Board Converting News, October 14, 2024

BoardConverting Serving the North American Corrugated and Folding Carton Industries for 40 years October 14, 2024 VOL. 40, NO. 42

Delmarva Corrugated Packaging Aims To Compete In Delaware BY SUSAN RILEY Manufacturing boxes that compete with the giants of the integrated world could be a bold business strategy for an independent corrugator that just built a new facility from the ground up in Dover, Delaware, but not if you’re Dennis Mehiel. Delmarva Corrugated Packaging — a 457,000-square-foot, state- of-the-art facility serving the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions — is just one of the corrugated mogul’s latest ideations that has come to fruition. Not only is it equipped with the latest technologies that allow

Atlantic Packaging Opens New Plant In Hamilton, ONT Canadian owned and operated Atlantic Pack- aging Products, Ltd., located in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, announced the opening of its newest manufacturing plant in Hamilton, Ontario. The state-of-the-art facility was de- veloped in response to customer needs, al- lowing the company to enhance its ability to provide sustainable, high-quality packaging solutions while expanding capacity to support customer growth. In addition to serving its valued customers, the new plant reflects Atlantic Packaging’s commitment to the local community by creat- ing new job opportunities. The company is ac- tively hiring and looks forward to welcoming new talent to its team. “We built this facility with our customers in mind, it’s not just about expanding our ca- pabilities; but about being able to respond quickly to our customers’ needs and support the growth of their businesses,” said Irving Granovsky, Chairman of Atlantic Packaging. Sean Weir, President of Atlantic Packag- ing, added: “We are excited to start our new site in Hamilton and to be part of the city’s growth. This facility will help us better serve CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

it to be competitive in that realm, the building itself will be a beacon to sustainability when they flip the switch on a 2-megawatt solar panel system that will allow a third of the plant to be powered by the sun — the equivalent of removing about 250 homes from the local grid — making what is believed to be the largest privately-owned solar instal- lation in the state of Delaware. Yes, it’s a highly ambitious plan, but again, this is Dennis Mehiel, and it’s not his first rodeo. Mehiel entered the packaging industry in the 1960s by buying bankrupt companies and transforming them into viable assets within the corrugated packaging industry. He did it with Box USA, which was touted as the largest indepen- dent in the nation at the time with 22 facilities and two containerboard mills when he sold it to International Paper in 2004. He repeated that CONTINUED ON PAGE 20 From left, Delmarva Corrugated Packaging Plant Manager Todd Simmons and CEO Dennis D. Mehiel at the new facility in Dover, Delaware.

WHAT’S INSIDE

6 x x 8 x x 12 x x 26 x x 5 TAPPI Corrugated Packaging Council Elects New Members 6 SupplyOne Acquires Gulf Packaging 7 J.M. Fry Printing Inks Announces New Ownership 10 AICC Releases Latest Episode Of Breaking Down Boxes

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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

Atlantic Packaging Opens (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)

while acting as strong environmental stewards, which aligns with the City of Hamilton’s Term of Council priori- ty: Sustainable Economic & Ecological Development,” she said. Atlantic Packaging’s products range from corrugated packaging, digital printing, decorative packaging, recy- cling services, and paper bags. “I am pleased along with the rest of the Atlantic team to be able to adapt to and invest in our customers to ensure that we can continue to provide sustainable packaging solutions at a service level that will allow them to invest in their own growth,” said Kelly Albert, SVP Ontario Corrugat- ed at Atlantic Packaging.

our customers, and we look forward to working here for years to come. We want to extend our gratitude to the City of Hamilton for their support throughout the building pro- cess. Having good partnerships with local government is important for a project of this scale, and we appreciate the role they’ve played in helping us reach this milestone.” Andrea Horwath, the Mayor of Hamilton said the invest- ment will create good paying jobs for Hamiltonians while strengthening the local supply chain for the food and bev- erage sector. “Atlantic Packaging’s focus on sustainability in produc- tion speaks to Hamilton’s focus on growing our economy

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October 14, 2024

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October 14, 2024

TAPPI’s Corrugated Packaging Council Elects Two New Members TAPPI announced two new members recently elected to the Corrugated Packaging Council (CPC): Danny Lopez, VP, New Machinery Sales, The Haire Group, and Tom Sta- al, Director of Management Systems, Coastal Containers. The CPC acts as the governing body of TAPPI’s Corrugat- ed Packaging Division, developing strategic plans, press products and events. Lopez collaborates with Haire’s global customers to de- velop new products. He has worked his entire career in the corrugated packaging industry, beginning in 2006 as an application engineer for Alliance Machine Systems Interna- tional where he designed corrugat- ed plant layouts in North, Central and South America before switching to sales, management, and product support for all Alliance customers in the western U.S. and Canada. Staal used his experience as a plant floor supervisor, quality management professional, and now member of the organization’s management team to help Coastal transition from a sheet plant start-up to a full-line corrugated plant. of CORBOTEC. He previously served as an elected mem- ber of the CPC as well as an appointed member. He has served as working group chair on numerous TAPPI Test Methods and TIPs and on the Standards Advisory Review Group (SARG). Staal was awarded the Division Technical Award in 2019. The current CPC includes appointed members from In- ternational Paper, The Haire Group, Menasha Packaging, WestRock, Packaging Corporation of America, Pratt Indus- tries, Arvco Container, Advance Packaging, SMC Pack- aging, and Greif. The elected positions include members from BW Papersystems, Kohler Coating, Niagara Sheets, and Fosber. The Chairs of the Corrugated Division Tech- nical Committees, the YP Division Liaison to Corrugated and the Supplier Advisory Committee Chair complete the council. Each position is for a three-year term. Lopez and Staal will serve as Member-at-Large. TAPPI’s Corrugated Packaging Division focuses on the manufacture and use of corrugated containers and associ- ated packaging materials and serves as a forum for knowl- edge sharing in the industry. The Division is comprised of members who work for converters, suppliers, consulting companies, and others in the converting industry. A 30-year TAPPI member, he has been a long-time member of both the Corrugated Board Technical Ser- vice Committee (CORBOTEC) and the Fiberboard Shipping Container Testing Committee (FISCOTEC). Sta- al served as Chair of FISCOTEC and is currently serving as the Vice Chair Danny Lopez Tom Staal

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October 14, 2024

SupplyOne Acquires Gulf Packaging

“As a privately owned company for over three decades, finding a partner that values our legacy of superior ser- vice and dedication to our employees was paramount,” says Larry Taylor, CEO of Gulf Packaging, Inc. “SupplyOne shares our commitment to customer satisfaction and of- fers the resources and support to expand our capabilities

Newtown Square, Pennsylvania based SupplyOne, Inc., a distributor of custom corrugated and value-added packag- ing solutions in North America, announced the acquisition of Gulf Packaging, Inc., a premier converter and supplier of custom corrugated boxes and displays serving Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Founded in 1990, Gulf Packaging operates out of pro- duction facilities located in Bay Minette and Tallassee, Alabama. The company specializes in producing a wide range of custom corrugated products with fast turnaround times and exceptional customer service. Gulf’s comprehensive offerings and commitment to quality have established it as a trusted partner for busi- nesses across diverse industries in the Southeastern Unit- ed States. “Welcoming Gulf Packaging into the SupplyOne fami- ly enhances our ability to deliver customized, high-quali- ty packaging solutions to our customers in the Southeast and fills what was a large geographic opening for Supply- One,” says Todd Renehan, President and CEO of Supply- One. “Gulf’s reputation for excellence and customer-cen- tric approach aligns perfectly with our mission to provide unparalleled service and innovative packaging solutions nationwide.”

and reach across the country. We are excited about the opportunities this partnership brings to our customers and team members.” “Joining SupplyOne marks an exciting new chapter for Gulf Packaging,” says Paul Morris, President and General Manager of Gulf. “Their extensive network, industry ex- pertise and packaging supplies offering will allow us to enhance our services while maintaining the personalized attention our customers have come to expect. We look forward to continued growth and success as part of Sup- plyOne.” This acquisition represents the 42nd addition to the SupplyOne portfolio since its founding 25 years ago, re- inforcing the company’s strategic growth and commitment to serving customers with comprehensive packaging solu- tions across North America.

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October 14, 2024

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J.M. Fry Printing Inks Announces New Ownership

J.M. Fry Printing Inks announced it is now under new own- ership, marking a significant new chapter in its history af- ter proudly serving the North American market for over 87 years. This transition represents not only a new business phase of growth and opportunity, but also continues the story of family commitment that has always been at the heart of J.M. Fry Printing Inks. The Fry & Hodges family — Justin Fry, Alvin, Billy, Jim, and Robert Hodges — led J.M. Fry Printing Inks for nearly nine decades. Though Justin Fry and Alvin Hodges are no longer with the company, their legacy, has shaped the com- pany into what it is today. Under their leadership, J.M. Fry Printing Inks built strong, lasting relationships and estab- lished high standards of quality and service. In keeping with that family tradition, J.M. Fry Printing Inks remains a family-driven business and is proud to introduce Oak Street Ventures LLC as the new owners, led by the fa- ther-and-son team of Jerry Mosley, Chairman of the Board, and Michael Mosley, President & CEO. Together, they bring a wealth of experience and expertise in the printing inks and coatings industry, having worked in the field for de- cades and understanding the value of hard work and com- mitment to upholding the standards of J.M. Printing Inks. “We are deeply grateful for their remarkable contribu- tions, which will continue to inspire us as we move forward. While ownership has changed, one thing will not: our un- wavering dedication to our valued customers and partners,” said Michael Mosley. “The name J.M. Fry Inks Printing Inks will remain, reflecting the continuity of our mission to deliver exceptional products and service. As we step into this new era, we look forward to continuing the strong relationships that have been the foundation of our success and working together toward even greater achievements.” FBA 2025 Meeting Set For May 4-6 In Naples, FL The Fibre Box Association announced the locale of its 2025 annual meeting at the beautiful and luxurious Ritz-Carlton oceanfront resort on Vanderbilt Beach in Naples, Florida.

Members are invited to join the FBA on May 4-6, 2025 for three days of meetings, informational speakers, recreation, and plenty of networking time. For more infomation, visit fibrebox.org .

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AICC West Coast Golf Tournament Set For Nov. 12 At Strawberry Farms AICC members invites members to register for a network- ing golf event in beautiful Irvine, California on November 12. As the premier course in Orange County, Strawberry

The event starts at 9:30 a.m. followed by an 11:00 a.m. golf shotgun start, 3:00 p.m. reception, and 4:00 p.m. awards and dinner. Available Sponsorship Opportunities include dinner, $2000; reception, $2000; raffle prizes, $500; closest to the pin sponsor, $300; longest/straightest drive, $300; and tee sponsor, $250. Register at aiccbox.org . For more information, contact Laura Mihalick at lmihalick@aiccbox.org or Cindy Huber at chuber@aiccbox.org. New Breaking Down Boxes Episode Released: ‘From Wheat To Whiskey’ AICC, The Independent Packaging Association, an- nounced the latest episode of the Breaking Down Boxes podcast, “From Wheat and Whiskey.” This episode features

Farms Golf Club offers a challenging and fun location for golf enthusiasts. AICC members only registration is $300 for a single golfer; $1200, foursome; and $125 for dinner only.

a conversation with Justin Hill, President of Lawrence Paper Company, as he shares insights from his leadership of a company with a remarkable legacy spanning over six generations. The episode is hosted by Jeff Pallini, CEO of Fosber America, and George Perreira, Vice President of Busi- ness Development at Moyy. “Interviewing Justin was a real honor. His family’s legacy of more than a century of success in the box industry is inspiring. Six generations and going,” Pallini said. During the discussion, Hill reflects on the rich history of Lawrence Paper Com- pany, founded in 1882, and the critical role customer service, innovation, and employ- ee engagement have played in the com- pany’s success. He discusses how the company has weathered economic chal- lenges over the years and adapted to the evolving packaging industry. Hill emphasizes the importance of fostering a strong company culture and maintaining long-term customer relation- ships, which have been cornerstones of the company’s growth. He also highlights the company’s development of its own ad- vanced operational software. Additionally, Hill speaks on the significance of incentive pay programs in attracting and retaining talented employees and the company’s employee involvement initiatives that en- courage suggestions and active participa- tion in company success. “Justin has always been a thought lead- er in our industry,” said AICC President Mike D’Angelo. He is 4th generation, with the 5th and 6th generations also in the business. This is a tremendous story.” Tune in at www.AICCbox.org/Boxes .

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Superior boxes require precise printing and cutting.

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You can’t have quality without precision. The APSTAR HG2 offers print-to-print registration accuracy through as many as seven inline flexo sections. That precision creates less downtime and higher profits. When you balance speed, print quality, and precision, you get an APSTAR… and that means better boxes. Contact Haire Group to see how the APSTAR's precision can impact your bottom line.

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Vanguard Appoints Two National Account Managers

Rusken Packaging Appoints Jim Baker As Chief Sales Officer Cullman, Alabama based Rusken Packaging announced the promotion of Jim Baker. Beginning his career with Rusken in 2004 as Cullman’s Corporate Sales Manager, Jim most recently served as Regional General Manager (GM) of the Clarksville and Jackson, Tennessee facility.

Vanguard Companies announced the appointment of two National Account Managers: Jerry Solberg and Chadd Le- nartowicz. “We are excited to welcome Chadd and Jerry to Van-

guard Companies where their in- dustry insight, retail expertise, and passion will help drive new growth opportunities,” said Chris Cum- mings, Executive Vice President of Sales. “Working with our creative services, marketing, and regional sales teams, they will be responsible for expanding our presence across Vanguard Companies is one of the industry’s leading corrugated merchandising solution partners. Its expertise in point-of-purchase displays, signage, retail-ready pack- aging, industrial packaging, and e-commerce packaging is demon- strated across every retail sector.

As of October 2024, Jim will be beginning his new role for the orga- nization as Chief Sales Officer. “Jim will help drive sales efforts, encourage collaboration within the sales group and guide the company vision,” says Greg Rusk, CEO.

Chadd Lenartowicz

Jim Baker

national channels, as well as developing our corrugated merchandising solutions and graphic packaging offerings in targeted market segments.”

Since his elevation to Regional GM in 2023, Jim has helped grow the company’s footprint, capabilities, and sales for both the Jackson and Clarksville facilities. As a seasoned corrugated professional with 35 years of experience, 20 with Rusken, Jim is hopeful that his prov- en successful track record and leadership skills are what it will take to unify the company’s marketing and sales ef- forts. “I am looking forward to helping our company’s sales and marketing team reach their full potential,” Jim said. For more information, visit rusken.com .

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Miami Valley Packaging Invests In Haire Apstar Rotary Die Cutter BY DAN BRUNTON

Miami Valley Packaging Solutions was established in 2009, in the mid- dle of the Great Recession, when Jamie Williams, Kenny Phegley and Don Chmiel purchased the assets of B&L Packaging, a corrugated sheet plant they all worked at for 20 years or more and transitioned the name to Miami Valley Packaging Solutions.

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Between 2009 and 2014 the new company’s sales nearly doubled. The growth in sales prompted the need for additional machinery and more space, leading the owners make the decision to the purchase the current 100,000 sq ft facility in Dayton, OH. Disaster Strikes A 4:00 AM phone call on Tuesday, March 28th, 2019, revealed the building was struck by one of the nearly 20 tornados that hit the Dayton area on Memorial Day night 2019. With huge gaping holes in all four corners of the building, a partially collapsed roof, a broken sprinkler riser, flooded offices, and no electricity, things looked bleak for MVPS. The entire surrounding area was hit hard, fortunately no one was injured.

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But showing the resilience of the owners and their dedicated team of employees, the company worked quickly to get things back in order, working with local contractors to undertake the repairs needed and of course equipment suppliers to ensure all machinery was back in full working order as quickly as possible. Today, MVPS have 42 employees, working on a single shift pattern. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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Miami Valley Packaging (CONT’D FROM PAGE 14)

had been impressed by several Apstar installations that they had seen with the team at Haire Group. “We began the ordering process in August 2022 and the machine was fully installed in October 2023,” adds Williams.

Their 100,000 sq ft facility is about 60,000 sq ft for manu- facturing and 40,000 sq ft of finished goods. The company we service a 75-mile radius from Dayton including; South- west Ohio, and Southeast Indiana. The customers are di- verse in both size and products; MVPS have several tier 2 automotive suppliers, plastic extruders, distributers, those who sell to big box retailers and other various manufactur- ers. They primarily produce one and two color corrugated boxes in quantities from 50 to 50,000. They also convert plastic corrugated for customers in the auto industry. Upgrading And Investing “We have slowly transitioned our machinery for the 1960s machines installed in the company we purchased to more modern machinery,” explains Jamie Williams, Presi- dent, MVPS. “Our first purchase was a plain rotary die cut- ter, followed by a four color flexo folder gluer. Following the tornado we have installed a specially designed Alba- tross folder gluer, a two color McKinley rotary die cutter, and a Gazella two-piece stitcher.” He continues, “As we continued to grow, our large 60 x 120″ two color, letter press continued to get more work, while also continued to have breakdowns. After several months of expensive patchwork repairs, we decided it needed to be replaced with a new machine to improve efficiency and quality.” Williams and his fellow Directors went to market and

In Detail The Apstar HG2 1632 is a 66″ x 126″ two color rotary die-cutter with a full slotting section and AG Stacker. The APSTAR HG2 series is setting a new standard of performance in the corrugated industry with cutting-edge technology that comes standard on every machine. Every important feature necessary for flexo printing and consis- tent production rates is incorporated on the Apstar HG2 rotary die-cutter. With its extended feed and print sections, inline sheet cleaning, chambered ink metering with twin ink pumps, and its ability to easily expand with your market opportuni- ties, this rotary die cutter includes many standard features

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

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Miami Valley Packaging (CONT’D FROM PAGE 16)

to ensure your success. These include: • SUN Lead Edge feeder • SUN MircoGrind for a consistent cutting and creasing surface • Siemens PLCs and touch screens throughout • Impulse dust management system • Complete computer controls for faster set-ups and re- peatable quality • Extended length vacuum transfer feed section for bet- ter feed to first down print registration • Praxair anilox rolls, CUE blankets, Rexroth, ABB, SEW Euro drive, and ARO. “Haire was fantastic throughout the entire process in- cluding coordinating their efforts with C & M Conveyor and AG Stacker,” said Williams. “It is performing as well or bet- ter than we expected. The operators all love the new line and customers are happy with the excellent quality and consistency of the boxes. But it doesn’t just stop there for our investments. We are currently expanding our trucking fleet and have plans to upgrade our scrap system and unit- izers in the next year or two as well.” Williams concludes, “We have known and dealt with both Haire and C&M for over 20 years. AG for over 10 years. We have great relationship with all their reps. We might not be the biggest sheet plant in the region, but each of the suppliers treats us as it we were!”

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Delmarva (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)

(4MCO). “More recently, the strategy has shifted from buy- ing distressed assets to building state-of-the-art corrugat- ed packaging facilities that deply the kind of technology to be able to compete with the large integrated companies.” The modern, well-equipped, and energy-efficient facil- ity in Dover is the same “alpha” model as several other

approach with U.S. Corrugated, selling most of those busi- nesses, which included a 240,000-ton recycled contain- erboard paper mill in Cowpens, South Carolina and 14 converting facilities in the eastern and midwestern US, to

factories 4MCO launched in Santa Fe, California, Coving- ton, Georgia and Lebanon, Indiana, which were acquired by McKinley Paper Co., a subsidiary of Mexico-based Bio Pappel in more recent years. “We built the building 30 percent above all the engi- neering and design codes and that was not an accident. From left, control room operators Jason P. and Muneer H. mon- itor processes on a BHS Corrugated corrugator.

KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation in 2011. “That was the world I came into and that was how I grew up in the business - going into places that hadn’t worked out the way the previous owners had hoped and turning them into viable assets,” said Mehiel’s son and namesake Dennis D. Mehiel, CEO of DCP, which operates under the umbrella of the Four M Family of Businesses An employee operates an EAM-Mosca squaring bundler.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth and met with us at SuperCorr Expo!

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Delmarva (CONT’D FROM PAGE 20)

It was what we wanted to do and what we thought was the right thing to do as a new member of the business community in Delaware,” Mehiel said of the Dover plant. “The solar farm is really an extension of that mindset and we’re excited about getting it up and running and continu- ing the path of being responsible corporate citizens here in Dover.” Investing In Technology DCP has invested in state-of-the-art technology that allows them to optimize fiber in their packaging and com- pete with bigger box players and secure meaningful rela- tionships with name brand accounts such as PepsiCo. To that end, the backbone of the plant making this possible

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is a 110-inch German-manufactured latest generation BHS Corrugator capable of running at top speeds of 1,500 lin- eal feet per minute. “As a non-integrated producer of corrugated packag- ing we have to be able to produce very efficiently if we want to compete with large integrated players in mean- ingful corporate accounts,” Mehiel said. “We’ve partnered with some of the industry’s leading independent paper- makers, and we’ve worked with them to optimize fiber - based on the equipment that we have and our processes, we’re able to deliver packaging that performs equal to or better than packages that our customers get from larger integrated companies that have more paper in them.” General Manager Todd Simmons said that BHS makes one of the world’s best corrugators with an integrated quality control system measuring heat, warp, starch, and moisture. DCP now typically runs 5 million square feet of sheets a day, most of which is converted into finished products in-house, and expects to nearly double its cur- rent output by the time the facility reaches maturity. “It’s state-of-the-art from every vantage point,” Sim- mons said of the BHS. “It’s making adjustments all the way through the machine that give us truly superior quality.” In fact, the first stack off the corrugator was so tabletop flat, Simmons said they thought something was wrong. “That’s one of the reasons why we’ve advanced as The BHS 110” wide 1500’ FPM High Speed Corrugator.

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SINCE 1955

Delmarva (CONT’D FROM PAGE 22)

much as we have because the corrugator is the heartbeat of the plant. If the corrugator doesn’t run quality board, it slows down the rest of the operation,” Simmons said. Mehiel said that they have had situations when their boxes were too strong for their customers’ applications as well, prompting DCP to remove some of the fiber from the cartons. “It’s a very good problem to have,” Simmons said. “I’ve been doing this for almost 33 years now and I’ve never had a plant where the board is too strong, where the cus- tomers say, ‘Your board is too strong.’ If anything, they would say it’s too weak.” Among many other quality checks, DCP performs Edge Crush Testing (ECT) which allows them to find the optimal paper combination for every customer application. “I can sell a finished box at the same price or maybe even a little bit lower that will perform in virtually any environment us- ing less fiber than my competitors typically need to use,” Mehiel said. The converting machine lineup includes two Bobst flexo folder gluers with inline diecutting capability, two Haire Apstar rotary die cutters, one of which offers inside and outside printing with an in-line pizza box shrink bun- dling system, Alliance bundle breakers and robotic pre- feeders, and a four color Macarbox flexo folder gluer with inline diecutting and shrink bundling capability for retail

applications. In addition, the plant is fully automated in terms of Work in Process storage and movement through the facility. Building In Delaware When it came to choosing a site to replace a more an- tiquated 180,000-square-foot box plant Mehiel was pre- viously operating in Newark, New Jersey, it didn’t take long for nearby Delaware officials, highly motivated to grow their manufacturing base, to take notice, and it soon became clear that there was no other place the factory should go. “The state of Delaware, Kent County, and the city of Do- An Alliance Ultra BREAK-Bundle Breaker features up-break ge- ometry for a smaller footprint and greater bundle throughput.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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24

www.boardconvertingnews.com

October 14, 2024

Upsize your output

EMBA 295 QS Ultima ™

It’s time to unbox the latest model in the Ultima machine family – EMBA 295 QS Ultima ™ . Delivering outstanding productivity and quality as well as material efficiency to large box operations. That’s what we call big news.

benefits you’d expect and like all our Ultima machines it features our unique Non-Crush Converting ™ and Quick-Set ™ technologies. The 295 QS Ultima ™ offers true DualBox ™ production through TwinFeed ™ and XL slotter, as well as complex internal box die-cutting and creasing with the bottom die- cutter. Several available options, like for example HighBox ™ and the award winning LiquidCreaser ™ , further enhance its true flexibility and top-class performance.

XL boxes + XL slotter = XXL output.

By introducing the EMBA 295 QS Ultima ™ , we now offer a complete machine range to fit any customer need. It comes loaded with all the

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www.emba.com

Delmarva (CONT’D FROM PAGE 24)

Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY

ver all became very interested partners with us in finding the right site and put a lot of very meaningful incentives on the table to get us to locate the facility in Delaware,” he said. “It’s a textbook public-private partnership.”

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.

Getting the DCP facility up and running required a little more time and patience than normal due to the pandemic. Mehiel said that staffing was a challenge and that it took longer for equipment to arrive and be installed. But total employment now is 110 with the goal of having 135 at full capacity. From Mehiel’s perspective, the industry has returned to its historical norm of being slightly oversupplied in terms The Alliance Feedmax features automatic warp compensation and block priming.

of corrugated products following the pandemic box short- age. However, there is no reason to believe the e-com- merce surge will ever return to where it was pre-pandem- ic, he said. Simmons said that DCP runs a two-shift, around-the clock operation five days a week with no one working lon- ger than 10 hours at a time and only occasional Saturdays. The new plant in Dover is more than twice the size of the New Jersey plant with taller ceilings allowing them to stack 110-inch paper rolls three high, instead of barely two. A Haire Apstar Rotary Die Cutter combines PLC accuracy and computer-controlled repeatability for print-to-print registration accuracy through as many as seven inline flexo sections.

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.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

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AIR CONVEYING CORPORATION is a recognized leader in the industry of Pneumatic Conveying Systems and has been in business since 1968. As an equipment manufacturer rather than simply a sales organization, we have complete control over the quality of material and products which make up your proposed system. Our equipment is found in Printing, Folding Carton and Corrugated plants throughout the country and the world.

UNFOLD THE POWER OF CONNECTION WITH THE

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AIR CONVEYING CORPORATION PH: 901-454-5016 FAX: 901-324-7979 e-mail: sales@accfilter.com • www.accfilter.com

COMMUNITY

INNOVATION

Open the box at paperbox.org

Delmarva (CONT’D FROM PAGE 26)

Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY

A Life In Corrugated The younger Mehiel comes to the corrugated industry honestly. His father provided a hands-on introduction to everything from machinery to balance sheets, which he re- calls his father attempting to explain to him on an airplane ride at the age of 7.

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.

“I worked in the factories in the summers when I was a kid and all the way through college. My father was a big believer in building character through lots of sweat and toil,” he said. “When I was in high school, my friends were lifeguards, I had a friend that drove an ice cream truck, and I was catching off the back of a die cutter. So, I’m a lifer.” After college, Mehiel wanted to spread his wings away from the stretch of his father’s significant wingspan. After Dennis D. Mehiel stops to speak to Brandy P. on the floor at Delmarva Corrugated Packaging.

a couple years as a sales rep for Stone Container in At- lanta, Georgia, he soon was able to prove to himself that he could be financially successful and bring value to an organization whether in or outside the corrugated indus- try. After he accomplished what he wanted to do, he was ready to join his father in the business. “I called my old man and said, ‘Hey, I think I’m ready to come into the business if you’ll have me,’ and I took a 25 percent pay cut and went to work for my father.” As it would turn out, the skillsets of father and son, though different, were extremely complementary as busi- A Macarbox Flexo Folder Gluer offers speed production up to 24,000 boxes per hour.

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.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

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Delmarva (CONT’D FROM PAGE 28)

Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY

ness partners. Mehiel said his father is great at getting kites up in the air, while he is the one with a knack for flying them and keeping them from going astray. “It doesn’t matter what the weather is, it doesn’t mat- ter what kind of kite it is, that kite is getting up in the air,”

CORRUGATED REPLACEMENTS, INC. www.corrugatedparts.com

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.

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.

Mehiel said of his father’s unsinkable spirit. “The challenge is once he has it up in the air, he tends to drop the string on the floor and go looking for another kite to fly. “I’m not the guy to get those kites up in the air. I don’t have the same risk tolerance. I don’t have the same cre- ative vision, but hopefully what I can do is walk into a situ- ation where there’s a bunch of kites flying around in differ- ent directions and getting tangled up with each other and I can get them to fly in the same direction to wherever they are supposed to be going. From left, machine operators Tyree T., Gary J. and Tyler L.

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.

A product display in the lobby at DCP.

“So, we really do complement each other very well and I think we work well together.” The Dover location also allowed DCP to be able to keep most of the business from New Jersey within a 300- mile shipping radius. Food and Beverage is the biggest end market DCP serves with a significant portion of their products sold to corrugated packaging brokers and dis- tributors in New Jersey and New York. “We have relationships with many of those folks that go back decades and so Dover is close enough to be able to

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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