BoardConverting Serving the North American Corrugated and Folding Carton Industries for 40 years December 16, 2024 VOL. 40, NO. 51
The Linpac Legacy, Part One: A Culture Of People & Innovation BY LEN PRAZYCH In the nearly four decades since Board Converting News was born in 1985 and became the voice of the North American corrugated and folding carton industries — this industry institution celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2025 — not once has an article been published on a box business that ceased to exist as an entity for nearly as long. What would be the point of sifting through the memories of yet another inde- pendent company that became the casualty of yet another acquisition by an integrated, which was then gobbled up or merged with another, then another, and so the story goes.
KraftPal Opens First NA Facility In Ontario, CA
Pasadena, California based KraftPal an- nounced a new milestone with the grand opening of its first North American production facility in Ontario, California. Located at 2038 E. Cedar Street, the new state-of-the-art plant represents a significant step forward in the company’s mission to transform the logistics industry with sustain- able and innovative pallet solutions. One of the key highlights of the day was the unveiling of the Palletonator, an advanced automated production system capable of pro- ducing up to 1.5 million corrugated cardboard pallets annually. These pallets are 80 percent lighter than traditional wooden alternatives, offering superior durability, better shock ab- sorption, and enhanced hygiene. Guests, including California state, county and city officials, industry leaders, and sus- tainability advocates, vendors, customers and partners, had the opportunity to see the Pal- letonator in action to demonstrate its speed and precision. Dr. Charles Huang, Founder and Chairman of Pasaca Capital — the company’s majority shareholder — was onsite to celebrate the CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
WHAT’S INSIDE
But what if the memories and indeed, the history of said acquired independent were of enough interest to satisfy those corrugated in- dustry veterans longing for the memories and culture of days long past, yet significant enough to hold lessons for the future of an industry so critical to the national and global economies? Might it be worth a read? The memories of this long-extinguished fire known as Linpac were kicked around by corrugated industry veteran Richard Goldberg , whose name should be familiar to readers of Board Converting News and anyone else searching for answers on anything and everything CONTINUED ON PAGE 20 Linpac was a subsidiary of Linpac Group Limited, which was founded in 1959 in Lincolnshire England as Lincolnshire Packaging to produce paper packaging for local fresh food producers.
6 x x 8 x x 12 x x 26 x x Green Bay Packaging Modernizing Arkansas Mill Hans Koch, Packaging Pioneer, Dies At 87 PPC Recaps Highlights At Folding Carton Boot Camp 18 Pamarco, Bingham Flexo Ser- vices, Celebrate Partnership
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“This facility, our automation and engineering design is a game-changer,” he said. “With growing demand for sus- tainable supply chain solutions, we’re proud to lead the way in transforming the pallet industry in North America.”
AVERAGE CONTAINERBOARD PRICES The average prices reported are tabulated from prices PAID by various sources throughout the United States the week previous to issue. Prices in some areas of the country may be higher or lower than the tabulated average. The prices tabulated here are intended only for purposes of reference. They do not connote any commitment to sell any material at the indicated average. Transactions may be completed at any time at a price agreed upon by seller and purchaser. REGION 42# Kraft liner 26# Semi-Chem. Medium $ 900.00-925. 00 $ 825. 00 -$850.00 U.S. Average CANADIAN LINERBOARD & MEDIUM The average prices reported are tabulated from prices PAID by various sources throughout Canada. Prices may be higher or lower in various areas of the country. The prices tabulated here are intended only for purposes of reference. They do not connote any commitment to sell any material at the indicated average. Transactions may be completed at any time at a price agreed upon by seller and purchaser. Prices are Canadian $ and per metric ton. 42# Kraft Liner 26# Semi-Chem Medium East $970.00 $960.00 West $1,015.00 $995.00 REGION
KraftPal Opens (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)
KraftPal’s corrugated cardboard pallets cater to a wide range of industries, including automotive, pharmaceuti- cals, medical instruments and retail, providing a greener, cost-effective alternative to traditional options. In October, Kraft Pal announced a strategic partnership with Orora Packaging to deliver its corrugated pallets to Orora’s customer base across the US. KraftPal has conducted extensive field tests and trials with over 200 multinational companies with its in-house R&D centre playing a crucial role in pursuit of improve- ments, inventions and customizations. Gregor Brajovic serves as CEO. KraftPal also has manufacturing facilities in Slovenia, Austria, Finland, England, and Saudi Arabia.
achievement. “This facility reflects our dedication to lever- aging advanced technology to drive both environmental and economic progress. It’s a bold step toward a more sustainable future in logistics,” he said. Strategically located in Southern California’s logistics hub, the Ontario plant positions KraftPal to serve markets efficiently across the United States and Mexico. The com- pany said it reinforces their ability to help businesses meet sustainability goals by reducing carbon footprints and em- bracing eco-friendly practices. Martin Fishman, President of KraftPal USA, expressed his excitement.
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AICC To Host Sales Webinar Featuring Todd Zielinski
AICC, The Independent Packaging Association, an- nounced an upcoming webinar, Manufacturing the Sale for Customer Packaging Manufacturers, set for Wednesday, January 8, at 2:00 p.m. This webinar is the third and final part of Todd Zielinski’s webinar series on increasing sales at your company. In today’s rapidly evolving sales landscape, packaging companies face many challenges that can impede growth and productivity. Todd Zielinski, Managing Director/CEO of Athena SWC, will delve into the current state of manu- facturing, focusing on new opportunities and account de- velopment while addressing the significant changes in the traditional sales environment. Webinar highlights include Insight into the Current Sales Climate; Evolution of Sales Models; Strategic Pro- cess Modeling; Practical Solutions; Sustainable Sales Practices; ROI Quantification and Decision Making. This webinar is for manufacturers of folding cartons, rigid boxes, and corrugated packaging, including brown boxes, RSCs, graphic retail packaging, subscription boxes, and point-of-purchase displays. Register at aiccbox.org . Questions can be directed to Rebecca Rendon, Sr. Manager of Education, at rrendon@ AICCbox.org or (571) 629-7613.
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GBP Modernizes Kraft Paper Mill In Morrilton, Arkansas
Green Bay, Wisconsin based Green Bay Packaging (GBP) announced a substantial investment in the modernization of its Arkansas Kraft paper mill in Morrilton, Arkansas. This multi-year project enhances the mill’s infrastructure and underscores the company’s commitment to sustainable practices and operational efficiency. The investment will encompass vital replacements of key process components, including the recovery boiler and biomass boiler infrastructure. Additionally, GBP is set to install an electric turbine generator, an integral element of the decarbonization strategy that will substantially re- duce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions. The proj- ect also includes the acquisition of approximately 300
acres of land for future investments and expansion, posi- tioning the mill for the long term. “The Arkansas Kraft Paper Mill, established in 1965 by my father, Jim Kress, has built a proud legacy as an indus- try leader. Today, I am excited to share that we are making
a significant investment in our Arkansas Mill. This initiative will enhance our opera- tional capabilities and solidify our compet- itive edge for the future,” said Will Kress, Chairman and CEO of Green Bay Packag- ing. “To uphold our commitment to inno- vation and excellence, we recognize the importance of investing in future technolo- gy,” said Matt Szymanski, Vice President of Mill Operations. “These investments only happen because of our hard-working and loyal workforce and a supportive commu- nity in Morrilton, Arkansas.”
Tim Connell Joins The Team At ACM
Patrick Szany and Phil Herring announced that Tim Connell joined the American Cor- rugated Machine Corporation as its new- est team member. Tim brings a wealth
of experience with over 25 years in the corrugated industry in sales and equip- ment, making him a valuable addition. He is recognized for his knowledge and workforce de-
velopment by offering resources to help box makers be more efficient, productive and maximize their profit. “I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to be a part of the American Corrugated Machine team,” said Connell. “I look forward to helping the company expand into new markets while continuing to deliver a high level of cus- tomer service to our customers.” Tim Connell
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Hans Koch, Packaging Industry Pioneer, Dies At 87 Hans Koch, a beloved leader, and visionary in the pack- aging industry, passed away peacefully on November 9, 2024, at his home in Edgewood, Washington. He was 87 years old. Born in Stendal, Germany in 1937, his early years were spent surviving WW2 and later occupancy by Russia.
One of Hans most significant contributions to the pack- aging industry was the development of independent sheet feeder partnerships. Founding Corrugated Synergies in 1998, CSI designed, built and managed over 14 sheet feed- ers/box plants with more than 100 partners. This strong work ethic and drive to succeed would fore- shadow the impressive 50+ year career that lay ahead for Hans. Over the course that half-century in addition to sheet feeders across the US and Canada, Hans owned and op- erated Allpak Packaging, Trojan Litho, Crown Packaging, CBC Corrugated and numerous other businesses. Hans was known for his innovative approach, tireless work ethic, and exceptional business acumen. Beyond his professional achievements, Hans was a de- voted family man who treasured time spent with his loved ones. He was known for his warm smile, genuine interest in others, and ability to make everyone feel valued and re- spected. He was an avid hunter and fisherman who loved spending time with friends and business partners at his properties in Old Harbor and Sitka, Alaska and the Bull Riv- er guest ranch in British Columbia. Hans was deeply committed to his community as well, being a generous philanthropist who supported causes close to his heart, including his love of animals. He also mentored many young professionals in the packaging in- dustry, sharing his expertise and helping them develop their careers. He maintained contact with his long-time business CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Hans was a rising soccer star in his Germany before escaping to En- gland with his mother and then im- migrating to Toronto, Canada at the age of 17. As he pursued his pas- sion for athletics, Hans developed a strong work ethic and interest in the packaging industry, working nights and weekends at Domtar
Hans Koch
Packaging while putting himself through high school and college. After 7 years in Toronto, Hans was promoted and moved his family to Calgary. Belkin Packaging convinced Hans and family to move again to Vancouver, BC as Director of Manufacturing. En- ticed by his Sales Manager to form a partnership, his first experience in ownership was a sheet plant, Boxmaster in Vancouver. Owning and operating a sheet plant con- vinced him of the need for a reliable source of sheets.
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Hans Koch (CONT’D FROM PAGE 8)
course offers newcomers to the corrugated sector a sol- id foundation in the fundamentals of papermaking — the bedrock for good, corrugated sheets. For more than 50 years, the annual course curriculum has been continually updated to keep pace with changing technology. “This is the most comprehensive, four-day introducto- ry- to intermediate-level pulp and paper course in the in- dustry,” said Course Chair and Professor Emeritus of Paper Science & Engineering at North Carolina State University, Dr. Michael Kocurek. “The curriculum covers everything from the incoming wood and chips, pulp mill operations, chemical recovery, recycling, stock prep, paper machine operations, pulp and paper quality, and environmental topics.” Participants will gain a broad perspective exploring the entire pulping and papermaking process, increase their ability to contribute to improving box production, get per- sonalized answers to specific questions and operating problems, and learn how to interact more knowledgeably with suppliers, process engineers and operators, too. Re- view the course schedule for more information on the top- ics planned. This course is ideal for technical box plant profes- sionals, supervisors, suppliers, consultants, as well as non-technical personnel. For more information including registration details, visit tappi.org/ipp or contact TAPPI Academy Training and Development Manager, Clay Old- ham, at coldham@tappi.org.
partners, customers, and friends until the very end. Hans’ legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched, the companies he built, and the values he in- stilled in others. He will be remembered as a strong leader, a caring mentor, and a loving family man who lived life with purpose and compassion. A couple of his favorite expres- sions, ‘it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey” and “eat dessert first, life is uncertain.” He had a great run. Hans was preceded in death by his mother Anna, his father Georg, and lifetime friend and brother Felix. He is survived by his sister, Sylvia, his three children Doreen, Ralph and Gregory and their mother Karin. Eight grandchil- dren Caitlin, Anna, Venessa, Kristi, Cruize, Nicholas, Hailey and Rowan and one Great Grandson Kaiser. Memorials can be sent to one of Hans’ favorite causes, The Old Harbor Scholarship Fund, Old Harbor, Alaska, and the American Cancer Society in Hans’ name. Registration Open For TAPPI Intro To Pulp And Paper Technology Course TAPPI announced the upcoming Introduction to Pulp and Paper Technology Course set for January 13-16, 2025, in St. Petersburg, Florida. While it may sound like the content only applies to the papermaking side of the industry, this
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PPC Fall Folding Carton Boot Camp Equips Industry Professionals With More Expertise BY PAPERBOARD PACKAGING COUNCIL PPC recently concluded our sold-out Fall Folding Carton Boot Camp, held on November 12-13 at PPC Headquarters in Springfield, Massachu- setts. The immersive two-day event offered participants a comprehen- sive educational experience, seamlessly combining technical insights, hands-on learning, and expert-led discussions. Attendees gained a deep understanding of the folding carton industry, exploring topics such as material selection, production techniques, sustainability practices, and the latest innovations. Our Fall Folding Carton Boot Camp featured a distinguished lineup of industry leaders who brought a wealth of expertise and diverse per- spectives. Steve Rote, Technical Director at Metsä Board Americas Cor- poration, shared his 45+ years of experience in the printing and pack- aging industries, emphasizing the importance of technical training for
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corrugated box and folding carton plants. Aaron Stull, Midwest Sales and Marketing Professional at Integrity Fiber, offered insights into recycling innovation, drawing from his 19 years of experience in the industry. Rich Machovina, Director of Sales Operations at Graphic Packaging In- ternational, discussed his extensive career in sales and quality assur- ance, while Jennifer Lechlitner, Technical Services Manager at Graphic Packaging International’s Kalamazoo Mill, provided a detailed look into product quality and mill operations. The sessions also included Susie Stitzel, Director of Product Man- agement for Design and 3D Solutions at Esko, who explored structural design, workflow optimization, and color theory. Eric Frank, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Product Management at Koenig & Bauer North America, provided insights into printing processes, rotary cutting, and cold foil applications, drawing from his four decades in the industry. John Pettus, Director of Strategic Accounts at Wikoff Color Corp., show- cased his expertise in a variety of ink and coating technologies. Harold Leete, Sales Account Manager at Bobst North America, shared expertise in litho laminating, digital die-cutting, and hot foil ap- CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 Attendees of PPC’s Folding Carton Boot Camp analyze samples of various paperboard types during a collaborative session at the comprehensive two- day event.
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Folding Carton Boot Camp (CONT’D FROM PAGE 12)
The Perfect Combo Get Peak Performance From Your Equipment with Matched Component Sets
plications, while Travis Moellers of CTI Cutting Dies em- phasized the importance of precision tooling. Kirsty Drury, Application Engineer at Henkel Corporation, highlighted advancements in adhesives, and Gayle Harrop, Executive Vice President at Tamarack Products Inc., explored win- dow patching technology. Bill Rice, Product Manager at Heidelberg USA Inc., brought his expertise in folder glu- ers and carton styles, while Erich Murray of TPC Printing + Packaging delved into the production of rigid boxes. Throughout the event, participants engaged in ses- sions designed to provide a holistic understanding of the
Nothing’s more rewarding than a couple made for each other.
industry. These included an overview of the $10 billion paperboard packaging market in the U.S. and Canada, an exploration of growth trends, and an examination of the sustainability initiatives driving the industry forward, including innovations in recycling and forestry practices. The industry’s commitment to planting five trees for ev- ery one harvested has resulted in a 49 percent increase in tree populations over the last 50 years. Sessions also explored the potential of cutting-edge technologies like 3D fiber products, which offer biodegradable solutions to replace plastics in packaging. Technical expertise was at the heart of our Boot Camp event. Participants learned about the intricacies of pa- permaking, gaining a greater appreciation for processes like pulping, refining, and coating, as well as the unique properties of various paperboard grades, including Sol- id Bleached Sulfate (SBS), Folding Boxboard (FBB), and Coated Recycled Board (CRB). The event also featured hands-on sessions exploring folder gluer operations and the transformation of flat blanks into sophisticated cartons. Attendees explored modular designs, advanced quality control measures, and the application of innovative tech- nologies like image inspection modules and extrusion glu- ing systems. Discussions on rigid box fundamentals show- cased the durability, reusability, and luxury aesthetics that these packages bring to premium markets like cosmetics, electronics, and specialty foods. “Our Fall Folding Carton Boot Camp wasn’t just about Folding Carton Boot Camp graduates and Emily Leonczyk, Ex- ecutive Director/VP of PPC (far left), and Ben Markens, Presi- dent of PPC (far right), showcase their completion certificates.
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Acme Corrugated Box, Tavo Packaging Collaborate On Safety Hatboro, Pennsylvania based Acme Corrugated Box an- nounced a recent visit by Alex Warren, Safety Committee Chairperson from Tavo Packaging, focused on sharing and learning best practices in workplace safety. Acme said the partnership exemplifies how its commitment to safety not only benefits its team but also extends outward, strength- ening industry relationships and fostering a culture of con- tinuous improvement. “Spending the day with Tom at Acme and learning how Acme approaches safety was really eye-opening and in- formative. I am able to bring so much of what I learned back to Tavo. Acme’s safety program is top-notch, and I’m hoping we can someday get Tavo’s safety program to the same level,” Alex said. The idea originated with John Marchant, a Packaging Consultant with Acme, who suggested that Alex and the safety team at Tavo connect with Tom Wertman, Acme’s Safety Manager, to gain insights as Tavo worked to estab- lish their own safety protocols. As Tavo’s operations grow, they’re focused on creating a robust safety committee and enhancing their safety stan- dards. Rather than a formal consultation, this was a friendly exchange of best practices — a benchmarking opportunity CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
Folding Carton Boot Camp (CONT’D FROM PAGE 14)
learning the mechanics of folding cartons—it was about inspiring a new wave of professionals to lead the industry forward. By equipping them with the technical expertise and strategic insights they need, we are building a founda- tion for a sustainable and innovative future in paperboard packaging,” said PPC President Ben Markens. To support their learning journey, attendees received a comprehensive binder containing over 20 technical pre- sentations, the 2023-24 Trends Industry Outlook & Market Data Report Summary by Fast Markets RISI, and samples of various paperboard types. Practical tools like printer’s loupes and color quizzes allowed participants to apply their knowledge directly, making the experience both en- gaging and impactful. Attendees left with a renewed sense of purpose and confidence in their roles within the paperboard packaging industry. Jeffrey Zelman of Baker-Titan Adhesives shared, “I’ve taken in so much during this Boot Camp. I feel more equipped than ever to engage with customers, dive deep- er into their concerns, and even have meaningful con- versations with printing managers—something I never thought I’d be able to do.” With the Spring 2025 Folding Carton Boot Camp al- ready scheduled for next May, we’re steadfast in our com- mitment to driving innovation, sustainability, and profes- sional growth for our members.
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Gluing on Specialty Folder Gluers is Our Specialty
Sustainability initiatives are changing the packaging landscape and Baumer hhs is ready to help you meet those challenges. Our PX1000 cold glue applicator coupled with the new ULT 400 XL are the pair to get it done. The PX1000 runs the widest ranges of non-contact cold glues and the ULT 400 XL verifies the glue dot or bead is in the right place without the aid of UV tracers, no matter the variety of board or thicknesses. Get your corrugated board onboard with Baumer hhs and let us show you how special you are to us.
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Acme, Tavo (CONT’D FROM PAGE 16)
that underscored the mutual respect between teams. The discussions ranged from Acme’s rigorous safety audits to hands-on safety strategies to ensure every team member remains vigilant and protected. Tom shared valu- able advice on building a safety-first culture, and Tavo’s team was inspired to bring these ideas back to their team.
The collaboration wasn’t just a one-time exchange but a meaningful way to strengthen ties between the compa- nies. As Tom noted, these interactions don’t happen with- out recognizing opportunities to make a positive impact. Acme said it is proud to be a resource and ally to Tavo Packaging as they enhance their safety program. Pamarco, Bingham Flexo Services Celebrate 27-Year Partnership Roselle, New Jersey based Pamarco and Bingham Flexo Services (BFS) are celebrating 27 years of cooperation with the signing of a new three-year agreement. BFS rep- resents Pamarco anilox and cleaning solutions in 14 states in the Midwest, along with a growing list of other manufac- turers such as Graymills, GrafiKontrol, Gama, and Inometa. BFS President, John Bingham, is proud of his team and the business they have built. “Our people are our biggest asset,” he said. “We have a very deep bench with over 190 years of combined expe- rience among a current staff of nine. It’s a testament to the experience and longevity of our employees. Representing Pamarco has truly been a win-win scenario for both com- panies.” John Burgess, President for Pamarco added, “The BFS team of highly skilled professionals have developed and maintained the Pamarco reputation for service and quality in the Midwest. We look forward to many more years work- ing together servicing our loyal clients.” Pamarco looks forward to the success of the ongoing partnership that will lead to innovative solutions for its cus- tomers, assisting them in a rapidly evolving market. For more information, visit pamarco.com .
info@pamarco.com 404-691-1700 Pamarco.com
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Ho days HAPPY TO YOU AND YOURS
May you and your family enjoy a holiday filled with warmth and cheer, and a happy, safe, and prosperous New Year.
Warmest Holiday wishes from all of us at the Geo. M. Martin Company.
CREATIVE SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS SINCE 1929
The Linpac Legacy (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)
age who have spent a fulfilling career and raised children and now enjoying grandchildren, he wanted to express his heartfelt thanks to the industry and the colleagues and customers, employers and employees, and friends who have become family, far too many to count, who contribut- ed to his knowledge, success and a career well lived and a life truly enjoyed. Goldberg’s suggestion for an as-of-yet untold story and
having to do with corrugators. Goldberg retired earlier this year after more than four decades of installing, starting
up and managing corrugators around the world for Linpac and its predecessors, then later at President Container Group where his years of experience helped him to create, build and manage one of the largest in- dependent facilities in the Unit- ed States. (He said rarely does a week goes by that he doesn’t get a call from someone around
the many personalities with whom it intersected for subse- quent decades began with his involvement in a corporation legally known as Lin Pac, Inc. (according to amended articles of incorporation in 1987, but for the sake of this article will be known as Linpac), which few
Richie Goldberg
the world seeking to tap his deep source of knowledge about a corrugator issue.) Like many of those of a certain
may remember as the British
Evan Cornish
DESIGNS THAT INCREASE PRODUCTION
company that by most reliable accounts, gave birth to the concept of the sheet feeder in the U.S. in the early 1980s. Gold- berg joined Linpac in 1982 with its first US investment in Syosset, New York. Linpac was a subsidiary of Linpac Group Limited, which was founded in 1959 in Lincolnshire England as Lincolnshire Packaging to produce paper packaging for local fresh food producers. (According to Wikipedia, Linpac Group Limited is an international business valued at almost £500,000,000, providing mainly foam plastic, injection moulding, flexible and corrugated packaging and supply chain manufacturing and services business. By 2015, it had amassed from all divisions approximately 8,000 employees world- wide.) One of the group’s founders was Evan Cornish , who was responsible for the initiative to bring Linpac to the U.S., and according to Goldberg, possessed the unique traits of having a brilliant business mind, as well as being a “true gentleman.” (Evan’s son, Michael , later oversaw growth of the company and after Evan’s passing in 2002, was part of the effort to sell Linpac Group Limited to a private equity firm.) Goldberg attributes Cornish’s belief in building the company’s family culture to creating relationships that have survived decades – he’s still maintains contact with both Cornish’s grown children and grand- children – and is part of the reason Gold- berg himself has remained in touch with many of those whose shared their mem- ories and stories for this article over a pe-
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The Linpac Legacy (CONT’D FROM PAGE 20)
riod of three months and several Zoom meetings. Like a gathering of classmates at a reunion, stories flowed out liberally, like the many “adult beverages” undoubtedly consumed over multiple Linpac business meetings and customer golf outings. The ’Wild West’ Of Corrugated “Ultimately, the Linpac story is about what we all did as a team of employees who became great friends and in the process, built a culture rarely seen in the corrugated industry today, or any industry, for that matter,” said Gold- berg. “Some of us are retired and some of us are still work- ing but we still stay connected by phone, text or Zoom. We’re a family and after 40 years, we’re still here.” The landscape of the corrugated industry was vast- ly different in the early 1980s. It was an exciting time in a niche but exploding market that saw young men and women starting their careers in what was essentially the “Wild West” of the corrugated industry, when innovation and technology converged with an entrepreneurial vision of what the future of American manufacturing could be. A key figure in the Linpac legacy was a British busi- nessman named Nigel Roe , who was tasked by Evan Cor- nish to start Linpac in the United States in the late 1970s. “I joined Linpac in 1978 after being interviewed by Mr. Cornish, a delightful man who was like a ‘favorite uncle’ to
CONTINUED ON PAGE 24
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December 16, 2024
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The Linpac Legacy (CONT’D FROM PAGE 22)
me,” said Roe. “I never before had the opportunity to come to America and I was surprised as hell to be offered a job with the company. Eighteen months later, I was on a plane to somewhere called Atlanta to start a box business. The opportunity was there and I took it. I’ve now been here for 44 years and finally became an American citizen four years ago.” The opportunity Roe described was starting something called a sheet feeder, a new concept with a mission of
servicing small box plants, sev- eral of them startups owned by disgruntled former executives of integrated companies. The owners of the startups realized they had to “scrounge around” large corrugated companies (read: their former employers) for spare capacity so they could make specialty boxes for their small but rapidly growing cus-
Nigel Roe
tomer base. Evan and Michael Cornish leapt at the invest- ment opportunity to service what appeared to be an insa- tiable demand for specialty boxes in the United States. “We bought a second-hand corrugator from a compa- ny called Louisiana Pacific and I remember they were just getting ready to install it when I arrived in Atlanta,” said Roe. “We finally got it up and running in August or Sep- tember. I remember when we produced the first piece of board off that corrugator and how excited we were to be in the sheet feeder business. “The original concept was that our customers would come and get the finished board from us, but we quickly found out that they were incapable of doing that because most of them didn't even own trucks suitable for transport- ing large board! So, we came up with a system by which we hired trucks, trailers and drivers to deliver to these new box makers a guaranteed supply of board they couldn’t get from the integrateds quickly. We were there to give them the support they needed to grow their businesses. Little did I know that in many cases, it was financial support we had to give them, too!” Roe recalled a man named Dick Brown coming in as the president of the fledgling Linpac. After seeing the suc- cess the company was having in Atlanta, Brown pushed for getting a second sheet feeder started up in Greens- boro, North Carolina, to exploit the untapped market there. A few years later, Linpac started yet another sheet feeder operation further west in Dallas, Texas. “We grew quite quickly and within five or six years, we had three fairly successful sheet feeders while forging relationships with the major paper suppliers of the time,” said Roe. “Dick Brown and I got along reasonably well for a while but Dick was a very aggressive and ambitious per- son. He saw an opportunity to join Pratt, which had started CONTINUED ON PAGE 26
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December 16, 2024
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The Linpac Legacy (CONT’D FROM PAGE 24)
called “RichieWare,” which he and Roe put in an IBM sys- tem 34 for use on mini-mainframe computers – an industry also in its infancy – to produce spreadsheets and budget systems for the Linpac sheet feeders. Nigel became an ex- pert in the use of Lotus 123, the original Excel. Color print- ers did not yet exist. “Let’s just say there was a lot of ‘trial and error’ that went into developing that early system,” admitted Gold- berg, who pointed to the fact that the evolution of comput- ers coincided with the evolution of Linpac as a company. “It was 1981 when we opened the Greensboro plant that I first worked with the IBM system 34 and later, the 36. We at Linpac were the first ones, in my recollection, that were able to tie directly into the Marquip knife and automate the system. It was Nigel’s and Bob’s trust in all of us Linpac employees that allowed us to become automated, which was a crucial factor in the company’s success.” Before the automated system was installed, all orders were handled by hand. Remembered Roe, “The girls used to write it down and put it in an order and then we had to shuffle the orders according to the paper grades we were using. Then we fed cards into a little machine to create trial balances because at that time we had no computer systems.” It was when Linpac committed to opening a corporate office in Atlanta in 1984 that Goldberg and his future wife picked up their roots in the New York area and moved CONTINUED ON PAGE 28
a company called Visy, and left Linpac to become a direct competitor. He later started Jet Corr in the Atlanta area at a time when corrugated companies began splintering.” With the departure of Brown, Bob Lang, another En- glishman, was named president of Linpac in 1985. Lang was and had always been a believer in people. “After a few years working at Bob’s side, he shared a frank con- versation on execution and growth in which he said that if he had to make ten decisions, I would surely get nine right and he was willing to bet on number 10. This was classic Bob. As the relationship with Nigel and Bob flourished, so did the trust and confidence in the employees and team to develop the business.” Linpac Automates Since Roe had been performing every role in Linpac from HR to AR and everything in between, he was also responsible for securing and implementing a computer system – including a finance accounting system – to au- tomate the rapidly growing company. This was about the time he met a young, brash and brilliant computer pro- grammer named Richard Goldberg, who was writing soft- ware for an IBM business partner in New York. Since it was the early 1980s and there were no com- puter systems that “lent themselves” to the corrugated industry, it was clearly time to create one. With a platform Goldberg developed a new and unique software product
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December 16, 2024
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The Linpac Legacy (CONT’D FROM PAGE 26)
it went down, I was the only one who was able to take orders by hand and then schedule them on the machine, which was a very proud moment for me.” Meador was quickly promoted to Sales Manager and was ably filling that role for about five years when Linpac’s controller asked her to “switch careers” from Sales to Ac- counting. Linpac paid for her to go back to school for two years to learn accounting. “I started as a receptionist and moved up the ranks
south. “I had nothing holding me down and Kathleen and I knew eventually we would get married, so I said ‘sure’ and now it’s 40 years later,” he said. “It was after we got our of- fice systems automated that we began to look at the major work involved in automating the corrugator.” Cindy Meador interviewed with Nigel in 1981 for a job at Linpac’s new Greensboro fa- cility three months before the corrugator went in. “I’d been a bank teller when a man came into the bank and said he was opening a corrugator plant and would anyone like a job. I went for an interview, met Nigel, and got a job as a receptionist,” she remembered. “After the inter- view, the first thing I did was call my father and ask him what corrugated was. I didn’t know! “What I recall is that when fax machines first came out, we bought them for our customers so they could use them instead of calling in their orders. This was a new and unique thing. I had been taking over 100 orders a day in the phone by hand, a lot of them between the hours of three and five o’clock for customers who wanted their box- es the next day. Later on, when we had a Kiwi system and Cindy Meador
because Linpac was an ‘equal opportunity’ employer, which allowed me and other strong women like Sherri Gar- land-Clemmer and Kathryn Bamer to thrive,” Meador said. “I ended my career as the com- pany controller and worked for Nigel until the Greensboro plant was shut down on my 51st birthday in 2008, when they
Sherri Garland-Clemmer
ran the last shift. It broke my heart.” It was at Linpac that Cindy met the love of her life, a beautiful man name Charlie, who was the third truck driver Linpac hired back in 1981 and who sadly, passed away sev- en years ago. Charlie will always be remembered as being part of the Linpac family. “I couldn’t ask for more from Linpac. It was a great ca-
CONTINUED ON PAGE 30
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Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
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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.
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“I started out on the production floor working on the double backer, then the single facer, then was moved to the third shift. Around that time, Linpac was looking for someone to be a part-time scheduler because the woman doing the job was going on maternity leave. I volunteered to take over temporarily and eventually went back to work on the corrugator. Turns out the woman who went on ma- ternity leave didn’t come back, so they moved me back into scheduling and I stayed there. Later on, I was back on the floor as a supervisor for a couple years, then moved into quality control, where we worked with our customers to go through ISO 9000 certification. “Eventually, I moved to Linpac Atlanta as a plant man- ager before moving back to Dallas because my wife wasn’t very happy living in Atlanta. I'm still working today and I’ve been with Georgia-Pacific going on 11 years as multi-facility director of operations and have four plants underneath me. Honestly, a lot of what I learned in this industry I learned at Linpac. When I went to other compa- nies I was like, ‘We were doing this [automation] 10 years ago. Where you guys been?’” “As far as technology and computers go, I can still re- member those little IBM computers that we strapped to our back and how at the bander we had the scanner unit on our wrist to scan the load tags to print out the count. It was just amazing how technologically savvy we were and how far ahead of everyone else we were. We also were ‘jack crazy’ enough to do a fully blown automated sched- uling system with Fosber to help them develop Kiwi’s or- der entry system, which was based on RichieWare. What we were doing way back then looks a lot like how Fosber communicates with the corrugator today.” James “JR” Robertson joined Linpac in March of 1986 in Atlanta after being interviewed by Michael Cornish and Nigel Roe. “I didn't think I was going to get hired because I was late to the interview,” Robertson said. “But somehow, I got hired and was assigned to work with a man named Terry Williamson, who brought in very interesting people, like the ones who would wear who Robin Hood outfits and
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