosber.com 920-339-6100

Tony brings more than 20+ years’ experience in the paper industry, including positions as a Machine Operator, Corrugator Supervisor, Plant Superintendent, and Corrugator Superintendent. Tony joined Fosber America in 2015. Fosber customers are sure to benefit from Tony’s technical background and hard work and determination.

Geo. M. Martin Company

For over 90 years, the Geo. M. Martin Company has provided innovative solutions that set industry standards for quality, high performance, reliability, and service.

PUSHING THE PRODUCTIVITY ENVELOPE

The LBX SCRUBBER™ Stacker is the industry leader in high-performance rotary die cutter stackers. The LBX SCRUBBER™ has created a new performance standard for the corrugated industry, raising the average production from 32 MSF/hour to 80 to 100 MSF/ hour, with top performers reaching 200 to 400 MSF/hour.

Geo. Martin’s patented Scrubber® Technology has transformed the latest generation of rotary die cutter stacker technology. Engineered to maximize the capacity and throughput of all rotary die cutters, the LBX Scrubber™ Stacker combines unmatched sheet control with superior scrap removal to produce perfectly square, virtually scrap-free stacks and bundles at maximum speed. Geo. Martin’s LBX and SBX Scrubber™ Stackers off er a wide range of standard and optional features that allow the stackers to be confi gured to meet the convertors’ specifi c needs. Feature compatibilities allow Geo. Martin stackers to be easily upgraded or reconfi gured for ever-changing market demands.

INNOVATORS OF PRODUCTIVITY, SAFETY, AND EFFICIENCY

Our latest innovations further enhance the capabilities, productivity, safety, and efficiency of the high-performance LBX and SBX stackers.

e SQC System automatically removes sheets from the stacker’s board line at all rated press speeds. SQC can be integrated with the LQC system for “on

the fly” operator side ejection of single or multiple short sheets or samples for safe and easy quality inspection pulls. SQC can also create a gap in the web for a stack or bundle change, thus eliminating “double inking” issues.

e SQX System combines the features of SQC with additional scrap removal capabilities. Placed behind an LBX Scrubber™, SQX further enhances the Scrubber’s already superior scrap removal capabilities to deliver virtually scrap-free boxes (well under 1%) making it ideal for scrap critical operations such as auto packing lines. Virtually all new or existing Geo. Martin stackers can take advantage of the enhanced capabilities of SQX.

e LQC System is excellent for quality conscious converters, especially those serving automatic packing lines. LQC scans the sheets and compares the length to a predetermined tolerance. When out of spec boxes are detected, the feed is interrupted allowing the operator to manually pull the bad sheets or automatically eject sheets when used with the SQC or SQX systems.

SINGLE SOURCE FOR COMPLETE BUNDLE LINES

Geo. M. Martin offers a full range of bundle line components. Quik-Break™

III, the heart of the Geo. Martin bundle line, easily handles typical and unusual die-cut bundles providing fast, efficient, clean breaking of unique shaped, deeply nested bundles, and even multiple bundles of varying heights.

Our application specialists work closely with customers to design and integrate systems that meet their specific needs whether it’s dedicated bundle lines, wide-ranging product mixes, or “batch and stack” configurations that provide maximum versatility.

To learn more about maximizing the throughput of your converting line, visit geomartin.com or call 1-510-652-2200.

Dan D’Angelo

Geo. M. Martin Company

VP Sales

ddangelo@geomartin.com

1-510-652-2200

www.geomartin.com

Global Boxmachine

More boxes, every minute … Period! Global Boxmachine’s versatile line of quality converting equipment is designed to produce more boxes, every minute!

Global is proud to be Keshenglong Machinery of Guangzhou, China’s exclusive North and South American Distributor of quality Die Cutters and Flexo Folder Gluers as well as the sole North American Distributor of the Zihong Specialty Folder Gluer.

We’re not just a distributor. We have a team behind every machine! Global’s internal service and install team has grown to more than 10 full-time technicians. Our highly qualified service staff offers professional installation of new equipment, 24/7 maintenance, and on-site training.

Looking forward to 2023, Global is very excited to be opening our new Tech Center, a state-of-the-art training demonstration center in Gurnee, IL. Th is facility will house a Shinko Super Alpha high-speed Flexo Folder Gluer, a fully stocked parts warehouse, and a dedicated training space for operators to train both before and after their machine is delivered!

The relationship we have built with both KL and ZH has allowed the Global Team to offer unique sizing and custom builds to suit your team’s needs. KL has dedicated a team who manufacture machines that have not yet been ordered; this means your new equipment will arrive in a matter of months, rather than years. Th is guarantees that the purchase and install happen within the same 12-month period. We also offer a limited number of quick ship machines.

OUR MACHINES K7 Inside Outside Capable Flexo Rotary Die Cutter

The K7 offers inside/outside printing, the ability to print on both sides of the box in

a single pass! Sizes are available from 66" x 110" and up to 66" x 190". With up to 5 colors on the inside and as many as you need on the outside. The K7 can come with an optional KL ST2800 Stacker; an economical full featured solution to your RDC stacker needs.

K1-X Jumbo Flexo

The Jumbo series of KL were designed to withstand the rigorous needs of Jumbo box making. With sizes available from 86" x 210" up to 98" x 230". Th is series is available as a printer/slotter/rotary die cutter or a full line FFG with die cutting and downstacker. The K1-X is capable of running speeds up to 4800 sheets per hour.

KLS Inside Outside Capable Flexo Folder Gluer

The KLS pairs new folding technology with proven flexo capability, catering to today’s boxmaker. Run speeds on the KLS of up to 322 sheets per minute can be expected. An optional tandem die cut cutting system makes the challenges of die cutting on a top print downfold machine a thing of the past!

Shinko Super Alpha High Speed Flexo Folder Gluer

The Super Alpha offers high speeds with labor and energy saving versatility by providing better feeding performance,

tighter print registration, unmatched folding accuracy, quick order change, and high-speed production. Set up in under 2 minutes and run speeds of up to 375 sheets per minute.

ZH Specialty Folder Gluer

The ZH specialty folder gluer comes equipped with vacuum stream feeder, motorized folding rails, HHS 4-gun glue system, servo driven backfold system, auto-lock, 4 & 6 corner gluing capabilities, squaring system, and compression section. Each ZH is equipped with a monitor camera and can come in sizes of up to 110".

Used Equipment

Global will never be far from our roots. Beginning in 1955, Global has grown to one of the largest distributors of both new and used equipment worldwide. While new equipment is a large part of who we are now, we remain true to our roots in used equipment. With our broad reach in the market, we can offer extraordinary value for trade in equipment.

Give us a call to fi nd out how Global can help you make more boxes … every minute! 847-949-5900.

Todd Olson National Sales Director Todd@Boxmachine.com

847-732-5548

The newly designed Lian Tiee Mini is stronger and faster! The Lian Tiee is now capable of running at 350 sheets per minute while holding tight registration. The redesigned folding section gives precise joint control at every speed.

BCM has the most unique solutions to your storage problems. They can take advantage of space in your plant you previously thought unusable.

The KT series of large format display size die cutters is one of the most flexible die cutters available today. With fast set-ups, the ability to run a variety of material and its one man operation, the KT is truly unique.

Contact Hitek today to learn more!

www.askhitek.com

info@askhitek.com

262.842.1700

The Maxi Box is the only high speed box making machine that fits into a true production environment. If you would like to produce both large and small boxes with runs from 1 box to 10,000 boxes, take a look at the Maxi Box!

The Marumatsu was designed from the ground up to set up fast, run fast and last a lifetime, making it the leader for short or long run production.

Hitek Equipment, Inc.

Hitek meets demands from challenged boxmaking industry

With all the challenges our industry has faced in the past few years, Hitek has noticed a demand for quicker setups, easy maintenance, and shorter runs. Hitek has been leading the industry for over 30 years in just-in-time packaging. The demand for this has never been higher.

All these demands on our customers have resulted in a significant increase in tooling. With this has come an unexpected need for a larger footprint in many plants to store all this new tooling. Hitek introduced BCM Storage Systems to the market in 2008 and has put in systems all over the country. Hitek works with customers to examine their space constraints, tooling quantities, and budget to create a custom solution to our customer’s specific needs for cutting dies and print plates.

The Marumatsu Diamond has led the way for our customers to be incredibly profitable with the latest shifts in the market. Whether you have long or short runs, the Diamond is an excellent solution with the capability of setting up in 2 to 3 minutes and speeds of up to 4,000 sheets per hour. The Marumatsu Diamond can set up and run an order faster than most machines can even set up, all while removing the scrap with no tooling. These advantages and advanced technologies make the Marumatsu Diamond the perfect machine to put the maximum profit in any order.

Lian Tiee Rotary Die Cutters and Flexo Folder Gluers are reliable, accurate, low-maintenance machines that any company can use for years. Lian Tiee uses a top-loading counter ejector, so you no longer need to worry about your print getting smeared or scuffed. The folding accuracy is one of the best in the industry. The machines also come with a

state-of-the-art touch screen where you can save your orders.

The Cavec Maxi Box is the perfect boxmaker for orders of 1 to 10,000 boxes. Many boxmakers have been around for a long time and are not true production machines. The Cavec Maxi Box is different since it uses the latest technology with servo motors, a visual print quality control system, and an auto feeder. The Maxi Box allows you to stock only 1 sheet size and trims down as you produce your order.

The KT Semi-Automatic Platen Die Cutter is the perfect simple machine to run displays on. It is a true one-man operation. The KT uses a chaseless die system which lets it set up in as little as 5 minutes.

The KT can run a variety of different materials, from paper to double-wall corrugated. The KT can be hand-fed for thinner materials or use an automatic feeder when running thicker materials. The KT is the most versatile die cutter on the market.

The CleanFlex print plate washing system is the latest in labor-saving equipment. The CleanFlex can wash and dry a 100" print plate in as little as 2 minutes. The CleanFlex cleans your plates while freeing up operators to perform other tasks.

Contact Hitek at 262-842-1700 or info@ askhitek.com.

Ryan Ashley Sales Consultant

ryan@askhitek.com

262-842-1700

www.askhitek.com

With the shortage of operators, the Mobilator is a crucial advantage with its quick

The BCM Mobilator allows larger cutting dies to be mounted onto a machine by only 1 operator. With the shortage of operators, the Mobilator is a crucial advantage with its quick attachment and easy operation. The Mobilator allows customers to set up their machines faster and safer.

HPHP Corrugated Presses — Making a Sustainable Impact

Facing high demand, brands need to deliver products quickly, both to retail outlets and online customers. To stand out in the crowded online shopping arena, they need to provide exceptional unboxing experiences. And, to meet growing consumer expectations around sustainability, they also have to improve the environmental impact of their products and packaging.

Digital printing of corrugated packaging supports all three elements — fast delivery, unboxing, and sustainability. By allowing a flexible supply chain and enabling high-impact graphics, digital printing enables fast delivery and impactful unboxing. Digital printing can also have a significant impact on packaging sustainability.

SUSTAINABILITY THROUGHOUT THE PACKAGING LIFE CYCLE

HP’s commitment to making a sustainable impact and creating a positive, lasting change for the planet dovetails perfectly with the heightened focus on sustainability. HP PageWide printing technology addresses the full life cycle of a package to deliver sustainable solutions to customers and brands around the globe.

HP views the life cycle of a sustainable package in four main stages: from packaging raw materials, through printing and conversion, to consumption of the packaged products, and lastly to the packaging disposal processes.

HP’s true water-based inks contain no hazardous air pollutants, supporting a safe and comfortable work environment. They are designed to meet worldwide regulatory requirements and address a broad range of health and environmental considerations, such as UL ECOLOGO, EuPIA, USDA, and FDA.

Digitally printed packaging allows printon-demand, thus reducing obsolescence, waste, and the need for extensive warehousing. Digital printing also eliminates the need for harsh chemicals for plate creation.

HP’s printing process itself is designed with sustainability in mind. For example, an automatic cleanup procedure for the printheads uses less water for press cleanup compared to traditional print processes.

Supporting the circular economy and brand demand to meet standard end-of-life processes, boxes printed with HP PageWide inks can be recycled in standard processes and are certified to the PTS standard for recyclability.

HP OFFERS THE INDUSTRY’S BROADEST RANGE OF CORRUGATED PACKAGING PRESSES

HP serves the digitally printed corrugated packaging and display market with the industry’s broadest range of solutions to address any volume, from small box converters to industrial corrugators. With its HP Thermal Inkjet technology, true water-based inks, and support of the full packaging life cycle, HP’s portfolio of presses delivers the speed, quality, and flexibility to produce high volumes of boxes cost-effectively.

HP PAGEWIDE T-SERIES PACKAGING PRESSES

HP PageWide T-series digital packaging presses run papers up to 110-inch (2.8m) wide and are ideal for packaging converters seeking analog-to-digital transformation with high-volume productivity in offset quality for paper-based packaging

applications. The T1195i, T700i, and T470S Presses deliver high efficiency and can maximize business opportunities for single-face lamination, corrugation, and folding carton applications.

HP PAGEWIDE C500 POST-PRINT PRESS

The HP PageWide C500 Press enables box converters to optimize the cost of manufacturing Flexo and Litho boxes and gain operational efficiency with digital post-print at scaled-volume production. With the HP PageWide C500, corrugated converters can deliver consistent off set print quality direct-to-board, coated or uncoated, for a wide range of corrugated packaging applications. Th is innovative single-pass, digital post-print solution helps create new business opportunities and competitive advantages.

To learn more, contact HP sales representative Stephen Shannon.

Stephen Shannon Business & Business Development Manager

– Americas

HP Corrugated Industrial Packaging Solutions stephen.lee.shannon @hp.com

Contribute to the Circular Economy

Offer sustainable corrugated packaging solutions with HP PageWide digital technology

Right from creation to final disposal –corrugated boxes today can have a sustainable life cycle.

With HP PageWide corrugated technology, you can contribute to the circular economy while promoting your sustainable offering.

Inspire Automation

The corrugated packaging market is growing faster than ever, making it more important for corrugated manufacturers to focus on increasing efficiencies in order to stay competitive. Inspire Automation and its two brands, Systec and Automatan, are building a reputation on creating innovative solutions that help manufacturers leverage greater efficiencies.

SYSTEC — STRONG BUILD, AMERICAN PRIDE

The Systec brand has been at the forefront of corrugated manufacturing equipment and industrial conveyor automation systems. Its reputation is built on material handling devices that are produced with a laser-cut and formed steel construction that allows for tighter tolerances, which in turn provides a longer lasting piece of equipment for unbeatable return on investment. The Systec brand includes a broad range of material handling automation solutions for the corrugated and box manufacturing process, supporting everything from the corrugator to the fi nished goods.

AUTOMATAN — ROBOTIC AUTOMATION AND LITHO-LABEL LAMINATORS

The Automatan brand of robotic automation solutions, load-conditioning equipment, and litho-label laminators has been an industry staple for well over two decades. The Automatan brand is one of the fi rst robotic automation solutions for both feeding and bundle handling operations that provides efficiency, speed, and labor savings/ROI.

INSPIRE AUTOMATION —

THE VALUE OF PARTNERSHIP

Board converters have a lot of reasons to love Inspire Automation, the resulting partnership between two industry leaders that have become the Automatan

and Systec brands. By combining the functionality inherent in both companies, Inspire Automation has gained the power to craft custom material handling solutions that target efficiency and return on investment for specific applications. It doesn’t matter whether your operations require laminating, loadconditioning equipment, litho-labeling, or specialty applications, our team at Inspire Automation puts the combined catalogs of both companies at your fingertips, with one important addition—our dedication to service. Our expansive service team of field technicians, engineers, and in-house staff stand ready to support your operations. We offer material handling equipment training, servicing, repair, and replacement, and

long-term service contracts to ensure that your systems are working at maximum efficiency for the ultimate business continuity. With technical resources, after sales support services and the broad material handling automation and robotic automation product portfolio of both the Systec and Automatan brands, Inspire Automation is ready to be your material handling and robotic automation solution provider.

JB Machinery

Total Saving, Energy Is Just the Beginning

It’s not breaking news that the price of energy seems to be setting new record highs every day. To maintain a competitive position in the market, boxmakers around the world are looking for ways to address and offset the substantial increase in overhead costs, without a negative impact on the quality of the finished product, or the service provided to their customers.

WHEN YOU TOTAL IT UP

Each JB product has its primary function, the one where it provides its biggest benefit. However, when considering the total combined benefits, such as the reduction or elimination of wasted product and manual labor, the total savings (energy, time, waste, labor, and customer satisfaction) are astounding.

ENERGY IS JUST THE BEGINNING

JB’s AutoDryer™ Control (ADC) focuses on dramatically reducing the unnecessary overconsumption of energy. Adopters of this innovative technology have reported dramatic reductions in energy usage. That savings alone substantially reduces

overhead costs, but the savings are not limited to the cost of energy. ADC also minimizes operator interaction during the initial job setup and virtually eliminates interaction once the job is running, or during repeat orders. Th is allows operators to focus their attention on other important tasks such as quality control or next order makeready.

A habit of operators is to “over-power” the dryers—setting all colors to 100% power or an equal power setting across all colors—to A) ensure drying of the most difficult to dry color and B) minimize their setup times. Certainly 100% will dry all the ink, but depending on the ink, coverage, substrate, machine speed, and other variables, one color may require a substantially lower power setting than another.

Using proven factors, a Global Temperature is assigned based on the JB algorithm and order recipe. Each dryer automatically follows the Global set point to maintain the desired temperature while optimizing power usage for each print station. Global or individual temperatures can be overridden though it’s seldom necessary.

SAVE MORE

ADC offers dramatic saving opportunities to ColorDry® XL3000 users, but JB offers opportunities for boxmakers to automate processes, optimize labor, enhance efficiency, and reduce operating costs.

JB’s AutoWash ™ automatic plate washing system performs pre, during, and post run plate washing of all plates, simultaneously in less than 4 minutes. Manual washing can take 5 to 10 minutes per plate. AutoWash™ reduces plate washing time by 80 to 90 percent, but more importantly eliminates manual washing. The system also includes a 1.5 second print defect (hickey) removal cycle that runs without interrupting production, while rendering no more than 7 to 9 waste sheets.

The InKomand ® precise ink management control continually monitors and automatically makes finite adjustment to ink characteristics (temperature, viscosity, and pH) to maintain perfect printing parameters. By automatically managing the ink, the use of ink and chemical adjusters is greatly reduced. If it becomes necessary, InKomand®, without operator intervention, adds the precise amount of adjuster needed. Automating ink management allows operators to address other production focused functions. It also eliminates dramatic viscosity and pH swings which lead to color variation, inconsistent drying, jams, and sheet wraps, which lead to significant waste of product, material, and time.

Visit

Dave Burgess Sales Director — The Americas

1-203-544-0101

www.jbmachinery.com

Koenig & Bauer

New Koenig & Bauer Celmacch Acquisition Expands Corrugated Printing and Converting Presence

To continue to expand and strengthen its role in the corrugated printing market, Koenig & Bauer acquired Celmacch, a leading Italian manufacturer of highboard line flexo presses and rotary die cutters for the corrugated industry this fall. The new partnership, which is known as Koenig & Bauer Celmacch, expands the Koenig & Bauer Group’s extensive portfolio and will now include Celmacch’s line of well-known equipment including its three die cutters: the ChromaCUT X Pro, ChromaCUT High Tech, and ChromaCUT Smart.

The ChromaCUT X Pro rotary die cutter for corrugated board is Koenig & Bauer Celmacch’s top-of-the-range rotary die cutter. It has been designed for the high-performance rotary production of diecut corrugated products in ultimate flexo post-printing quality. It handles corrugated sheets with a width of up to 110.24-in and a thickness of 0.354-in, running at speeds up to 12,000 sheets per hour due to the machine’s ability to set up while production is running and fast job changes. It features DriveTronic shaftless drives. Operators

can keep track of jobs due to the machine’s press control via a flexible Profibus system and touch screen and focus on jobs due to its integrated error diagnostics and online remote maintenance.

The ChromaCUT High Tech features many advanced technologies, including stereo changeover while the machine is running, automatic anilox changeover, and the most recent zero-defect technology, which ensures the best printing quality and highest levels of productivity. The direct drive technology is the belt-driven vacuum transport system that guarantees extraordinary printing quality and precision. The rotary modules are appropriately distanced from the last printing module in order to ensure the best results. It also features HBL technology with fixed modules and printing from below and Siemens servo drive technology. Owners of the ChromaCUT High Tech enjoy its competitive operating costs and fast return on investment, while operators are pleased with its quick set up and on-the-run changeover, as well as its remote maintenance and faults diagnostic.

Print quality, die cutting precision, and productivity can all be found on the ChromaCUT Smart machine. Th is rotary die cutter with direct drive motors

represents a perfect combination of innovation and functionality that can meet the highest expectations and quality standards. It is equipped with Koenig & Bauer Celmacch’s quality control system. A high-spec bundle vacuum stripping stacker completes the machine, featuring a high dynamic nonstop system to guarantee perfect sheet cleaning and stacking. With Koenig & Bauer’s wide network around the world, this new partnership blends the strength of Koenig & Bauer’s global leadership with its own foothold in the corrugated printing and converting markets and its presses that are widely known for highly productive production of rotary die-cut boxes and printed corrugated sheets along with Celmacch’s fi ne reputation in the corrugated market. Th is collaboration will bring additional corrugated machinery solutions to customers, especially in the North American market.

Tom Fitzgerald Director, Post Press Products tom.fitzgerald@ koenig-bauer.com

502-310-1368

ChromaCUT High Tech features many advanced technologies, including stereo changeover while the machine is running, automatic anilox changeover, and the most recent zero-defect technology, which ensures the best printing quality and highest levels of productivity.

It’s time to revolutionize The new ChromaCUT X Pro rotary die-cutter pushes what is possible

The ChromaCUT X Pro is designed for high-performance rotary production of die-cut corrugated products with ultimate flexo post-printing quality. You will achieve paramount performance from the latest embedded technology with a brand new operating concept. It is available with the industry's shortest lead time from our factory to your floor. The ChromaCUT X Pro has a maximum production output of 12,000 boards per hour, including setup while running, integrated remote maintenance for the ultimate uptime, and the easiest machine to operate – the ChromaCUT X Pro will increase your profitability.

Call us to set up a custom demonstration.

Koenig & Bauer

(+1) 502 310-1368

tom.fitzgerald@koenig-bauer.com koenig-bauer.com

Kolbus America

Kolbus America is the North American division of Kolbus GmbH, a German manufacturer producing precision engineered flexo rotary die cutters and AutoBox on-demand box making machines, in addition to their award-winning rigid box and luxury packaging machines.

SUCCESS FOR THE RD 115S

2022 proved to be a year of significant importance for Kolbus as they installed several of their newly released and highly anticipated Kolbus RD 115S flexo rotary die cutters.

Th is fully servo machine features advanced technology including image stretch/shrink functionality, plate skewing for fi ne adjustments without opening the machine, a feed unit with repeatable sheet separation with servo driven feed wheels and lift grid, and a rigid cast iron frame die-cutter module.

“The RD 115S is a premium, Germanengineered rotary die cutter with state-of-the-art automation, advanced servo-technology, and user-friendly controls. We are pleased to continue introducing more of these converting machines into the North America market throughout the next year,” said Jeff Dietz, President, Kolbus America.

New England Wooden Ware Packaging and Display, based in Gardner, Massachusetts, celebrated their 185th year of business with an investment in a five-color Kolbus RD 115S, installed in summer 2022. NEWW is the first company on the East Coast with this Kolbus die cutter, offering customers unmatched print quality with efficient, dependable production. The Kolbus RD 115S replaced a 2008 115" Six-Color Hycorr Hygraphics.

“We have been thoroughly impressed with the machine quality. Simply put, the machine is an engineering marvel,” said Steve MacDonald, Production Manager,

NEWW. “From the 4" thick cast-iron side frames, print quality, on-time installation with exceptional training, and after installation support, we couldn’t be more pleased with our investment in the Kolbus RD 115S. It’s allowed us to print jobs immediately, that took us years to perfect.

“Not only was our delivery and installation completed on time, their service team has responded quickly to address our initial questions and concerns with prompt support for this important machine installation,” added MacDonald.

Wasatch Container, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, has also installed a five-color Kolbus RD 115S Flexo Rotary Die Cutter with top print capabilities, as part of an 80,000-square-foot expansion project.

“We’re excited to upgrade our rotary die-cut print capabilities and offer our customers new options from the Kolbus RD 115S,” said Jerry Frisch, Founder. “The ability to print on two sides in a single pass will boost throughput in the plant and increases Wasatch Container’s value to our customers.”

“We look forward to partnering with Wasatch Container on increasing their print capabilities and continuing to grow their already successful corrugated business,” said Dietz.

In Q1 of 2023, CompanyBox of Charlotte, North Carolina, will also be installing a three-color Kolbus RD 115S with inside print capabilities to increase printing capacity and expand their current operations.

EXCELLENCE THROUGHOUT THE COMPANY

The Kolbus America sales team continues to grow. Phil Eads has joined Kolbus as Sr. Sales Manager – Corrugated, bringing more than 30 years

of corrugated industry experience. Eads manages sales for all corporate accounts and assists the Kolbus America sales team in all corrugated projects.

“Phil’s understanding of rotary die cutting and corrugated operations is a great asset to our organization and our customers,” said Dietz.

In addition to expanding their sales team, Kolbus has recently redesigned their website to provide customers with a premium user experience. Convenient features including online parts ordering, 24-hour service requests, enhanced product pages, and dynamic Sales contact forms allow customers to research products and make requests when it’s convenient for them.

“Not only is our team available for 24/7 FREE remote support, but parts orders can be received, processed, and shipped from our US parts warehouse in the same day through our online order system,” said Rebecca Rendon, Marketing Manager, Kolbus America.

Kolbus is focused on supporting the growing RD 115S customer base with a large, local spare parts inventory and through significant investments to grow the Kolbus technical service team in North America.

For more information, contact our sales team at sales@kolbus.com or call 888-705-0051. Visit us online at www.Kolbusamerica.com.

“From

KOLBUS RD 115S Flexo Rotary Die Cutter

Excellence in Motion

"We have been thoroughly impressed with the machine quality. Simply put – the machine is an engineering marvel. From the 4” thick cast iron side frames, print quality, on-time installation with exceptional training, and after installation support, we couldn’t be more pleased with our investment in the Kolbus RD115S. It’s allowed us to print jobs immediately, that took us years to perfect.”

- Steve MacDonald Production Manager, New England Wooden Ware

SUN Automation Group

Laying The Foundation for Flexibility with Sun Automation Group®

INDUSTRY PIONEER PAVES

THE WAY FOR SUCCESSFULLY SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES IN 2023

With ever-present supply chain challenges carrying into the new year, converters need to be adaptable to capitalize on opportunities in 2023. Alongside a robust support team and strategic international partnerships, SUN Automation Group® can provide much-needed flexibility through more than just a portfolio of industry-leading equipment. SUN shines light on a diverse and well-rounded suite of converting, feeding and printing solutions, coupled with the parts, service, support and technology needed to ensure your operation is refined and ready for the new year.

“Demand remains high for corrugated packaging that is more dynamic, delivered faster, and at a competitive price,” says Greg Jones, Executive Vice President for SUN Automation Group. “Meeting these demands remains a goal for corrugated converters, and our goal is to provide such converters with the solutions they need.”

As a leading global provider of innovative solutions for the corrugated industry, SUN understands that the equipment you invest in directly impacts the versatility of your operation. That’s why the SUN 625 RDC was engineered to be a high-producing workhorse with low total cost of ownership. This American-made, vertically opening RDC features seamless inside/outside print integration and the ability to run 200 kicks per minute—up to 12,000 sheets per hour.

The next step in optimizing a system of high-performance equipment lies in leveraging smart technology to access detailed data and insights into the machinery.

Learning from a rich history specific to the corrugated industry, SUN developed Helios, the fi rst OEM-agnostic machine learning and IIoT platform by corrugated professionals. Helios has already showcased its effectivity through numerous installations, resulting in improved MSF/ hr to maximize TCO investment due to increased uptime of the machinery.

SUN’s devotion to excellence is showcased through key partnerships, providing converters with a wider range of solutions for increasing production, efficiency, and profitability.

“Part of catering to a variety of corrugated board operations is curating strategic international partnerships with other leaders in the industry,” says Jones. “Th is approach allows us to pinpoint and provide our customers with the solution that is right for them, and we look forward to demonstrating how our expanded knowledge, experience, and suite of solutions can serve the corrugated industry in the new year.”

Since August 2019, SUN Automation Group has been the exclusive representative for Latitude Machinery Corp. (LMC) in North and Central America. LMC is a world-class manufacturer of Rotary Die Cutters, Flexo Folder Gluers, from Mini’s to Jumbos, and other solutions to the corrugated industry. Their equipment maintains an excellent reputation in the marketplace for its reliability and throughput, which is a reflection of the placement of over 100 installations of converting equipment in North America.

While RDCs and FFGs keep up with production, material handling plays an important role in minimizing labor demands and maximizing equipment productivity. Filling the gap for

end-to-end material handling needs from roll stock to shipping dock, SUN serves as the exclusive representative for all PARA Machinery material handling systems sold and serviced in North America, United Kingdom and Ireland. PARA’s extensive product range, with over 15,000 products installed worldwide, includes pre-feeders, palletizers, vertical storage solutions, unit conveyor systems and more.

Complementing the different lines of equipment, SUN also came into agreement of representation in the United States and Canada with Highcon in March 2021. Highcon provides digital finishing machinery that can help improve efficiency and fuel innovation for brands. Corrugated box plants, especially those striving for maximum adaptability, are elevated by the teams behind the equipment. From the largest parts inventory in North America, to 24/7/365 service, SUN proudly provides industry-leading support worldwide.

The key to meeting demand for high-quality corrugated solutions in 2023 lies in operations that have planned, invested, and implemented systems that allow them to capitalize on every opportunity. SUN is here to guide the way with the equipment, technology, and support to set up converters for success.

To learn more about SUN, email info@sunautomation.com.

Editorial Contact:

Simona Georgescu

President

Adduco Communications

O: +1-702-434-0341

M: +1-916-213-5354

simona@adducomm.com

Valco Melton

PrintChek for Diecutters and Flexo/Folder/Gluers

As brand owners become more aware of the use of their logos on secondary packaging and that packaging is prominently used for displays in many retail outlets, the appearance of Flexo- or Digital-printed trays, wrap-around cases, and RSCs is increasingly important.

The ClearVision® division of Valco Melton is introducing PrintChek™—a camera-based inspection system for corrugated sheets. From spots and hickeys to color registration problems, stripes, scratches, and smeared, ghosted, or missing print, PrintChek™ is able to compare each sheet to a standard and highlight defect areas. Along with defect detection, PrintChek™ reads and evaluates barcodes for quality and assesses the geometry of the sheet for size, skew, and trim.

The principle involves line-scan cameras and light modules installed above or

below the sheet to take images of each sheet which are re-assembled for analysis. Minimum defects down to 2.0 mm are visible. Color measurements of a delta-E value of 3 can be resolved for accurate inspection of ink recipes and matching to desired corporate color standards. If there is no viable PDF standard available to compare to, a sample sheet can be run as a golden standard. The system can also “auto-arm” by skipping a select number of setup sheets and averaging a group of sheets for developing a reliable standard.

PrintChek™ uses the familiar ClearVision® BoxChek 7 interface to activate inspection tests, set tolerances, and view images. A defect viewer sorts images, allows them to be zoomed in for closer examination, and highlights the source of the defect. Defect data are stored in SQL format and images are stored for later inspection. A large variety of alarms, outputs, notifications, and even

emails can be generated depending on the defect type to aid in defect identification and removal. Trend alarms and SPC charts track the direction of a problem and allow others in the facility to be alerted via email.

MeasurementChek™ serves as both a local and remote access point for production data, per box details and all of the data are stored on the local device, not the cloud.

Valco Melton is a leading supplier of gluing and inspection systems in the corrugated industry. Since 1952, Valco Melton has been selling and servicing equipment and providing robust solutions for the industry. ClearVision® products are dedicated to using vision for inspecting corrugated production and making removal of defects from the production stream possible.

The Total Package/Gluing & Inspection for the Corrugated Industry

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Zünd

Efficiency Beyond the Cut: #LetsTalkWorkflow!

WHO IS ZÜND AND ZUND AMERICA?

Zund America, with HQ in Oak Creek, WI, is the U.S. sister company of Zünd Systemtechnik, the family-owned manufacturer of multifunctional digital cutting systems based in Switzerland. For more than three decades, Zünd has been the world’s leading manufacturer of modular, single and dual-beam, multifunctional, and highly adaptable cutting solutions for applications ranging from custom manufacturing and prototyping to high-volume digital production.

WHAT DOES ZÜND OFFER PACKAGING MANUFACTURERS?

Zünd is known for its multi-capable, highly adaptable, and efficient cutting

solutions for packaging manufacturers looking to expand their digital cutting capabilities in anything from samplemaking to fully automated short-run

production. High-performance tooling for all popular packaging materials (incl. up to 4" thick foam on machines with extended clearance) and a full range of automation/robotics, make Zünd an exceptionally productive digital production offering for the packaging industry. Zünd cutting systems are built to perform 24/7, with minimal operator supervision and exceptionally low cost of ownership.

WHAT WORKFLOW AUTOMATION IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

In all the years Zünd has been developing and manufacturing cutting systems, one core principle has guided everything we do: It’s all about you, our customer, and what will work best for your type of production. Th at is why Zünd has always placed tremendous emphasis on modularity, expandability, and upgradeability—and not just when it comes to

hardware components… A variety of customizable workflow solutions, including Zünd Cut Center, along with PrimeCenter and other software modules, ensure simple, efficient operation and reliable, nonstop productivity with maximum material yield and minimal waste. With features such as fully automated, stack-to-stack board handling (including the BHS150), robotic pick & place, tandem operation, intelligent register-mark capture, and automatic fi le retrieval, Zünd can provide customers with the most efficient digital workflow solutions for their specific production

requirements. Every component of Zünd’s modular cutting systems is geared toward maximizing productivity and adapting to ever-changing cutting & fi nishing needs.

The Board Handling System

Alliance Machine Systems International

Maximize Productivity With Alliance

In today’s world of labor shortages and pressure to do more with less, Alliance Machine Systems International, LLC continues to provide world class solutions to its corrugated customers. The reality is the finishing machine’s productivity is controlled by the surrounding material handling equipment. Recognizing that no two finishing machines run the same mix, Alliance engineers have developed a variety of automation solutions that maximize the productivity of a finishing machine that runs a given mix. Compared to full line suppliers that supply a fixed architecture, Alliance can mix and match the equipment and engineer a specific solution designed to achieve your specific productivity goals. No two finishing machines run the same mix. Why would you put the same automation behind both? Consider that an additional 10 msf per run hour could deliver $250,000 of additional profit per year.

Automation not only improves productivity, but it can also save labor. Many customers are replacing two older, low productivity lines with one automated high productivity line. The new line can be run with two operators, whereas the older lines required three operators each. The result is for a three-shift operation, six operators can achieve what took 18 operators previously. At $50K per operator per year, here’s another $600,000 in savings. Recently, Alliance released the latest solution for digital printer prefeeding. Based on our reliable and proven FeedMAX platform, the digital print prefeeder feeds the board into the digital printer on the long dimension and is capable of either inverting or not inverting the board. Additionally, two lanes of

board can be fed simultaneously into the digital printer, effectively doubling its throughput.

We continue to maintain our focus on productivityenhancing technical innovations such as bottom sheet systems that use vision technology to scan random-size dunnage and automatically compute the number of sheets required to ensure exact placement of each sheet and obtain the coverage needed. Our patented TEDD sheet deceleration technology in the UltraSTACK RDC stacker/palletizer permits running at full speed without a shingle, allowing exact bundle counts without a feed interrupt. Our J&L Mark5 XT jumbo series specialty folder gluer can fold and glue boxes up to 210 inches wide.

With more than 18,000 installations around the world, our team of engineers offers technical expertise across the U.S., Latin America, and Europe, and our

customers are backed by a robust customer care staff who provide dedicated installation, training, service, parts, and other support.

Contact your local Alliance sales representative to fi nd out how we can help you achieve your labor and productivity objectives.

Dave Ahrendt Director of Sales/Principal Sales Engineer Dave.Ahrendt@alliancellc.com 509-842-5131

Baumer hhs

CorrBox comes to North America

“Sustainable packaging regulations, zero-defect production, rising cost pressure, the increasing shortage of skilled workers, and the instability of global supply chains—a number of challenges affecting the industry right now prompted us to rethink adhesive application and monitoring in corrugated packaging production. We had several goals in mind, some of which initially seemed incompatible. The result of our efforts is the revolutionary CorrBox Solution system for flexo folder gluers (FFG). It boasts unprecedented performance and flexibility and gives our customers significant advantages,” explains Ken Robinson, Corrugated Business Development Manager at Baumer hhs.

CAMERA-LIKE SENSOR

For its CorrBox Solution, the company developed the PGD 1000, a cold glue verification sensor with camera-like properties that sets new standards in monitoring the gluing process. Previously, adhesives were mixed with additives that fluoresce under UV light to create contrast between the surface of the packaging and the glue so that cameras could detect the adhesive. The wide range of surfaces—kraft, white, and preprint—presented challenges in that some also contained UV. The glue additives not only made the adhesives more expensive, but they were unacceptable under food safety laws in some cases, and they limited purchasing options. The PGD 1000 eliminates all of these issues. The new sensor reliably detects adhesive on corrugated board without any fluorescing additives whatsoever. “This new detection works reliably on all surfaces—kraft, white, and preprint,” explains Ken Robinson.

Eliminating the need for UV in the adhesives offers yet another advantage:

Corrugated packaging producers can now use a wider range of adhesives.

In addition to checking the presence of glue, the PGD 1000 also measures the lateral position of glue lines to guard against squeeze out to reduce both inside and outside stickers—further increasing the reliability of the overall production process.

UNIQUE NEW MULTI-APPLICATION HEAD

The new PX 1000 module for the multi-application head opens and closes considerably faster than all other comparable heads, and with a 42% higher closing force than its predecessor. Th is innovative technology guarantees premium gluing results across a wide range of adhesives. The nozzles on the multi-application head can combine with an optional water bath that effectively prevents them from drying out during long shutdowns. As result, the PX 1000 multi-application head displays excellent startup behavior and is reliable. Th is provides for longer runs due to less cleaning of the nozzle. The increased performance of the PX1000 allows for a stitching algorithm to be used at the fastest speeds of the OEM machine. Th is results in significant adhesive savings and even increases the adhesive bonding strength of the manufacturer’s joint. Both items reduce waste and provide a positive sustainability message for the application.

SIMPLE OPERATION

The CorrBox Solution is based on the proven Xtend 3 controller from Baumer hhs. “Xtend 3 is known for its intuitive, menu-driven interface. Repeat orders and saved settings can be retrieved at the push of a button. With these features, the Xtend 3 also supports very short setup times. In combination with the PGD

1000 sensor, the Xtend 3 gives corrugated converters access to new possibilities and functions. With this sensor, machine operators can follow the gluing process live, in real time on the screen of the Xtend 3 controller—something that was only possible before with a camera system.

The CorrBox Solution is of modular design. Th anks to its open architecture, the system can grow along with the needs of customers long term, meaning it offers them future-proof equipment and the assurance of a secure investment.

Baumer hhs has consistently made pioneering achievements in the field of industrial gluing and quality assurance by questioning established methods and developing novel solutions. Once again, the company has lived up to this tradition with its CorrBox Solution for corrugated converters.

Ken Robinson is the Baumer hhs Business Development Manager for the Corrugated Market. Mr. Robinson earned his BSME from Wright State University and joined Baumer hhs in 2004 as Technical Director. A Corrugated Solutionist with an eye for innovation and a passion for customers, Ken looks to create market-driven solutions where others may not. Ken has over eighteen years of experience investigating box plants throughout North America.

Domino

Experience the Domino Difference

WHY DOMINO?

Domino is a leading manufacturer and distributor of digital printing and product identification solutions. Celebrating our 45th year in business, Domino is a global organization with world headquarters in the UK, North America headquarters in Gurnee, IL, and Domino provides local service & support. Domino has 25 subsidiaries, representation in more than 120 countries, and over 3,000 employees worldwide. Domino has a long history of innovation and continuous growth and 45 years of inkjet technology experience. With over 1,000 industrial inkjet installations globally, Domino is heavily invested in digital technology, is financially strong and stable, and is a trusted business partner. As of June 2015, Domino is a Brother Group Company.

WHY DIGITAL?

Bene ts for the Converter…

With the proliferation of SKUs and shorter run lengths, digital offers “game changing” benefits for converters.

• Digital provides quicker changeover, less make-ready, faster throughput, and increased productivity, efficiency, and capacity.

• Digital helps decrease cost, inventory, waste, and material.

• Digital helps increase print jobs per day and profit per job.

• Digital creates new opportunities and the ability to go after new business and enter new markets.

Bene ts for Your Customer…

the Brand Owner

• Utilize multiple SKUs/versions (i.e., flavors, colors, varieties, sizes, etc.) for brand differentiation and provide more choices to the consumer.

• Utilize Variable Data Printing for anti-counterfeiting, track & trace, brand protection, consumer engagement, and loyalty & promo programs.

• Reduce inventory on-hand and have packaging delivered JIT from the converter as needed.

• High-quality printing that has color consistency & repeatability with every run, every time.

• The ability to pivot quickly with changes in branding and market messaging.

As an example of “Why Digital?,” Finn MacDonald, President of Independent II, explains, “Over the last 15 years, our business philosophy has not changed, but the landscape of our business has changed dramatically. Our customers’ products spend less time in the warehouse and more time in retail and on doorsteps. We had to recognize and embrace this change and invest in the resources to evolve from a brown box company, to a brand & packaging company, and now to digital.

“Digital was an opportunity for us to get there faster and to take our customers there more quickly and successfully. We now have the ability to bring that dynamic digital energy to our customers with the Domino X630i. Th is is a single-pass 4-color aqueous based press designed specifically to live and thrive in a manufacturing environment. Th at press is user friendly, it’s supportable, and it’s expandable,” says MacDonald.

MacDonald concludes, “Everyday digital is what we want to bring to our customers, to our market, and to our own internal operations. Everyday digital is an opportunity for us to take existing flexo process and fi nd efficiencies, and consistency, and more user-friendliness in the print operation. Th at’s where we stand today. The Domino X630i is supporting

our everyday digital business with our customers, with our market, and certainly inside our own operation.”

WHY X630I?

Domino X630i digital aqueous inkjet corrugated press: Uses less energy and ink consumption than competing digital technologies. Built, serviced, and supported in the USA. Small footprint 10' H x 38' L x 21' W. Climate-controlled environmental enclosure. Sun Automation lead-edge, servo-driven feeder. Utilizes a max sheet size of 63" x 118" (max image size 53" x 118"). Prints on coated and uncoated liners without primer. Polymer-based technology. 600 x 600 dpi print utilizing 4-colors CMYK. AQ95 water-based inks that are Swiss Ordinance, Nestlé, & EuPia compliant. Choice of stacking and OPV options. And acquiring the Domino X630i has never been easier with our In-House Leasing Program!

IN-HOUSE LEASING PROGRAM

Domino In-House Leasing program provides attractive low rates. Fixed monthly payments. No large cash outlay. No personal guarantees required. No banks or third-party leasing companies involved. You’re dealing directly with Domino. Ramp up program with deferred payments. Bundled with service, maintenance, training, printheads, & Digital Solutions Programs. And a future-proof trade-in guarantee. The benefits are endless with this simple, easy, flexible program.

We welcome you to “Experience the Domino Difference.”

Matt Condon Business Development Manager

matthew.condon@domino-na.com

847-596-4816

Mobile: 224-223-2340

dominodigitalprinting.com

EAM-Mosca

Optimizing performance and reliability since 1982

EAM-Mosca Corporation is proud to introduce their two newest strapping systems, the MAX-Q SoniXs squaring bundler and the CTV SoniXs unitizer.

Well known for the highly successful SQ4A Tandem System, EAM-Mosca’s new MAX-Q reinvents the conventional Tandem System for squaring and strapping bundles by combining proven technologies with new designs and product handling.

The new system, which is designed to be used behind a box slitter, integrates two strappers whose position can be varied inside a fi xed-length chassis to align with the strap-to-strap distance of adjoining bundles. Th is unique design allows it to strap two bundles simultaneously without separating the bundle after slitting. By simultaneously strapping, the MAX-Q increases bundle throughputs by 50% from 32 per minute in the current SQ4A Tandem System to 48 per minute.

In addition, the MAX-Q features an innovative, patent-pending, variable-length roller conveyor that enables a 48% reduction in line space compared to the SQ4A Tandem System, from 160.8" to only 83.6". The space-saving

shorter footprint simplifies the highspeed conveying of unstable small box bundles that complicate conventional bundling systems.

EAM-Mosca’s next generation of bundling systems enables boxmakers to take full advantage of faster flexos and bundle splitters in response to increased demand for small boxes.

Introduced in 2021 is the five-headed CTV-SoniXs®. An all-electric unitizer designed to allow high throughput when strapping units requiring closer strap spacing, a higher number of straps per unit or more units per hour. The CTV combines the speed, reliability, and longevity of prior EAM-Mosca SoniXs® unitizers with a narrower version of the SoniXs® strapping head that allows strap spacings as close as 9 inches with up to 5 heads per unitizer.

Heads and tracks may be placed at spacings of 9, 9, 23.5, and 15 inches. Th ree straps can be applied in a single hit within 18 inches, and up to 5 straps can be spaced as wide as 56 inches. The benefit is a higher percentage of single-hit units, enabling the system to approach peak production levels for a wider range of unit load variation and strapping requirements.

Importantly, the narrow version of the SoniXs® sealing head is a reconfiguration of the current SoniXs® unitizer head that has been the key component for the Mosca Unitizer program for well over a decade. Thus, the narrower version provides customers with all the performance and reliability of the current SoniXs® unitizer head while accommodating the required strap patterns of small loads with a single platen hit.

Both innovations will allow customers to future-proof their production, especially given the increase in e-commerce shipments and related small box demand. The resulting combination of higher unit throughput and less stable units requires more straps and faster throughput to maintain bundle or unit load integrity.

EAM-Mosca strives to be forward-thinking with the goal to help customers be prepared to handle current packaging trends and to be ready for upcoming changes that might occur six months or six years down the road.

EAM-Mosca Corp.

675 Jaycee Drive, Hazle Township, PA 18202

info@eammosca.com

570-459-3426

Kento Digital Printing

Kento Hybrid®, the best of both worlds

Kento developed and built the fi rst hybrid printing line especially designed for corrugated, combining the advantages of flexo with the advantages of inkjet technology into one machine, a concept that won the experts’ recognition and an Innovation Award during FEFCO Technical Seminar in late 2021.

In mid-2022, Kento incorporated its North American operation to provide high-quality commercial service and technical assistance to local customers.

THE CONTEXT AND THE PROBLEM

Analog printers are not efficient for projects below 100 msf due to the high cost of plates and their long setup times. Digital printers make it difficult to fi nd customers willing to pay higher prices for “digital packaging” because ink costs for a corrugated box are sometimes higher than the cost of paper itself.

THE SOLUTION FOR SHORT AND MIDSIZED PRINTING RUNS

The Kento Hybrid® system saves up to 80% in ink costs, using flexo for large areas of solid backgrounds, and white or metallic colors that would be extremely expensive or impossible with current digital printers.

Within the same process, this new hybrid approach minimizes setup times and saves costs because high-res images are printed using single-pass inkjet that does not require expensive fourcolor plates.

KENTO HYBRID ® : SOME TECHNICAL DATA

Measuring less than 100' from feeder to stacker, Kento Hybrid combines one or more flexo printing modules with a single-pass inkjet printer. It uses a proprietary flexo-digital register control

based on Artificial Vision technology and is built with Siemens electronics to guarantee quality, dependability, and durability.

A primer application station ensures the best printing results for all liners, and an over-print varnish application station offers a wide range of fi nishes.

Adopting an open ink model, Kento certifies ink sets from leading manufacturers so corrugated companies may choose among different suppliers. Kento requires all inks to comply with the highest standards of food packaging regulations: Nestlé’s and Swiss Ordinance.

Kento Hybrid® is unbeatable in printing jobs up to 100–120 msf in the current American market and achieves this outstanding efficiency by saving up to 80% in ink costs, significantly reducing printing plate costs, offering changeovers under 10 minutes to reach 80% uptime rates, and delivering 9,000 sheets-perhour output with 82.7" (cross-printing direction) x 51.1" (printing direction) maximum board sizes.

COME SEE FOR YOURSELF

The fi rst Kento Hybrid® was installed in a state-of-the-art corrugated plant located north of Valencia, Spain. Along with its commercial production duties, this hybrid printer also serves as a demo unit. The Kento team will

gladly process all requests for on-site or remote demonstrations.

Kento secured the sale of the fi rst hybrid printer for the USA. Th is new line will also receive potential customers for live demos by Q1 2023.

I help corrugated packaging companies boost ROI and OEE by implementing Hybrid (flexo+digital) solutions to complement existing flexo and litho-lam capabilities. Focused on customer success, for 20+ years I have provided corrugated converting and digital printing solutions throughout North America.

Lloyd Kent Vice President Sales and Operations–North America

Solema USA

Looking at pads or partitions? Think Solema

We are all involved in the paperboard converting industry, often in manufacturing, diecutting, or boxmaking equipment. But where do the internal elements of the box come from?

Pads and partitions, commonly known as “secondary packaging,” are put inside of boxes to encase and protect the transported goods. Th is part of your business should be second to none as what’s inside the box is of utmost importance to protect while in transit.

We’re generally speaking of paperboard products or occasionally of other materials such as plastic or foam. Pads are created by

orthogonal cuts from paperboard sheets. Partitions require an accurate cut and must also be assembled in like manner. There are industrial machines designed to get these types of products from paperboard sheets or straight from the reel.

SOLEMA’S SPECIALTIES

The way to go: We offer machines for both cutting and assembly

Our Universal Cutting Machine, or Uni.Co, allows you to get pads and partition elements from corrugated paperboard sheets or solid paperboard reel using punching technology—with 2 main advantages:

• Waste-free partitions in 1 pass.

• Punching tools (easily stored in our small tooling table) with standard or customizable patterns allow you to set up anything you need without having to buy multiple, individual plates to store and reduce wait times (DIY tech).

Stop doing it by hand. Our Andax Assembler (regular, wide, or jumbo) will help automate the assembly process for you, creating partitions by injecting the longitudinal and transversal elements together.

When you think of cutting and converting for your pads and partitions business, think Solema.

Stafford Corrugated Products, Inc.

Stafford Corrugated Products is your Number 1 source for Parts, Accessories, and Technical Support.

It’s a well-documented fact that the Corrugated Container Industry is a leading economic indicator of the overall strength of our economy. 2022 reflected this tremendous growth at Stafford Corrugated Products, as well. Looking forward, the COVID-19 Pandemic has confirmed that the need for Corrugated Boxes will continue to grow even in challenging times.

For more than 35 years, Stafford Corrugated Products has been a supplier of quality replacement and consumable parts for all makes of Corrugated machinery. As a result, Stafford has earned the reputation of being the “go-to” guys when it comes to providing solutions to everyday maintenance and production needs. Practically every day someone from our Technical Team will receive a message from a customer asking, “Do you guys make this?” From consumable parts to complete machinery enhancement systems, Stafford has you covered. We are constantly adding new items to our ever-growing portfolio while keeping a close eye on our industry’s needs.

Stafford is proud to offer RODICUT Die Cut Anvil Blankets available in single width, double wide, and almost every width in between. The unique “knuckle locking” compression system makes them the easiest Anvil blankets to install and rotate. Made to meet or exceed OEM specifications, these Anvil Covers contribute to longer cover life and better-quality fi nished die cut sheets. In addition, Stafford’s team of Technical Sales Reps have a combined total of over 260 years of experience assisting you and your operating crews with in-person training and troubleshooting. If your Die Cutter is equipped with a freewheeling, equalizing compensation system, Stafford can offer

you proven training as well as spare and replacement parts.

Stafford continues to seek out state-ofthe-art products and technologies to offer our customers. CAE Anilox Rolls is one such fi nd. They are the world’s leading anilox innovator. We have partnered with UMS Global Graphics to bring these High-Defi nition Rolls and Sleeves to the US Market. CAE Anilox products have been proven superior in plants throughout the world.

Is your Cutting Die Cylinder littered with stripped holes or broken bolts? Are your operators unable to utilize every hole in the cutting die to get optimum performance? Stafford will come to your facility and overhaul the entire cylinder… All holes are returned to like new condition with replaceable inserts. Th is service is performed in your plant over a weekend when the machine is not running.

Stafford Corrugated Products wishes to thank our loyal customers for their trust and support. We look forward to working with you in 2023 and beyond.

For more information, contact your local Stafford Technical Sales/Service representative or call our Customer Support Team at 800-282-5787. Check out the most comprehensive and critically acclaimed product catalog in the industry at www.go2stafford.com. Our new 50,000-square-foot Headquarters and

Factory has been completed and is ready to serve you now and into the future.

Tony D’Aprile President

tonyd@go2stafford.com 800-282-5787

American Corrugated Machine Corp.

Presents…

THE SECO JUMBO FLEXO FOLDER GLUER SIZES FROM 66 X 198 TO 98 X 216

An industry leader since 1985, American Corrugated Machine Corp. is a broker of new and used equipment from industry leaders such as Torosian Tech Services, Engineered Recycling Systems, (SECO) Sechang Machinery Company, RJE Machinery, Potdevin, and Marumatsu. American Corrugated Machine also specializes in expert ASA appraisals.

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

Counter Stacker Die Cut Unit

Dual Suction Blower Vacuum Transfer System

Baldwin Technologies

By a “Wide Margin” Baldwin Invests in Next-Generation Curing, Drying, and Plate-Cleaning Technologies

Baldwin Technologies is coming off a strong 2022 as its brand-new XP Max LED-UV curing system and Ultra Wide FlexoCleanerBrush™ are gaining fast adoption in the corrugated space, helping to meet boxmaker needs for higher production, improved quality, and reduced downtime with a focus on wide format settings.

“Customers are facing well-known headwinds—inflation, supply chain challenges, increasing energy costs, and labor constraints—and they are leaning on our team and our technologies to overcome them,” said Craig Black, Vice President of Sales, Baldwin. “Wide format applications and equipment are particularly well-suited to our next generation systems.”

One of these technologies is the new XP Max LED-UV system. It is engineered to cure wide substrates moving past it on a corrugated rotary die cutter, manufacturing conveyor belt, or printing press. As opposed to one long commodity LED array, XP Max uses many 20-inch (508 mm) modules, forming a continuous UV curing array that spans any required press or conveyor width. The LED modules are placed at an angle to allow for overlap of the LED emitting areas.

The LED-UV modules within the system significantly reduce energy and downtime while improving operational safety. LED-UV technology cures ink instantly and eliminates drying time, with far less energy than either infrared (IR) or arc UV. Furthermore, its modules can be turned on and off to cover specific conveyor areas, an important energy saving when curing smaller stock widths.

Th is new approach and system also enable discrete maintenance, allowing the removal of a single module without needing to shut down the full system

for repairs. From a safety perspective, the LED window temperatures are significantly cooler than both IR and arc UV—resulting in reduced fire risk when corrugated substrates fall onto lamp heads.

Another technology solution is Baldwin’s Ultra Wide FlexoCleanerBrush™. Th is fully automated flexo plate-cleaning system can be deployed up to 126 inches (3.2 meters) wide. Baldwin’s fl agship solution optimizes print quality and improves worker safety in corrugated printing, automatically removing dust and contamination from the plate in mere seconds during production—without stopping the press. The technology also performs full end-of-job plate cleaning and drying in fewer than four minutes, delivering increased uptime, reduced consumables spend, and ultimately the potential for truckloads of additional capacity each year.

Because the FlexoCleanerBrush™ is fully automatic and spans the entire width of the plate cylinder, it dramatically improves safety by eliminating routine operator contact with the machine, reducing the risk of operator contact with wash agents and cylinder nip injuries. Its carbon-fiber core ensures a stable, uniform, and consistent flexo plate cleaning

throughout the whole width of the plate, keeping the system to a minimal weight.

In addition to these ultra-wide technologies, Baldwin’s FlexoDry IR drying system is proving fast results for customers. Designed to maximize press throughput, boost production speeds, and reduce energy consumption, the system is equipped with Diamond-IR lamps to focus IR radiation. The lamps employ unique ceramic reflectors, directing all light to the substrate, which results in 30% energy savings when compared with other IR lamps.

“Of course, any new technology is only as good as the service, support, and replacement parts behind it,” said Black. “At Baldwin, we focus on understanding our customers’ challenges and needs, and providing solutions to help them overcome them—with a century’s worth of technological innovation married with superior service and support teams.”

To “Go Wide” with Baldwin: baldwintech.com.

BW Papersystems

A Machine for Every Need

The MarquipWardUnited rotary die cutters and flexo folder gluers from BW Papersystems will enable you to meet your market and capacity demands.

The market pressure for e-commerce packaging stems from the need to engage retail customers by creating an unboxing experience with impactful branding on shipping packaging. BWP can provide rotary die cutters with print units to print inside and outside the box in one pass.

The ServoPro Rotary Die Cutter is built for versatility and based on the proven MarquipWardUnited product line. It’s a robust open-and-close, servo-driven, rotary die cutter. Th is machine features an ultra heavy-duty die cut system and a modern user-friendly Human Interface (HMI) system.

The MaxPro Rotary Die Cutter is the fastest rotary die cutter in the world, proven to run over 200 sheets per minute, with the ability to set up the next order, while the current order is on the machine, on a true 128" machine.

The G-Grafi x Flexo Folder Gluer offers a variety of widths and print unit configurations. BWP’s secret sauce to productivity from the FFG is to configure it with a dual slotter with a Twin Box Slitter™, and you will double flexo production on small-size boxes. It’s a game changer.

Besides manufacturing converting machines, BW Papersystems is a premier corrugator manufacturer with a wide range of complete corrugators and corrugator components to match your specific production needs.

Each plant has individual requirements; BW Papersystems machines are customized to meet those requirements.

Corrugators series are Performance, Harmony, and Value Corrugators.

The Performance Corrugator offers maximum production quality. Th is line features the Sentinel, a complete corrugator control system, which optimizes process variables, monitors board quality, and facilitates information to be communicated throughout the corrugator. The Performance Corrugator features the Fusion Knife Stacker designed as one machine. It can be configured up to 1,500 fpm in 98" and 112" widths.

The Harmony Corrugator is designed for customers looking for value on cost-to-performance, and a “crushless” corrugator that offers quality board to satisfy market requests. This is a customized solution

with a modular design to meet your market needs. The Harmony Corrugator is available in 98" and 110" widths at speeds from 1,000 to 1,150 fpm.

The Value Corrugator is reliable and cost-effective. The Value Corrugator fits well in markets that require a high volume of order changes for narrow to wide widths. Value Corrugators can be configured in 70", 87", 98", and 110" widths with speeds from 650 to 1,150 fpm.

In addition to complete corrugators and corrugator components, BW Papersystems offers VortX Starch Mixing Systems in an automatic and manual version to meet your production needs.

Corrugating Machinery Division of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America

Launch of New Mitsubishi Prefeeder and More Than 200 EVOL Sales Reached in North America

MILESTONE EVENTS FOR CORRUGATED MACHINERY DIVISION OF MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES AMERICA

The Corrugating Machinery Division of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America is on a roll. The company recently launched in North America its highly anticipated Mitsubishi Prefeeder and reached a landmark of more than 200 sales of its industry-leading EVOL in the region.

“Investment and innovation are at the very core of how we serve our customers across North America,” said Shoji Isoai, President, MHIA Corrugating Machinery Division. “We work closely with them to meet their unrelenting needs for productivity, accuracy, and profitability.”

Long trusted among customers in the EU, the new Mitsubishi Prefeeder delivers faster throughput and frontof-line reliability for MHIA’s flagship EVOL boxmaking equipment, ensuring optimized operations.

The Mitsubishi Prefeeder will unshackle the power of EVOL. MHIA’s research

team has ascertained that 50% of equipment downtime is due to ancillary equipment problems, with legacy prefeeders accounting for 38% of that total.

Th is newest advancement is available for the EVOL 84 and EVOL 100, either 350 bpm or 400 bpm or for any equipment that is a top printer. It runs a continuous shingle of either single-wall or double-wall sheets and boasts a lifting device that reverses the sheet stack. (Minimum sheet size is 8.7 x 24.8 and the maximum sheet size is 48 x 100.)

“Working together, we strive to meet and exceed our customers’ high demands through ongoing investments in technology, customer care, replacement parts, and online and in-person technical support,” said Hiroyuki Kikumoto, Senior Vice President, Sales, MHIA Corrugating Machinery Division.

And customers concur. Among the proud owners of the landmark 200 EVOLs sold in North America, the following were kind enough to share their thoughts.

“EVOL is a great selling tool for us. Everyone wants to see it, and it’s so impressive, and it produces such a precise and clean box—it’s the highlight of the

tour,” said Brian Healy, General Manager, Carolina Container.

“Listen, we could have bought any machine we wanted, but there wasn’t any real conversation about it,” said Adam Tominsky, General Manager, RandWhitney. “It was EVOL all the way.”

According to Richard Goldberg, VP of Operations for President Container, “It’s quite simple—from the MHIA Sales Team to the VP and all the way through to the tech guys—I have never in my life on the converting side had such a good experience throughout.”

In addition to EVOL equipment and on-site support, the company’s EVOL AR Remote Assistance Augmented Reality Program continues to provide value and evolve to better service customers. Work Instructions were recently added to the industry’s most robust AR platform. Some customers have reported a monumental 50% reduction in downtime with EVOL AR, enabling plant managers, technicians, and engineers across North America to quickly and efficiently share and resolve issues in real time from their facilities.

More information:

www.mhicorrugating.com

Corrugated Solutions

New People, New Website, New Corrugated Solutions

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Corrugated Solutions is a modern, corrugated manufacturers’ sales representative group, with a passion for problem-solving and relationship-building. With over 40 years of combined experience in the corrugated and the pulp and paper industries, Corrugated Solutions offers consultative sales and support services on behalf of top OEMs and suppliers in the corrugated converting industry.

Co-founded in 2017 by Michael Klear and Michael Prassel, the company is proud to represent the following manufacturers:

• Innoveyance (C&M Conveyor & Ohio Blow Pipe)

• TransPak Equipment Corporation

• SUN Automation Group

• PARA Srl.

• Latitude Machinery Corporation

• Highcon

• Simply Packed

• Arco Murray

“We take pride in providing our customers innovative partner solutions that keep their plants running efficiently and profitably,” says Michael Klear, President and Co-Founder.

WHAT’S NEW IN 2022

New People: Join us in welcoming Daniel Brettschneider to the Corrugated Solutions team! Daniel will oversee the sales and operations of equipment and consumables in California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Idaho as our new Vice President of West Coast Operations.

New Solutions: Corrugated Solutions is excited to announce its newest partner, TransPak Equipment Corporation!

TransPak is an industry leader and world-class manufacturer of high-speed corrugated bundle squaring and strapping systems. Converters nationwide can now purchase these high-performance systems through the Corrugated Solutions team.

New Website: Unveiled at the beginning of the year, Corrugated Solutions completed a total refresh of their website to improve user experience for boxmakers nationwide.

“From people to partners and into the digital multiverse, we made strategic investments that improved internal efficiency, enhanced the customer experience, and expanded our solution offerings,” states Klear.

TO BE IN 2023

New Partners: Corrugated Solutions has the people, processes, and capacity to assist OEMs and suppliers in their 2023 sales goals. If you need assistance in reaching your goals, call 847-220-8348.

Exceptional Service: We remain committed to providing exceptional service and support to our sales partners and customers. With new additions to the team, new technologies, and new

processes, our team is ready to assist you from idea to installation. Meet the corrugated solutions team:

• Michael Klear, Co-Founder & President

• Michael Prassel, Co-Founder & Chief Operations Officer

• Kristian Dillard, Vice President of Midwest Operations

• Nick Antique, Vice President of Southeast Operations

• Daniel Brettschneider, Vice President of West Coast Operations

“We are excited to now have a dedicated sales manager located in every major region of the United States. Local support is a must for the success of our boxmaker customers and OEM partners, and we are proud to say we can service from coast to coast,” says Michael Prassel, Co-Founder & Chief Operations Officer.

For more information, visit www. corrugatedsolutions.com.

Michael Prassel Co-Founder & Chief Operations Officer

Michaelp@corrugatedsolutions.com

714-393-8450

EFI

Industrial digital printing for corrugated packaging and displays

Single-pass digital printing is a transformative technology that will allow you to increase the capabilities of your plant and create new business models.

EFI Nozomi industrial inkjet printers offer the perfect balance between the latest technology and everyday operational needs. Created to produce fi ne graphics more efficiently, these award-winning technologies drive efficiency while freeing up flexographic and off set capacity.

EFI Nozomi digital printers handle nearly all flute types and deliver

proven, reliable, and robust industrial productivity, thanks to a powerful transport system, integrated machine vision camera, and high-performance printheads that maximize equipment eff ectiveness (OEE).

EFI Nozomi printers use genuine EFI UV LED inks that are 100% recyclable and repulpable and provide high color saturation and coverage. The highperformance EFI Fiery print server used with Nozomi printers offers advanced imaging technology. And Nozomi printers are certified to the highest industry standards: Fogra and G7.

Th is is also a highly sustainable technology for the corrugated market. EFI Nozomi printers consume 35% less energy than traditional flexographic printing and have more efficient processes: no cleaning water, no overproduction, no emissions, and less waste.

For more information about EFI and EFI Nozomi, please contact: info@efi. com or +1-800-875-7117.

info@efi.com

+1-800-875-7117

www.nozomi.efi.com

The first complete and best-equipped line for industrial single-pass printing of corrugated cardboard boxes and displays.

• Colors: CMYK, CMYK+W, CMYKOV, CMYKOV+W

• Max. board size: 1.8 m x 3 m

• Resolution: 360 x 720 dpi

• Max. speed: up to 75 linear m/min

• Feeder: bottom continuous, double line printing included

• Primer: roller

• Stacker: full pallet stacker

A very compact solution, easy to adapt to the space available on the fl oor for converters making the step to digital technology.

• Colors: CMYK, CMYK+W, CMYKOV, CMYKO+W

• Max. board size: 1.4 m x 2.4 m

• Resolution: 360 x 720 dpi

• Max speed: up to 75 linear m/min and up to 100 linear m/min for uncoated and unprimed papers

• Feeder: continuous bottom, optional double line printing

• Primer: roller

• Stacker: complete pallet stacker or in packs

EFI Nozomi C18000 Plus

EFI Nozomi 14000 LED

Why change careers in your mid-60s? Alton joins ERS!

It’s not common for people in their mid-60s to leave a secure position and join a whole new organization. Alton Chambers could have had a cushy job working in his previous company for the rest of his career, so why did he change employers and start from scratch?

Alton has a unique skill set that allows him to assess the character and value of an organization. When he discovered Engineered Recycling Systems, he saw an opportunity to join a very special organization.

“ERS doesn’t sell cookie cutter solutions. It’s a company that looks at their customer’s needs and creates real solutions for real problems.”

– Alton. C.

The way the organization is set up is what Alton likes to call a “true organization.” Nobody can be in two places at once, so it’s important to know that you have a good team behind you. If Alton can’t be available for an ERS partner, then there is a dedicated customer service team to answer any concerns that a client may have.

“Nobody ever says ‘That’s not my job.’ If they can’t help you, they go and find somebody who can.” –

A.C.

Alton has served the converting industry since 1987. After working as a field foreman, he moved into systems analysis, design, and sales. Alton would visit a potential client to survey their facility and their operations, and then design a tailor-made solution for that unique situation.

“They might think they need a stronger fan, but it’s actually their baghouse that’s plugged up. I like doing that kind of ‘detective work.’”

– A. C.

Alton has spent many years advising younger project managers, who sometimes overlook important details. He enjoys mentoring the younger generation and knows the importance of choosing the right person to oversee a project. At ERS, every project is appointed a dedicated project manager, who is specifically qualified for that role. This might seem obvious, but Alton has been in the business long enough to know that not every organization runs such a tight ship.

“Above all, ERS is a human organization. Some companies can let bureaucracy get in the way of client relationships, but with ERS, if you call them with a problem at your plant, they’ll send somebody out to help you right away. The priority is to keep you running!”

– A.C.

Engineered Recycling Systems, LLC

ERS is an Atlanta-based company that supplies the paper converting industry with comprehensive dust control and trim removal systems. We design and manufacture cutting-edge equipment, install full-scale systems at your location, and provide maintenance and customer service for the life of our products.

There is no shortage of business in an economy that is becoming increasingly reliant upon corrugated and paper products, but with an increased demand to fulfi ll orders, there is also a greater burden on production lines. Dust collection is an integral part of any system, and a dust collection issue can bring your entire operation to a standstill. Th at’s why it’s important to have an air fi ltration solution that won’t let you down!

The team at ERS is a collection of the industry’s fi nest engineers and innovators, allowing us to draw from a deep pool of expertise. Our technical knowledge combined with your feedback has generated some groundbreaking dust control and trim removal solutions.

Our fl agship fi lter, the CCM ® OCT dust collector, creates 80% less downtime than the conventional fi ltration system on the market. A common complaint about traditional baghouse and cartridge fi lters is that they require more than 20 hours for a standard preventative maintenance, often suspending production for a whole weekend. Th at is why our engineers came together to create a solution that is far less disruptive to your workflow. With the CCM ® OCT, a full preventative maintenance only requires 4 hours of downtime (for an equivalent capacity 50,000 CFM unit), effectively unlocking 16 hours of production time each time your fi lter requires preventative maintenance.

Another complaint that we’ve heard repeatedly from our clients is:

“ e baghouse plugs up on you, and you can’t get inside to see what’s going on before it becomes a catastrophic event!”

User feedback is a vital part of our design process, so we asked ourselves, “But what if you could see inside of it?” As a result, the CCM® OCT features a window for viewing the internal operation of the machine. If there’s a problem, you can see it right away.

At ½ the maintenance cost of a baghouse and a ¼ of that of a cartridge lter, the CCM ® OCT is the most sustainable user-friendly fi lter on the market. Most importantly, the CCM ® OCT IS your SAFEST option! We have eliminated all explosion hazards that plague standard dust collectors. Simply put, with fewer moving parts there is less that can go wrong. The CCM® OCT is a fi ltration solution designed for your peace of mind.

ERS is not only known for designing cutting-edge equipment; our customer service department reflects the same level of excellence. Taking into account all the supply chain issues caused by the pandemic, we have taken measures to get ahead of potential shipping delays. We’ve invested in a 55,000-square-foot warehouse and fi lled it with equipment and parts inventory—we are overstocked! All our most important spare parts

are available for expedited shipping from Atlanta!

If you ever happen to run into problems outside of our working hours, we also have a comprehensive online support system. We’ve just launched our 24/7 customer portal where you can access technical data for any of your ERS equipment. We guarantee that you will never be left in the dark!

“ ey stand behind their system. ere’s no nger-pointing.”

—ERS Customer

Mechanical

Engineer

Mike Carver is the managing partner at ERS and has served the paper, paper converting, and recycling industries for over 30 years. His extensive background and technical knowledge make him a sharp team leader and an accomplished engineer. Mike’s philosophy is simple:

“ e customer’s success is our success. We will do everything we can to keep your operation running.”

Written by: Eldar Iz

Greene House Group

Greene House Group Solutions and Support for Western Boxmakers

Greene House Group (GHG) serves as an independent sales representative for top manufacturers in the corrugated industry. Led by father-and-son duo Frank and Hayden Greene, the California-based company has developed a reputation of knowledge, diligence, and respect in the Western United States.

EXPANDING INTO NEW SALES TERRITORY

In 2022, GHG expanded their sales partnership with Pamarco. GHG’s relationship with Pamarco dates back to 2016, when GHG was the exclusive sales representative in Arizona and Southern California. The new agreement expands GHG’s sales territory into Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. Converters located in these states can work with GHG in their purchase of Pamarco metering rolls and service solutions.

THE BEST IN CORRUGATED SOLUTIONS AND SUPPORT

For converters seeking to improve quality, capacity, and productivity, you’ll fi nd that the solutions partners represented by GHG pride themselves as industry leaders, with a distinct focus on quality. GHG currently represents the following companies in the Western US:

• TCY Machinery Mfg. Co., Ltd. — Established in 1959, TCY Machinery Mfg. Co., Ltd. is among the largest manufacturers in flexographic printing equipment.

• A.G. Stacker — Since 1996, A.G. Stacker has been a leading and innovative force in industrial stacking machinery for corrugated sheet operations in America.

• JB Machinery — Holding over 60 years of industry experience, JB Machinery provides infrared drying and UV curing system designs for the modern boxmaker.

• Absolute Engineering — Absolute is the world’s premier supplier of woven carbon fiber-chambered doctor blade systems. Absolute are specialists in ink doctoring and system management within the Flexo industry.

• Pamarco — For over 75 years, Pamarco has served the corrugated and flexible packaging industries with innovative anilox rolls, glue sets, and press accessories, along with audits and service options.

• Dücker Ringwood Automation

As the North American arm of the Dücker Group, Dücker Ringwood Automation are

leaders in conveyer automation for the corrugated industry.

• Dücker Robotics — With over 180 systems installed, Dücker Robotics is a world leader in corrugated industry robotic solutions.

• Ringwood Company — The largest manufacturer of starch adhesive equipment in the world, Ringwood Company has installed equipment in over 500 plants in over 30 countries.

• CleanPrint USA — A provider of environmentally safe industrial cleaner solutions, CleanPrint USA designs custom made cleaning solutions for corrugated converters.

GHG works diligently to develop partnerships with world-class solutions providers and manufacturers. GHG welcomes boxmakers in the Western US to learn more about their solution providers.

To download product brochures and request a consultation, please visit www. greenehousegroup.com.

Frank Greene frank@greenehousegroup.com 714-393-8450

H.B. Fuller

Your Partner for E-Commerce Packaging Equipment and Tape Solutions

As environmental awareness keeps rising, reducing the overall amount of primary packaging materials and using fewer resources are becoming strong demands of end consumers. The fast-growing business of e-commerce has changed the way we buy, and since a large percentage of purchases arrive at the consumer’s doorstep, companies are looking more at right-size packaging options and expecting the use of more recycled materials. The goal is to reduce their carbon footprint, while ensuring their e-commerce packaging protects the contents and offers excellent customer experience.

H.B. FULLER EARTHIC ™

WATER-BASED

COATINGS

Reduce the need for plastic mailers and protect paper packaging integrity with H.B. Fuller Earthic™ water-based barrier coatings.

H.B. Fuller Earthic™ 9403P is a polyolefi n-free water-based barrier coating innovative solution for fiberbased packaging used to ship goods bought online and shipped directly to consumers. It is heat sealable to itself and to paper, and it can be applied using Mayer rod, gravure/anilox roller, or jet blade, curtain or knife coating at paper mill or packaging maker.

Water-based barrier coatings are an alternative to polyethylene (PE) coatings. PE coatings may prevent packages from being recycled at standard recycling centers.

H.B. Fuller Earthic™ 9403P was formulated by our expert engineers to provide moisture-resistant packaging. Additionally, it can withstand high heat e-commerce packaging shipping environments and protects contents inside

e-commerce packaging with as little excess packaging as possible.

OPEN SESAME ® FIBER-BASED TEAR TAPE

Reduce dependency on plastic with the industry’s fi rst sustainable fiber-based tear tape. Unlike competitor plastic tapes, global patent-pending Open Sesame® fiber-based tear tapes recycle directly with the board and add high-quality usable fiber to the recycling stream in support of the circular economy.

Open Sesame® fiber-based tear tape averages over 99% fiber yield during the old corrugated container (OCC) repulping process and supports a mono-material recycling stream. It contains no synthetic fibers and is made from sustainably sourced, fresh, wood-based fibers (certified by Forest Stewardship Council).

Eliminate plastic fi lm tape from e-commerce packaging and help us create a plastic-free world. Open Sesame® fiber-based tear tapes eliminate the plastic fi lm used in standard tear tapes. Th is breakthrough solution is a crucial component in meeting plastic-free packaging goals.

SESAME ® DRY END SPLICING

Sesame® Dry End Splicing Assembly is especially suitable for e-commerce packaging because dry end PSA opening tear tapes are used for easy frustration-free opening of mailers, bags, and boxes received via online orders. Th is new H.B. Fuller equipment is designed for easy roll-to-roll splicing with the Sesame® PSA

tape to eliminate corrugator downtime due to roll changes and help manufacturers improve productivity and respond to the growing need of an efficient supply chain for e-commerce packaging. The system is designed, built, and installed by H.B. Fuller expert engineers who have intimate knowledge of equipment setup to maximize productivity with Sesame® tapes.

In summary, the Sesame® Dry End Splicing allows manufacturers to:

• Efficiently run tape with roll-toroll splicing

• Increase corrugator uptime to meet aggressive e-commerce demand

• Save money in corrugated board waste and in butt roll waste

• Meet OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) goals

H.B. Fuller focuses on developing sustainable adhesives, adhesive coated tapes and equipment for the growing e-commerce packaging market. For more information, visit www.hbfuller.com/ecommerce.

Sesame®, Open Sesame®, and Earthic™ are trademarks of H.B. Fuller company (“H.B. Fuller”) or an affi liated company of H.B. Fuller.

Highcon

Digital Manufacturing for Corrugated Boxes from Highcon

e growth of the corrugated market holds huge potential and is driving an ever-growing quantity of short- and medium-run packaging, in many cases with volumes smaller than traditional MOQs. It’s great news for the corrugated industry, but how will converters ensure that their equipment and processes are optimized for this new short-run market, without conventional nishing methods bottlenecking the process?

Corrugated boxes have fast become a popular choice, offering easy-to-open and secure reseal options, additional branding opportunities including double-sided print and paper-based inserts, intricate designs, and more. As a shift to e-commerce and focus on a positive “unboxing experience” continue, more brands are reevaluating the boxes their products are packaged in. It’s easy to see why, then, fi nished corrugated boxes are playing an important role in a consumer’s brand experience. Product manufacturers, retailers, and the consumer can all enjoy great benefits from this durable, sustainable material, but with new demands for shorter-runs from a growing market, how can digital fi nishing add value to boost productivity for converters?

In the traditional linear process, each job or box is run step-by-step through the plant, and each job implies another setup time on each piece of equipment so when job volumes increase, it creates an adverse setup-to-run ratio and a bottleneck at the fi nishing stage. If fi nishing happens on a CAD table, then even short-run jobs can take hours. The introduction of a digital manufacturing mindset incorporating digital fi nishing changes these paradigms for the new shorter-run jobs. In a digital manufacturing process for example, jobs

are collected, and then using AI-driven imposition software, dynamically ganged to reduce the number of makereadies and tooling costs. These jobs that have been printed either digitally or conventionally will then be die cut and creased digitally—because that’s how you optimize productivity of small batch sizes.

Tooling costs and lead times are eliminated, cycle times are shortened, and production time dramatically cut when compared to CAD, and not dissimilar to analog when cutting on a conventional die cutter. Digital fi nishing also allows for a more sustainable process. The carbon footprint of each job fi nished digitally is slashed when compared to a job involving a full conventional die set.

A huge boost in e-commerce and dedicated web-to-pack sites mean that corrugated boxes are readily available to brands, small businesses, and even individuals within short lead times.

The BoxMaker in the US, for example, with dedicated web-to-pack site Fantastapack.com offers an online custom packaging order system designed for small businesses, entrepreneurs, or anyone else who requires packaging without a concern for minimum order requirements. Th anks to the implementation of a digital manufacturing strategy powered by software, digital printing, and digital fi nishing, the order system works by the customer entering information and uploading artwork; that information is sent directly to the press without human intervention or even the need for a conversation. Artificial Intelligence optimizes the creation of print-ready layouts against the potential millions of possibilities; the software then streamlines planning and layout creation guided by custom rules and the ability to gang multiple jobs based on customer

requirements including due date and more. Planning, ganging, and batching happen as efficiently as possible driving maximum throughput.

It’s all about the right tool for the right job. Digital die cutting as part of a Digital Manufacturing strategy making the “new” jobs feasible, attractive, effective, and environmentally responsible. Alongside the conventional process through which the traditional jobs continue to run effectively.

Digital die cutting is at the heart of Highcon solutions. These systems combine digitally driven physical mechanical crease lines with laser die cutting and digital stripping to dispose of all the internal pieces. From the short-run-centric Highcon Euclid 5C system via the flexible Highcon Beam 2C and the longer-run-centric Highcon Beam 2C Nonstop, all of which are in operation at various sites around the world, Highcon has a portfolio dedicated to corrugated, both for packaging and display applications.

Converters need to understand and optimize their processes now more than ever—not only for print and materials but also for fi nishing. Digital fi nishing and the solutions enabled by AI technology, open new doors and enable new choices to maximize efficiency and produce corrugated boxes, with ease.

Michael Ciaramella VP Sales and General Manager, Highcon America michael.ciaramella@ highcon.net

Isowa America

• Speeds up to 350 boxes/minute

• Changeovers in under two minutes

• Lowest annual cost of ownership

• Fully staffed service and parts groups ready to help!

ABOUT ISOWA FLEXOS

e Isowa mid-size fi xed-position

FALCON FFG cruises at 21,000 sheets per hour and employs patented Isowa technology enabling bona fide two-minute run-to-run times. Key features of the Falcon include Isowa Servo or SUN Lead Edge Feeders, integrated sheet cleaning and dust collection systems, servo-controlled roller vacuum transfer (no full-width vacuum transfer belt!), and fi xed/elevating print units with the sustainable Isowa SuperFlex Plus ink system including Automatic Viscosity Control.

Customizable options include choice of roll-to-roll or chambered blade ink metering, dwell sections, dual slotting sections, heavy duty die cut sections with pin stripping; full vacuum folding sections with recently reduced minimums, automatic folding bar adjustment, a dedicated gap control device, 2-up functionality; and a true skip feed servo counter ejector capable of running RSCs, HSCs, trays and die cuts at speed.

e Isowa large format fi xed-position

IBIS FFG utilizes many of the same technologies on the FALCON to run larger sheets easily at 15,000 sheets per hour with the same two-minute changeovers. The Ibis is designed to provide maximum flexibility to run a great variety of box and sheet types quickly and efficiently. With a sheet minimum less than 12" and sheet maximum out to 63" in skip feed, the Ibis can run sheets up to 120" across the machine. Notable differences from the Falcon include not only size but also the implementation of Isowa’s patented “Variable Length Feeder” (servo without a

gearbox or transmission) that can be configured for Dual Feed running at 24,000 sheets per hour.

Whether with the mid-size Falcon or the large format Ibis FFG, Isowa provides high-speed productivity, cutting edge setup-while-run technology, fi nished product versatility, and operational simplicity in its fi nishing equipment line up.

OVER A CENTURY OF RESULTS

Isowa is an independent, family-owned supplier that has continued delivering quality machinery across the globe for over 100 years. Isowa flexos are designed specifically to meet the growing demand for quick changeovers, high run speeds, and lowest annual cost of ownership.

Isowa America, Inc. serves the North and South American corrugating industry from Phoenix, AZ. Our newly expanded warehouse boasts greater depth of coverage of all critical customer needs and a knowledgeable support staff that is ready to assist at any time.

We offer preventative maintenance plans that can be scaled to your requirements, as well as critical on-site

support during unexpected situations. Our Phoenix office supports operations in the Americas, as well as our growing service organization and extensive parts warehouse.

Our installation team boasts a full-time installation project manager, dedicated trainer, and we are fully staffed to handle all support needs of current customers.

Give us a call and fi nd out why over 70% of our new machine purchases are repeat customers from some of the biggest names in corrugated.

Mr. Erbe has helped corrugated customers reach record production and pro tability for over 33 years. Our dedicated sales team in North and South America would be happy to show you why our customers keep coming back!

Kevin Erbe Vice President of Sales erbek@isowa.com

303-718-0023

For other inquiries, please call Isowa America directly at 602-639-9060.

JD Engineers BV

Your (e-com) Specialty Folder

Gluer Solution

TANABE JD BOXR SPECIALTY FOLDER GLUER WITH E-COM UNIT

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. JD also offers a total solution for your e-commerce box-styles with all systems integrated in a special unit as modular

design with integrated applicators as silicon hot-melt gun(s), silicon paper spender(s), barcode labeling, tear-strip, barcode positioning control, and readable barcode detection integrated to the JD BoxR control.

UPGRADE YOUR SPECIALTY FOLDER GLUER

“JD engineers in the Netherlands with so many years’ experience with Specialty 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 fi x.” These retrofit solutions can be included with the JD e-com unit.

Doeke Holtrop President d.holtrop@jdengineers.nl +31-620-397-021

KPI Incorporated

Installing New Equipment?

KPI Incorporated (Indianapolis, IN) — a United States solutions provider for new equipment installations in the corrugated board industry. KPI represents some of the highest quality engineered products and services for rigging, concrete foundations, utility service drops, and material handling equipment. With over 30 years of experience in factory layouts and equipment installation, KPI represents the following partners.

BRICQ Corrugator Belts (Montbron, France) — Established in 70 countries Worldwide, BRICQ specializes in corrugator belts for all OEM corrugators. Depending on customer equipment type and board mix, BRICQ offers three different belt options to fit your needs:

Power™ – Heavy Duty Woven (9 mm) as well as its Needled Felt – Four™ (8.6 mm) and its Lightweight Solution (5.5 mm) Speed™. Its Siliconized Track™ offers superior tack for board control. Stock parent rolls are stored in Indianapolis and cut to length for emergency service. Seams can be integral flap or traditional flocked. KPI’s offers drum lagging and belt repair through its field service team.

PIC Precision Industrial (Washington, USA) — is a Nationwide leader in corrugated equipment construction projects. With over 30 years’ experience, PIC has built its reputation as a full-service industrial contractor for larger projects and when time matters most. PIC offers a single source provider for concrete foundations, full line corrugator installations, factory relocations, and green field construction projects. The PIC field team manages a variety of projects ranging from caustic to concrete services and from corrugator to converting equipment rigging. Equipment is

mobilized out of its Pacific Northwest location or its Midwest hub.

GTC Conveyor (Indianapolis, IN) with 50 years of experience in material handling systems, GTC Conveyor manufactures overhead conveyor systems for flexo plate storage systems. However, GTC Conveyor is carving out a niche in lineshaft conveyor for bundle handling and floor conveyor for unit load transportation for infeeds, outfeeds, and mainline conveyor. GTC is fully integrated with control panel design/build, field installation, and equipment design and build.

Michael Harris President mharris@kpiincorporated.com 317-288-0470

Signode

Signode Delivers Enhanced Automation and Achieves Customer Successes With Remote Monitoring, Sophisticated Downline Redundancy, and IndustryLeading Technology

Enhancing its automation solutions for the corrugated industry in 2022, Signode was able to provide customers with remote monitoring, sophisticated downline redundancy, and industry-leading technology solutions.

Boxmakers are enjoying the benefits of enhanced productivity, simplified maintenance, and production versatility due to the robust design of Signode’s automated bundlers and their integration with software and remote monitoring systems.

“As boxmakers continue to invest in increased throughput, they are searching for high-speed bundling, in-line redundancy, and remote monitoring to better balance speed with reliability,” said Mike Stein, VP Sales, Marketing, and Product Management for Signode. “We’re designing and delivering the solutions that allow them to future-proof their operations.”

SOPHISTICATED DOWNLINE TECHNOLOGY TIED TO REMOTE MONITORING

Introduced in 2021 in North America, more than 200 of Signode’s SIG-VCS and VCS TANDEM Automatic Bundler Systems are now in use in the United States primarily in boxmaking plants. The system combines the power of two VCS squaring bundlers connected with dual zone conveyors to meet the throughput demands of FFGs with inline bundle breakers, operating at speeds up to 36 bundles per minute.

SIG-VCS TANDEM is recognized for its smart diversion technology that sends all bundles to the active bundler during a coil change or while the other temporarily inactive bundler “fixes itself” with an auto

refeed feature. After the inactive bundler changes the coil or the successful refeed corrects the misfeed, the inactive bundler will come back online automatically and share the workload with the active bundler.

Remote monitoring software enables plant managers and technicians to see how the equipment is operating and help to further shift to optimized preventative maintenance models, for instance by alerting the technical staff that it’s encountering too many strap refeeds.

INDUSTRY-LEADING TECHNOLOGY

The GCU-3 offers a corrugated-industry fi rst: up to six modular heads, providing enhanced flexibility with the most strap placement options available today. Th is system optimizes reliability and redundancy for maximum throughput, making it one of the fastest, most user-friendly unitizers in the industry.

Sensitive compression and variable head tension capabilities are other valuable enhancements to the well-known GCU system. The GCU-3 delivers highly accurate and repeatable platen compression levels for differing loads. Working in concert with variable head tension, this allows for the delivery of consistency, reduced downtime, optimized throughput, improved package integrity, and minimized product damage.

The GCU-3 also features compact strap dispensers with a new space-saving footprint and quick-change coils to decrease downtime and increase throughput. Its larger interactive HMI control panel enables easier operation, maintenance, and self-diagnostics for advanced troubleshooting and corrective actions.

LOWER TCO

Featuring fast bundle size setup and a speed of up to 32 bundles per minute, the SIG-C series possesses the lowest cost of ownership. It’s equipped with a patented low tension strap ejector to head off issues when operating in low strap tension mode.

The SIG-C has a robust design and low maintenance simplicity, including an all-metal strap chute with minimal wear parts. Automatic strap loading and refeed technology were designed for peak performance and continuous strapping. “We are looking forward to even closer customer collaborations in 2023,” said Stein. “The more we understand equipment user needs, the more our global teams in engineering, reliability services, and technical support can deliver optimal outcomes for our customers.”

More information: signode.com

W. H. Leary

Gluing and Quality Enhancements Deliver Sustainable Packaging

W. H. Leary’s advancement in gluing and quality assurance solutions are in response to a need for overall improved efficiencies and customer requests. Greater quality demands, new and innovative paperboard packaging designs, and a continued rise in e-commerce packaging use, have customers looking for ways to improve their specialty folder gluers to deliver drastic results.

Leary’s Monet software user interface drastically reduces training needed as evident with the simple and quick New Job Setup. Using box-style intel and machine learning, less pages and less button pushes are needed to deliver quick and efficient startups.

The latest Monet 2.12 release features a more secure approach to maintaining box quality and eliminating human error for repeat jobs by storing defined best-practice settings as a default. Pertinent variables, consistent from job to job, are protected from operator changes; when exceptions are needed, these changes are easily made through a password retrieval system that generates a unique short-term password for log-in privileges. Changes are recorded, and at the end of the production run, Monet defaults these settings back to the original, ready for the next run and preserving the baseline setup for the future.

Advancements in glue application and quality assurance offer a more hands-off approach, improving automation in a way that maximizes quality and efficiency. Glue application options allow for automatic tip-seal technology to maintain precise application and minimize equipment maintenance at each machine startup. Quality assurance options include glue detection, flaps detection, code reading, box skew, and more. These inspection options require minimum

setup and maintenance delivering 100% quality product.

Monitoring production output at all times creates an environment of improved productivity. iQ Status, a new addition to Leary’s range of visual management products, monitors production output at all times by displaying important production details on a large flat-screen display. The customizable flat-screen display delivers

instant detail about downtime, spoilage, production counts, and more. Th is notification method is fitted above each machine and is a simple add-on to existing iQ data solutions delivering a significant impact in identifying productivity.

Leary’s solutions have been intuitively designed to remove human touch points and improve automation in a way that maximizes customers’ quality and efficiencies.

Anilox Roll Cleaning Systems

ARCS: Providing On or Off-Press Anilox Laser Cleaning Services & Equipment

Anilox Roll Cleaning Systems (ARCS) helps printers, packaging manufacturers, 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. ARCS is known for its industrial expertise in laser roll cleaning services.

ARCS is a turn-key Roll Cleaning Service and System provider. We can clean your rolls for you at your place or ours. For companies who wish to perform roll cleaning themselves, we offer for sale several equipment options from which to choose.

Our SERVICES DIVISION offers nationwide coverage. Our on-site roll cleaning service can perform both on-press and off-press cleaning using either our unique Eclipse® Laser Cleaning System or specially formulated “Anilox” baking soda. We offer roll cleaning out of our three warehouse locations: Hatfield, PA; Greensboro, NC; and Grand Rapids, MI. Our deep cleaning process is effective on all types of rollers and residues. We can even clean out completely plugged rollers! Only need a few rolls cleaned? No problem—send them to one of our shops for fast, efficient service—we will restore your volumes to their original specs and have them on their way back to you within 24–48 hours!

Our SYSTEMS DIVISION offers Laser Roll Cleaning Equipment providing a cleaning technology using a unique, proprietary, circular, non-hot spot 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. Proudly MADE in the USA! Also available: New Dust-Free ARCS Pro-Series Baking Soda Cleaning Systems and high-quality refurbished Soda Systems.

Amanda DiGiovanni Customer Service Manager amanda@aniloxrollclean.com 800-699-3722

Apex International

2022: A Year of Growth for Apex International

Apex International is a global leader and manufacturer of anilox rollers, metering, and print maintenance solutions for corrugated, narrow-web, wide-web, offset, coating, and embossing applications. With seven production facilities on four continents, a strong portfolio of clients in over 95 countries and a high-performance continuous improvement culture, Apex is dedicated to developing solutions that meet the needs and goals of today’s converters. As we look back on 2022, Apex International is proud to have expanded our team, product offerings, and partnerships, marking a year of tremendous company growth.

APEX ENTERS NEW PRODUCT MARKETS

Apex International is proud to be a new global manufacturer in the embossing industry. Th rough the strategic acquisition of Keller Dorian Graphics and Panhuizen Graveerindustrie BV, Apex now offers top-of-the-line embossing products on a global scale.

Apex will manufacture our next generation of rollers and sleeve transfer technologies for embossing applications found in the home, coating, auto, fashion, nonwovens, plastics, glass, tissue, metal, paper, and rotary screen embossing markets.

APEX INCREASES GLOBAL LOCATIONS

With the acquisition of Keller Dorian Graphics and Panhuizen Graveerindustrie BV in 2022, Apex International now manages 7 production facilities worldwide. The company will operate the Keller Dorian manufacturing facility located in France, as well as the Panhuizen Graveerindustrie BV production facility located in the Netherlands.

In August 2022, Apex North America broke ground on our new North American

production facility, located in Fallowfield Township, PA. The new facility is more than twice the size of the existing Donora site and will sit on 12 acres of land, occupying over 58,500 square feet. The facility’s primary purpose is to expand and elevate the manufacturing and warehousing capabilities of Apex North America.

APEX INVESTS IN NEW PARTNERSHIPS

To further grow the support and brand presence of the company, in 2022, Apex International made the following investments in strategic sales and marketing partnerships:

Sales partnerships. Apex International has gained 2 new sales partners, expanding our global market reach and support. Print & Pack is our newest sales distributor of Apex products and services in Australia and New Zealand. We also welcome Printman as a new authorized distributor, exclusively serving the country of Romania.

OEM partnerships. In April 2022, Echaar Equipment showcased its first CI flexo printing press, The FLEXOMASTER HR-500, equipped with Apex GTT 2.0 anilox sleeves. “We believe that the time for flexo printing is started in India. We appreciate our partnership with Echaar Equipment and are proud to have our anilox roll technologies on press,” says Mangesh Bhise, Director of Sales and Marketing, Apex Asia Pacific Pvt. Ltd. Marketing & industry partnerships. In 2022, Apex International became one of the fi rst sponsor partners of the Flexo Xperience Center in Atlanta, GA. The new industry center is designed for visitors to experience, test, and create various solutions in a true flexo production environment. GTT 2.0 engravings and HD anilox sleeve technologies are on display for visitor interaction.

Apex Europe also recently confi rmed a sponsorship deal has been made with the Dutch football club FC Eindhoven for the 2022/23 season. The sponsorship aims to further strengthen the company’s connection with the local community and increase awareness of our global career opportunities.

APEX WELCOMES NEW EMPLOYEES & PROMOTIONS

As part of our strategic growth initiatives, Apex International is proud to welcome the following employees and promotions in 2022.

• Markus Franz joined Apex Europe as Technical Sales Manager for Germany

• Mangesh Bhise was promoted to Director of Sales for Asia Pacific and Middle East

• Dan Golway was welcomed to the Apex North American Technical Sales Team

2023: A CONTINUED VISION FOR GROWTH

“With Vision: 2020s growth initiatives, Apex planned major investments into global facilities and capital equipment to address anticipated industry growth,” states Ruud van Cuijk, Managing Director of Apex North America. “It is exciting to witness all our team has accomplished this year, and we look forward to the impact it will have in our production efficiency, product quality, and customer experience.”

Farrah Nuzzo Global Marketing Coordinator fnuzzo@apexinternational.com 724-797-5903

Joe Settanni VP Sales – North America jsettanni@apexinternational.com 708-214-7740

ARC International

ARC International Glue, Meter, & Knife Rollers

The corrugator is perhaps the most important piece of equipment in a corrugated box plant. If it’s not running, there’s no board to be converted into boxes or trays. For 38 years, ARC International, with manufacturing plants in Charlotte, NC, and Las Vegas, NV, has been a major supplier to the industry with an array of roller products for single facers, glue machines, and corrugator knives.

For single facers and glue machines, ARC offers their premium cladded applicator rollers with either a stainless steel or chrome-plated surface. In the cladding process, the stainless or carbon steel becomes an integral part of the roller body and cannot delaminate, as is common with other sprayed applications. The stainless steel-cladded roller is then ground, polished, and mechanically engraved. Upon completion of the engraving, the roller is ready for QC, as there is no chrome plating required. A cladded stainless steel applicator roller is guaranteed against rust or delamination for a period of five years. Some plants choose to utilize the standard mechanically engraved carbon steel and chrome plated roller, as these rollers can also do an excellent job with starch transfer. Non-engraved matte cladded applicator rollers can also be supplied with stainless steel or chrome-plated surfaces.

Traditionally, glue applicator rollers are engraved with 45-degree quad or quadrangular cells, often 20, 25, 30, or 35 LPI (lines per inch), dependent upon flute requirements. ARC also offers their own hexagonal 60-degree Starch Saver line of engraving tools, SS100, SS200, SS300, & SS400 for various B & C flute, E flute, or micro-flute applications. These engravings offer thinner walls with less depth for more efficient starch release. And over

time as these cells wear, they provide less volume loss due to their design, as compared to traditional quad cells.

Of course, just as important as the applicator roller, the meter roller plays a critical role in efficient starch application. ARC offers multiple meter roller surfaces— tungsten carbide, ceramic, stainless steel, and chrome. ARC recommends that a new or reconditioned meter roller should always be supplied with a new or reconditioned applicator, better known as a “matched set.”

Other corrugator roller components supplied by ARC include splicer rollers for the single facer and pull and exit rollers for the corrugator knife. These knife rollers can be supplied with tungsten

carbide, stainless steel, carboxylated nitrile, or molybdenum surfaces, whatever the OEM specification.

Call your ARC representative today at 800-526-4569 or e-mail sales@ arcinternational.com.

Micheal Foran, President, CEO & Founder of ARC, has been in the roller engraving industry for about 50 years.

Micheal Foran President, CEO & Founder of ARC International swoodard@ arcinternational.com

704-469-4791

Printron

We Bring Packaging to Life!

Since 1963, we have sought to build partnerships, focusing on client brands and their print expectations. As a service organization, we provide integrated services and products for the packaging industry. Everything you need to bring your packaging to life, all in one place.

• Artwork

• Prepress

• 3D Renders

• Artwork Management & DAM Software

• Flexo Plates & Mounting

• Cutting Dies

• Workflow Consulting

To learn more about our solutions, contact us at: sales@printron.com 920-725-3077

www.printron.com

PRINTRON PARTNERS WON BEST OF SHOW 19 OF THE LAST 26

2021 FTA Excellence in Flexography Award

Combined Corrugated, Process Category Gold Award & Best of Show

Client: Member’s Mark

Printer: Advance Packaging Corporation

2020 FTA Excellence in Flexography Award

Combined Corrugated, Process Category Gold Award & Best of Show

Client: 3M

Printer: Great Northern Corporation

Combined Corrugated, Process Category Gold Award & Best of Show

Client: Nestlé S.A.

Printer: WestRock Adams

YEARS!

2019 FTA Excellence in Flexography Award

Quest7, Inc.

Quest7, Inc. was established on March 3rd, 2003. Our 20-year commitment to the corrugated box industry has established us as a proven leader in the manufacturing and distribution of essential components.

Our current stocked product lines include corrugator cut off knives, slitters, stones, wicks, splicing tapes, flatback tape, re-enforcement tapes, strings, and tear tape. We also manufacture custom-made converting knives including male & female slotters and strippers.

In 2020, we moved to our new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Machesney Park, IL, which has helped us provide faster service, increased inventory, and has opened the door for additional opportunities in the future.

We always strive to provide the best customer service in the industry. Being extremely responsive to customer requirements helps us to achieve our goal of exceeding customer expectation.

As a family business, we acknowledge the relationship we have with employees and customers who are “like family” to us. Th is partnership and common bond strengthen 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.

Please visit our website at www.Quest7. us and contact us to learn more about the products we offer.

Tim J. Burns President Tim@Quest7.us 815-654-7737

Magnum Inks & Coatings

The Corr of your printing success. Magnum Inks & Coatings® is an ink and coating manufacturer situated in Ohio that offers a comprehensive range of services and specializes in aqueous and UV-cured products. We are quite proud of the fact that we have been able to offer our customers solutions that have been at the forefront of their respective industries for more than 20 years. Our company develops formulations for clients in the linerboard, corrugated, flexible packaging, narrow web label, and commercial markets. Additionally, Magnum Inks & Coatings® manufactures a wide variety of water-based primers, overprints, and functional coatings, including waxable white in the expansive product line.

CorrPrint™ inks and coatings for corrugated printing offer a complete line of GCMI and Pantone® PMS colors, in addition to the ability to match custom colors quickly and precisely with our comprehensive in-house laboratory. These

colors can be found in the CorrPrint™ inks and coatings. Our inks produce clean and consistent printing with solid, accurate colors and are easy to clean up after. You are able to use one series of ink for both natural kraft and mottled white substrates since the formulations of the GCMI “Centerline” ink allow for matching on both of these types of surfaces.

CorrPrint™ RC rod coatings have a coating lay that is incredibly smooth and provides outstanding runability along with resistance to heat and scuffing. You can get CorrPrint™ in any of the standard Pantone® PMS, GCMI, or custom-matched colors that have been validated with quantitative color measurement instruments. There are also coatings available that are lightfast, pearlescent, and metallic.

Magnum Inks & Coatings®’ entire staff is dedicated to providing customers with individualized, prompt, and technically sound service and solutions tailored to their specific needs. Our goods and services are crafted to meet your requirements in the present, and our commitment to unceasing innovation will secure your continued prosperity in the years to come.

Magnum offers a wide range of support services, such as product

creation, testing, technical assistance, color matching, and more. One of our most significant advantages is the speed with which we can modify our products to meet the unique performance requirements of individual customers or to conform to particular product standards. The goal is to become the most trusted business partner in the industry by delivering individualized solutions distinguished by superiority in both service and product. Your interactions with Magnum Inks & Coatings® will make you feel like we are a local business partner, regardless of where you are located: down the street, across the nation, or around the world.

Get in touch with us if you’re interested in learning more about our products and services and how the proper partner can make a world of difference in the printing and coating process you’re working on. Call us at our toll-free number 877-460-8406, visit our website at magnuminks.com, or send an email to sales@magnuminks.com to explore the ways in which we can help you with your ink and coating problems!

Eric Cathie General Manager/Technical Director ecathie@magnuminks.com 513-431-7275

Peter Bernard Sales Representative pbernard@magnuminks.com 513-420-7735

Astral Adhesives & Coatings, Inc.

Astral Elevates Customer Service

2022 BROUGHT INNOVATIVE APPROACHES AND CREATIVE WAYS TO MEET CUSTOMER NEEDS

An increased emphasis on customer service came into focus for Astral Adhesives & Coatings, Inc. throughout 2022. While working to provide custom coatings for clients in the paper and paperboard market during extreme supply chain and distribution obstacles, Astral discovered new ways to meet customer needs.

“Supply chain snarls in the fi rst part of the year were incredibly challenging, but we got creative in sourcing raw materials and made sure our customers were supplied,” said Vikas Singhal, president of Astral Adhesives & Coatings, Inc.

“Trying to fi ll our orders with the limited supplies available gave us a unique opportunity to innovate and think about how to best manage supply and demand, not only for our customers, but for potential new clients who are looking for new and existing products.”

Operating out of two manufacturing facilities centrally located in the United States helped Astral overcome many materials’ supply issues. Th is business model off ers double the operations capabilities and overlapping inventories, so the company was able to meet

customer deadlines complete with the full-service attention to detail they are known for.

“We’ve seen it all in the past two years, from slower shipping times to bearing occasional additional freight costs to ensure there are no disruptions at the customer level,” Singhal added. “We were frequently in a triage mode. But the good news is that we have been able to deliver to our customers. And, through these eff orts, we kept receiving even more orders. Our customers had faith in us, and we kept creating new and improved custom solutions so they could run their business.”

Despite the many changes and challenges of 2022, Astral continues to be a leading supplier to the packaging industry.

“As we look ahead to 2023, raw material supply issues are easing,” Singhal

said. “We are in a better position not only to meet the needs of our existing customer base but to also grow our footprint. Th is is something we had been unable to do because of the severe allocations on raw materials.”

The company is currently working on various new opportunities in the takeout folding carton market. Recyclable and durable products highlight Astral’s multipurpose coating line, changing the way consumers bring home meals and essential food items.

BCM Inks

Eekoflex II — A New Improved Formula for Sustainable Print Success

BCM Inks has always believed that you can make a good product better. The desire to improve BCM’s eco-friendly inks and varnishes to be even more environmentally compliant has resulted in Eekoflex II.

BCM’s Eekoflex II inks and varnishes provide outstanding environmental solutions for customers seeking a more sustainable printed option. These inks and varnishes are specifically formulated for the direct print corrugated market.

Eekoflex II inks and varnishes are different from most other ink companies’ sustainable products.

BCM’s water-based Eekoflex II inks and varnishes are made from paper residue along with other unique components. They contain no heavy metals, have little to no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and are packaged in reground plastic buckets, reused 55-gallon drums, or returnable totes. They are also Swiss Ordinance Compliant. Th is means BCM Inks is using approved, environmentally correct

raw materials to produce the Eekoflex II inks and varnishes.

BCM Inks’ Eekoflex II inks and varnishes offer additional benefits. They provide improved lay down/print coverage/press speeds and reduced drier usage. They also help the environment through a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. (Audited/verified third-party sustainability documentation is available upon request at sales@bcminks.com).

Robert Callif, BCM Inks’ President, states, “Eekoflex II inks and varnishes illustrate BCM’s commitment to a sustainable future. We have an obligation to ensure our customers print their corrugated packages and displays with the most eco-friendly inks and varnishes in the market today and tomorrow.”

Besides Eekoflex II inks and varnishes, BCM has inks and varnishes for every corrugated need.

The Superflex III inks and varnishes are developed to print high-end graphics with ultrafi ne anilox roll volumes. The transparency levels of Superflex III inks produce the largest color gamut on the market.

For presses running at 20,000 sheets/ hour or faster, BCM’s Twentykflex inks are the solution. Twentykflex inks are high efficiency inks with the added benefit of excellent rub resistance.

Single pass digital presses can also be served with one of BCM’s approved primer and OPV offerings.

To learn more about the Eekoflex II inks and varnishes, or our many other product and software innovations, contact BCM Inks at sales@bcminks.com or 1-800-678-6238. You can also learn more on our website at www.bcminks.com or follow us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin. com/company/bcm-inks.

Quantum Ink

The New Era of Corrugated

WHAT’S GOING ON?

You may have inexperienced press operators, possibly some new technology thrown in the mix, and orders continue to come through the door. At the same time, quality is something that cannot fall through the cracks.

“I don’t want my people having to be chemists on press.” — Plant Managers Everywhere

At Quantum Ink, we don’t expect press operators to be experts in chemistry and take the steps to ensure inks arrive ready for use. Each ink is custom formulated for individual press needs and specifications. The flexibility and experience of our technical service is something you need in your back pocket. With experienced

operators retiring and new operators being introduced to printing, Quantum Ink is prepared to assist in the necessary ink education needed to make your team successful.

WHAT’S QUANTUM INK GOT TO DO WITH IT?

For over 25 years, Quantum has been supplying quality products to the corrugated industry. We understand the concerns that come with new personnel, changing technology, and the unlimited other variables that aff ect the pressroom. The dedicated employees of Quantum share the important task of making sure customers are educated and given solutions to meet their needs.

Our service technicians often experience that “aha” moment when educating others in the industry on ink maintenance, whether it be in the classroom setting or during a press side conversation.

THE SOLUTION

Sometimes it’s hard to fi gure out exactly what it is that your operation needs, and having a partner like Quantum Ink Company could be the answer. Quantum prefers to get familiar with your operation and team, see what’s going on, then make recommendations on what would benefit your operation the most.

When you order from Quantum Ink, you’re receiving a quality product and necessary support along with it. There are so many variables involved in manufacturing; let us support you by being a reliable source for ink, training, and anything else you may need. From the moment your order comes in to when it leaves your facility, Quantum Ink can be the solutions providing partner that you are looking for.

FEATURED CORRUGATED PRODUCTS

Designed for a multitude of substrates, the Classic Line provides the economical option for your all your standard box needs. For something that requires a bit more, look to the HG Line. With a higher pigment load, this high graphics option will give you the quality you need along with higher mileage capabilities. Reach out to a rep. today to learn more about all the different lines or to schedule a trial.

Director

Huston Patterson & Lewisburg Printing Company

What makes us stand out? How have we not just survived all these years, but also thrived? We could spend time talking about the merger of our two great companies which was completed in 2022. We could have included endless pictures of the 11 state-of-theart printing presses we have invested in over the past decade, giving us the capability to handle any print need. We could talk about the millions of folding cartons we produce each year. We thought about featuring Hawk Converting, our in-house sheeting capabilities, which gives us the ability to reduce the cost and turn times for our clients. Finally, we also thought about highlighting the fact that we are one of only a few printers in our

sector that supplies litho, top sheets, and folding cartons from coast to coast. Our fi ve strategic locations and large capacity for work allow us to hit our client’s facilities in all corners of the US in a timely manner.

Instead, we decided to go in a diff erent 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 Lewisburg Printing Company & Huston Patterson for decades, who make our success possible. Th ey are fathers, mothers, grandparents, hobbyists, risk-takers, and sports fans … but together, they make up the backbone of our team.

Huston Patterson & Lewisburg

Printing value our clients, and we are thankful for the business we have done together over the last 100 years. Together, we have built our companies with the foundation of our people and the commitment they have made to not just us but our clients. Without these real people, LPC & HP would not be where they are today at the forefront of innovation in the large format print and packaging industries.

Joseph Morelli Vice President of Sales & Marketing jmorelli@

Litho Press

Litho Press Saves!

Since 1953, Litho Press has been saving clients Time, Money, and Headaches. We strive to make ordering Labels, Topsheets, and Digital Displays easy for your team. Fast Online Pricing, quick turns, and free delivery are ways we can put a smile on their faces and let them tend to life’s other challenges.

Call our team at 800-631-6468 to try us out! Find out more at LithoPress.com.

Bernie Lacy President bl@lithopress.com 800-631-6468

Domtar Packaging

Dedicated to Serving

the Independent Corrugated Converter

Domtar officially entered the packaging business in Q4 2022 with the conversion of the uncoated freesheet paper machine at our Kingsport, Tennessee, facility.

The Kingsport Mill is now home to a state-of-the-art containerboard machine, capable of producing 600,000 tons of high-quality recycled Performance Linerboard and Corrugated Medium annually. Our core competency as a fiber innovator allows us to offer our customers a full range of performance recycled products with exceptional strength characteristics promoting superior runability and convertibility on the corrugator. Kingsport’s central location makes it geographically positioned to be the go-to supplier to independent boxmakers across the country.

Producing containerboard products directly aligns with Domtar’s expertise

and 175-year legacy of turning fiber into useful products. We are leveraging our experience as global leaders in pulp and paper to serve the packaging industry by focusing on customers’ success and consistently delivering the highest quality products.

We are approaching the market diff erently. We aren’t interested in being just another containerboard supplier. We want to become North America’s premium producer with deep and lasting partnerships with independent corrugators. We don’t have our own box plants. We are the independent’s paper

mill, off ering unique right-weighting and light-weighting solutions.

We’d love to help you grow your business. For more information, please contact Senior Sales Director Mike Butler at 804-366-7163 or via email at mike. butler@domtar.com. Find us online at www.domtar.com/packaging.

Mike Butler Domtar Packaging Sales & Marketing Director mike.butler@domtar.com 804-366-7163

Metsä Board

Together we make the perfect package

As marketing media becomes increasingly fragmented, and as sales of prepackaged and online food grow, high-quality corrugated packaging is playing an ever-greater role. Retail-ready packaging is flourishing, and e-commerce will continue to grow at double digit rates.

Recognizing the wide variety of customer end uses, Metsä Board has a comprehensive selection of white kraft liners—from uncoated to double coated and in various basis weights. Our white kraftliners offer various design options for retail or e-commerce ready, sales-enhancing packaging that performs equally

well during transportation and at point of sale.

All our white kraftliners are made utilizing fresh fibers from 100% traceable wood sourced from sustainably managed Northern European forests. Our paperboards are available with PEFC™ or FSC® certification, and they are all suitable for packaging food and other sensitive products.

Metsä Board also recently introduced a collaborative 360 Service program to deliver measurable benefits throughout

the packaging value chain, from easy recyclability to brand impact, production and supply chain efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and beyond, to complement its extensive white kraftliner offering.

With the right liner choice and supported by our know-how, you can meet the most demanding packaging needs quickly, cost-efficiently, and responsibly. Contact our sales team for more information on how Metsä Board can assist with your needs.

Baker Sales Manager, West greg.baker@ metsagroup.com

Cooke Sales Manager, Midwest wayne.cooke@ metsagroup.com

Mid America Paper Recycling

Recycling Health Improves Revenues

Mid America Paper Recycling, Chicago, one of the largest full-service independent brokers, processors, and exporters of recovered paper materials, partners with leading paperboard converters and AICC members to increase their knowledge of the recycling processes. Our Waste Audit quality initiative tracks and increases the value of recycling waste streams generated by our supplier partners and serves as a way to measure a plant’s recycling “health.”

The comprehensive Waste Audit helps divert waste, avoid expensive Dumpster fees, provide direct in-plant training initiatives, and more to generate a significant profit for our customers.

Our audit also helps us proactively educate clients on paper/fiber-recycling methods that lessen the use of natural resources, increase corporate and personal development in the plants, and reduce their indirect costs.

Responses to our Waste Audit Survey reveal that many companies don’t have a formal recycling program in place: 50% don’t sort their waste or segregate key materials, 17% don’t have equipment to help them recycle, 38% put loose waste in gaylords or tubs without baling it, and 33% put their trash in a Dumpster and pay waste haulers to pick it up. Additionally, 9% document the company’s recycling objectives and 50% said no one leads the recycling logistics within their facility. Mid America Paper Recycling uses these responses and others to determine what their operations are dealing with, what’s working and what’s not.

None of this data is surprising. People in the companies we work with don’t think about how they can become better at recycling. They are trying to sell and manufacture their products and services; that’s why we design their recycling

programs and help implement them. What is critical is their admission of wanting to improve.

We present a baseline for action plans and design solutions that align with their specific recycling objectives. We find options to grow revenue or decrease costs from their waste stream. Our suppliers see this as a great benefit.

Those completing the Waste Audit Survey receive a score associated with a taxonomy (classification) level of their recycling effectiveness. Mid America Paper Recycling reviews the survey and their score and discusses what they can do to improve their recycling operations.

Many companies are pleased to be provided an objective score and actual report to the survey. They have told us that many competitors claim they have a formal “audit,” but it is more of an excuse for them to get in to see their facility and start talking about taking over the service of their recycling. Those we work with appreciate that from the start, we are educating them on the best practices of recycling and offering suggestions on how they can improve. It is only after they receive the report that we schedule an on-site visit to their plant.

In addition to issuing shipping reports to their accounting department, Mid America Paper Recycling issues reports to the operations team, providing continuous improvement methods on how to best manage and streamline waste generation, which can be a significant revenue contributor.

This data-driven focus on effective recycling practices turns thousands of tons of pre-consumer, high-grade recyclable paper, production trim, and paperboard waste into products that have significant value

that can be monetized to maximize returns. Consequently, everyone in the company expands their knowledge about the importance of recycling. We meet with these businesses each quarter, reviewing their recycling goals and objectives to increase the worth of their waste year after year.

We have relationships with mills and converters around the country, which gives us unique insight into sourcing strategies and the tools to grow “value streams.” Reducing environmental impact is what Mid America Paper Recycling has been doing for over 95 years.

Take our free Waste Audit Survey, and fi nd out how we can help you generate more value from your waste stream and become more educated on the best practices of recycling.

A 25-year veteran of the printing industry, Paul Pirkle has reaffirmed Mid America Paper Recycling’s strategic focus on continuous improvement principles and established partnerships with many large printing and packaging companies to turn their waste streams into growing value streams.

Paul Pirkle President ppirkle@ midamericapaper.com

630-730-9055

Philipp Litho

Expanding for Your Future

Philipp Litho, leader in large format print solutions for the corrugated packaging and Point-of-Purchase display industry, is expanding.

EXPANDING OUR FACILITY

Philipp Litho is expanding its offset printing facility by adding a 26,000-squarefoot addition. Philipp broke ground on this exciting new phase in July of this year, and it is set to be completed by the end of 2022. Philipp is confident that this expansion is the key to its growth as a leader in large format offset printing.

EXPANDING OUR CAPACITY

Philipp Litho’s digital division (providing high-speed direct-to-corrugate printing) is expanding into a new production space. Speed to market is key to the digital customer experience, and this growth of our digital business means greater efficiencies, increased capacity, and even quicker turntimes for our digital customers.

EXPANDING OUR TEAM

Philipp has expanded and is continuing to expand its team of experienced professionals so it can continue to

exceed its customers’ quality and service expectations. Philipp’s print professionals understand and embrace the company’s core principles of friendly, detail-oriented, value-added service.

EXPANDING OUR SERVICE

Philipp has expanded its raw material inventory program to ensure that amidst supply chain challenges Philipp will have fast and easy access to raw materials to be able to turn projects quickly.

At Philipp, we are investing in our future and yours so that we can continue to innovate, create, and exceed your large format print expectations. It is our commitment to you, our valued partner, that throughout the expansion and after, we will remain committed to our core principle of integrity and will continue to be the same family-owned, forward-thinking, and value-added Philipp Litho that

you have come to depend on and trust. As Philipp CEO, Peter Buening, said at the groundbreaking ceremony for its new expansion project, “We are here … ready to embark on a new chapter of Philipp, a chapter fi lled with continued growth, continued focus on greater efficiency, quality, teamwork, and the people who make Philipp the great company it is.”

Stacy Buening President stacyb@philipplitho.com

262-377-1100

Straub Design Company

Automate Your Tape Application Systems and Reimagine Your Packaging

We don’t have to tell you that eCommerce is booming; that’s why you should turn to Straub Design, the leaders in automated tape application systems.

We’re engineers, inventors, and solution seekers. Our engineers have created a variety of simple machines to complex systems with the goal of solving and improving your tape application packaging needs. With each applicator, it reduces pain points and reduces employee strain to redirect those resources elsewhere, maximizing your company’s efficiency and ROI.

UNIQUE APPLICATIONS FOR THE PACKAGING INDUSTRY

We have many off-the-shelf solutions for a variety of applications and also offer completely custom solutions tailored exactly to your packaging requirements.

If it’s not built yet, our designers welcome any custom challenge. Straub Design gives you the solutions to keep up with increased eCommerce demands and shifting packaging expectations. Together, we give you the flexibility to work your way because changing times require changing strategies.

Straub Design has served a variety of industries and their unique packaging applications. Our standard-setting automated tape solutions offer next-generation

technology that gives your company the upper hand. Straub Design products are backed by dependable, US-based sales, parts, and service.

And at Straub Design, we give you automated tape application solutions that stick—for your current and future eCommerce packaging needs.

SD-40/SF-40: EXPEDITE YOUR PACKAGING PROCESS

Our SD-40/SF-40 Automatic Taping System (pictured) automatically feeds and applies transfer tape with liner in place and tear strip tape to corrugated or paperboard blanks. The conveyor tape applicator operates at up to 350 feet per minute for an impressive and reliable custom tape solution.

Reimagine your taping and adhesive system with the SD-40/SF-40 or any of our other available or custom automated tape solutions!

Get in touch with Daryl, Straub Design’s Director of Sales, to discuss your automated tape application goals and how they can improve your packaging ROI.

Daryl Emery Director of Sales demery@ straubdesign.com

612-310-5244

APPI Energy

Thinking Outside the ‘Box’ for AICC Members Since 2003

WHO WE ARE

For nearly 20 years, APPI Energy has proudly served AICC members through the AICC-endorsed energy consulting program, a strategic partnership that has yielded significant savings for participating members. APPI Energy provides AICC members with a comprehensive way to reduce energy expenses and minimize budgetary risks. Th rough our procurement services, we negotiate with suppliers to ensure you are provided with ideal pricing and contract terms to fit your needs. Our holistic suite of energy services provides fi nancially and functionally vetted solutions to decrease energy costs, reduce demand, and improve resiliency and sustainability.

Our consultants pride themselves in crafting trusted and tailored energy management solutions that fit each client’s needs. We don’t believe in a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all approach, and as such, our team consistently challenges ourselves to think outside the box, be innovative in our approach when it favors our clients, and continue to push the envelope on crafting customized energy management solutions.

WHAT WE DO

As the trusted energy advisor for AICC, the APPI Energy team is available to advise your teams on their energy management needs to help you meet both your short- and long-term energy goals. Additionally, APPI Energy offers unbiased, apples to apples comparisons of supplier prices and contracts, evaluating AICC members’ historical energy-use to negotiate favorable contracts with our stringently vetted suppliers. Moreover, our work for AICC members does not

end when the contract is signed. APPI Energy continues to monitor the market for future opportunities, as well as provide ongoing customer support.

APPI Energy also goes beyond the procurement of electricity and natural gas, providing advanced services that enhance energy management, tracking, and sustainability. APPI Energy also provides efficiency and sustainability solutions such as demand response, energy reporting systems, carbon accounting and emissions benchmarking, and facility assessments. Our solutions are product and technology agnostic, ensuring your facilities are utilizing the most productive energy efficiency measures.

As a member benefit, AICC members can take advantage of a complimentary assessment with APPI Energy. Benefits to AICC members include negotiating on your behalf, minimizing budgetary risk, and providing comprehensive energy management solutions, all while saving your organization time and money.

HOW WE DO IT

APPI Energy’s operations team gathers competitive pricing from our carefully vetted supplier companies to present a procurement strategy for our clients, empowering them to make informed decisions. We maintain a proprietary database of more than 250 million records, enabling our consultants to compare historical and real-time prices in every deregulated energy market.

APPI Energy works with only vetted suppliers and maintains working relationships with suppliers that we trust to serve our clients. Only a small

percentage of suppliers meet our stringent, due diligence evaluation, which involves each supplier’s fi nancial, managerial, and operational stability and performance.

Our work certainly isn’t done once the contract is signed. APPI Energy’s in-house Customer Service team is here to help throughout the lifetime of the contract. Our team can assist with account adjustments, verify bill accuracy, evaluate government policies for fi nancial incentives and reimbursements for clients, and even determine if a client qualifies for energy sales tax exemptions. We are here as a true extension of your team.

To learn more about APPI Energy, visit appienergy.com or contact Noel Temple, Senior Energy Consultant and dedicated consultant for AICC members, at ntemple@appienergy.com or 667-330-1159.

Noel Temple is a senior energy consultant with APPI Energy and is AICC’s designated consultant. He earned credentials from The Energy Professionals Association (TEPA) and has proven experience working with medium to large commercial and industrial clients, government entities, and manufacturing, hospitality, and distributing sectors. To contact Noel for a customized energy solution call 667-330-1159 or email ntemple@appienergy.com.

Noel Temple Senior Energy Consultant

Pamarco

Direct Print Maximizing Your Output

The box industry is going through a renaissance of sorts; more capital is being spent today on FFG and die cutters than any time in the past (at least in my memory). These investments take multiple approaches, graphic machines, inside out and the classic blow and go converting lines. But they all have a common denominator, speed and increased graphic quality. In a nutshell: with technology today, there are ways of pushing the limits in direct print that the industry has never seen before. In some cases, direct corrugated print quality replicates that of preprint, but it often does so at a reduced cost. By following a disciplined approach, that investment in new equipment will outperform your expectations. It works to the printer and converter’s favor to collaborate with and utilize the expertise of their vendors. The relationship you have with your anilox roll vendor, used properly, can add value to your business.

KEY AREAS OF FOCUS

There are two vital factors that stand out above the rest. These are ink requirements and anilox roll engraving. It is the handling of these two things that will make or break the ability of your process to successfully and consistently print on corrugated board. We know that each part of the print process has an effect on the others. Some parts, however, alter quality much more noticeably. In my experience, there are more problems stemming from poor anilox choice than any other part of the process. The opposite is true as well. Good choices can bring about great capabilities and really push the envelope of what direct print can do.

How do you make the anilox decision? It’s all about what is being printed; the graphic detail and the board type play a significant

role in your decision-making. With the decision of what to print, there will be a correlating ink sweet spot to ascertain. Finding out what works best isn’t always easy. That’s where we come in. The following chart is a great starting point for establishing the volume needed to hit solid density targets.

Th is chart was established through the collection of data over multiple press runs at multiple converters. We have high confidence in making recommendations that will get us on the target, then fi ne-tuning for your specific applications. Using this chart is simple: Substrate and graphics to be printed is the starting point.

EFLO

Over 50% of the anilox we produce for the corrugated industry is Eflo, our 75-degree extended cell technology. After running Eflo you will fi nd several important reasons this technology is so popular.

• Runs clean and resists plugging, the extended cell allows for the ink to rewet and be toughly cleaned during the washup cycle.

• When printing heavy solid coverage, the cell design allows replenishment of the ink allowing the elimination of skip feed.

• Eflo engravings have a roughly 40% increase in across the cylinder LPI for the same BCM when compared to a conventional 60-degree engraving. Th is creates increased dot support for graphic printing and combination work.

We’re confident that you will fi nd Eflo to increase your press performance and capabilities, so confident we offer a performance guarantee.

Everyone wants to print better. Take the steps to fi nd the proper anilox roll engraving by matching the volume and the correct LPI to the graphics and the substrate type. Work with your suppliers to ensure all processes and technology are used to the full extent of their capabilities.

Remember that the work never ends; now that you have the correct anilox specifications, you need to maintain that volume consistently over time. Now roll maintenance becomes critical.

John Burgess President, Flexo john.burgess@pamarco. com

908-241-1200

TCY Machinery

TCY opens a Parts and Service facility in Chino, CA

The recent investment in dedicated TCY premises in the USA demonstrates the company’s long-term commitment to support customers within these regions.

The TCY North America, Inc. facility stocks and delivers spare parts and service support for all customers in North America & Latin America.

After-sales service support can be delivered by phone, email, online video conference, or remote machine connection. The facility also has in-house mechanical and electrical field service engineers for scheduled maintenance plans and breakdown service support.

Since 2021, TCY has a group of service teams serving the North American region, conducting multiple machine audits and troubleshooting. The most important thing is to make customers feel comfortable when they invest in an equipment with the direct support from the original manufacturer. Providing solutions to solve your headache is always the way TCY does. “The most time of the past year, we were out of the California office, busy with customer service in Canada and the United States. Our purpose is very simple: to let customers know that we are always here, you can fi nd TCY support anytime,” says Nina Li.

TCY has been building world-class machinery for decades, and the latest range moves the technology forward while maintaining easy operator usability and consistently high performance.

The N-Series is the latest evolution of the open and close Flexo folder gluers or Rotary Die cutters, with Smart-Tech touch screen setup

and full computer control. The N-Series offers increased functionality, greater production feedback, faster setups, and less operator skill coupled with the robust and durable construction that TCY machines are renowned for. Available in 16 different standard sizes starting with the Mini 26" x 70" full inline casemaker through to the N11 89" x 217" Heavy Duty Jumbo Case Maker; built for converting up to triple wall and can reach speeds of up to 6000 fi nished boxes per hour.

The flagship QS-Series is the full-servo quick set range that is perfectly suited to plants that require multiple setups per shift, utilizing Fixed Type architecture and “setwhile-running” capability. The QS-618 27" x 71" Mini-Line Casemaker can produce over 24,000 boxes per hour in up to 6 colors with exceptional control of fishtailing, print registration, and slot accuracy. Setups in less than 2 minutes make this series the ultimate quick-set box production specialist.

TCY is positioned as a full-service machinery and direct after-sales provider across the Americas. Customers can be confident that

their machinery investment is supported by in-house knowledge and expertise over the long term. The expansion of the range and the development of the support network with TCY North America, Inc. are compelling value propositions for consideration by any box plant in America looking to invest in their future.

We at TCY look forward to speaking with you soon.

For more information, contact our sales teams.

JHF Capital, LLC

EMPLOYEE RETENTION TAX CREDIT

EXPERT and Commercial Funding Specialist

JHF Capital was founded by John Forrey, formerly the President of Specialty Industries and a member of the AICC Executive Board as recently as 2018. Subsequent to the sale of Specialty, John was not ready to retire and decided to utilize his strong fi nancial background to start his own company. Prior to entering the packaging world in the early 1990s, John was a practicing CPA.

As a result of loosening legislation within the American Rescue Plan Act, REVENUE REDUCTION is NO LONGER REQUIRED to Qualify for EMPLOYEE RETENTION TAX CREDIT (ERC) stimulus monies. Most if not all AICC members with under 500 Full-Time employees will now qualify.

Separately, JHF Capital brands itself as an alternative funding/fi nancing

specialist for small and midsize businesses to traditional bank lending institutions. Types of funding options provided by JHF Capital include Accounts Receivable and Asset-Based Lines of Credit, Equipment Leasing, Inventory Financing, Unsecured Business Lines of Credit, SBA Loans, Commercial Real Estate Financing, Purchase Order Financing, and Large Project Financing.

I look forward to reconnecting with old friends and colleagues of the

AICC. Please contact me to discuss ERC eligibility and/or commercial fi nancing needs.

John Forrey Owner jforrey@jhfcapital.net

302-386-9994

Please call me to discuss Employee Retention Tax Credit eligibility and/or any fi nancing needs.

Athena SWC

AICC Packaging Members Are Seeing Revenue Growth — Don’t Be Left Behind

Athena SWC partners with packaging manufacturers (corrugated, POP display, retail-ready packaging, medical packaging, rigid box, and custom folding cartons) to assist with strategic sales growth initiatives by providing a proven process model and methodology for new account development efforts (focused on larger repetitive programs with six- to seven-figure revenue potential). Packagers that choose to partner with Athena often experience the following sales situations:

• Lack of sales growth (flat or declining YTY sales)

• Need to replace bad margin, difficult customer programs

• Need to replace customer projects that are nearing the end of their life cycle

• Needed to diversify customer revenue base (80/20 rule)

• Targeted the wrong type of accounts

HERE IS HOW IT WORKS

Our best-practice model combines inbound and outbound marketing tactics and allows you to measure effectiveness and quantify ROI. Programs are designed based on your specific sales goals and desired return. As part of our process, you will see a flow of qualified leads from both inbound and outbound sources (SEO,

website visitor tracking, outbound emails, etc.). Those leads and any of your internal lead sources (prospecting, referrals, trade shows) that you’d like to include are qualified to ensure they meet your company’s specific growth requirements, whether based on industry, geography, potential revenue, or other criteria.

We manage those leads as they move through your sales cycle, set up meetings with the prospects, nurture future interest prospects, and follow up on RFQs and quotes, allowing your salespeople to do what they do best: Close the sale!

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

You will see compressed sales cycles, increased sales rep productivity, and of

course, an increased flow of new business opportunities. Plus, you can clearly quantify and link your marketing investments to improvements in both sales productivity and increased sales revenue.

To learn more about our packaging experience and see success stories from other packaging manufacturers (including AICC members), visit https://bit.ly/ corrugated-packaging!

Todd Zielinski Managing Director & CEO

tzielinski@athenaswc.com

716-799-9324

Green Markets, A Bloomberg Company

Corrugated Market News By Box Pros, For Box Pros

For too long, coverage of the paper complex has left the box industry in the dark, with no real reporting of the product prices and market conditions that matter. Green Markets Box Report delivers data and analysis that creates market transparency and efficiency for corrugated box buyers, box manufacturers, sheet feeders, mills, and more. What if you could anticipate and track the movement of corrugated sheet prices? Or see demand expectations across the box industry? While also staying current on lead times for sheets and box orders across the US? You can, with Green Markets Box Report, specially designed, ongoing market data and reporting for box buyers and sellers. It has the essential data, market sentiment, and trends analysis that improve market transparency and your company’s performance. Find out why box manufacturers and buyers look forward to

new market information that is critical to their business processes. The Box Report gives you access to time-sensitive market intelligence including:

• Corrugated Prices & Market Assessments

• “The Box Buyers Corner”

• Market Trends

• Macro Indicators

Each subscription includes access to the month-end Box Report and mid-month Box Market Trends report. Subscribe today and get the coverage you need to inform your business. Whether you’re a buyer or seller of corrugated products, this valuable market reporting will inform your decision-making.

Johnson, Kendall & Johnson

JKJ — Our Passion is Your Protection

The Johnson, Kendall & Johnson family of companies has grown to be one of the premier insurance brokerage and risk management fi rms in the United States. We’re focused on providing value-added and unique solutions with the most creative talent in the industry. Our associates work with our clients to address their unique issues and needs with service-oriented, value-driven, and affordable risk management and insurance solutions, helping them to achieve their goals. We offer a variety of services unmatched in the industry. We believe once our clients experience the way we deliver on our promises, a long-term

partnership is formed. Although it may seem elementary to a successful relationship, there is no substitute for confidence, clear communication, and an expertise in the task at hand. Our entire team is certain that we can execute the agreed upon goals by adhering to these standards.

With over 15 years of experience in the corrugated industry, JKJ has the expertise necessary to provide the most appropriate insurance and risk management guidance to meet each individual client’s needs.

John Kiefner leads our team for safety and engineering needs. John and his team have been visiting corrugated box facilities for over 20 years. We focus on LOTO, Machine Guarding, and OSHA’s Compliance. Our team also sits in on safety committee meetings and helps

guide topics such as Near Misses, new employee safety training, as well as proper claim reporting techniques.

JKJ also serves on various regional and national advisory councils and panels for leading insurance companies such as Chubb, Travelers, Cincinnati, and Selective. JKJ also participates in various speaking engagements throughout the year at AICC meetings. Speaking topics include safety, cyber risk, and temp staffi ng exposures, etc.

Doug Friel Commercial Insurance, Executive Vice President dfriel@jkj.com

215-579-6439

Oberg and Associates, LLC

The landscape of the Corrugated Industry is changing at an exciting pace! The issues you manage as a business owner/leader are complex and dynamic with the current market.

From a recession, paper shortages, labor shortages, capital investments, not to mention the significant increase in market demand, the challenges faced will need to have solutions. These challenges can easily be manageable by executing ONE principle—getting the right talent to execute your tactical and strategic goals.

Oberg and Associates, LLC has been the dominant recruiting resource to the Corrugated Packaging Industry since 1996. Located in Dallas, Texas. Although we can’t change the dynamic of a recession, paper shortages, market demand, or your lead time … WE CAN partner with you to identify, attract, and hire the right talent to support your tactical/ strategic vision. It all starts with a confidential conversation with one of our Associates. We will provide certainty of a positive outcome with what candidates we present through our three non-negotiable principles:

1. Open and Honest Communication

2. Mutual Respect

3. Hard Results

Roy Oberg has been recruiting in the Corrugated Industry for over 35 years. He has authored numerous articles and presentations on the topics of recruiting, employee retention, and talent trends. He can be reached at roy@obergassociates.com or 972-239-3315 ex. 1.

This course focusing on the corrugator dives into key sections and systems of the corrugator, including the wetend, dryend, and the corrugator control system.

While there are choices when it comes to the different inks you can use for printing, one thing is certain- inks are critical to a successful print job. This course will give you the basics you need to know as a printer or supplier of water-based flexo inks and how to engineer these inks for consistent, quality printing.

Service First Processing

Keeping costs down in an era of rising prices

Service First Processing (SFP) and AICC have put together a special “members-only” program with exclusive benefits designed to reduce your cost of payment processing while improving your level of service and support.

As of September 2022, the average cost savings for AICC members that we have evaluated is 22% or $4,566 per year before the 10% annual member rebates.

ARE YOU LOOKING TO OFFSET YOUR MERCHANT FEES ALTOGETHER?

Service First Processing offers Cash Discounts and Surcharge Programs. With our Cash Discount Program, get unlimited processing volume for a single flat monthly fee of $39.95, passing through the costs to your customers cleanly and efficiently. Our Surcharge Platform allows you to pass a surcharge for credit card transactions. *Not available in Connecticut and Massachusetts*

LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL REBATES?

A reliable, secure, and savvy Accounts Payable (A/P) automation saves time and money. Optimize the A/P payments process with the SFP-AP platform. Easily automate payments to suppliers and vendors, improve cash management, and mitigate risks while receiving additional rebates.

ARE YOU COMPATIBLE WITH MY SYSTEM?

Service First Processing works with today’s most popular systems including Acumatica, QuickBooks, Sage, Microsoft products, and many more. We strive to meet your unique needs. As an added benefit, SFP will assist your company in maintaining compliance with PCI and EMV standards.

OUR ELECTRONIC PAYMENT SOLUTIONS GO BEYOND CREDIT CARDS.

In addition to credit cards, you can accept electronic checks and ACH payments from your customers at a fraction of traditional merchant fees. Our fully customizable Automated

Invoice system makes sending and receiving payments simple and easy. With SFP’s invoice system, you can auto-bill clients, automate custom late-payment reminder emails, create reports, accounts aging & client statements, and much more.

TEN-E Packaging Services, Inc.

TEN-E — Setting the Standard

TEN-E Packaging Services provides package, material, and product testing services for companies around the world. Our expertise in dangerous goods and medical package testing helps companies assess the containers they use to protect their product and brand. Ensuring the safe, reliable transport of materials would not be possible without accurate and thorough package testing performed by an experienced team of experts.

Over the past 30 years in the industry, we have worked hard to become an expert resource for our clients within all aspects of packaging services including regulatory, medical, distribution, & environmental.

info@ten-e.com

651-459-0671

Working Well

Packaging manufacturers are looking for team members who are willing and capable to thrive in this industry. Working Well is dedicated to growing leadership and problem-solving skills in the willing. We make the unwilling so jealous that some change their minds and others change jobs.

Growing capability is hard work requiring time, effort, and expertise. Working Well delivers resources that make it easier. Along with many custom solutions, WW provides:

• Books from the Intentional Culture Series

º Changed People Change Process

º Dammit: Learning Judgment From Experience

• Training room dry erase tools for interactive Measurement, Planning, and Problem-Solving

º Overall Equipment Effectiveness

º Key Performance Indicator Dashboard

º MAPP Planning

º A3 Reporting

º Agenda & Action Plans

º Lessons Learned

º Prioritization

º Team Charter

º Fishbone

º Visual Workplace plans

º Waste identification

• Templates

º Ink Management

º Setup Reduction

º Standard Operating Procedures

º One Point Lessons

º Cross Training

• Training & Coaching

º Leadership (from supervisor to CEO)

º Process Improvement

Engage new employees and those who seem to have retired in place. Grow their problemsolving capability and involve them in improving their work and their careers. Contact Scott@workingwell.bz for tools and consultation.

CoparSolutions

Still Innovating, Still Growing

With a history spanning nearly seven decades, CoparSolutions remains the global leader in wet-end corrugator control systems. Building on their reputation of providing robust user-friendly controls and comprehensive customer support, CoparSolutions continues to expand their range of innovative, state-of-the-art products and customer-focused services to meet the current and future needs of corrugator and converting operations around the world.

CoparSolutions’ products are utilized by plant operators worldwide and are offered as standard or with several optional features by many OEMs. CoparSolutions systems are found on most of the industry’s top performing corrugators and on many litho-laminators. With an installation base of over 5,000 units worldwide, CoparSolutions’ reach and range continue to exhibit a substantial rate of growth.

QUALITY MASTER ™ , CORRUGATOR PROCESS CONTROL

Quality Master™ Process Control, CoparSolutions’ cornerstone product, helps corrugator operations consistently produce stronger, flatter board with superior printing surfaces. Working from target goal temperatures, the Quality Master™ system constantly monitors key parameters and automatically adjusts

settings to maintain the temperature and pressure goals throughout the order. Quality Master™ also continually monitors and adjusts the glue gaps to ensure the optimum amount of glue is applied regardless of machine speed. Quality Master™ operates like an autopilot for the corrugator, requiring minimal operator intervention and freeing the operator to tend to other critical tasks, while ensuring that exceptional product is produced.

The Quality Master™ Controls system is just one of CoparSolutions’ wide and growing range of innovative quality and productivity enhancing products which include Sync Master™ Synchronized Splice Control for automatic synchronized splicing, Warp Wacker™ automatic warp correcting closed loop process control, Segmented Water Sprayer™ for precise moisture and warp control, Thermal Imaging Process Control™ Production Displays for corrugator and fi nishing applications, and much more.

COPARSOLUTIONS PARTS

CoparSolutions maintains a comprehensive inventory of parts for all Copar products. The Illinois warehouse has over 500,000 parts in stock and ready for immediate delivery to customer locations. CoparSolutions’ Repair or Remanufactured programs offer a cost-effective option to replacing worn or broken parts with quality OEM 2-year guaranteed remanufactured components.

COPARCARES SERVICE PROGRAMS

To maximize productivity and quality, you need to maintain optimum performance

of your equipment. CoparCares offers a cost-effective solution to ensure your systems stay in top operating condition. CoparSolutions already offers the lowest service rates in the industry, but with CoparCares service programs, plants can take advantage of greater value with additional add-on services and significant support and service discounts.

AND WE’RE STILL INNOVATING, STILL GROWING

CoparSolutions understands that offering new, innovative systems and services is as important to the growth and success of their customers’ businesses as it is to their own. That’s why CoparSolutions remains dedicated to their investment in R&D, new technologies, and services that enhance the value they create for their customers.

The addition of CoparElectric is one of our more recent added-value services. CoparElectric provides the installation and service for all the problem-solving solutions offered by CoparSolutions. Being a core part of their business creates an integral connection between engineering, installation, and their customers, and a speed of resolution that doesn’t exist with third-party contractors.

CoparElectric also off ers plant maintenance and service options for non-CoparSolutions products and is the installation specialists of choice of major OEMs.

To learn more about CoparSolutions’ products, services, and leading-edge technology, visit copar.com or call 708-496-1859.

Jim Burrows President jmburrows@copar.com

708-496-1859

www.copar.com

OMP

S&OP for paper packaging manufacturers

OMP helps companies facing complex planning challenges to excel, grow, and thrive by offering the best-digitized supply chain planning solution on the market. Hundreds of customers in a wide range of industries—focusing on paper and packaging, consumer goods, life sciences, chemicals, and metals—benefit from using OMP’s unique Unison Planning™ concept.

COMPLETE SOLUTION

OMP for Packaging is the leading supply chain planning solution for the paper packaging industry. Offering a user-friendly, comprehensive, and fully integrated production planning and control solution to shorten lead times, and guarantee order reliability all the while minimizing the cost of production. OMP delivers an extensive and fully integrated set of solutions for forecasting and S&OP, capacity planning, order promising, corrugator trimming, scheduling, transportation scheduling, shop-floor data collection, large displays, quality tracking, and management reporting.

LONGER-TERM PLANNING IS NOW A MUST-HAVE

Paper packaging manufacturers must continually evolve their products and services to their customers. As a long-term solution provider to the industry, OMP is also constantly broadening its offerings to help its customers excel at delivering the perfect order. We deliver solutions that enable our customers to be proactive in their short- and long-term planning, thus delivering a more stable plan for manufacturing execution, leading to higher efficiencies, less waste, and happy packaging buyers. Corrugator trimming and conversion scheduling are no longer

enough of a differentiator in today’s competitive market. Packaging manufacturers, to remain competitive, must extend their planning horizon beyond the typical norm of hours and days, to weeks and months.

INDUSTRY FIRST

OMP’s Forecasting and S&OP for paper packaging manufacturers, a fi rst for the industry, enables our customers to gain control of their longer-term planning. S&OP is a planning activity that balances the commercial objectives of sales and marketing with operational capabilities and capacity. An optimal S&OP solution should not only balance sales with operations but also drive the business to target opportunities that generate healthy contribution margins all the while respecting customer service level agreements.

Paper packaging manufacturers operating multiple sites face tough decisions as to what plant should run what lines of business. With the shift to online shopping, the demand for carton boxes increased while the demand for new machinery can’t be met. As a result, paper packaging companies need to find ways to get more throughput on existing equipment. By implementing S&OP, these businesses can make decisions on the mission of each of their facilities, thus increasing consensus, profitability, and throughput. We like to call it value-based planning.

Boxmakers face a unique challenge when tackling an S&OP implementation. They manufacture thousands of different products for myriad customers. Trying to plan on a longer-term horizon using individual SKUs is just

not practical. OMP’s S&OP solves this problem with an out-of-the-box solution. The S&OP exercise includes decisions such as sourcing, capacity and resource allocation, inventory management, demand shaping, and incorporates the domains of supply, manufacturing, and distribution. Solving and evaluating such a wide array of cases requires a solution that enables comparison of different situations. The OMP Solution enables this evaluation through scenario management by volume as well as fi nancial comparison. Plan to succeed by planning ahead!

Peter is leading the business development efforts for mill products industries in the Americas with a special focus on the paper packaging industry.

Peter Dobell Senior Business Development Manager pdobell@omp.com +1-770-956-2722

Amtech Software

Innovation & Integration Powering the Independent Packaging Industry

Since 1981, Amtech has continuously delivered forward-thinking innovation and technology for the corrugated and packaging industries. Our completely integrated family of software, solutions, and technology ensures our customers achieve operational and bottom-line excellence throughout their entire business.

Our EnCore ERP solution provides the packaging industry with a system rich in powerful features and tools designed to streamline operations, stay ahead of business needs, make intelligent business decisions, enhance customer relationships, improve bottom-line performance, and increase enterprise value.

The Smart Factory Scheduling Solutions Suite is the industry’s most advanced and integrated scheduling system. By starting with a complete roll stock supply chain system, you can proactively control and manage your inventory while creating confidence in

schedules for the corrugator, converting, and shipping.

When producing schedules for your corrugator and converting operations, the system utilizes its built-in intelligence to deliver multiple solutions ranked based on your specific business needs. Th is allows your scheduler to adapt more quickly to the plant’s needs while balancing customer demands with variable constraints in both production and shipping.

ScoreKeeper is a machine-agnostic solution that provides accurate, real-time information and minimizes data entry by the machine operator. Real-time data (such as machine speed or kicks per minute) is recorded automatically in real time. The result is that you can see the actual state of the machine whether it is in setup or running or down, how long it has been in setup, the speed at which it is running, etc. You do not have to wait for the operator to input the job state or the number of pieces. Also provided is a detailed chronology of events for the machine such as when the operator logged in and

started the machine, the orders ran, the states for each order as they are running, the setup time, speeds, and downtime. The server provides the information in the form of dashboards at the supervisor’s or manager’s desktop or tablet.

With complete integration and information delivered in real time across the enterprise accuracy is improved. Your entire operation can plan effectively and communicate the right information to your customers to ensure on-time delivery of high-quality products.

Amtech provides our customers with a one-stop shop for complete technology services and support from managing Amtech software to the computing platforms they run on. Maximize your equipment investments, lower your operating costs, reduce manpower needs, and decrease head count.

Contact Amtech Software sales at 215-639-9540 or sales@amtechsoftware. com to schedule a no-obligation demo of our software and services today!

CloudLab

packQ helps you sell more packaging online

You know packaging—and we know web to pack: Since almost ten years, CloudLab has been developing software-driven solutions for modern printing applications. With our cloud-based products, modern packaging design is as efficient and straightforward as possible. Th is is key to a successful business, especially in our current times. Investing in a modern, innovative digital infrastructure is more crucial than ever before.

packQ can help enormously in that regard: Our full-featured web to pack system allows your customers to design and order exactly the packaging they want, without any hassle. The whole system is dynamic and intuitive. Th anks to our innovative 3D designer, integration of parametric standards and reliable

prefl ight checks, every single product will be realized exactly as configured. Whether you want to design folding boxes, corrugated board packaging or even POS displays and trays—we have you covered. Millions of templates make it easy for beginners to design their fi rst packaging.

For advanced users, we offer form-based editing and variable data printing of various products. Especially our labeling solution is light years ahead of the competition: With a flexible editing view, a live preview in your browser and support for PDF/VT, you can print labels for cosmetics, wholesale products and much more.

At CloudLab, we also know that automation and integration are key for any software solution. Th at is why we developed packQ as a completely headless system. It works seamlessly with print

production, workflow, and ERP systems. With our packQ Store Connector, the system integrates perfectly with eCommerce software like Magento, Shopify, and BigCommerce. And we are constantly upgrading the system with new features. Th is way, everything stays ahead of industry trends and is always modular, expandable, and highly scalable. Have we sparked your interest? Then just hit us up! We are happy to demonstrate packQ personally to you in a free online demo.

Andreas Storms Chief Business Development Officer (CBDO) as@cloudlab

eProductivity Software (ePS)

eProductivity Software (ePS) is a global company with vast experience in the corrugated industry and roots going back to the early 1980s with Corrugated Technologies Inc (CTI). ePS has developed a rich portfolio of corrugated software solutions over the years, partly due to acquisitions but fundamentally driven by the desire to create best-of-breed industry-specific solutions. The corrugated team at ePS is made up of individuals with experience in the corrugated and packaging markets; this gives ePS a holistic view of the systems required, as many of the team were users of solutions when working in the industry.

As organizations look to scale for growth, modernize their operations, and diversify their service offerings, ePS is a trusted technology partner supporting customers at every step. Our portfolio is designed to help corrugated businesses to meet their short and long-term goals, such as improving profitability, developing new revenue streams, and accelerating growth and expansion.

ePS solutions are designed to operate as standalone applications or as a part of a broader suite of products. Comprehensive suites are designed to meet the needs of businesses of various sizes and specializations, helping them realize the benefits of a modern integrated system with centralized functionality, reporting, and easy plug-and-play expansion. ePS off ers industry-enabling point solutions that fully integrate with the native or generic MIS/ERP systems to help companies address specific workflow gaps or accelerate growth opportunities.

SOLUTIONS FOR CORRUGATED

• Corrugated Suite (CorrSuite) is a fully integrated, scalable, flexible,

browser-based end-to-end business and production management portfolio of solutions built specifically for the corrugated industry. It has been purposely developed to accommodate all plant confi gurations and build a resilient foundation that can adapt and grow as business needs evolve. Its extensive portfolio off ers a robust tool set of Manufacturing Execution Software (MES) solutions that help optimize efficiency and performance while reducing waste.

• Escada® is a “closed loop” corrugator control system that offers highly sophisticated functionality for efficient wet and dry-end machine control, bringing a new lease on life to aging corrugators and helping manufacturers run their corrugators at the fastest speeds possible while increasing board quality without the high-dollar investment needed for new machinery.

From order acquisition to intelligent job estimating and planning, dynamic scheduling, real-time shop floor data collection, and shipping, these innovative solutions transform how businesses interact with customers, acquire orders, manage production, track jobs, ship products, and analyze profitability.

ePS solutions help businesses:

• Improve the accuracy of cost estimating and post-production cost analysis

• Improve machine utilization and productivity

• Increase capacity through the reduction of set-up times

• Reduce capital tied up in WIP

• Reduce waste

• Reduce labor costs

• Identify where to focus maintenance and improvement efforts

• Create new revenue streams

ePS customers report that they have achieved increases of up to 30% in converting productivity because of the following:

• Less idle time on machines

• Decreased number of expedited inserts into schedules

• Reduction of errors in order quantities reaching the production floor

• Better control of order quantities

• Consistent scheduling of jobs to take advantage of set-up efficiencies

• Real-time feedback to crews and their supervisors

At ePS, we recognize the critical role that corrugated plays in the future of the sustainable packaging supply chain, which is why we’re continually investing in developing our technology and people to empower customers so that they meet the growing demands that are placed on them.

Davo Laninga is the Corrugated Product Specialist at eProductivity Software, with 38 years of experience in Print, Packaging, and Corrugated workflows. Working closely with customers to focus on increasing their productivity and streamlining their business. Davo can be reached at 623-776-5031.

Davo Laninga Corrugated Product Specialist, eProductivity Software contact@eproductivity software.com

623-776-5031

GMG

See your business in full color with GMG Color management is the foundation of every brand. Without it, some of the most iconic brand identities in the world simply wouldn’t exist.

The human eye is packed with almost 100 million photoreceptors, and it’s incredibly sensitive to even slight inconsistencies in color. If a brand’s color isn’t precisely replicated across every substrate and material, it’s incredibly off-putting. From printing to packaging, converting to marketing, all of it relies on perfectly precise color management. And there’s no one with more expertise in color management than GMG Color.

GMG is a leading developer and supplier of high-end color management software solutions. Our customers span a wide range of industries and application areas including advertising agencies, prepress houses, large-format printers, off set, flexo, packaging, and digital, as well as gravure printers.

GMG is focused on solutions that provide tools and automation enabling the best use of color for production printing. With GMG software, production color is easy, accurate, and reliable—and our solutions work with your existing workflow.

GMG was founded in 1984 in Germany; we have over 150 employees with subsidiaries in the US, UK, Japan, and China. GMG is the leading supplier of high-end color management and proofi ng solutions. Th is means GMG software reproduces each hue exactly as desired for printed products like advertisements, signage, publications, or packaging.

From those humble beginnings in 1984, innovation has been in GMG’s DNA. The company continues to set the

standard with comprehensive solutions, software, and know-how in all printing processes. What defi nes GMG is a passion for delivering precise and predictable color results.

What makes GMG unique beyond products and solutions? Perhaps, it’s the trust and responsibility that comes with a family business. Or the endeavor to always give well-considered answers to complex questions. One thing is clear; it requires people with an open mind, fi rm action, and a commitment to innovation. Th is is what our customers value, and it’s what sets GMG apart.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in our work with Dusobox, a Floridabased corrugated display and packaging specialist. Dusobox ran its HP HDR presses on different workflow systems to its other machines. Th is created many operational problems for many jobs, with color consistency between runs chief among them.

The solution to these problems had to reduce operational waste and costs by controlling and reducing ink consumption. Th at meant the solution had to come from GMG. Our SmartProfi ler—part of the ColorServer Smart Profi ling Package—brought Dusobox’s color under tighter control, creating significant cost savings on every run. GMG MX proof profi les keep color consistency razor-sharp, even when dealing with out-of-gamut colors.

Roland Greene, Color Consultant at Dusobox, is eff usive in his praise for GMG’s proprietary technology. “The

advantages are obvious with GMG,” he said. “It’s unbelievably quick—one of the quickest rips I’ve seen—and be assured, I’ve just about seen them all.

“It also saves us 15–20% in ink on average. The efficiency and profitability gains are significant. But it’s the way it creates separations—that’s the diff erence! There’s no degradation of the image on separation so quality is assured. And for those who need it, the tech support is stellar, and the technology is easy to use.”

It’s an example of how a user that has experienced GMG’s color profi les can never go back to ICC profi les. While GMG MX is compatible with ICC profi les for inputs, it is fundamentally better in terms of output control. It also enables RGB, CMYK, or mixed image data to be automatically converted into one output color space, making it a consistently precise and efficient color management solution.

Improved color accuracy and lower ink consumption are significant advantages, but the benefits of GMG technology don’t end there. GMG systems are breathtakingly simple to implement, with seamless integration into any existing workflow and an intuitive UI.

Th is results in lower labor and training requirements, guarding your business against labor shortages that are currently constraining the print industry.

Whether you work in print, labelling, or packaging, you haven’t unlocked your business’s full potential until you’ve used GMG solutions.

Motionalysis

Estimating Converting Performance

US manufacturers are continually looking at software and technology to enable them to do more with less and to maximize current capacity. They are also anticipating the next steps after automation to take advantage of ML and AI to participate in digital supply chains. It can be a daunting task to evaluate technology and solutions to get there.

Enter Motionalysis, an Industry 4.0 software and solutions integrator. Patent-pending intelligence, coupled with our cloud-based service platforms, work independently of ERP. Motionalysis supports all analog or digital print and fi nishing equipment regardless of age. Easily connect estimating, work order management and real-time data collection.

Motionalysis has three main areas of focus:

• Estimation software for all carton and display manufacturing

• Measuring and reporting of machine production using IoT software for OEE and downtime codes and middle ware and APIs to reconcile estimates from actual production

• Reconciliation of data is collected in an open framework to be consumed by BI and ML tools.

ESTIMATION

Motionalysis deploys Clarico Systems for quick and easy time and cost estimation for box and display production. Clarico’s intuitive interface makes the quoting process fast and easy to understand. Users may quote for digital print and cut, as well as analog processes or any combination of the three. The system excels at kitting for multi-part packaging and displays. Quote as many corrugated and mixed materials that may be needed as well as additional secondary operations like hand labor and co-packing.

MEASURING

Shiftworx™ by FreePoint™ Technologies is a cloud-based MES system that works with any machine, manufacturer, or process. Engage operators to reduce downtime and identify areas of improvement. Management gains visibility to OEE and uptime calculations via dashboards and custom reports. All data is stored in open architecture that can leverage use of ML algorithms.

RECONCILIATION

Close the loop with Motionalysis’ DigiGlue and automatically compare estimated time and cost values with actual postproduction values measured by Shiftworx™. Use of ML will make the systems “smarter” over time. DigiGlue’s open APIs allow for data transfer between ERP systems.

SCHEDULING (NEW FOR 2023)

Motionalysis is excited to announce that job scheduling and work order management will be an additional feature of Shiftworx™. Jobs can be intercepted from ERP, and the entire WIP can be tracked between the different machine and workstation operations. Intelligent and flexible routing tracks partial completion of jobs that may be waiting on other steps to complete. The software can track mixed orders or gang run jobs as well.

THE RIGHT TEAM

Motionalysis’ main goal is to transition American companies to be world-class manufacturers through software and technology. Our team has over 100 years combined corrugated industry software experience. Many of our team have been working with AICC members and have been a part of AICC for over the past 30 years. It has several key strategic partners working in combination to bring you the most powerful solutions, to solve the industry’s most complex problems.

Please contact us to see how we can help you today.

Erin Hollandsworth Founder/Trusted Advisor sales@motionalysis.io 310-591-7795

Powered

Welcome, New & Returning Members

Welcome, AICC’s New Members!

CP SUPPLY INC.

JEFFREY HARTMAN

Owner

6125 Valley Dr. Bettendorf, IA 52722

309-269-6999

www.CPSupply.com

NASHVILLE BOX

SCOTT LAWRENCE

President and CEO

6960 Eastgate Blvd.

Lebanon, TN 37090

615-551-2691

www.nashvillebox.com

KHETAN PACKFINE PVT. LTD.

ANKIT KHETAN Director

145, Avior, Nirmal Galaxy LBS Marg, Mulund West Mumbai, Maharashtra 400080 India

845-104-5976

www.khetangroup.in

STRAUB DESIGN COMPANY

PAUL EBNET President and CEO

4401 Quebec Ave. North Minneapolis, MN 55428 952-546-6686

www.straubdesign.com

CORRUGATED CONCEPTS & PACKAGING, INC.

PJ HOFFMAN

Owner and CEO

5050 Campbell Rd., Suite C Houston, TX 77041 713-462-5600

www.corrcon.com

WARREN PACKAGING INC.

PHIL WARREN

Owner 1722 E. Grevillea Ct. Ontario, CA 91761 909-923-0613

www.warrenpkg.com

Headline

BYLINE

Member Benefi ts Money Saving Programs

As an AICC member, you receive extra benefits from our Affi nity Partners that can help you save time and money. Check them out!

Service First Processing

866-372-5551

www.sfprocessing.com/AICC

Service First Processing and AICC have put together a special “members-only program,” with exclusive benefits designed to reduce your cost of credit card processing, while improving your level of service and support.

• 10% annual rebate program

• 60-day “trial” period

• Free “equipment loaner program”

• Member help line: 866-372-5551

• Free enhanced online reporting

APPI Energy

Noel Temple

800-520-6685

www.appienergy.com

ntemple@appienergy.com

AICC has endorsed APPI Energy to provide data-driven procurement solutions that reduce and manage electricity and natural gas supply costs for members on an ongoing basis. Every day, APPI Energy identifies the wide range of energy supplier prices across the U.S. and utilizes that data to provide the lowest prices available among their pool of vetted, competing suppliers. Additionally, APPI Energy can provide energy management solutions designed to reduce the demand portion of your bill, improve energy efficiency, and help your organization to set and meet sustainability goals. Projects can range from solar to LED retrofits to carbon emissions benchmarking.

Printers 401k®

Joseph P. Trybula

314-786-9000

www.printers401k.com

Printers 401k® has been serving companies in the printing industry since 1985. The Printers 401k® program is a collaboration of 401(k) specialists who assume specific fiduciary duties for your plan. They have a keen understanding of the concerns and needs these businesses and their employees face, from mitigating fiduciary liability and costs on the plan management side to investment options and education on the plan participation side. Their goal is to make it simple and easy for you to maintain a successful retirement plan by providing true fiduciary protection, reduced administration time, outstanding investment options, and cost savings.

THE RESULTS OF USING PRINTERS

401K ® SOLUTIONS

• Reduced risk and work

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Learn more about all of these programs at www.AICCbox.org/savings

Sales Seven Questions for Every Sales Manager

BY WENDY WEISS

Do you manage a sales team? Do you wish your team was more proactive in developing qualified opportunities? Do you worry that qualified opportunities are falling through the cracks? Here are seven questions every sales manager can ask to help move their teams, processes, and results forward.

1. Does Your Sales Team Know, Understand, and Follow Your Prospecting Process?

Let’s take a step back. Do you have a prospecting process? You should. It’s important to have a clear process for salespeople to follow. If they cannot understand it, they will not follow it. And if you do not have a process, then they are winging it. That’s always a bad idea because if your salespeople are winging it, you have no idea what it takes to qualify a lead and begin your sales process.

2. Do You Know Your Sales Team’s Metrics?

When you have a process (see No. 1 above) and you have benchmarked it, then you know what works. You can set goals for your team, and you have a clear path forward to help them achieve those goals. If you want to improve your process and make changes, you will know if those changes help you or hurt you. And

Learn more about Wendy’s upcoming programs with AICC at www.AICCbox.org/Calendar

if you hire someone new, you will know what to do to make them successful at prospecting, too. When you know the metrics, you also know:

• How many salespeople you need to achieve your sales revenue goals,

• When a salesperson at an early stage is not going to succeed,

• Who needs coaching and in what area, and

• How to improve the sales team’s ratios.

3. Do Your Salespeople Know Their Metrics?

Salespeople need to know their numbers, too. It gives them control over their prospecting efforts, their sales careers, and their destinies. By the way, you should know these numbers, too:

• Ratio of dials to conversations with prospects,

• Ratio of conversations to appointments scheduled,

• Ratio of appointments to proposals, and

• Ratio of proposals to sales.

When you know these numbers, you can calculate your revenue per dial. That gives you—and your salesperson—a clear path forward. That’s powerful!

When your salespeople know these numbers, they also can:

• Improve their ratios,

• Determine how much money they want to make and what it takes to make it, and

• Take charge of their careers.

These are powerful incentives.

4.

Does Your Team Know What They Should Be Doing Every Day, Every Week, Every Month, Every Quarter?

In other words, do they have prospecting and sales goals? Once you know the metrics, you can set specific, measurable prospecting and sales goals for your sales team. Put the goals in writing. Have a conversation with each salesperson about their goals. Get their buy-in. Ask them what they think they can achieve and what might get in their way and keep them from doing so. Help them take ownership of the goals to turn your goals into their goals and make accomplishing those goals a reality.

5. Do You Set Goals for Your Sales Team and Then Forget About Them?

Once you set the goals, check in with your team regularly to see where they are in accomplishing those goals. If you let too much time pass before you check in and someone is behind, it may be

impossible for them to catch up. Check in at least once per month to make sure they are on target. Ideally, check in more often than that.

6. Does Your Team Have All the Training They Need to Be Successful?

The myth of the born salesperson is just that—a myth. You may have hired a very talented newbie, but they will need training to become a top performer. Th ink about how many very talented athletes have never made it to the Olympics or played pro sports. Prospecting is not intuitive, and it’s not magic. It’s a skill set. Salespeople need to learn their craft to be successful. If they fail at prospecting, it’s not their fault—it’s yours.

7. Does Your Team Have All the Tools and Resources They Need to Be Successful?

Salespeople need a plan of action and the tools and resources to make that plan a reality. They need more than a laptop and a cellphone. You need customer relationship management or preferably prospecting software because it’s impossible to manage salespeople without it. Not having the appropriate software will slow your salespeople down and make them inefficient and ineff ective. They will also be quite frustrated. You will be, too. If you don’t have the right software, you cannot benchmark, you don’t know how your salespeople are doing, and opportunities are guaranteed to fall through the cracks.

Wendy Weiss is the founder of the Salesology® Prospecting Method, which generates predictable sales revenue. She is an author, speaker, sales trainer, and sales coach and is recognized as a leading authority on lead generation, new business development, and sales. Contact her at gosalesology.com

THRIVING IN 2023

By Robert Bittner

Predicting the state of the industry over the next year involves equal measures of company experience, customer feedback, industry insight, and educated guesswork—along with a bit of gut instinct. Even then, each new year promises to bring its own unexpected challenges and fresh opportunities.

Perhaps the biggest surprise among the industry veterans we spoke to is none of them are expecting the full-blown recession that has been predicted. And while some of the challenges of the past several years are likely to persist in the short term, there is a general sense the industry is on track toward stability—if not a pre-pandemic “normal.”

In short, the industry veterans we spoke to are generally—if cautiously—optimistic about 2023, despite some anticipated economic and market-driven hurdles.

Despite lingering challenges and an uncertain economy, boxmakers are preparing to make the most of their opportunities over the next 12 months

A Mixed Bag

“Over the next 12 to 18 months, I think the box industry will continue to see strong growth with online sales, which has really propped up many businesses,” says consultant Mark Allen Roberts, CEO of OTB Solutions. But there is a downside. “I think growth will be off set by a decrease in overall demand. I expect that to hit in the second quarter of 2023, impacting boxmakers’ core business: the local companies they serve, displays, and so on.”

Matt Bivens, general manager at Harris Packaging Corp., also expects volume to tick down over the next 12 to 18 months. In addition, he says, “I expect some pressure on the margin side of things. And I expect that companies that have invested in high-speed equipment will come out better than companies that have not. High-speed equipment allows

us to run boxes that are extremely good at competitive prices so that we as an independent can compete with some of the higher-volume integrated companies.” Th at capability will only grow in importance, he says.

On the positive side, Bivens notes, the supply chain challenges the company has experienced are improving. “In a lot of cases, paper mills have caught up so there’s enough paper to go around, which is a big help,” he says. “Going forward, we’re not expecting the pallet problems,

glue problems, strapping problems that we had over the last year to continue.”

Like his colleagues, Vanguard Companies CEO Chris Stoler says the next 12 to 18 months are going to be mixed. “Employment is still showing favorable signs, but consumer spending habits are changing,” he says, a situation he attributes to the stimulus reduction, consumer uncertainty, and the effects of inflation. “Large industrial and consumer producers are also changing their buying habits, reducing inventories, and taking

“We are not anticipating a big, sustained dip in demand in the next year. However, we are anticipating retraction in demand and are planning accordingly.”

—Chris Stoler, CEO, Vanguard Companies

a more cautious stance. As a result, we’re seeing packaging volumes come down from their peaks.”

Based on his industry assessment, Stoler is not convinced a classic recession is on the way. “We are not anticipating a big, sustained dip in demand in the next year,” he says. “However, we are anticipating retraction in demand and are planning accordingly.”

Given Vanguard’s role serving retail channel owners and consumer product companies in its display business, the company may be better positioned than some for weathering an economic downturn. “In more challenging economic times, [our customers] tend to more actively engage in promoting their products and in courting consumers,” Stoler says. “They often utilize a variety of different methods to achieve their goals. That includes using off-shelf and point-of-purchase displays, which is where we work to help them be successful. That’s where our focus will be over the next year: giving our clients support and expertise to help them succeed.”

Congress and Other Unknowns

The midterm elections occurred as I was interviewing people for this article, but no one interviewed believed the results would carry any meaningful weight.

“We tend to be agnostic about the political environment,” Stoler admits. “We do not see any changes in the makeup of Congress having much of an impact on packaging

manufacturing over the next year or two. I believe we are likely to end up with deadlock, and nothing’s going to get done.”

Bivens agrees. “I don’t think a new Congress will have a noticeable impact on manufacturing,” he says. “I think they’re going to be too busy arguing with each other to get anything done—which means our business will do very well!”

There is one area of government, however, that is expected to affect the industry: the Federal Reserve and its response to inflation.

“We do think the Fed is going to start to slow the economy through its interest rate adjustments,” Stoler says. “We are seeing caution in the credit markets, with banks taking a wait-and-see approach in Q4 2022 and even Q1 2023.

“We hope the Fed slows to half- or quarter-percent adjustments,” Stoler continues,

“but interest rates are still going to climb until they see clear signs of inflation reversing.” It may take some time before those signs appear. “The results don’t flow through to the economy for half a year, at least. It’s like steering a large tanker; it takes a long time to get to the new trajectory.” Nonetheless, he says, “we are hopeful that the Fed can see impacts and slow or stop actions before the impact is so severe it causes unintended outcomes.”

Stoler says he expects pandemic-related supply chain issues to continue, at least in the near term. “While a lot of slack has been taken up, there’s correction that will continue through this year,” he says. “I think we’ll be better than we were in 2020–2022, but it’s going to take time before everything normalizes.”

He also is concerned about rising fuel prices. “With the ongoing confl ict in Ukraine and the Russian oil supply not being brought into the greater global supply, diesel availability is going to become a challenge,” he says. “The cost and availability of diesel are things I hope the federal government keeps its eyes on and acts to protect our country’s best interest.”

Diesel prices are on Bivens’ radar, as well. “I think they’re going to continue to slowly go up as China comes back online,” he says. “They’ll start consuming more and more diesel fuel, which

“Consider the trigger events for your own company that would make you say, ‘Wow, based on this, I need to create a team and develop a new plan.’ Then put that team in place now, so they’re already in place and working when those events occur.”

—Mark Allen Roberts, CEO, OTB Solutions

will increase demand. And I don’t see anything happening in the United States to onboard more capacity. So, there is going to be a limited diesel supply, which means the price is going to be high for the foreseeable future.”

Roberts says he believes these costs may have widespread impact across the industry. “I believe you’ll probably see your raw materials continue to increase, as increases in transportation costs and energy costs— as well as the cost of sales—will climb, so your net profits will be hurt if you do not deliver price increases that stick. You will see a softening of demand from your core business, your non-online business. In my book, all of that leads to concerns if we don’t start taking action now.”

Taking Action

Whether 2023 represents an economic downturn or some degree of recession, there are steps boxmakers can be taking now to strengthen their business and prepare for whatever may come.

A 2019 Harvard Business Review study found that during the past recession, while roughly 75% of businesses experienced revenue decreases, 14% actually grew. When Roberts encountered that fact, he couldn’t help wondering why. He discovered that all of the profitable companies had one thing in common: a cross-functional team focused on identifying and responding to market changes. “When they saw new patterns develop and changes occur, they had a team in place that was designed to respond to a range of trigger events,” he says. “A trigger event might be a decrease in the number of new projects coming in or reduced order sizes. Maybe it’s an increase in the accounts receivable people unable to pay their bills.”

Roberts found that these cross-functional teams function independently but within established parameters. And they are nimble, able to respond quickly once a trigger event is identified—making structure changes, investing in new marketing

messaging, surveying customers to clearly understand what they were facing and how to react, and so on. They could act within hours and days instead of weeks or months.

“Consider the trigger events for your own company that would make you say, ‘Wow, based on this, I need to create a team and develop a new plan,’” Roberts advises. “Then put that team in place now, so they’re already in place and working when those events occur. Get them looking now for behaviors that are out of the ordinary.”

Speaking of teams, Roberts recommends doing a thorough, companywide assessment now. “Determine who may be in a position they don’t want to be in, and make changes. Find out where the strengths and weaknesses are, and address them,” he says. “Maybe some of your sales folks don’t understand how to prospect, do discovery, and ask qualifying questions. Maybe they’re so focused on making a sale they haven’t taken the time to understand how your customers make money and how your company can be an eff ective strategic partner. Now is the time to fi gure out who these folks are and then train them or redeploy them. We must have engaged, focused, and trained team members for the storms ahead.”

Roberts also says he believes it is worthwhile to interview your customers to fi nd out if they’re already seeing signs of an economic slowdown. “It’s kind of like a crystal ball of what’s about to come,” he says.

Such outreach also helps to strengthen existing customer relationships, which is

vital regardless of the economic climate. “Whether we see a downturn or a fullblown recession in 2023, I think it’s going to be critical that we all do whatever we can to stay close to our customers,” Bivens notes. “These days, it’s so easy to get on a Zoom call or do a Teams meeting—and there’s nothing like face-to-face interaction with a customer. Stay close to your customers, and it will benefit you in the long run.”

A Favorable Forecast

Despite the potential challenges, Bivens is generally optimistic about what the new year will bring.

“We still have a good pipeline of business here in the North Texas area, and the market is growing,” he says. “It’s not growing like it was at the height of the pandemic, but it’s still a very good market. Once things get under control— which has already begun with the Federal Reserve raising interest rates and the government slowing down its spending programs—we’ll get back to a more comfortable level that’s more manageable for everybody.

“Overall,” Bivens says, “I expect things to be a little bit slower in 2023 than they have been but still far more favorable than they were 10 years ago.”

Robert Bittner is a Michigan-based freelance journalist and a frequent BoxScore contributor.

“Whether we see a downturn or a fullblown recession in 2023, I think it’s going to be critical that we all do whatever we can to stay close to our customers.”

—Matt Bivens, general manager, Harris Packaging Corp.

You can’t have quality without precision. The APSTAR HG2 offers print-to-print registration accuracy through as many as seven inline flexo sections. That precision creates less downtime and higher profits.

When you balance speed, print quality, and precision, you get an APSTAR… and that means better boxes.

The Associate Advantage

Disconnecting From a Connected World

BY TIM CONNELL

The topic in the November/December 2022 issue of BoxScore discussed the importance of “connectivity” and embracing the digital technologies that work to maintain the synergy among people, processes, and related technologies. The unfortunate part of this connectivity is that workdays can be never-ending, all seven of them. When and how do we disconnect, recharge, and refresh?

Work-life balance is not something you can give or mandate within your organization. It is something individuals need to take for themselves. Employers have seen and need to recognize that this balance is essential for employee well-being. Employee well-being equals employee retention, increased productivity, and reduced burnout. Proper work-life integration is about the flexibility and accountability to prioritize and take care of your personal and professional responsibilities, with the ability to mentally switch gears and disconnect from one or the other.

Since “work” is no longer the traditional 9–5 for most of us and not a “place” for many of us, technology makes integrating and blending our professional and personal lives easier—and more difficult—by allowing us to be connected anywhere and everywhere. How do we combat a work-life imbalance created by this 24/7 connectivity? It is not necessary for us to be available to others when we should be more focused and present in our surroundings and the people in our immediate company. The following are some methods that have worked for companies interested in helping their employees seek this balance:

• Emphasize the importance of attention management and o er skills training. Attention management

training stresses the importance of creating an environment that enables employees to maximize their focus, eliminate distractions, and complete their tasks. These skills are more important than time management skills and contribute to higher productivity. Attention management focuses on how to motivate yourself and control your own task load instead of focusing on time, a dimension that nobody can control. Control your environment and your technology, and you will begin to control your attention.

• Set expectations around work hours, vacations, and hours of communication within your company. The majority of our business communications do not require an immediate response. Set standards for proper methods of communication, availability, and priority. Give employees permission to set boundaries that focus on productivity and not just hours worked.

Effective leaders model the balance that keeps people motivated and inspired while encouraging them to take time for themselves. Remind and discuss the importance for team members to use vacation time, and then take an interest in hearing about their vacations. Some companies even contribute to “paid, paid vacations” with the stipulation that the employee completely disconnect in order to qualify—sign me up and bill me later!

Start fresh every day and win the day, but don’t forget to end the day.

Tim Connell is director of sales at A.G. Stacker and vice chairman of AICC’s Associate board.

JEFF DIETZ KOLBUS AMERICA INC. DIRECTOR JEFFREY.DIETZ@KOLBUS.COM

JOHN BURGESS PAMARCO SECRETARY JOHN.BURGESS@PAMARCO.COM

TIM CONNELL A.G. STACKER INC. VICE CHAIRMAN TCONNELL@AGSTACKER.COM

JOE MORELLI HUSTON PATTERSON PRINTERS & LEWISBURG PRINTING CO. IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN JMORELLI@HUSTONPATTERSON.COM

GREG JONES SUN AUTOMATION GROUP CHAIRMAN GREG.JONES@SUNAUTOMATION.COM

Inaugural Foundation for Packaging Education Fundraising Event

The Foundation for Packaging Education’s inaugural fundraiser kicked off with a reception on the evening of Tuesday, November 8. Nearly 80 attendees met at The Sanctuary resort on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, to celebrate and support industry education for those employed in the paper-based converting industries.

On Wednesday, golfers played the challenging Osprey Point course on Kiawah, while the nongolfers went on an excursion to nearby Charleston. They toured homes and gardens and had a wonderful Lowcountry lunch at the renowned High Cotton restaurant, followed by shopping on nearby Market Street.

A reception and dinner awaited the returning golfers and those on the Charleston excursion. Foundation for Packaging Education Chairman Jay Carman reminded everyone of the foundation’s mission: to ensure the longevity and ongoing development of education and training programs for those working in the industry. Education and training are vital to employee retention and employee satisfaction.

Thursday dawned windy and rainy. The day’s plan was for golfers to play the Ocean Course at Kiawah, site of the 2021 PGA Championship. Twelve hearty golfers (about one-third of the planned group) braved Tropical Storm Nicole’s outer bands and took to the golf course, a bucket list experience to be sure.

The nongolfing crowd enjoyed brunch within The Sanctuary, one of the most luxurious resort properties on the East Coast.

All too soon, the three-day event was over. The funds raised will be added to the more than $1.3 million the foundation

has already raised and will push the pledged number closer to $3 million.

The foundation would like to thank all who attended the event and most importantly the event sponsors: Domtar Packaging, Equipment Finance Corp., and Fosber America Inc.

The Foundation for Packaging Education’s 32 donor companies and individuals have pledged more than $2.7 million to the foundation’s cause. To learn more about the foundation and to join the growing list of donors, please visit www.packaginged.org.

Th is will be an annual event with a late October or early November time frame. Plans are underway for next year, which will bring the foundation’s donors, supporters, and friends to another exciting location and another unique experience.

Photos courtesy of AICC.

Supporters of the Foundation for Packaging Education gathered for two rounds of golf at Osprey Point (bottom) and the PGA-level Ocean Course on Kiawah Island, South Carolina.

Packaging Foundation

Additional Focus to Grow the Industry’s Labor Force

BY CAITLIN SALAVERRIA

The manufacturing skills gap in the United States could result in 2.1 million unfi lled jobs by 2030, according to a study by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute. Th is is not news to our industry. I’ve heard growing concerns from leaders during the past few years on the challenges regarding workforce development.

And, as the newly appointed president of the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation (ICPF), I’m here to tell you I’m listening and ready to work with you to address those challenges.

ICPF has worked for the past 30 years to advance student and faculty knowledge of the corrugated packaging industry. Th is important task is just one of many the ICPF board has targeted for the coming years.

Cosponsored by AICC and the Fibre Box Association, the ICPF board comprises members from both organizations. They’ve worked hard this year to refocus ICPF’s mission and objectives to better align with the needs of the industry.

My role will be to strengthen the existing programs and services offered by ICPF that have served the industry well, while expanding the foundation’s work to address other critical needs.

Th is will include the following:

• Creating a social media presence,

• Building partnerships with the education community,

• Expanding student and faculty knowledge at trade schools and community colleges,

• Establishing relationships with local governments and apprenticeship programs, and

• Developing marketing and communications tools to promote the many benefits of choosing a career in corrugated packaging.

I’ll also be looking to collaborate with other organizations to capitalize on their strengths and resources where it makes sense to ensure we are getting the most value for our efforts. Our industry has provided generous support and funding to ICPF over the years, and I will make sure those contributions are used in meaningful ways.

I hope to see a renewed interest in supporting the foundation, and I am always open to feedback and opportunities to connect. Please reach out—growing the industry’s labor force is a collective effort, and I’m here to contribute and aid in any way I can.

Caitlin Salaverria is president of the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation.

Ode to the Associate

Iheld off writing this column for a while, although it is one I can write in my sleep, write from reflex.

Why? Because I previously worked for an AICC Associate member company for more than 30 years. I know the life of the Associate. I know the passion of the Associate. I know how the Associate esteems AICC and its members. I can write about that experience for this, the Big Associate Issue, without even thinking about it.

But I did want to think about it. More than that, I wanted to experience it with this column in mind. So, I did, twice—AICC/TAPPI Corrugated Week in San Antonio in September and the joint AICC/CCCA Tabletop Exhibition “Better Together” in Toronto in October.

In terms of scope, these events were not comparable. The former—three days, large booths to tabletops, big convention center, two general sessions, workshops, and breakout sessions. The latter—one day, only tabletops, small venue (but very cool—the old Toronto Stock Exchange Trading Floor), four speakers including a panel discussion, stage, and supplier tabletops all in the same room.

I walked the floor in San Antonio, and I worked the room in Toronto. I spoke to and witnessed hundreds of passionate, dedicated professionals practicing their craft. I saw engaged and enthusiastic customers and prospects. I saw expertise, honesty, and mutual respect.

performance starts with a positive attitude.”

At these two most recent events, I saw quality performance and positive attitude in multiples. AICC Associate members are as much a part of AICC converting members’ businesses as the paper, ink, software, equipment, and services they provide. Th is industry gets that people are behind the products, the partnerships, and the possibilities—and that those people are important and make a difference. They are essential to moving the paper-based packaging industry forward and to the growth and sustainability of AICC, your Association.

The Big Associate Issue of BoxScore is AICC’s way of saying thank you to Associate members. They don’t have to be an advertiser to get a page in this issue. They only need to be an AICC member in good standing. They can use the one page to convey any message or information they wish to share.

It is a small token of appreciation.

Because I know that behind every quality performance and positive attitude delivered by an Associate is a man or a woman who is sweating the details. Worrying about whether the shipment will be made on time. Double-checking the order. Finding a solution. Being creative. Learning the customer’s business. Writing the proposal. Advocating on your behalf. Arriving at the hotel at 2 a.m. Stuck at the airport due to a missed connection. Away from the family for another week. For you.

Michael D’Angelo AICC President

“Quality

—Jeff rey Gitomer

D’Angelo embraced the Texas spirit at Corrugated Week in San Antonio, despite ultimately passing on the mechanical bull ride.

Photo courtesy of AICC.