Board Converting News September 28, 2026

September 28, 2026

VOL. 42 NO. 39

BoardConverting Serving the North American Corrugated and Folding Carton Industries Since 1985

Morrisette Packaging Invests $25M For Corrugated Superiority BY LEN PRAZYCH For Morrisette Packaging, the Browns Summit, North Carolina, based manufacturer that has been providing design services and packag- ing-related products to a growing customer base for 63 years, the jour- ney—to next-generation, best-in class, state-of-the-art, bleeding edge, and whatever other superlative one can use to describe the assem- blage of machinery that signals a new day in high-graphics corrugated converting—is complete.

Corrugated Week 2026 Kicks Off In Fort Worth

Welcome to Fort Worth! Corrugated Week 2026, jointly hosted by TAPPI and AICC, of- ficially kicks off today at the Fort Worth Con- vention Center, and before diving into three busy days, there are a few things to know. Badges can be picked up at the event reg- istration desk in the 13th Street Lobby of the Fort Worth Convention Center. While you’re there, be sure to grab your print copy of Board Converting News ! If you haven’t already, download the Cor- rugated Week Event App. It’s the easiest way to keep the week organized, with the full schedule, session and speaker information, exhibitor details and conference updates all in one place. You can also build a personal- ized schedule and use the app to navigate the conference. Now grab your badge, check the app and enjoy the show. Additional details can be found at www.corrugatedweek.org .

WHAT’S INSIDE

WHAT’S INSIDE 12 NCM Forms Partnership With Fossaluzza SRL 14 Acme’s Cohen Shares Thoughts On State Of Corrugated Industry 20 Baysek Introduces Larger Format Die Cutter 26 A Life Of Showing Up: Eric Frank’s Commitment To People 50 JM Fry Thrives In Wake Of Acquisition 6 x x 8 x x 12 x x 26 x x America Announce Partnership 7 SUN Automation, Elitron

The last act of this six-decade performance began in 2020 when the largest segment of the manufacturer’s multi-product offerings was decisively corrugated, and when the massive potential corrugated rep- resented for the future of Morrisette Packaging was acknowledged by Bill Morrisette, Jr., the son and second-generation steward of the com- pany founded by his parents, Bill Morrisette, Sr. and Nancy Morrisette in 1962. “Given the success we were having with corrugated for the past few years, we asked ourselves if we wanted to invest even more to achieve our goal of vertical integration,” says Morrisette, Jr. “With the first seeds of potential new growth planted and with the support of our board and our management team, the answer was a resounding ‘yes.’” CONTINUED ON PAGE 34 John Morrisette, President of Morrisette Packaging, right, with Kevin Erbe, National Sales Manager for Koenig & Bauer, in front of “The Beast,” the Koe- nig & Bauer|Celmacch ChromaCUT High Tech 8-color Rotary Die Cutter.

BCN Announces Promotions, Appointments, New 2027 Ad Rates, Updates To Monday Morning Emails Board Converting News is using the occasion of Corrugat- ed Week 2026 to make announcements of key person- nel changes, new changes to its popular Monday Morning e-mail telling the corrugated and folding carton industries that the current week’s issue is online, and to introduce its 2027 Advertising and Sponsorship Rate Kit.

take BCN, its subscribers and its advertisers to new levels of news and event coverage in terms of being the premier publication—in print and online—for the North American corrugated and folding carton industries for the future,” said Len Prazych. “I’m also excited to introduce our newly revamped media kit, which will present the digital advertis- ing opportunities our advertisers have been asking for and the editorial opportunities our readership craves.” BCN’s new Monday

Morning e-mail blast will immediately offer read- ers access to BCN’s weekly feature article, the unique differentia- tor that has helped the publication to stand out among its competitors every week for more than 42 years! Advertis- ers and sponsors will ap- preciate the fact that the Monday morning news- letter—as well as the lim-

Ashley Prazych Greg Kishbaugh

Greg Prazych

Ashley Prazych has been elevated to the role of Edi- tor in Chief, Greg Kishbaugh has been appointed Digital Content Manager, and the company’s newest hire, Greg Prazych will assume the role of Sales & Marketing Manag- er. Robyn Smith will continue to excel in her role of Sales Consultant, and Len Prazych will continue as President/ Publisher. “I’m confident that we’ve assembled the team that will

ited number of email blasts that may be sent other days of the week—is sent to the in-boxes of more than 6,500 subscribers. Visit www.boardconvertingnews.com for more infor- mation.

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SUN Automation, Elitron America Announce Strategic Partnership Glen Arm, Maryland based SUN Automation Group® has announced a strategic partnership with Elitron America, an Italian manufacturer of digital cutting and automation systems. Under the agreement, SUN Automation will rep- resent Elitron throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, bringing Elitron’s digital cutting and automation solutions to more box makers across North America. Since opening its Norcross, Georgia office in 2017, Eli- tron has continued to build its North American presence through a growing corrugated install base and local sales and technical support. “With SUN Automation, we now reach more box mak- ers through a name they already trust,” said Daniele Gal- lucci, President of Elitron America Inc. “What they get is a system built for corrugated, not adapted to it. That differ- ence shows up on the floor every day.” Elitron develops automated digital cutting systems for corrugated packaging, displays and industrial appli- cations. Its KOMBO line ranges from standalone cutters to fully automatic pallet-to-pallet systems with automatic pallet swap, built around patented Elitron technologies in- cluding the Seeker System vision platform and AiroPanel unloading. Over 100 fully automatic KOMBO TAV systems are installed worldwide.

“We heard strong feedback from customers already us- ing Elitron equipment, and that gave us confidence in both the company and the reliability of its technology,” said Gokul Gopakumar, Vice President of Technology and Busi- ness Development at SUN Automation Group. “The level of automation they bring was also important to us because it aligns with what we’re seeing customers look for across the corrugated industry.”

For SUN Automation, Elitron represents an opportunity to add digital cutting to its broader corrugated offering. The technology complements SUN Automation’s existing solutions and expands the range of production challenges the company can help customers address. “Our customers are looking at the entire production op- eration and asking where new capabilities can create val- ue,” said Greg Jones, Executive Vice President at SUN Au- tomation Group. “Elitron broadens the range of solutions SUN Automation can bring to the market and strengthens our ability to support customers as their production needs evolve.”

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Williams Jr., Former CEO Of Richmond Corrugated, Dies At 88 Daniel Lassiter Williams Jr. (Danny), former CEO of Rich- mond Corrugated Inc, died peacefully at 88, after a five- month battle with lung cancer. Danny was born in Richmond, VA on November 5, 1937.

He attended Ginter Park and St. Chris- topher’s Schools and enrolled early at the University of Virginia. He graduat- ed in 1959 with a BA in Psychology. After graduating from UVA, Danny embarked on a career in the paper and packaging industry. He worked in containerboard sales for Albemarle

Danny Williams

Paper Company, Forest Board Sales and Great Northern Paper Company before founding his own business Rich- mond Corrugated Box in 1971. He built the sheet plant from scratch with seed capital he raised by downsizing his home and selling his wife’s car. Through hard work and determination, the business gradually started generating consistent profits by the mid 1970’s. At its height, Rich- mond Corrugated Inc employed over 100 people. In 2017 the company was purchased by Hood Container. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years Georga, their three children, six grandchildren, six great grandchil- dren, and his sister Peggy.

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NCM Forms Partnership With Fossaluzza SRL In North America Hunt Valley, Maryland based National Corrugated Machin- ery (NCM) has announced the formation of its partnership with Fossaluzza, SRL of Codogne, Italy. As a result, NCM is the exclusive representative of Fossaluzza SRL machinery for the United States and Canada.

and experience to the North American corrugated market. The partnership came about as a result of two fami- ly-run business forming a bond over the shared experienc- es, values and strategic insights of the father-son team of Michael and Evan Clary of NCM and Tiziano de Vido and Michele de Vido from Fossaluzza. “We’re very excited to partner with Fossaluzza and bring their proven equipment and technology to custom- ers throughout the United States and Canada,” said Evan

From left, Evan Clary, Michele de Vido, Michael Clary and Tiziano de Vido.

Fossaluzza specializes in prefeeding machinery for corrugated converting machines, automatic palletizing equipment, and other process optimization equipment. With a long history of success and 400+ installations glob- ally, Fossaluzza will bring proven technology, reliability,

Clary of National Corrugated Machinery. “From our first conversations, it was clear that our two companies share many of the same values—particularly when it comes to relationships, customer service, and doing business the right way.”

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Acme’s Cohen Shares Thoughts On State Of Corrugated Industry As the corrugated industry navigates rising container- board prices and ongoing uncertainty, Board Converting News connected with Bob Cohen, President of Acme Cor- rugated Box for his perspective on some of the issues af- fecting box makers today. At the helm of a family-owned company with 108 years in the industry, Cohen also reflects on the values that have contributed to Acme’s growth over the years. Since you shared your thoughts on the containerboard price increases earlier in the year, we’ve seen additional increases and most recently, developments in a lawsuit about alleged pricing collusion among some of the inte- grateds. What was your reaction to this news?

How do you think all this will affect the independents? As you are aware I was quite concerned about the second announced $50.00/ton increase. I thought that

raising prices $100.00/ton in a four-month period was simply too much, too soon. The most recent announcements are even more troubling to me. Maybe I am a rarity, but I care about how our clients view our industry’s reputation, and more important- ly how they feel about us. Since containerboard increases must

Bob Cohen

be passed on to our box clients, it appears that raising box prices more than 25 percent (+/-) in a nine-month period is a self-destructive and self-defeating exercise. I believe that this next increase will have little merit, and if instituted will cause uncertainty and a level of chaot- ic competitive activity in the market.

Box volume, as reported by Bloomberg, is tepid at best. It has also been shown that rising box prices have the effect of tamping down demand further. It seems to me that any advances in Containerboard pricing will end up being a self-inflicted wound. As to the anti-trust action, the com- monality of announcements that offer up the same timeline, and often at the same percentage, might lead one to assume that this is signaling, a basic anti-trust activity. Just the other day Judge Mary Rowland cited this factor in her ruling, causing her to continue the antitrust litigation. May- be these historical antitrust actions are viewed by the major producers as just a “cost of doing business”! For Independents like us this rapid rise in prices will most likely impact margins as clients seek to mitigate the rising box prices. No question it increases pressure on Independents, and makes the market a little more treacherous to navigate. Is there anything about the current state of the industry that feels particularly dif- ferent to you, or do you see some familiar patterns repeating themselves? The patterns are familiar. Sorry to say this but outside of the entrepreneurial spir- it of the independent operator our industry is not populated by the best and brightest. I think there is an element of opportunism in what we are experiencing this year. It certainly has a historical precedent. May- be the runup in plastics, due to the Iranian conflict, is giving the Containerboard pro- ducers a form of “cover”. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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Cohen Q&A (CONT’D FROM PAGE 14)

“grind it out” business. A commitment to hard work must be accepted. It takes grit, determination, commitment, in- telligence, market savvy, and a good deal of luck. You must be able to roll with the punches, you must have the right people on the “bus”, you must keep pace with technology and ultimately you must be a risk taker. The capital now required to enter the business really precludes most po- tential entrants, not to mention the time it takes for any “greenfield” startup to get to profitability. Accordingly, the box business is not for the faint of heart! I understand philanthropy and community involvement are values of yours, both personally and through Acme. Where does that come from for you? And how does it tie into the way you run the business? Maybe I am unusual, but material wealth is not an end all or be all for me. Work certainly has benefits. If you work hard, you deserve the fruit of your labor. I never criticize those that attain financial success through hard work and then live the life they have envisioned for themselves. To me there is more to life than seeking material goods. I am not religious in the traditional sense, but I believe in spir- ituality. I really don’t care what religion you believe in but the important thing to me is can you leave the community a little better than you found it. While I grew up in a middle-class family, my wife’s early childhood was fraught with financial insecurity. We both have worked hard to secure our future. Still amassing

After all the price of petrochemical products has cer- tainly reached extreme levels. The difference is that once the basic raw material(oil) retreats to more reasonable levels the price of those petrochemical products will be reduced. I don’t see a reduction in the input costs impact- ing Containerboard in the same light. There is no prece- dent for Containerboard producers to lower the price of Containerboard once input costs are reduced. Remember these increases are not demand driven so one might as- sume that lower input prices would imply a lowering of Containerboard prices. Even though that might seem logi- cal I wouldn’t “bet the ranch on it!” Acme is a successful business that’s been around for over a hundred years; surely it’s seen its fair share of ups and downs. Do you have any advice for other indepen- dent box makers on riding these waves and navigating the uncertainty of the current environment? Yes, we are 108 years old. I look around and, in my 57,+ years of work I have seen major players come and go. The competitive landscape has changed dramatically. I am of- ten amazed at how we have attained the level of business we now enjoy. I have seen the independent market shrink. The consolidation that continues involves family business- es being absorbed by larger competitors or those that fail to make the generational transition. As I explained to my son , Jeremy, many years ago, the box business is a

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

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Cohen Q&A (CONT’D FROM PAGE 16)

What keeps you excited about coming to work every day? And when you look at the next generation of the business, both at Acme and the greater corrugated in- dustry, what gives you confidence about where it’s headed? What keeps me interested and focused is the high level of achievement that we have attained. It is not by happen- stance that we have one of the most automated box plants in the country. If I have one trait that keeps our company in the ‘game” it is an optimism that propels me to invest in people and processes. I welcome the challenge of competition. In fact, you can’t really hone your skills without someone chasing you from behind. I must admit that if you beat me on the tennis court I can accept that, but in the field of box converting you better bring your “A” game. As our company transi- tions to the next generation, I am sure that the lessons learned by my sons will ensure that the cultural tradition of aspiring to be the best will continue. Any other thoughts you want to share with the industry? We would all like to complain about the foibles of our industry. Frankly, the industry has been extremely kind to my family and I. Yes, you must work hard, and the right decisions must be made, but all that aside, the pathway to success is there for you to seize. I am very grateful to this country for what it has afforded me. From poverty that my father knew to the American dream in one generation. Not bad by any standard!

wealth without making an impact seemed hollow to us. Consequently, we found meaning in advancing education- al opportunities for those willing to make the effort in the inner-city schools in Philadelphia. In Judaism there is a long-standing desire to improve the world around us. The Hebrew basis for such work is called “Tikkun Olam “which when translated means “Heal the World”. My father set the example by working during his lifetime to improve the lot of young people in the neighborhoods through the various charities he funded. Enriching the lives of strangers is more rewarding than one would imagine. Seeing young people strive for suc- cess when born to less than ideal circumstances is a con- stant motivator for my wife and I. I believe that integrity in all you do is a reflection on what type of human being you are. Leading by example is critical to the success of a family business. Passion, Com- mitment, Honesty, Empathy are all elements that good leaders demonstrate. The elements that inspire me to work within the community are the same elements that we use in recognizing and honoring our staff. I get great joy from seeing the growth in people as they contribute to the growth of our company. It’s a form of a psychological re- ward that one gets when the effect of good business poli- cy results in the successful growth of individuals who play an important part in the overall success of the company.

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Baysek Introduces Larger-Format Die Cutter, The C250 ‘Stretch’ Baysek is preparing to launch its newest and most pow- erful machine yet: the C250, also known as “The Stretch.” Built for large-format corrugated production, the C250 is being developed for converters who are ready to expand capacity, simplify operations, and stay ahead of increasing customer demand. Newly appointed CEO, Jeff Jensen, reports “As our company continues to grow and reach new markets, we know we must continue evolving with the needs of our customers. Many corrugated plants have been asking for a larger-scale die cutter that can support bigger board sizes, heavier-duty work, and higher-volume production. The C250 is Baysek’s answer to that need.” The addition of this new machine to their automatic die cutter machine line plays a crucial part in Baysek’s bigger growth plan. Just last year, the company expanded its operations to include a smaller scale die cutter, the HF101 “Baby Baysek”. The C250 gives them a full line of machine sizes allowing them to represent corrugated converters at every stage in the market. The C250 is more than the launch of a new machine. It represents the another step in a larger plan for Baysek to continue expanding its operations, strengthen- ing its product line, and opening new possibilities for the corrugated industry. As customer needs continue to grow,

Baysek is committed to growing with them—investing in new capabilities, larger-format solutions, and practical equipment that helps converters take on more work with confidence. Built To Stretch What’s Possible The first C250 is currently being developed and man- ufactured for Ox Box, based in Illinois, USA. Ox Box is known for heavy-duty industrial packaging produced at

high speed, making it a strong fit for the first machine of its kind. As the first machine of its kind and the largest-format die cutter in the market, the C250 is designed to open new possibilities for converters ready to take on bigger, more demanding work. While the C250 represents a major step forward in size and scale, it will remain closely connected to Baysek’s trusted C190 die cutter. Operators can expect many famil- The initial rendering of the new C250 “Stretch” machine.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

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SUN Showcases Equipment Support Solutions At Corr Week Glen Arm, Maryland based SUN Automation Group®, a global industry leader providing innovative solutions and machinery for the corrugated industry, is in Booth 101 at Corrugated Week 2026. SUN Automation will highlight more of the line and more of the support behind it, with solutions spanning ro- tary die cutting, flexo folder gluing, short-run boxmaking, and automated material handling. “Box plants are looking at their whole operation: what they need to replace, what they can upgrade, where auto- mation makes sense, and how they’re going to keep that equipment running,” said Greg Jones, Executive Vice Pres- ident at SUN Automation Group. “We work hard to make sure SUN Automation is a partner customers can rely on across more of their operation, not just for one machine.” Corrugated Week attendees can learn more about the SUN625® HD Rotary Die Cutter, LMC Mini and Jum- bo flexo folder gluers, PARA automated material-handling solutions, including the CRAB system, and the Kolbus BX Motion Pro for short-run boxmaking. The portfolio reflects SUN Automation’s broader role across corrugated con- verting, boxmaking and material handling. SUN Automation will also highlight ways plants can ex- CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

Baysek (CONT’D FROM PAGE 20)

iar mechanisms and functions, helping make the transition to larger-format production more approachable for teams already working with Baysek equipment. Follow The Build As the C250 takes shape, Baysek plans to share reg- ular build updates on social media, including LinkedIn. “We invite customers, partners, and anyone interested in large-format corrugated production to follow along, watch the progress, and reach out with questions,” said Ben Liskey, Vice President of Sales. “This build is unlike any- thing I’ve seen in the industry, and it’s exciting to be part of something that pushes the market forward. I’m excited to see the C250 come to life and get it into the hands of production teams that need this kind of capability.” See Us at TAPPI/AICC Corrugated Week Baysek will also be at the upcoming TAPPI/AICC Cor- rugate Week show in Fort Worth, Texas this September 28–30. Attendees are invited to stop by their booth #438 to learn more about the full line of Baysek machines and how they can help corrugated plants increase production, improve efficiency, and take on a wider range of jobs. The Baysek team will be available to answer questions, discuss plant needs, and share updates and additional information about the C250 “Stretch” as development continues. For more information, please contact sales@baysek. com.

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chine-level data into operational insight and greater visibil- ity into equipment performance. “The real value comes from knowing what the machine is telling you and being able to act on it,” said Gokul Go- pakumar, Vice President of Technology and Business De- velopment at SUN Automation Group. “Helios gives plant teams greater visibility into machine performance, while

tend the value of existing equipment, including the SUN lead edge feeder, PLC and controls modernization, and Langston counter-ejector and folder-exit upgrades. “For many plants, modernization is an important part of the equipment strategy,” Jones said. “The right upgrade

or retrofit can help customers address aging systems and support continued performance without requiring a full machine replacement or rebuild.” Beyond equipment and modernization, SUN Automa- tion will highlight parts and service, PERFORM+ preventive maintenance, and Helios connected machine intelligence. Helios is SUN Automation’s IIoT-enabled connected machine intelligence platform, helping box plants turn ma-

PERFORM+ and SUN Automation’s broader support ca- pabilities help turn that visibility into smarter maintenance and equipment decisions.” Corrugated Week attendees can visit SUN Automation Group at Booth 101 to learn more about how SUN Automa- tion supports box makers across more of the production line and throughout the equipment lifecycle. Visit: www.sunautomation.com .

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24 September 28, 2026

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A Life Of Showing Up: Eric Frank’s Commitment To PPC And The People BY LAUREN ZUBER If you ask Eric Frank how he feels about being celebrated, he will probably try to change the subject. Recognition makes him uncomfortable, and praise even more so. Frank would much rather be the one asking questions, making introductions, offering advice, or pulling someone else into the conversation. He is naturally more comfortable helping someone find their place in the room than standing at the center of it himself. So being named the Paperboard Packaging Council’s 2026 Volunteer Leader Award recipient puts Frank, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Koenig & Bauer (US/CA), Inc., in a position he would never seek on his own: at the center of the story. But perhaps that is exactly why his story is worth telling. Behind decades of service to PPC is a belief Frank learned long before he entered the printing and packaging indus- try: giving something back does not require wealth, status, or a grand gesture. “The most valuable thing in life is time,” Frank said. For Frank, that idea goes much further back than his years of leadership. He grew up in a large family where service to others was simply part of life. Some of his clearest childhood memories are of watching his mother

make time for the people around her. He remembers sit- ting in the car while she delivered meals through Meals on Wheels, joining her at Paralyzed Veterans Association gatherings where they served food, and watching his fam- ily open their home through the Fresh Air Fund.

Those experiences quietly shaped Frank’s understand- ing of service. His mother showed him that giving back was often less about what you could provide than the will- ingness to show up for someone else. “I realized that giving back doesn’t have to be a big shiny item,” Frank recalled. “It can be just your soul or your person or your time.” That understanding would eventually follow him into an industry he discovered almost by accident, and into a community where showing up became one of the defining threads of his career. CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

26 September 28, 2026

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Eric Frank (CONT’D FROM PAGE 26)

Finding Something Worth Making Frank’s introduction to printing came in seventh grade, when he enrolled in a printing class. By high school, he was attending a technical program and learning the trade more seriously. That suited Frank, who has always been interested in finding points of connection. He still uses a conversational principle he learned years ago: FORD. Family. Occupation. Recreation. Dreams. Ask about any of those four things, he believes, and there is almost always somewhere two people can connect. One project he still remembers was a Jimi Hendrix poster he printed on a letterpress. Other students thought it was cool, and Frank remembers the satisfaction of cre- ating something tangible that other people responded to. There was something powerful in taking an idea, mak- ing it real, and seeing someone else appreciate the result. That feeling never completely went away. The work also gave Frank something else he valued: common ground. Printing was everywhere, and wherever he went, the industry gave him something to talk about with the people around him. It is a small detail that says a great deal about Frank. He pays attention to people, wants to understand what mat- ters to them, and has a way of making them feel like they belong in the conversation. Finding A Home In PPC Frank became involved with PPC during his years at Koenig & Bauer, when the company’s strong connection to packaging made the association a natural place to en- gage.

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What kept him coming back, however, was the commu- nity. Frank remembers arriving at PPC and sensing some- thing different from other associations he had known. The barriers between people seemed lower. People from dif- ferent companies and different parts of the industry could participate, contribute, and get to know one another. “I felt at home,” he said. Over time, that sense of belonging became a sense of responsibility. He wanted them to have a voice. Frank served on PPC’s Board of Directors, held lead- ership roles with the Membership and Marketing Commit- tees, contributed to PPC University and the PPCU Task CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Len Prazych at 518-366-9017 lprazych@nvpublications.com

28 September 28, 2026

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Eric Frank (CONT’D FROM PAGE 28)

wife, Diane, taught him to look for the good in people and see situations more generously. Mentors throughout his career taught him structure, discipline, and the value of giving someone your complete attention. Frank has carried those lessons forward in the way he leads others, offering his perspective, sharing what he knows, and giving people room to find their own way for- ward.

Force, and became a longtime instructor at Folding Car- ton Boot Camp, where he shared his expertise in printing processes, rotary cutting, cold foil, and other technologies with professionals across the industry. Yet the list of roles does not fully explain what Frank brought to them.

When he talks about becoming a leader within PPC’s Supplier (Associate) Member community, for example, he does not describe it as another title. He remembers looking around the room and seeing a significant group of suppliers with expertise and something important to con- tribute. “I felt a strong obligation and responsibility” to repre- sent supplier members, he said. For Frank, the role was an opportunity to make sure they were not only present, but an integral part of the conversation. Listening Before Leading One of the things Frank values most about PPC is the range of experiences its community brings together. Around the same table can be an independent converter, an executive from a large integrated organization, and a supplier partner, each bringing different responsibilities, pressures, and ideas about where the industry should go. Frank has spent enough time in those conversations to know the goal isn’t to get everyone to see things the same way. “The key to life is listening and not judging,” he said. His longtime interest in emotional intelligence has re- inforced that philosophy. Frank listens for more than the opinion itself. He wants to understand what is driving it, what matters to the person behind it, and where there may be enough common ground to move forward. At the same time, he has never believed progress re- quires perfect agreement. Frank is comfortable offering a strong opinion, considering what needs to change, and then making the decision. Learn from what happens next. Keep moving. That balance of listening carefully and knowing when to move forward has made Frank a steady presence during some of PPC’s most important periods of change. It is an approach shaped by people throughout his own life. His mother gave him his foundation for service. His

Making Room For What Comes Next When Frank talks about younger people entering print- ing and packaging, his enthusiasm for the industry is im- mediate. He wants them to understand that this is an industry where people make something real. A designer can walk into a store and see a structure they helped create. A salesperson can see a customer’s product on a shelf. An engineer or operator can point to a finished package and know the decisions, technology, and expertise required to get it there. “What you do, you’ll actually see in the real world,” Frank said. He hopes the next generation sees not just a job, but a career where they can make something real, build a life, and know their work matters. That desire to help other people see what is possible may be the clearest explanation for Frank’s decades of volunteer service. The Spirit Of The Volunteer Leader Award Created in 2009, the Volunteer Leader Award recog- nizes a PPC member or retiree whose time and talent have strengthened the association. Frank’s years of education, committee leadership, Board service, mentorship, and ad- vocacy embody that spirit. Yet when Frank imagines receiving the award at PPC’s Fall Meeting in Orlando, he is already looking beyond the moment on stage. What would mean the most to him is what might happen afterward: someone stopping him to continue a conversation, asking him to explain an idea further, or telling him that something he said helped them think differently about a challenge. He helped build a community. And he did it the way he learned to give so many years ago: by showing up, sharing what he had, and giving people one of the most valuable things any of us have to offer: his time.

30 September 28, 2026

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AES Helps Southern States Improve Scrap Handling, Air Quality Southern States Packaging Company, based in Spartan- burg, South Carolina, provides paper converting services, including tier sheets, slip sheets, coated rolls, and other products for corrugated box manufacturers. As production

created recurring cleanup needs on the roof. The air sys- tem also exhausted directly into the atmosphere without filtration, releasing dust and allowing paper scraps to col- lect on the roof. Together, these issues increased maintenance de- mands, disrupted production, and created ongoing house- keeping and air-quality concerns. AES designed and installed a turnkey scrap convey-

demands increased, its existing air conveyance and scrap handling system could no longer keep pace. Two rooftop cyclones jammed regularly, forcing pro- duction shutdowns while employees manually cleared them. In addition to interrupting production, the process

ance and dust filtration upgrade centered on two 48,000 CFM AirShark air material separators. The new units sep- arate scrap from the conveyance air stream, replacing the rooftop cyclones that had been prone to jamming. From there, the air is filtered through an interior drum filter and returned clean to the building rather than exhausting unfil- tered air into the atmosphere. Fine dust is directed to a briquetter, where particles are compressed into small discs or pucks for easier handling and disposal. The system also includes eight divert valves that aid in grade segregation across the converting lines. Those divert valves add an important layer of produc- tion flexibility. If one of Southern States’ two balers is in- operable, material can be redirected to the working baler, helping keep all production lines running rather than forc- ing a shutdown. To further support plant safety, AES added a spark de- tection and extinguishing system to the air conveyance lines, providing additional protection for production and supporting a safer work environment. AES handled the complete turnkey installation and commissioning of the upgraded system, including the re- moval and dismantling of the old rooftop cyclones. The completed system gives Southern States a cleaner, safer, and more reliable way to manage scrap and dust. By reducing stoppages due to cyclone jams and allowing ma- terial to be redirected when a baler is unavailable, the up- graded system helps ensure more consistent production. The new filtration approach eliminates dust discharge to the atmosphere, while the briquetting system simplifies fine-particle handling and disposal. Added spark detec- tion and extinguishing technology enhances production protection, and the overall system design supports lower maintenance demands.

Stay Connected! Be Informed!

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Len Prazych at 518-366-9017 lprazych@nvpublications.com

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