AI Panel (CONT’D FROM PAGE 26)
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
Zlatic: What advantages do independent companies have in AI adoption? Trinchi: I work for a large corporation, and it is hard to make change. Independent companies may be in a better position to move quickly. Large organizations have bigger budgets, but they are harder to influence, and change can take longer. Their risk exposure is also larger. Blizzard: I agree. Events like this are valuable because they create conversations, enabling us to work with OEMs and software vendors in the industry to get practical solu- tions off the ground. Audience Member: I have two questions. First, on as- set performance management: since many ROI use cases depend on scalability, how does being a single-site man- ufacturer influence your decisions around bigger invest- ments? Second, digital transformation is often more of a peo- ple and culture issue than a technology issue. How do you make sure the ROI does not disappear after a year because people leave, operations turns over, or no one maintains the process? Trinchi: That is exactly my fear, and why I try to avoid doing an “AI project” just for the sake of it. It has to be part of a broader culture change. We have people in our plants who have been there forever, and they are the only ones who know how to fix certain machines. The risk of not capturing that knowledge is greater than the risk of attempting to capture it with AI. We created an AI committee whose purpose is to eval- uate opportunities and determine where AI can save time, reduce waste, or improve a process. We meet monthly and keep these topics in front of the organization. Final comments from the panel included: Alvarez: The people on the floor are often the smart- est people in the building when it comes to the operation. Over the years, I have heard people explain a problem and thought, “I know how to help with that.” But you need that operational insight. AI is just a tool. Our responsibility is to use it in good faith and apply it to what the operation actually needs. Blizzard: The differentiator will not be AI itself; it will be the companies that can integrate business decisions into their processes. Do not get too hung up on the AI label. Focus on the problem you are trying to solve. If AI is the right tool, great. If another solution is better, that is fine too. Perkins: For us, success has come from finding places where people are pulling for the solution, not where we are pushing it on them. Every time we try to force a project on someone, it is harder. But when it saves that person time, they become much more engaged. Trinchi: If you are looking for a takeaway, go back to your plant and think about the repetitive tasks people are doing. If you do not have someone internally or an AI com- mittee, look for a supplier or partner who can help you get started.
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.
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.
28 June 29, 2026
www.boardconvertingnews.com
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator