March 16, 2026
VOL. 42 NO. 11
BoardConverting Serving the North American Corrugated and Folding Carton Industries Since 1985
Heritage Container Continues To Say ‘Yes’ BY LEN PRAZYCH
Altamont Capital Partners Invests In Key Container Palo Alto, California based private equity firm Altamont Capital Partners has announced an investment in Key Container Corporation, a leading corrugated box manufacturer in New England, that will support the company’s continued growth and expansion. Altamont’s investment, combined with their deep knowl- edge across industrials and packaging, will help Key Container’s management team build a scaled corrugated platform. Key Container provides specialty and cus- tom corrugated packaging products and ser- vices to customers across the Northeast. The company, founded in 1959 by Jack Sundel and his son-in-law Richard Strauss, is now led by David Strauss, Richard’s son. In addition, David’s son, Matthew, serves as Sales Manag- er and offers customers a fourth generation of family leadership. Backed by Altamont’s resources and sector expertise, David will continue to lead Key Container as President to expand its regional presence. “We are excited to partner with Altamont as we continue to support our customers with their packaging needs,” said David Strauss, President of Key Container. “Altamont’s prov-
About a year ago—almost to the day—a new Young Shin Zenith 185S flatbed die cutter arrived at Heritage Container’s ivy-covered facility in Riverside, California, with little fanfare. It was delivered, unloaded, and assembled in roughly a week. As Heritage celebrates the machine’s first birthday, the machine is no longer a new addition; the 185S flatbed die cutter is an integral part of the plant’s increased productivity.
That understated integration feels appropriate for a company that, for decades, preferred to fly under the radar. In the last feature arti- cle on the company that appeared in Board Converting News three years ago, the independent Heritage Container was described as “very quiet,” almost camouflaged—literally and figuratively—within the ultra-competitive Southern California market. Founded in 1988 by Rich- ard James Gabriel, Heritage grew deliberately, building a reputation for reliability without seeking publicity. The 185,000-square-foot ivy- cov- ered facility in Riverside remains easy to miss from the road. But inside, the pace has changed. In the last three years, Heritage Container Owner CEO Tom Gabriel has invested steadily and signifi- cantly across its production floor, and at the center of that investment is the Young Shin Zenith. The decision to make that investment—and several others around it—offers a clear window into how Heritage Con- tainer continues to evolve while holding firmly to its core philosophy: just say “yes” to any customer request. CONTINUED ON PAGE 22 From right, Heritage Container’s Plant Manager, Anthony Lara; Jose Ayala, Plant Superintendent; and Eduardo Flores, Maintenance Supervisor in front of the company’s recently acquired Young Shin Die Cutter.
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WHAT’S INSIDE
6 x x 8 x x 12 x x 26 x x 8 Cascades Invests $6.9M In Kingsey Falls Plant 10 Colbert Packaging Installs Its Fifth Eterna Die Cutter BW Papersystems Celebrates 50th ServoPro RDC Install 14 Advance Paper Box Installs Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106
and the team to support the company’s transformation and growth.” “As a family-run company with stellar fundamentals op- erating in an industry with stable and attractive long-term growth, Key Container is precisely the kind of opportuni- ty that we see as having terrific potential to scale,” said Chase Beeler, Managing Director at Altamont. Sonoco To Implement $70 Increase On Uncoated Recycled Paperboard Sonoco Products Company will implement a $70 per ton price increase for all grades of uncoated recycled paper- board in the United States and Canada, effective with ship- ments beginning in April 2026. The company attributed the change to tightening market conditions, increased mill utilization rates, and inflationary input costs. Converted paperboard products, including tubes, cores, cones, partitions, and protective packaging, will also see an 8 percent price increase for shipments on and after 15 April 2026. Taylor Lane, Vice President and Gener- al Manager of Industrial Paper Packaging North America, stated the company aims to maintain service quality while adjusting to current market dynamics. Founded in 1899, Sonoco is a global leader in val- ue-added, sustainable metal and paper consumer and in- dustrial packaging.
Key Container (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)
en growth playbooks and experts within their network will strengthen existing operations, enable new customer re- lationships and future expansion, and support our goal of providing our customers with the whole package.” “Over the past six decades, Key Container has estab- lished itself as a regional manufacturing leader,” said Bil- ly Medof, Operating Partner at Altamont. “Ever-changing customer needs require that packaging suppliers stay nimble, capable, reliable, and customer-first. We believe Key Container, with its top-notch facilities, operations, and customer service, is well-positioned in today’s evolving market, and we’re excited to work in lockstep with David
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Cascades Invests $6.9M In Kingsey Falls Plant
Hood Container Expands Chicago Footprint, Signs Two New Leases Atlanta, Georgia based Hood Container Corporation has signed two industrial leases totaling about 391,560 square feet at 5750–5800 West 51st Street. The packaging man- ufacturer is spreading out across multiple warehouses in the Garfield Ridge and Bedford Park industrial corridor near I-55 and Midway Airport. The Garfield Ridge Industrial Property is a 391,560 square foot facility on roughly 14.2 acres, built in 1974, with 10 loading docks and a 24 foot clear height. The latest deal comes as Hood Container continues to invest across its network. Last July the company an- nounced it would invest $118.9 million in St. Francisville, a major mill modernization project. Chicago’s logistics scene is still defined by big single user industrial commitments. Colliers reported that the re- gion logged 10.7 million square feet of new leases in Q2 2025, the highest quarterly total since early 2023. That level of tenant demand helps explain why packaging and manufacturing players keep zeroing in on sites near high- ways and airports, a trend that is likely to keep the I-55 and Midway corridor firmly on occupiers’ shortlists. The transactions were handled by Cushman & Wake- field’s Chicago industrial team, led locally by Director Matt Saddler and Managing Director Sally Macoicz.
Kingsey Falls, Quebec based Cascades has announced it has invested $6.9 million in its uncoated recycled box- board manufacturing plant (Papier Kingsey Falls) to in- crease its equipment’s production capacity and quality. Since last September, Cascades has installed several new pieces of equipment to improve sheet quality control. These investments will significantly improve the plant’s ability to better meet the needs of the food packaging in- dustry, including surface finish and printing requirements. “This project will enable us to increase our capacity and remain a valued partner for our customers,” said Hugues Simon, President and CEO of Cascades. “It underscores our unwavering commitment to investing in our assets in Quebec to accelerate our growth. I’d like to thank the em- ployees who helped install this equipment. Their expertise and dedication have made this project a great success.” Commissioned in 1972, this Kingsey Falls plant cur- rently serves the industrial and food packaging markets. It currently boasts 68 employees and is one of the region’s top employers. It also provides a competitive salary and a benefits program tailored to its employees’ lifestyle. A key player in the packaging sector, Cascades offers a wide range of high-performance products with a low envi- ronmental footprint.
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Colbert Packaging Installs Fifth Eterna Die Cutter
Kenosha, Wisconsin based Colbert Packaging Corpora- tion, a leading manufacturer of custom paperboard folding cartons, labels, and inserts, has announced the installation of its fifth Eterna blanking die cutter. The Eterna Line ECUT 1060 Elite ER delivers preci- sion-tight registration, high-performance cutting, and im- pressive throughput to produce exceptionally high-quality pharmaceutical and consumer goods packaging for Col- bert’s customers. Colbert Packaging and the Brausse Group established a relationship more than ten years ago, as members of the Independent Carton Group (ICG). Colbert became a beta testing partner in the development of this equipment in
2015 as the first U.S.-based packaging supplier to imple- ment Brausse (Eterna) equipment with blanking technolo- gy. Colbert subsequently invested in a second Brausse die cutter in 2018 and two more in 2022. “Colbert Packaging has many options when it comes to choosing equipment suppliers, but ten years of hard work
and collaboration have made this happen,” said Brausse Group NA Vice President of Sales, Matthew Sharp. “We are grateful to Colbert for their continued trust and our re- lationship as a true partner.” In the spring of 2025, Colbert signifi- cantly increased its printing capacity with the installation of a new 10-Color RMGT printing press. The ensuing investment in an additional Eterna blanking die cutter will generate increased efficiencies to sup- port the Company’s greater folding carton production capability. Colbert President John Lackner stat- ed, “This decision reinforces our ongoing commitment to meet growing customer demand through capital investment. The performance of the Brausse equipment is top notch. These machines are set up for ease of operation and consistency across all of our die cutters. We are delighted that these continued investments support our business growth strategy and, more im- portantly, our ability to provide the highest quality packaging for our customers.” Founded in 1959, Colbert Packaging has grown its repertoire of paperboard packaging solutions into one of the most comprehensive, diverse and inventive portfolios in the industry, serving pharma- ceutical, healthcare and consumer goods customers. Colbert’s Kenosha, Wisconsin facility produces offset and flexographic printed folding cartons, pressure-sensitive roll labels and package inserts; the Elkhart, Indiana operation includes folding carton production and formed paper trays. Learn more about Colbert Packaging, a women-owned company, at www.colbert- pkg.com .
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BW Papersystems Celebrates 50th ServoPro Rotary Die Cutter Install Phillips, Wisconsin based BW Papersystems has an- nounced the installation of its 50th ServoPro Rotary Die Cutter, a milestone that reflects accelerating demand for high-speed converting, intuitive operation and uptime-fo- cused design across the corrugated industry. Designed for reliability, flexibility and operator ease, the BW Papersystems ServoPro has gained rapid adoption among customers looking to increase throughput while reducing setup and maintenance time. BW Papersystems’ customers are reporting stronger performance, improved quality and measurable efficiency gains. “Fifty installations is a meaningful marker, not just for us, but for the customers placing their trust in ServoPro,” said Neal McConnellogue, President of Corrugating and CCO, BW Papersystems. “We built ServoPro to solve real production challenges. The pace of industry adoption and early repeat customers shows that BW Papersystems con- tinues to be the industry leader for rotary die cutters.” ServoPro is now operating in 11 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Af- rica (EMEA), and Asia, with 29 machines going to repeat customers. “This milestone is both validation and motivation,” said Maximo Leyva, Vice President, Product Line Leader, Fin-
ishing, BW Papersystems. “ServoPro serves converters of many sizes and regions, and our momentum is only grow- ing as customers look for reliability in their operations.”
Designed for today’s production requirements, Servo- Pro’s value centers on: • Precision at speed: Consistent die cutting, fast change- overs and stable performance at today’s higher line speeds, with options to run at 225 boxes per minute. • Uptime and longevity: Ultra-heavy-duty mechanical de- sign minimizes deflection and wear. • Operator-focused design: Intuitive controls, repeatable setups and simplified adjustments help crews run effi- ciently with less dependency on tribal knowledge. BW Papersystems expects sustained growth through 2026 and beyond as converters prepare for higher output and ongoing workforce turnover.
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Advance Paper Box Installs Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106
Los Angeles, California based Advance Paper Box Com- pany has announced the upcoming Installation of its new Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106, slated to begin in April 2026. When the highly specialized Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106 nine-color press is delivered to the Los Angeles met- ropolitan region, its owner—Advance Paper Box – Packag- ing Spectrum, a leading folding carton manufacturer—will be satisfying the growing demands of its premium pack- aging customers for complex special effects and designs while taking a significant step to elevate its own position and expand its capabilities. “For us, this press represents more than just the lat- est in automation and system availability,” says Nick Silk, President of Advance Paper Box – Packaging Spectrum. “It embodies our forward-looking vision and reflects our ongoing commitment to serving our customers. This new showcase press enhances our flexibility, automation, and throughput for world-class packaging applications. We chose Koenig & Bauer because they met every require- ment of our demanding customers and configured the perfect press to support our future growth. It was driven by a clear objective: to elevate our operations to the next level in automation, reliability, and capability.” Koenig & Bauer’s complete team worked closely with
Advance Paper Box – Packaging Spectrum to design a unique configuration that supports long-term growth, ex- panded finishing capabilities, and higher production ef- ficiency. After eight printing units, the press is equipped with a coating station capable of both aqueous and UV coating, followed by two dryer units, an additional printing unit, and a final coating unit before delivery. This layout creates a true special effects platform for various creative capabilities, allowing Advance Paper Box – Packaging Spectrum to combine varnishes, soft-touch coatings, tactile finishes, and strike-through effects in a sin- gle pass, enabling efficient production of complex, premi- Jurgen Gruber, Sales Manager at Koenig & Bauer (US), meets with Nick Silk, President of Advance Paper Box – Packaging Spectrum and George Rodarte, Vice President at Advance Pa- per Box – Packaging Spectrum.
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Advance Paper (CONT’D FROM PAGE 14)
long-term partnership to support the company’s leading brands throughout North America and beyond. “We’re very excited about this new press and our strong rela- tionship with Koenig & Bauer,” says George Rodarte, Vice President at Advance Paper Box – Packaging Spectrum. Chris Drees Of Menasha To Speak At 2026 FBA Annual Meeting Chris Drees, President and CEO of Menasha Corporation, will give the “State of the Industry” address at the 2026 FBA Annual Meeting, taking place from April 15–17 in La Jolla, California. Chris brings a wealth of strategic insight shaped by his current leader- ship at Menasha and his prior role as President of Mercury Marine. His key- note will examine current trends and insights reshaping the packaging in- dustry, as well as approaches that can be taken to create customer value in this evolving space. In addition to leading Menasha to earn Wisconsin’s 2024 Mega Manufacturer of the Year award, Drees is the Board Chair of the Wisconsin Manufacturers in Commerce and Keller Builders Inc. Don’t miss out on Chris’s presentation and the many others happening at the 2026 FBA Annual Meeting. Reg- ister to attend at www.fibrebox.org . Chris Drees
um cartons with exceptional visual impact and consisten- cy. The configuration is designed to support single-pass folding carton production particularly for high-end pack- aging applications where visual appearance and surface effects are critical. The press is also equipped with Visual Energy, provid- ing real-time transparency into press energy consumption; and myKyana, an AI-driven performance platform that an- alyzes production data to optimize efficiency and uptime. The Rapida 106 is also fully automated, including inte- grated logistics that transport pallets from the feeder to the delivery with no operator intervention allowing press crews to focus on production output rather than materi- al handling. The new press replaces an older model from another manufacturer, marking a major milestone in the modernization of the company’s production platform. With the addition of the Rapida 106, Advance Paper Box – Packaging Spectrum can also load-balance production between its existing Koenig & Bauer Rapida 145 and the new Rapida 106, matching each job to the most efficient platform based on format, run length, substrate, and fin- ishing requirements. This approach delivers tremendous gains in production capacity, scheduling flexibility, and overall throughput. Both Advance Paper Box – Packaging Spectrum and Koenig & Bauer see this project as a continuation of their
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Metsä Board To Open Packaging Studio In Milan This Summer Norwalk, Connecticut based Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, will open a new Packaging Design Studio in Milan in summer 2026, a significant step in accelerating pack- aging innovation and strengthening collaboration with European brand owners, converters, and packaging de- velopers. “Located in one of Europe’s leading design capitals, the Milan studio gives us a perfect setting to work even more closely with our customers. The studio makes it easy to connect, test ideas and move towards solutions that keep pace with the fast-evolving packaging landscape,“ says Erja Hyrsky, SVP, Commercial Operations. Equipped with modern tools and advanced AI-sup- ported design and simulation technologies, the studio will enhance the way workshops, design sprints, and co-cre- ation sessions are carried out more effectively, especially in projects where sustainability targets, performance re- quirements or regulatory changes drive the need for new solutions. Bringing packaging design, product development, and technical competence into one location enables greater cooperation across the packaging value chain. The studio provides a place where insights, materials, and manufac- turing requirements can be considered holistically, sup-
porting customers in developing solutions that are both functional and ready for implementation. “With the new studio in Milan, we are creating a space where innovation, design, and technical excellence meet,” says Ilkka Harju, Director, Packaging Design Services.
The Milan studio complements Metsä Board’s existing Excellence Centre in Äänekoski, Finland, which focuses on material research, packaging performance testing, and holistic packaging development, as well as the company’s Packaging Design Studio in Norwalk, CT, which supports customers in North America. Opening in summer 2026, the Milan Packaging Design Studio will welcome customers, partners, and industry stakeholders to explore and develop new packaging solu- tions together.
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Georgia-Pacific West Chester Achieves Production Record
AF&PA Releases January 2026 Packaging Papers Monthly Report The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) re- leased the January 2026 Packaging Papers Monthly report. Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in January decreased 1 percent compared to January 2025.
HP reports that Georgia-Pacific has reached an outstand- ing digital production milestone that showcases the power of long running platforms in skilled hands. Georgia-Pacific’s Hummingbird operation in West Chester, Ohio, has reached an exciting milestone with a worldwide monthly production record on one of the orig- inal HP PageWide T1100S Presses. This accomplishment underscores the strength of the team’s processes, their deep technical expertise, and the durability of the plat- form—even after years of continuous high volume. The record setting month underscores how West Ches- ter has built a strong, reliable foundation of digital produc- tion, enabling them to support a growing and increasingly demanding business with exceptional print consistency and efficiency. Their ability to drive high quality throughput over time reflects both their operational maturity and their commitment to continuous improvement. Ed Hoolehan, Director of Operations, for Georgia-Pa- cific’s West Chester facility commented, “This milestone reflects the hard work of our entire team from sales to op- erations to our capability partners, and it truly shows our commitment to optimizing every part of the printing pro- cess. We’re excited to continue pushing what’s possible with digital.”
• The total operating rate for the packaging papers seg- ment was 80.7 percent, higher than both January 2025 and December 2025, but lower than the overall rate for 2025 (81.2 percent). • Unbleached multiwall shipments were up 6.9 percent from last January. • Imports of packaging papers were up nearly 6 percent in 2025 compared to 2024 based on the latest data available.
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Heritage Container (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)
An Honest Assessment Anthony Lara, Heritage’s plant manager, has been over- seeing the Riverside for nearly two years. His path into corrugated began early, starting as a corrugator operator and then supervising the operation by age 19. Over the years, he’s performed maintenance management, instal- lations, start-ups and teardowns. He has assessed plants, rebuilt them, and brought equipment online. For Lara, the production floor is familiar territory. When he arrived at Heritage, one of the first things Lara did was conduct a comprehensive assessment of the op- eration. At the time, the plant was running an aging, yet “serviceable,” flatbed die cutter. Speeds were limited to approximately 1,500 sheets per hour, and the competitive landscape in Southern California was not slowing down… or standing still.
Lara compared the old die cutter’s capabilities with what he had seen from Young Shin’s equipment else- where in the market. “The evaluation was not about brand loyalty, it was about throughput, reliability, and long-term competitiveness,” he says. “We looked at the value and capabilities the Young Shin offered and quickly ordered the Zenith 210 Jumbo.” Installation took about eight days. A rigger handled placement and Young Shin technicians supported the process and stayed on site for training. The new machine fit almost exactly where the old die cutter had been, re- quiring only minor modifications, including digging out a pit. Compatible tooling eased the transition. Existing dies could run on the new platform, allowing the plant to move forward without a complete tooling overhaul. The process was, as Lara describes it, as close to “plug-and-play” that an installation could get. New Benchmarks The jump in output was immediate and measurable, from roughly 1,500 sheets per hour to 6,000 sheets per hour. In practical terms, that shift changed scheduling flex- ibility, lead times, and the type of work to which Heritage could confidently say “yes.” More important, it shifted the The Young Shin 185S can accommodate single and double- wall corrugated board, as well as other solid substrates such as foam and microflute, and litho label and single face lami- nated board.
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plant’s stripping profile. Today, approximately 90 to 95 percent of orders coming off the Young Shin Zenith are ful- ly stripped. Full batch capability and automated stripping also reduced manual handling and tightened consistency.
The machine’s recall system allows operators to store re- peat jobs and retrieve settings efficiently. For zero-point setups, make-readies still require time, but once dialed in, repeat performance has become very predictable. Heritage runs the Zenith on two shifts and at times, achieves speeds of 6,000 sheets per hour. It can accom- modate single and doublewall corrugated board, as well as other solid substrates such as foam and microflute, and litho label and single face laminated board. Its gripper bar The Young Shin’s gripper bar system allows a maximum sheet thickness of .433-inches and a maximum sheet size of 72.83-inches by 44.09-inches.
system allows a maximum sheet thickness of .433-inches and a maximum sheet size of 72.83-inches by 44.09-inch- es. Capacity remains available, but the machine has been steadily loaded since commissioning. Service and support have also played a role in smoothing the transition. With technicians based in California and direct access to fac- tory contacts, response time has not been an issue. In a region where word-of-mouth travels quickly, that matters. An Isowa 2-color, 50-inch by 110-inch flexo folder gluer under- went a retrofit three years ago and brought the machine back into rotation at roughly 10,000 sheets per hour.
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Heritage Container (CONT’D FROM PAGE 24)
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
Building Around The Core The Young Shin is only one piece of Heritage’s broad- er “capital cycle.” The company’s Emba Q245 Ultima—a 43-inch by 96-inch, three-color flexo folder gluer with die cut capabilities—remains a cornerstone of the operation. It continues to support e-commerce and higher-graphic work, reflecting Heritage’s willingness to compete on print quality when needed.
ADVANTZWARE www.advantzware.com
Advantzware provides a comprehensive system to address the business management needs of the independent box business, as well as the ERP requirements of full scale pack- aging plants and integrated companies. With modules for estimating, scheduling, production, inventory and account- ing, this scalable system supports companies that produce corrugated boxes, folding cartons, point of purchase dis- plays, assembled partitions, and paperboard products. AIR CONVEYING CORPORATION www.accfilter.com Air Conveying Corporation is a leader in the industry of Pneumatic Conveying Systems and has been in business since 1968. As an equipment manufacturer rather than sim- ply a sales organization, we have complete control over the quality of material and products which make up your pro- posed system. Our equipment is found in printing, folding carton and corrugated plants throughout the world. We've been designing, manufacturing and engineering pneumatic conveying systems since 1984. We partner with our customers to ensure they operate efficiently and guar- antee our systems meet or exceed their specifications. ASDI specializes in full pull-through systems trim separators, and NFPA compliant systems with full electronic controls. AMTECH SOFTWARE www.amtechsoftware.com AIR SYSTEMS DESIGN, INC. www.airsystemsdesign.com Amtech offers the industry’s most innovative and com- prehensive corrugated and packaging ERP, integrated scheduling software, and engineered automation technol- ogy. For over 30 years, Amtech has kept our customers competitive in an ever-changing economy with customer digital storefronts and workflows, business intelligence, automated scheduling for corrugators, converting and shipping, proactive roll stock and inventory management. APEX INTERNATIONAL www.apexinternational.com World’s largest Anilox and Glue & Metering roll manufac- turer, providing the widest selection of corrugated engrav- ings and complementary services. Anilox engraving options available from our North American manufacturing facility include elongated 75°, 60°, 45°, plus Apex’s patented GTT technology. Glue rolls are produced with Hardened Stain- less Steel and a max TIR of 10 µ for Single, Double Facers.
The Isowa 2-color, 50-inch by 110-inch flexo folder gluer is again fully operational after a retrofit done about three years ago brought the machine back into productive rota- tion at roughly 10,000 sheets per hour. A McKinley 3-color, 66-inch by 130-inch flexo folder gluer rotary die cutter has undergone a full PLC upgrade and received Sauer Sys- tem folding rails, transforming was once considered aging equipment into a reliable workhorse again. A CCI-manufactured 86-inch by 210-inch Jumbo re- placed an older jumbo, increasing Heritage’s large-format capability. New glue systems were installed on post-glu- ing lines to support mix changes and improve bond con- sistency. Most recently, Heritage replaced its Automatan laminator with a new EM 36, which will further strengthen the plant’s litho-lamination and specialty capabilities. “Across our entire production floor, our messaging is consistent: eliminate bottlenecks, retire what no longer competes, upgrade what can be modernized, and main- Heritage remains an independent sheet plant. It does not have a corrugator. In Southern California, sheet sup- ply is not guaranteed and pricing pressure can be acute. Heritage sources sheets primarily from an integrated that operates a facility nearby, a relationship Lara describes as a “partnership.” Not owning a corrugator requires disci- pline; inventory management, forecasting, and supplier alignment must be tight. But it also allows Heritage to fo- cus on converting flexibility rather than upstream assets, an approach that appears to be working well. tain a broad arsenal,” says Lara. Competing Without A Corrugator The plant continues to serve a broad mix of markets: industrial, retail, agriculture, e-commerce, food and bev- erage, healthcare, and more. Heritage’s product portfolio remains wide—B-, C-, BC-, E-, and F-flutes; RSC, HSC, and Heritage Container replaced its Automatan laminator with a new EM 36, which will further strengthen the plant’s litho-lam- ination and specialty capabilities.
ALBANY INTERNATIONAL www.albint.com
Albany International has a corrugator belt for every appli- cation. Our reputation for durable performance is the trade- mark of the most dependable belts in service today.
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Heritage Container (CONT’D FROM PAGE 26)
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
FOL; die cuts and inserts; pads and trays; specialty gluing; and access to litho lamination. “The difference today is speed,” Lara notes. “We’re just doing more of everything and turning it around faster.” Labor, Automation, Tenure Automation has allowed Heritage Container to maintain output without expanding headcount. The plant runs five days a week with no overtime. The Emba operates full- time on second shift, supported by part-time employees working four to six hours as needed. This hybrid approach keeps labor costs controlled while maintaining flexibility. In some areas, automation has reduced manual touchpoints; for example, the EAM Mosca strapper tightens end-of-line handling and upgraded glue systems and modern controls improve consistency.
ARC INTERNATIONAL www.ARCInternational.com
ARC International is a world leader in the manufacturing of roller products for flexography. The latest nano-technology laser engraving in our NC and NV manufacturing facilities ensures superior quality and consistency in anilox rollers.
AES (ADVANCED EQUIPMENT SALES) www.aesales.net
AES is a leading full-service provider of integrated convey- ance systems specializing in scrap, trim, and dust. AES en- gineers custom scrap systems and works as a partner in process improvement to help businesses achieve greater profitability, productivity, and sustainability. Products include balers, shredders/hoggers, core shredders, filters, fans, and specialized dust control and collection systems. AES is the ex- clusive distributor for the AirShark Rotary Material Separator. For a wide variety of new and used equipment on to- day’s market, visit our website at www.acm-corp.com. BAUMER HHS CORPORATION www.baumerhhs.com hhs is a global leader in advanced gluing, camera verifica- tion and quality assurance systems for the packaging indus- try. Zero-defect quality and elevated production speeds are key parameters in the manufacturing of corrugated boxes. With hhs Xcam Box Monitoring and non-contact flap gluing of corrugated board, hhs offers every option for quality as- surance in the production of boxes with flexo folder gluers. AMERICAN CORRUGATED MACHINE www.acm-corp.com BLOWER APPLICATION COMPANY (BLOAPCO) www.BloApCo.com BloApCo has served the corrugated industry since 1933 with a variety of scrap handling solutions, including Hori- zontal Floor Shredders, Trim Cutters, and Material Handling Fans and Conveying Systems. BloApCo Shredders allow for continuous shredding and pneumatic removal of sheet waste stacks of all sizes, roll slab, cores, and carton scrap.
Heritage’s strength remains its people. Tenured em- ployees are common. A 34-year veteran works alongside employees with 20 or 15 years of service. In some cases, sons have joined fathers on the floor. Promotion from with- in remains a priority. “Retention depends on taking care of your people.” Lara says. No Longer Under The Radar Three years ago, Heritage was described as a compa- ny content to remain quiet. Ownership did not seek public- ity. The work spoke for itself. That instinct remains, but the plant no longer feels invisible. Independent ownership remains with Tom Gabriel and no generational transition is anticipated. The company re- mains focused, as it must be to not only survive but thrive in one of the most challenging corrugated markets in the country. Integrateds, sheet feeders, and independents compete aggressively on price and service. To move be- yond survival into thriving territory requires clarity of pur- pose. If a customer calls in a pinch, Heritage Container finds sheets, makes the boxes, and ships them. The phi- losophy has not changed. “We’ve eliminated a lot of our old equipment to com- pete with the market out there and we believe we’ve done that with our Young Shin Zenith,” Lara says. “We’re faster, we’re more flexible, and we’re super competitive, which allows us to always say ‘yes’.” An EAM Mosca Strapping System keeps perfectly diecut board prepared at the end of the line for shipping.
CORRUGATED MACHINERY SPECIALISTS www.cmsretrofits.com
Leading manufacturer and installer of quality retrofits, up- grades and replacement parts for S&S and Prime Flexo Folder Gluers. Specialists in reconditioning of S&S Flexo Folder Gluers, including ink, air and electrical systems.
CORRUGATOR BELT SERVICE LLC www.corrugator.com
Serving the corrugated box industry since 1991, Chicago- based Corrugator Belt Service LLC maintains corru- gator belts for peak board quality and performance.
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PPEC Celebrates International Women’s Day, Highlights Leadership BY RACHEL KAGAN For International Women’s Day, the Paper and Paperboard Packaging Environmental Council (PPEC) is highlighting
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
CORRUGATED REPLACEMENTS, INC. www.corrugatedparts.com
the leadership of women shaping Canada’s paper packaging sector and advancing environmental sus- tainability.
Corrugated Replacements, Inc. is a production powerhouse that manufactures high quality machine parts and replace- ment parts for the corrugated and paperboard converting industries. CRI can redesign, engineer, and manufacture any part while providing a rapid turn-around rate, keeping machines running at their peak performance and limiting down time.
We spoke with Laura Parlagre- co, Vice President of Operations at Astro Box Corporation, about how the industry has evolved, what sus- tainability looks like in today’s reg- ulatory environment, the role of industry associations, and the importance of staying curious. Q. Astro Box has been operating since the 1980s. From your perspective, how has the paperboard packag- ing industry, and Astro’s own operations, evolved over that time, particularly from a sustainability standpoint? Like any industry, paperboard packaging has seen cycles of highs and lows. In the mid 1990’s, what felt like overnight, plastic clamshells had taken over grocery store shelves, replacing paper boxes. It was heartbreaking to see long-standing customers make the switch, with no re- gard for where all this plastic would end up. Misinformation was spreading about paperboard pack- aging, and it was around this time that Charles Parlagreco, the founder of Astro Box Corporation, joined the newly formed Paper and Paperboard Packaging Environmental Council (PPEC). The industry came together to establish PPEC to stop misinformation, correct the narrative, advo- cate for recycling, and educate people on the environmen- tal merits of paperboard. This is also when Astro pivoted our operations to cre- ate paper-based packaging that could perform on many levels; high graphics for branding and customization, windows for optimal product visibility, and coatings to maintain product freshness, all while satisfying regional recycling requirements. We have maintained this stance for over thirty years – that paper packaging is capable of almost anything as long as you’re willing to try. Q. What are you hearing from customers right now? Are their expectations around sustainability, recyclabil- ity, or regulatory compliance changing? And how does that influence how Astro supports them? If you had asked me this question a few years ago, I would have said sustainability was the foremost concern that customers had when implementing new packaging. The ban on single-use plastic helped fuel demand for fi- bre-based packaging and it felt like a packaging renais- sance was taking place. At the time, plastic replacement, recyclability and compostability were the chief concerns. Unfortunately, with economic uncertainty and supply chain CONTINUED ON PAGE 32 Laura Parlagreco
C.U.E., INC. www.AnvilCovers.com
Makers of single and dual-width Timesaver® Anvil Covers, the premier urethane anvil cover for corrugated die cutting. Timesaver® covers feature construction of solid steel back- ing and solid steel locking components to ensure a precise fit every time. C.U.E., Inc. also offers Dura-Latch and Cor- Lock anvil covers, and urethane Lead Edge Feed Wheels.
EMBA www.embausa.com
The EMBA group supports a complete line of corrugated converting machinery for the worldwide market. EMBA’s Quick Set technology enables the highest productivity across a broad range of converting equipment, from mini to super jumbo. EMBA also includes the McKinley jumbo line of flexo folder gluers and rotary die cutters as well as ser- vice, rebuilds and upgrades for both EMBA and McKinley.
EAGLEWOOD TECHNOLOGIES, LLC www.eaglewoodtech.com
Eaglewood Technologies offers trusted cleaning technolo- gies for the world’s best printers and converters. Solutions include the award winning Sitexco+ Anilox Laser System, the Nanovis Parts Washing System, the Sitexco L10 Label System, the innovative Sanilox™ System or Alphasonics solutions. We also offer Xpress™ mobile cleaning service at your facility or ours. ESKO www.esko.com ArtiosCAD and Kongsberg are the most trusted names in CAD/CAM solutions. Esko’s ArtiosCAD is the most widely used CAD software in the world. Esko’s Kongsberg series of tables brings you reliable, outstanding quality for sample- making and short run production.
DOMINO www.dominodigitalprinting.com
Domino is a leading manufacturer and distributor of digital printing and product identification solutions. Celebrating its 44th year, Domino is headquartered in the UK and North America headquarters are Illinois. Domino has 25 subsid- iaries, representation in over 120 countries, and over 2,900 employees worldwide .
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Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
interruptions due to tariffs, I would say cost is now the fore- most concern. Q. You’re active with U.S. industry associations such as the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC), while As- tro’s founder, Charles, is involved on the Canadian side with PPEC. From your perspective, what role do indus- try associations play in helping the industry navigate change and represent its environmental interests? With information and regulatory updates coming around the clock, it would take an inordinate amount of time for a business to keep up. When you have industry-specific re- sources like PPEC in Canada and PPC in the U.S. – who are dedicated to keeping tabs on new information, sum- marizing it, and telling you how it affects your industry – you can focus on running your business and pivoting as needed. Another great feature of industry associations is easy access to data and trends. Sustainability is measured in tangible metrics. When dealing with customers and their sustainability teams, your facts must be up to date – which is especially important when your paper-based offering is being pitted against another substrate. Q. The packaging and manufacturing sectors have traditionally been male-dominated. As a woman in a senior operations role, how have you seen the industry change over time? Recently, I was listening to a former CEO of a large folding carton company in California speak about the challenges of being the only woman in the room for many years both at industry events and the C-Suite level of her family’s business. When I recall being at early industry as- sociation meetings myself, I was one of maybe a dozen women in the room. When I look around now, I see wom- en of all ages in leadership roles, as emerging leaders in their family companies and as seasoned owners. I’m also pleased to share that women make up half of our manage- ment team. We have come a long way, but I would love to see more women getting into the trades and becoming operators. Q. What advice would you give to women interest- ed in pursuing leadership roles and/or sustainability-fo- cused careers within the packaging industry? To put it succinctly, don’t stay in your lane and ask questions! I started my journey at Astro in marketing, but when the chance to learn CAD (Computer-Aided Design) came up, I volunteered and began designing and cutting samples for customers. During this process, I spent time on the shopfloor observing and talking to operators about what our equipment was capable of and how small design tweaks could improve efficiencies. I leaned on vendors to learn about new substrates and coatings and ran trials to see how they behaved in real time. All these experienc- es developed my knowledge base and prepared me to become a next generation leader – and it all happened because I ventured out of my comfort zone and stayed curious!
THE HAIRE GROUP www.hairegroup.com
Haire Group is the premier provider of new machinery for the corrugated industry. From the Apstar line of flexo folder gluers and rotary die cutters, the Encore line of flexo folder gluers and rotary die cutters, and the Engico flexo folder glu- er, Haire is able to pair clients with the best machinery solu- tions for the best value to meet their needs. Haire Group’s service department helps its customers maximize uptime and profitability through superior 24/7 service and support, a pre-install training center, and over a million dollars’ worth of spare parts at their offices just outside of Chicago. Haire Group has been the industry’s #1 pre-owned machinery bro- ker and plant equipment appraiser since 1976. HarperLove is the leading provider of specialty adhesives, performance additives, and wet-strength resins to corru- gated packaging manufacturers. With the largest and most experienced field service and technical support team posi- tioned throughout the U.S. and Latin America, HarperLove has a long-standing reputation for providing outstanding service and delivering demonstrable performance improve- ments. HarperLove’s renowned services include not only innovative product development and custom product for- mulation, but also machine and process assessments, ad- hesive formula adjustments, machine tuning, detailed ser- vice reporting, and more. HARPERLOVE www.HarperLove.com Kernic Systems has been a leading global provider of re- cycling equipment solutions since 1978. For over 40 years, Kernic Systems has provided balers, air conveying and dust collection systems, shredders, industrial vacuums, and re- cycling equipment to a wide range of markets. Today, Ker- nic Systems serves customers with an expanded offering of standard products and custom-engineered systems through three primary business divisions: Recycling Solu- tions, Dust Collection and Air Pollution Control, and Material Handling. Kiwiplan provides state-of-the-art software solutions to cor- rugated, folding carton, plastics and flexible packaging fa- cilities around the globe. Kiwiplan’s Total Solution delivers comprehensive, seamless real-time flow of information from sales order management to dynamic total plant scheduling and inventory control through shipping. With deep manu- facturing and distribution expertise, Kiwiplan knows the specific problems customers face and provides the spe- cialized software they need to adapt, compete, and win in today's rapidly changing world. KERNIC SYSTEMS www.kernicsystems.com KIWIPLAN www.kiwiplan.com
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Durst Celebrates 90-Year Legacy Of Precision, Industrial Intelligence Italian digital printing company, Durst, celebrates its evolu- tion into a globally leading manufacturer of industrial digital printing and additive manufacturing systems. Durst stands for technological excellence, for “Made in Durst” quality – defined by deep in-house development expertise, preci- sion and an uncompromising commitment to performance – as well as entrepreneurial independence and long-term thinking. Machines became systems. Products became in- tegrated production intelligence. Hardware evolved into a holistic understanding of digital value creation. Standing still has never been part of the Durst story. At Durst, innovation is neither a trend nor a project. It is part of the company’s DNA. Each generation has reimag- ined and advanced the business – from analog photog- raphy to industrial digitalization and fully networked pro- duction environments. Today, Durst once again stands at a pivotal moment. Kyveris transforms digital printing and additive manu- facturing by unifying files, machines, software, data, and AI into a single, autonomous production system that contin- uously learns, optimizes performance, reduces waste, and drives efficiency at scale. Kyveris is built on nine decades of engineering. Thou- sands of production systems installed worldwide have taught us: how ink meets substrate, how jobs behave across shifts, how quality drifts and how to prevent it. This knowledge – captured, structured, and continuously ex- panding – is what drives Kyveris™ learning. Without revealing full details at this stage, Kyveris™ marks the transition from precision hardware to produc- tion intelligence. Machines, software, data and processes converge into an intelligent, continuously learning produc- tion system. The goal is a production environment that is not only automated, but transparent, reproducible and in- creasingly autonomous – moving toward our vision of the “lights-out factory.” Kyveris™ is not an isolated innovation initiative nor a distant future scenario. It is the logical consequence of decades of in-house development in digital printing and additive manufacturing, evolving market demands, ad- vances in data architecture and artificial intelligence, and the strategic acquisitions Durst has consistently pursued in recent years. Christoph Gamper, CEO and co-owner of the Durst Group, explains, “Durst has never been a manager of the status quo. We have always been a creator of the next standard. After 90 years of precision engineering, we are taking the next logical step: production intelligence for digital printing and additive manufacturing. We no longer think of production as a machine or a workflow, but as an intelligent, continuously learning system. With Kyveris™, we are defining the next evolutionary stage of digital produc- tion technology.”
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
OHIO BLOW PIPE/ADVANCED AIRSYSTEMS www.obpairsystems.com For 85 years the Ohio Blow Pipe company and its whol- ly owned subsidiary, Advanced Airsystems, have provided the corrugated and folding carton industries with systems and products to process scrap. We engineer, fabricate, in- stall, service, provide system audits, and offer a wide range of scrap systems, dust collection systems and products to include cyclones, under roof AIR-SCREEN™ systems, pit belt systems, CLEANAIR dust collectors, Mist-Clone™ dust control systems for vacuum feeds, material handling fans, ductwork, switch valves, airveyors, balers, and shredders. OMP www.omp.com OMP helps companies facing complex planning challenges to excel, grow and thrive by offering the best digitized sup- ply chain planning solution on the market. Its Unison Plan- ning concept has a unique approach. It handles all supply chain planning challenges in a unified way, synchronizing all planning stages, horizons, functions and roles. Hundreds of customers run OMP’s cloud-based solution to generate more value by making informed decisions. OMP invests one out of every three dollars earned into innovation.
PAPER AND DUST PROS, INC. www.paperanddustpros.com
We custom design, install and service air conveyed scrap and dust collection systems. Our unique APS® is smaller, lighter, and more reliable than current cyclones. Contact us to learn how the APS® System can enhance your operation.
PROFERO SYSTEMS, INC. www.ProferoSystems.com
Profero Systems the leader in double facer heating and traction section conversions and performance enhancing products. Featuring products from Contact Bars and Com- pensating Rolls to New Glue Machines and Double Facers. GF PUHL www.gfpuhl.com GF PUHL designs, manufactures and installs air conveyed scrap & dust collection systems for the packaging and cor- rugated industries. With 42 years of experience, USA and In- ternational. We offer below or above roof systems featuring cyclones OR screen separators with real time pressure bal- ancing for optimal dust control. High efficiency cyclones for sheet transfer exhaust systems eliminate water consump- tion and deliver dust directly to compactor or briquetter for low maintenance, long term sustainability and reliability.
QUEST7, INC. www.Quest7.us
Quest7, Inc. is focused on being a leading manufacturer and distributor of critical parts and materials required in the cor- rugated box industry. Our commitment of “Bringing the Best to You,” reflects the level of quality and customer response in what we do every day.
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