PPC Fall Meeting (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)
consistent belief that collaboration is the foundation of in- dustry progress. “Transitions are not headwinds,” he not- ed. “They’re simply the next step in a long arc of growth.” Leading With Presence And Purpose Eric Frank, SVP of Marketing & Product Management at our Diamond Sponsor, Koenig & Bauer US/CA, delivered
a candid reminder that in uncer- tain times, leadership is less about strategy and more about presence. Drawing on real-world experienc- es, Frank illustrated how mean- ingful connections happen when leaders step out from behind their desks and engage face-to-face.
Eric Frank
Frank emphasized today’s environment, defined by what he called FUD: fear, uncertainty, and doubt, requires leaders to be intentional about the tone they set. Employ- ees don’t just hear words; they read posture, expression, and energy. A single reaction can unite a room or tear it apart. He urged leaders to avoid “energy vampires” who drain team momentum, and instead model steadiness, au- thenticity, and optimism. Few moments captured the theme of transition more clearly than the CEO keynote from Laurent Sellier of Smurfit Westrock North America, speaking in his first year at the helm of the newly merged global entity.
Sellier delivered the message the industry has been waiting for: clarity on how the combined com- pany intends to operate, invest, and lead. He explained that Smurf- it Westrock is positioning itself not as the largest packaging company in the world, but as the most resil-
Follow Board Converting News on LinkedIn and Facebook to get the most current news and information for the corrugated and folding carton industries.
Laurent Sellier
ient, agile, and globally integrated. Sellier emphasized the necessity of global connectivity, responsible growth, and long-term investment, particular- ly at a time when customers expect both innovation and consistency. Environmental & Market Intelligence Rachel Kagan, Executive Director of the Paper & Paper- board Packaging Environmental Council (PPEC), brought a Canadian perspective to the room, one that continues to accelerate regulatory influence across North America. Her briefing highlighted the ongoing shifts in extended producer responsibility, recycled-content mandates, and the development of carbon-focused policies. Kagan emphasized that packaging policy is no longer evolving; it is accelerating, and she challenged companies
to work proactively rather than defensively. Europe’s Market And Regulatory Pulse
From across the Atlantic, Mike Turner, Managing Direc- tor of the European Carton Makers Association (ECMA), delivered one of the most globally contextualized updates
Len Prazych at 518-366-9017 lprazych@nvpublications.com
CONTINUED ON PAGE 24
22
www.boardconvertingnews.com
December 1, 2025
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease