BoardConverting Serving the North American Corrugated and Folding Carton Industries for 39 years September 18, 2023 VOL. 39, NO. 38
Independent II Makes History With Big Expansion In Louisville BY LEN PRAZYCH It is a rare occasion that the feature article in Board Converting News highlights a box plant that happens to be located in a city in which an AICC Annual Meeting is to be held. It is rarer that the profiled box plant happens to have as its name the very characteristic upon which the association was built. And it is rarer yet that the family-owned box plant
Pratt Ind. To Build $120M Plant In Peach County, GA Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Pratt Industries, Inc., a recycled paper and packaging company, will build a new produc- tion facility in Warner Robins located in Peach County. The company is investing more than $120 million for the new location which will create more than 125 new jobs. “We’re proud of great Georgia-based companies like Pratt Industries and grateful for their continued growth here in the No. 1 state for business,” said Kemp. “Expansions like this account for more than 70 percent of last year’s economic development projects and are a testament to our business-friendly and partnership approach as we bring more opportunity for hardworking Georgians.” Based in Conyers, Georgia, Pratt Industries is the fifth-largest corrugated packaging com-
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WHAT’S INSIDE 7 Welch Packaging Acquires AtCorr Packaging Of KY 8 Smurfit Kappa & WestRock Join Forces In Merger 12 Rusken Packaging To Open New Corrugator Plant In Ft. Worth, TX 14 Richard ‘Dick’ Storat, Economist Army Veteran, Dies At 83 In PA 16 CorrExpo 2023 Panel Q&A 32 Sonoco Completes Acquisition Of RTS Packaging 74 ARCO/Murray Project Manager Named STEM Notable Woman
with its roots in the 1960s survived for decades before being acquired by an integrated in 1977, reformed in 1981, acquired again in 1997, and was reborn in 2006 as Louisville, Kentucky based Independent II. Industry icon Neil MacDonald, the company’s CEO, owns the com- pany that continues to make corrugated history with his son and in- dustry icon-in-the making, Finn MacDonald, the company’s president. Together with its loyal team of accomplished employees, father and son MacDonald are celebrating the completion of a massive expan- sion that has seen Independent II outgrow a 100,000-square-foot fa- cility and 200,000-square foot warehouse and replace them with a 340,000-square-foot plant a mere two blocks away, all of which will be on display for AICC members to behold for themselves during the Annual Meeting’s plant tours. Within five years of the company’s rebirth as Independent II in 2006, inventory exceeded what its 100,000-square-foot building could hold. Neil MacDonald, CEO of Independent II, with Finn MacDonald, his son and the company’s President, in their newly expanded facility in Louisville, KY.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 34
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September 18, 2023
Pratt To Build (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)
“We are excited to welcome Pratt Industries into the City of Warner Robins,” said Warner Robins Mayor LaRhon- da W. Patrick. “Their investment will be the largest single private investment in the history of our city and will provide over 100 new careers for our growing population.” “It’s my pleasure to welcome Pratt Industries as the lat- est job creator and investor here in Peach County, and we are grateful for their decision to locate here,” said Martin Moseley, Chairman of the Peach County Board of Com- missioners. “Thanks to our highly skilled workforce and reliable infrastructure, we’re ripe for development and this is a huge win for us. This project will bring more opportuni- ties for good jobs to our citizens, and I believe having Pratt here in Middle Georgia will be an asset to other industries in the area who rely on their products.” Senior Project Manager John Soper represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s (GDEcD) Global Commerce team on this competitive project in part- nership with the Development Authority of Peach County and Georgia Power. “Georgia works closely with our existing industries and communities to support their long-term health. By invest- ing in site preparation and obtaining GRAD certification, communities are better positioned to attract investments that create jobs aligned with their strategic goals,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “For decades, Pratt Industries has been an amazing partner for the state.” Visit prattindustries.com .
pany in the US and the largest privately-owned producer of 100 percent recycled containerboard in the world. “We’re very honored to be coming to Warner Robins and we’re committed to the great State of Georgia — in fact, Georgia is where our company began,” said Anthony Pratt, Global Executive Chairman for Pratt Industries. “This will bring Pratt’s total workforce in Georgia to over 2,100 employees and 11,700 nationwide.” The new factory will be the company’s 13th site in the state and will bring the company’s total investment in Georgia to over $800 million. “Georgia has substantially grown its role as a regional hub for supporting businesses and manufacturing needs across the Southeast,” Pratt said. “We are excited to ex- pand our operations in the region, allowing us to continue to strategically service our customers and grow the busi- ness.” The new Pratt facility will be located at Robins Indus- trial Park, a Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) certified site, in the portion of Warner Robins with- in Peach County. The planned 496,000-square-foot facility will be one of the most modern of the company’s 72 fac- tories spread across 25 states. It will produce corrugated boxes using 100 percent recycled containerboard, largely sourced from the company’s mill in Conyers. Operations are expected to begin in late 2024.
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Welch Packaging Acquires AtCorr Packaging Products
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.
Elkhart, Indiana based Welch Packaging, a corrugated packaging company, announced the acquisition of AtCorr Packaging Products LLC., in Glasgow, Kentucky. AtCorr was established in 2010 as a family-operated business. In efforts to invest and expand, Mike Jones and Kenny Whitworth sold the company to current owners Chris Hills, Chris Roderick, Jarrod Beliles, and Paul Virg. Virg, Beliles, and Hills will continue to lead AtCorr, with Beliles operating as General Manager. The fourth owner, Chris Roderick, will retire. The company serves customers in Kentucky and adjoining states. “We look forward to partnering with these strong indus- try veterans to serve and expand AtCorr’s customer base, as well as expand our cause with AtCorr’s associates,” said Scott Welch, President and CEO of Welch Packaging. With operations in six states in the Midwest and Mid- south, this acquisition reinforces Welch’s commitment to serve new customers. “We are excited to be under the Welch family umbrella. The way they give autonomy yet still support their busi- nesses is unique in today’s business world. Their existing network of sheet plants, complemented by their sheet feeders, will open opportunities we never had,” the own- ers of AtCorr said in a statement.
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Smurfit Kappa, WestRock Sign Business Combination Agreement Following the announcement of a possible business com- bination earlier this month, the boards of Smurfit Kappa, a FTSE 100 company, and WestRock, an S&P 500 compa- ny, have announced the signing of a definitive transaction agreement to create Smurfit WestRock, a global packag- ing company. The Boards of Smurfit Kappa and WestRock see “com- pelling strategic, commercial and financial rationale” for combining Smurfit Kappa and WestRock’s complementa- ry paper-based packaging companies which will enhance Smurfit Kappa and WestRock’s existing offerings. Smurfit WestRock will have geographic and product diversity with a culturally aligned customer focus and en- hanced capabilities to serve customers globally. Together, Smurfit Kappa and WestRock generated com- bined last twelve months’ adjusted annual revenue of ap- proximately $34 billion as of 30 June 2023, which would make Smurfit WestRock the largest listed global packag- ing partner by revenue. The transaction will involve the creation of a new hold- ing company for the combined Smurfit WestRock. Smurfit WestRock will be incorporated and domiciled in Ireland with global headquarters in Dublin, Ireland and its North and South American operations will be headquartered in
Atlanta, Georgia. The Combination is expected to close in the second quarter of 2024. “This incredibly exciting coming together of our two great companies is a defining moment within the glob- al packaging industry,” said Tony Smurfit, CEO of Smurfit Kappa. “We will have the leading assets, a unique global foot- print in both paper and corrugated, a superb consumer and specialty packaging business, significant synergies, and enhanced scale to deliver value in the short, medium and long term.” “We look forward to working with Smurfit Kappa to build a leading global platform that harnesses the strength of WestRock’s consumer portfolio, presents a truly com- prehensive offering of packaging solutions for customers and delivers meaningful value to our shareholders today and into the future,” said David Sewell, CEO of WestRock. “Smurfit Kappa shares our deep commitment to innova- tion across the packaging lifecycle, and we are confident that Smurfit WestRock will continue to lead the industry forward. I’m grateful to WestRock’s team members, whose hard work has made this combination possible, and excit- ed for the many opportunities that will arise from becom- ing part of the partner of choice in our industry.” The Boards of Smurfit Kappa and WestRock believe the combination will give them unparalleled geographic reach across 42 countries with a significant presence across both Europe and the Americas.
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PPC Fall 2023 Meeting To Highlight Leadership Strategies In San Diego Paperboard packaging executives will head to San Diego, California, for the Paperboard Packaging Council’s annu- al Fall Meeting & Leadership Conference this October. Industry professionals will spend three days at the Ran- cho Bernardo Inn with colleagues, learning critical topics related to sustainability, cybersecurity, powering the fu-
Markens, PPC President. “Our three-day conference will provide attendees with valuable insights and strategies to thrive in the ever-evolving paperboard packaging land- scape. We are thrilled to gather again, celebrate outstand- ing designs, and foster a strong sense of community.” Interactive and informative workshops will be present- ed by global leaders in the paperboard packaging industry with keynote presentations from Clearwater Paper Presi- dent and CEO Arsen Kitch, Emory University professor and economist Jeff Rosensweig, industry updates from David Ferber and Daniel Nordigaarden of McKinsey & Company, and reflections on resiliency in the paperboard packaging industry from Darryl Carlson of Royal Paper Box. The conference will also feature a member spotlight from Preferred Printing & Packaging, dynamic committee meetings, and sessions for two communities of interest: the Women’s Leadership Council and New Generation Leaders. These community-focused sessions will delve into leadership theories, supply chain disruptions, and de- mographic influences affecting the industry. “Attendees will leave Fall Meeting with valuable in- sights into the latest converting solutions and expert ad- vice from our distinguished speakers. Beyond that, they’ll have abundant opportunities to network and thrive amidst a welcoming community of industry peers. I can’t wait to make these connections and witness the growth that awaits us all,” said Markens. To learn more and to register for the event, visit paper- box.org/events .
ture, the outlook for the global economy, and other crucial issues affecting the paperboard packag- ing industry. The event, set for October 25- 27, promises insightful discussions and interactive sessions, helping industry professionals streamline the production of folding cartons,
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develop innovative paper box designs, and broaden their leadership skills. The conference will also celebrate the top honorees of the 80th annual North American Paper- board Packaging Competition and showcase the finalists of the Paperboard Packaging Alliance’s 2023 Student De- sign Challenge. “We eagerly await the opportunity to welcome our members to the stunning city of San Diego, where they can engage with our executive ranks and gather new ideas to strengthen and grow their businesses,” said Ben Are you getting a clean cut? Now you can!
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Rusken Packaging To Open New Corrugator Plant In Ft. Worth, TX Cullman, Alabama based Rusken Packaging has reported that it is in the process of opening a new 350,000-square- foot facility in Fort Worth, Texas. “Our expansion into the Dallas-Fort Worth sector will enable Rusken to service our existing customer base that have locations in this market,” said David Ortiz, VP of Op- erations at Rusken Packaging. “Furthermore, we plan on capitalizing on the robust, yet underserved, large format box sector. We plan on providing the Texas and the sur- rounding markets with what our customers love so much about Rusken: great service, quality products, and on-time delivery. Our team has been working tirelessly to ready the new facility and are striving to be able to start running boxes in late September, early October of this year.” Rusken’s new facility will be home to a state-of-the-art BHS Corrugated 110-inch corrugator and a two color jum- bo flexo folder gluer with an in-line die-cut section. Randy Whiteaker, COO, has appointed Rene Trevino to lead Rusken’s growth in the South as Fort Worth’s Plant Manager. “Rene is a proven leader and will have an imme- diate impact for us in Texas,” Whiteaker said. “I am excit- ed to expand our footprint and look forward to what lies ahead for us in Texas”. AICC Accepting Apps For Sales Advisory, Management Programs AICC, The Independent Packaging Association, an- nounced it is accepting applications for its innovative Sales Advisory Group and groundbreaking Sales Manage- ment Cohort professional development programs. The Sales Advisory Group aims to empower sales rep- resentatives, coordinators, and customer service profes- sionals to reach the pinnacle of their selling potential. It is strategically designed to harness data-driven insights through sales skills and relationship diagnostics, enabling participants to assess their selling strengths and pinpoint skill gaps that may impact their potential. The Sales Management Cohort is designed for Sales Managers and individuals in sales leadership positions. The program commences with a rigorous assessment phase that employs cutting-edge sales management skills and relationship diagnostics. Participants gain insights into their management strengths while identifying skill gaps that might impede their team’s performance. AICC has collaborated with two industry experts, Mark Roberts, a sales consultant and coach, and Ed Wallace, a best-selling author and sales training facilitator, to curate a comprehensive program that combines data-driven as- sessments, practical coaching, and collaborative learning. Visit www.AICCbox.org/Advisory for more information or contact Taryn Pyle at tpyle@AICCbox.org.
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Richard ‘Dick’ Storat, Economist, Army Veteran, Dies at 83 In PA Major General Richard E. Storat, distinguished veteran of the U.S. Army and prominent businessman, economist ,
the top of the class in 1957. Storat was also an Associate Professor of Physics at the West Point Military Academy, graduating in the top one percent from West Point in 1962 as a Distinguished Cadet. Storat served in Vietnam and after ten years of active duty, continued his Army career proudly serving many roles in the Army Reserves for another 20 years. He earned a Master of Science degree in Nuclear Engineer- ing at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1967 and a Master of Business Administration degree at Lehigh University in 1983. Storat returned to active duty to serve in Operation Desert Storm as Brigadier General, leading the 411th Engineering Brigade during the Persian Gulf War. Among his many achievements in the Army, for which he was highly decorated, Storat was awarded the Presi-
and author of the monthly corrugat- ed industry newsletter, Scoring Box- es , passed away September 7, 2023, from natural causes at his home in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania.
The son of Ernest Storat and Edith (Schmitz), Richard ‘Dick’ Storat was born August 20, 1940, in Fountain Hill, PA. He graduated from Southern Lehigh High School at Dick Storat
dential Bronze Star in 1992. He retired from the US Army with the rank of Major General after more than 38 years of combined ac- tive and reserve service. Storat excelled in his civilian life much like he did in the Army. His professional accomplishments are too long to list. Earli- er in his career, he served in management positions, including strategic planning, en- ergy policy and engineering assignments at Bethlehem Steel, and Babcock and Wilcox. He spent time serving on the staff of the En- ergy and Commerce Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. Storat supported forestry industry as- sociations, including over 20 years at the Paper Shipping Sack Manufacturers Asso- ciation after establishing his consulting firm Richard Storat & Associates. Prior, he was an officer of Gaylord Container Corporation, and had served the American Forest & Pa- per Association as the forest products in- dustry’s Chief Economist. He managed the industry’s statistical and economic analysis programs and was an unparalleled advisor to several organizations and associations. Among many personal interests, Storat was passionate about his family time, bird- watching, fishing, and loved trees of all types. He was a life member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Blue Church in Coopersburg, PA, serving as the Council President and as As- sisting Minister. He will be remembered for his vast intelligence, patient teaching, and wonderful “dad” humor. Storat is survived by his wife of 61 years Susan J. (McFadden); brother Robert; son Gregory and wife Wendy; granddaughter Krysta and great-grandson Kowen; grand- sons Zachery and Jordan, and great-grand- daughter Makayla. He is predeceased by sons Keith and Todd.
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Arvanigian Moderates Panel At CorrExpo: Equipping Team Members for Success During the TAPPI CorrExpo 2023 conference in Cleveland, Ohio earlier this month, a panel made up of key leaders in the corrugated packaging industry shared their thoughts and experiences on some of the tools they use to help their team members be successful. Greg Arvanigian, CEO of Arvco Container, moderated the session fo- cused on the methods and practices that help attract, retain, and moti- vate employees in today’s ever-changing industry in addition to the chal- lenges that seemingly every organization is faced with in today’s working environment — attracting good employees.
Contributing from their unique perspectives were Casie Case, Ear- ly Talent Program Ambassador at the Packaging Corporation of Amer- ica; Mark McNay, Senior Vice President at SMC Packaging Group; Todd McPherson, Human Resources Director at Jamestown Container; and To- nya Ouradnik, Human Resources Manager at Fosber America. The following questions and answers from the panel session were edited for conciseness and clarity. Arvanigian: What tools are you using to attract new plant employees? McPherson: The tools have been the same since the internet came on, but what we’re doing now is we’re being way more focused on it, spend- ing a lot more time doing it. We’re still doing the ads online, but we’re Key leaders on the panel, from left, were Todd McPherson, Mark McNay, Tonya Ouradnik, and Casie Case.
doing things like getting our temp agencies and getting groups to- gether and getting involved with the local unemployment agencies. We just had a plant fair to get people into our plant. We had 35 people come to that and we were able to put out 17 offers. So that was like our biggest success, but that was flooding the market.
Greg Arvanigian, moderator
McNay: The first thing we have to do is dispel the myth that manufactur- ing is dirty, dark and dangerous and that comes with influencing parents so that they understand that if their children go into manufacturing ca- CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
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CorrExpo Panel (CONT’D FROM PAGE 16)
out there in a 35-, 50-mile range outside our communities. Then we just told our people that everyone has to be a recruiter. Those people that you work with or go to church with, family members, friends, neighbors. We can’t stop at those traditional methods of recruiting that we have in the past. Ouradnik: We’re partnering with one of the local colleges — we’re onsite doing lunch and learns, we’re there for job fairs constantly, we’re always talking to people even if they’re in their first year in their technical program. We’re already bringing them in as interns or starting that pool of candidates before they have any experience at all. Also, we’re doing things with high schools, letting them know what technical careers are out there within our local area. We partner with an organization that does a lot of outreach getting manufacturing positions in front of the lo- cal community. They partner with the radio stations to put live ads out there for us to show what positions are avail- able. We’ve had a lot of success with at least getting out in front of young people early on even if they don’t have a lot of experience. Rather than focusing on the work experience they have, it’s important to hire the right people and then train them, so that’s what our main focus is. Case: We really had to focus on finding people who are already at work. With a 3.5 percent unemployment rate, the people who are in that pool are people who can’t show
reers there’s great opportunity. We all know there’s good compensation and there’s great growth opportunities down the road. Some of the things we’re doing at SMC as we’ve evolved from the typical application and interview process to what we call hiring events, promoted through so- cial media, is make connections with tech schools. One of our local tech- nical schools in Springfield, Missouri, has just created an advanced center for manufacturing, so again we’re getting those kids in and we’re getting them passionate about manufacturing careers. We’ve worked with our Chamber — they started a pro- gram where we bring in 500 or 600 juniors and seniors across a 11-county area to experience what automation looks like, what advanced manufacturing looks like and what a career opportunity might be like. Through the Chamber we also have a program called 7th and 8th Grad- ers Go To Work, and it’s getting them connected early on about what the opportunities might be. Partnerships with schools is a big thing we’re pushing now. Through our Partners in Education Program, we’re reaching out to some of our regional schools and one of the things that we’ve found is there is a basket of talent Mark McNay
CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
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CorrExpo Panel (CONT’D FROM PAGE 18)
because we just could not find anyone for a long time. The other thing is making it easy for people to apply. The folks that are already employed that maybe are think- ing about switching jobs, they’re not going to take the time to fill out an application that takes 20 or 30 minutes, but Indeed has a really great program called Indeed Easy Ap- ply that sends their resume to you through your email. It makes it really easy, because they hit that button once and their stuff is sent to you. So you can grab those people who aren’t actively looking. LinkedIn has the same program, but I would say it’s not as good for hourly folks. But if you’re looking for folks who are a lot more experienced technologically, LinkedIn has the same kind of program as well. Arvanigian: Has anybody had any success with job fairs? McPherson: We’ve done them a lot, especially at our Rochester plant. What we found is with those kinds of things you have to hit them hard or don’t go. When you go to an agency, like an unemployment or one of the local agencies, you have to be their number one that they’re going to call. If you’re down there on the list and you call them when you have a specific opening, you’re not going to get the call. But when you’re there ev- ery day and you’re really plugging away, they will call you. Probably the biggest success we’ve had is getting with foreign nationals and refugees and really hitting those ar-
up to work, they don’t want to do jobs in manufacturing, so you really have to branch out and try to get people who are already in the workforce which makes it a lot different than it used to be when there was a high unemployment rate so you have to do other things. We really got into putting up billboards in other manu- facturing areas. We’d say we’re hiring and check out our career site. The post office has a mailer program where you can put your advertisement in a post card. It’s basi-
cally a program where you can create your mailer and the post office, within a demographic you choose, will send it to everyone who meets your demo- graphic in your area in whatever radi- us you choose.
That really helps to reach people who already have jobs and wouldn’t think about working for us. So that program has been real- ly great, we’ve used it across PCA. We’ve done things like business card-sized handouts. Our production manager loves to go to Lowe’s, some- where like that, and find somebody who is helping them with something, who really has a good attitude. Maybe they’ve never worked in manufacturing before but hand them the card and say, ‘Hey, I’m hiring, I think you would be great for our site,’ so some out-of-the-box kind of things Casie Case
CONTINUED ON PAGE 52
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CCCA/PPEC Golf Tourney Set For September 27 In Québec
Golf facilities include the Ireland Course, a par 71 course with five sets of starting tees that make it accessible to all level of golfers. Open to wind and pot bunker sand traps, the course challenges the boldest players. The dunes iso- late players from the other fairways giving them an impres- sion that they are alone on the Irish links course. The Island Course is a championship course proposing a par 70 of 6,407 yards with four starting tees. The Nature Park of the “Pointe-aux-Prairies” borders the course which features marshy spaces, water obstacles, reeds, wildflow- ers and mature trees. The par 5 of 516 yards finishes on an island green. To register, visit cccabox.org . For more information, contact Kate Menard at kmenard@cccabox. org or (906) 458-0087. Accurate Box Invests In Prefeeder Robot Paterson, New Jersey based Accurate Box Company an- nounced a collaboration with Rigorous Tech, a Williston, Vermont robotics company, to enhance its Koenig & Bauer Omega Allpro 130 folder gluer. Accurate Box President and CEO Lisa Hirsh said their Koenig & Bauer Omega Allpro 130 folder gluer is one of nine in its bindery that is an essential component they rely on heavily. CONTINUED ON PAGE 24
The Canadian Corrugated and Containerboard Associa- tion (CCCA) and the Paper and Paperboard Packaging En- vironmental Council (PPEC) are hosting an inaugural golf tournament on September 27 at the Club de golf de l’île de Montréal.
This event provides an opportunity to network with col- leagues from across the paper packaging industry, sup- port CCCA and PPEC, and enjoy a day on the links. A pre- liminary program includes breakfast at 10:30 a.m., shotgun start at 11:30 a.m. and a reception/dinner at 4:30 p.m.
We’ve got our customers covered… …with our fiberglass backed, boltless, full double-wide blankets and an extensive inventory of corrugated parts needed by virtually every box plant in the country. The innovator of the original fiberglass-backed knuckle locking anvil cover, Stafford is the industry’s go-to source for everything corrugated. TM
www.go2stafford.com 800-282-5787 IS THE MANUFACTURER OF STAFFORD ANVIL COVERS ®
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Accurate Box (CONT’D FROM PAGE 22)
UNFOLD THE POWER OF CONNECTION WITH THE
“When we decided to try robotics to increase the speed of throughput by automating the backend on two of our high-speed folder gluer systems, we worked with a different robotics integrator for a load former at the end of the Allpro 130’s line,” Hirsh said. “But this left us with two operators per line lifting 7,000 to 9,000 pounds of cartons per hour just to keep up with this new threshold of speed. We found that we couldn’t put employees on a full shift for 20 hours, so we had to transition people out of those roles every two hours. These positions were the hardest to retain and, with the labor shortage, and spatial constraints, we needed a new solution. That’s when we approached Rigorous Tech to see what they could do.”
PAPERBOARD PACKAGING COUNCIL
EDUCATION
ANALYTICS
COMMUNITY
INNOVATION
Open the box at paperbox.org
“Over the course of 18 months, we worked with Accu- rate Box to design a robotic system for its Koenig & Bauer Omega Allpro 130 folder gluer that would provide more consistent speeds, reduce the burden of heavy lifting by its team, and free up feeder operators,” said Diane Abruzz- ini, COO and Co-Founder of Rigorous Tech. In one year of operating at Accurate, Rigorous has formed a solid partnership with Accurate. The entire robot- ic system picks up more than 7,000 pounds of boxes per hour and loads them onto the hopper of the Omega Allpro folder-gluer machine. After all the boxes are picked up, the robot sweeps waste off of the pallet and stacks the pallet on an outbound conveyor. After the boxes exit the fold- er-gluer, another robot palletizes the boxes by bundles. Quality control was top of Accurate’s list for the robotic system. To print the highest quality cartons, none of the edges can be nicked. The Rigorous Tech team spent lots of time designing the splitter assembly at the end of the tool to lift heavy stacks of cartons without damaging them. “We’ve made their Omega Allpro system more robust,” said Abruzzini. “Our design incorporates four different vi- sion systems on the Allpro. One system sits over the pick station, reads the stacks, and tells the robot where to pick. Another system is located over the hopper measuring The Accurate Box team, from left, are Pedro Pacheco, Senior Director of Manufacturing; Samara Ronkowitz, Director of Sales and Marketing; and Lisa Hirsh, CEO and President.
Be Social, Stay Current !
Follow Board Converting News on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook to get the most current news and information for the corrugated and folding carton industries.
Len Prazych at 518-366-9017 lprazych@nvpublications.com
CONTINUED ON PAGE 26
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September 18, 2023
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Accurate Box (CONT’D FROM PAGE 24)
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.
maximum hopper height and auto ejecting the pallets at their desired height. “One of the more really interesting vision systems is located on the end of the tool for fault detection. If a robot picks up a stack of cartons and one is picked by one fork but not the other, there will be a hanging flap. This can cause the system to get jammed. Rather than that happen, our system places the stack on an unload wrap in the cor- ner and goes back to pick and place, keeping the system moving.” Hirsh says that the robotic system has consistently in- creased throughput, from 13,500 cartons with two human loaders to only one robotic operator that looks at the prod- uct, manages the touchscreen computer, and allows oper- ation to increase to 15,000 cartons. AICC To Host Webinar On Solutions For Ransomware Attacks AICC, The Independent Packaging Association, an- nounced it will offer a free webinar, “Ransomware: Securi- ty Solutions For Your Firm,” in response to the increasing threat of ransomware attacks to businesses of all sizes and industries. The educational webinar, set for November 7, was cre- ated with the support of AICC member Stambaugh Ness. It will address the critical challenges that companies face in the event of a ransomware attack. With approximately 65 percent of affected businesses paying the ransom, it is vi- tal to understand the potential consequences and develop a response plan that ensures a full return on investment.
AIR CONVEYING CORPORATION PH: 901-454-5016 FAX: 901-324-7979 e-mail: sales@accfilter.com • www.accfilter.com
Is Coming to...
Participants will gain valuable insights into the world of ransom- ware attacks, including the deci- sion-making process associated with paying the ransom. Further- more, attendees will learn about the benefits of adopting a Zero Trust approach to security and how to secure access to critical data.
Say, ‘Hello’ to Bob & Bender in the Exhibit Hall.
Phil Keeney
The instructor is Phil Keeney, Managing Director, Tech- nology Solutions at Stambaugh Ness. Keeney brings ex- tensive experience and expertise to the field of technol- ogy solutions, providing consulting and implementation support to over 800 companies. His background includes IT security audits, intrusion/penetration testing, and long- term strategic planning. Participants can watch the webinar live, but the record- ing will only be available for individual purchase or with the All Access Pass. The All Access Pass allows all employees to watch webinar recordings on their schedule and revisit them to ensure they have absorbed the vital information. Learn more at www.AICCbox.org/Pass. To register, visit w ww.AICCbox.org/Calendar .
AI Enabled Robotics & Vision Technology for the Corrugating Industry
kaska-robotics.com
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NORTH AMERICAN SALES & SERVICE (847) 598-3611
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Pamarco Appoints Edwards Technical Sales Representative
printing better together
Roselle, New Jersey based Pamarco announced the ap- pointment of Colby Edwards as Technical Sales Represen- tative for the Southeast.
Edwards will have responsibility for Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. He brings with him expansive technical knowledge, having served in a technical sales role for a leading supplier to the printing and pack- aging industry.
LASER ENGRAVED ANILOX ROLLS We understand the challenges you face and our development approach proves it: our solutions include anilox engraving technology ranging from laser to mechanical to electromechanical and services the anilox roll. EZ Flo tm Therma Flo tm E Flo tm
Colby Edwards
Pamarco is confident that his skills and customer focus will ensure the continued support of its loyal client base. As a leading supplier to the industry, Pamarco prides itself on the skills that its Technical Sales Team brings to their cli- ent base. For more information, contact Edwards at colby. edwards@pamarco.com. TAPPI Offering Membership Discount To CorrExpo 2023 Attendees As a special thank you to those attending CorrExpo 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio earlier this month, TAPPI is offering a $20 discount to join TAPPI using the CORREX20 promo code. TAPPI membership benefits include: • TAPPI’s Corrugated Packaging Division, a forum for knowledge sharing with members who work for con- verters, box plants, suppliers, consulting companies and others in the industry. • TAPPI’s Digital Library of nearly 30,000 technical pa- pers, articles, abstracts, and whitepapers. • Subscriptions to magazines, journals and eNewslet- ters such as Paper360° with the CorrFocus section and TAPPI Journal. • Networking, idea sharing and problem-solving with 6,000+ other industry professionals via the online com- munity TAPPI Connect. • A members-only Career Center for job searching and resume postings. • Access to Ask the Experts discussions • Access to more than 50 eLearning modules and online courses. • Access to more than 60 webinars • Discounted TAPPI Standards and TIPs. • Discounts on events, a value of $400 (30+ events per year) Those joining will get more than $2,400 worth of mem- ber benefits for $188 a year. Use the CORREX20 promo code to pay $168. For more information about memberships or support- ing TAPPI at the corporate level, visit tappi.org .
pamarco.com info@pamarco.com
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AICC Announces Open Registration For West Coast Golf Tourney In CA AICC, The Independent Packaging Association, invites members to register for the 39th Annual West Coast Golf Tournament, hosted at the picturesque Strawberry Farms Golf Club, on October 17.
course offers stunning vistas across a 35-acre reservoir, rolling greens teeming with wildlife, and natural vegeta- tion. The event will begin with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Golf enthusiasts will have the opportunity to test their skills on the 18-hole, par-71 course, renowned for its scenic beauty and challenging design. They will compete against fellow golfers for prizes and bragging rights.
BCN(US)202308(N11)(o)(出血5mm).pdf 1 2023/8/28 下午 02:15:14 The Strawberry Farms Golf Club is renowned for blend- ing the tranquility of the surrounding rural beauty with the challenge of true championship golf. Nestled in a serene environment amid canyons and wetlands, this premier golf This event promises an extraordinary day of golf, ca- maraderie, and festivities in the heart of Orange County, California.
After a day on the greens, participants can relax and network with colleagues and friends while enjoying re- freshments and hors d’oeuvres, followed by dinner and the awards ceremony. Register to secure a spot in the golf tournament at AICCbox.org/Calendar . For sponsor- ship opportunities, contact Laura Mihalick, Senior Meeting Manager, at Lmihalick@aiccbox.org or (703) 836-2422.
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