Board Converting News, June 23, 2025

BoardConverting Serving the North American Corrugated and Folding Carton Industries for 40 years June 23, 2025 VOL. 41, NO. 25

‘Game On!’ McElroy Packaging Invests In A North American First BY STEVE YOUNG A year ago, McElroy Packaging in Orrville, Ohio, ramped up the latest installment in the company’s eight-year equipment-investment and fa- cility-expansion plan: the EMBA 295 QS Ultima flexo folder gluer. The 295 QS Ultima is the newest member of EMBA’s family of converting machines, built on its patented Ultima platform, and McElroy Packag- ing’s edition is the first in North America — and third in the world.

Amtech Software Announces Strategic Growth Investment Fort Washington, Pennsylvania based Amtech Software, a leading provider of enterprise soft- ware for the packaging industry, announced a “strategic growth investment” from Vista Equi- ty Partners, a global technology investor that specializes in enterprise software. Amtech says the investment will support continued innovation across its suite of enterprise re- source planning (ERP), manufacturing execu- tion systems (MES) and automation solutions and accelerate its mission to digitally trans- form the global packaging industry. Amtech’s integrated software platform en- ables packaging manufacturers to manage and automate mission-critical operations— from order entry and production planning to inventory management, equipment mainte- nance, and real-time performance analytics. Purpose-built for packaging manufacturers in the corrugated, folding carton, flexible pack- aging, and label markets, Amtech’s software platform helps drive plant-wide efficiency, re- duce waste, and improve visibility across the entire operation. Amtech supports more than 600 custom- ers worldwide, powering the systems behind

The Ultima series features faster set-up times, zero crush technolo- gy, and EMBA Real Direct Drive and top print technology for consistent- ly high print quality. In addition, the machine’s twin-feed system feeds two blanks simultaneously, making it capable of running up to 24,000 sheets/hour. “When we started our search, we looked at everything because I did not want to make a lateral move,” explained Steve McElroy, Presi- dent and CEO of the family-owned company. “I thought, ‘If we’re going to do this, let’s get the best technology that we can get. Let’s get some- thing that’s going to outlive us all.’ And EMBA came in and presented the 295.” McElroy Packaging was originally founded in 1978 as McElroy Con- tract Packaging in Wooster, Ohio. Larry McElroy, Steve’s father, worked CONTINUED ON PAGE 22 Steve McElroy, CEO, and Jeff Mendenhall, Operations Manager, in front of the EMBA 295 QS Ultima flexo folder gluer.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

WHAT’S INSIDE AICC’s Taryn Pyle Celebrates 25th Milestone Anniversary A.G. Stacker Appoints Cory Deavers As Vice President

6 x x 8 x x 12 x x 26 x x

8 Robert Heithaus Sr. Joins

Metsä Board Americas Team

10 Trillora Packaging Names David Kalman As CEO

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machine learning to help packaging manufacturers unlock new levels of agility and productivity. “Amtech delivers mission-critical software that supports every stage of the packaging production lifecycle, empow- ering manufacturers to operate with precision, speed and scale,” said Patrick Severson, Co-Head of Vista’s Founda- tion Fund and Senior Managing Director. “As the industry faces rising complexity and increasing customer expecta- tions, we believe Amtech is uniquely positioned to help manufacturers work smarter and adapt faster. We’re excit- ed to partner with the Amtech team to accelerate growth, product innovation and impact for customers worldwide.” Vista’s investment comes from its Foundation strategy, the firm’s middle-market strategy that focuses on invest- ing in emerging software leaders and scaling them into durable software franchises. Launched in 2009, Vista’s Foundation strategy utilizes a systematic approach to value creation individually tailored to each of its portfolio companies designed to drive operational excellence and catalyse their next phase of growth. Amtech combines deep industry expertise with strong customer relationships and a clear perspective on the fu- ture of packaging technology,” said Jake Hodgman, Man- aging Director at Vista Equity Partners. “We share their commitment to modernizing operations for manufactur- ers and are thrilled to support them in this next chapter of growth.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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

Amtech Announces (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)

billions of boxes and labels produced each year. “Amtech is on a mission to modernize the packaging in- dustry through software innovation, automation, and con- nected workflows,” said Chuck Schneider, CEO of Amtech Software. “With Vista’s partnership and deep experience in scaling software businesses, we’ll be able to advance our product roadmap, invest in our people and new inno- vative solutions and deliver even greater impact to our customers.” With Vista’s support, Amtech says it can accelerate enhancements to its cloud-based platform, deepen inte- gration between its ERP and MES, and leverage AI and

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Amtech Announces (CONT’D FROM PAGE 3)

been a driving force behind countless member successes. One of Taryn’s most enduring legacies is her unwavering

belief in the power of education. Thanks in large part to her tenacity and advocacy, AICC members now have access to free online training, empowering companies and indi- viduals to grow stronger, smarter, and more competitive.

Preston Thomas, Managing Director at Peak Rock Cap- ital said, “As investors focused on partnering with family and founder led business, we are very pleased to have supported Amtech over the last several years, during which time we helped grow the business and position it for sustained and long-term growth. As a leading global soft- ware investor, we are confident that Vista will be a strong partner to Amtech moving forward, and we are proud to helped them reach this important milestone.” Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel for Vista and William Blair served as financial advisor to Vista.

Taryn’s commitment to deliver- ing the very best professional de- velopment opportunities continues to raise the bar for the independent packaging industry. Taryn Pyle

AICC To Host Membership Benefits Overview Webinar

AICC Honors Taryn Pyle On Her 25th Anniversary

Join AICC's Membership Manager, Patrick Moore, as he gives a comprehensive overview of AICC's membership benefits, illustrates how to access AICC's online resourc- es, and answers any additional questions you may have. AICC offers over 100 courses to help build your indus- try knowledge. The free online event takes place at 3:00 p.m. EST June 25 on Microsoft Teams. To register, visit aiccbox.org . For more information, contact Moore at pmoore@aiccbox. org or at (703) 535-1394.

Last week marked a milestone anniversary for Taryn Pyle, Director of Training, Education, & Professional Develop- ment, who has been instrumental in shaping the heart of AICC. For 25 years, Taryn has contributed her talent, in- sight, and passion to nearly every corner of AICC. From revitalizing BoxScore into the industry-leading magazine it is today, to leading membership efforts with a focus on connection and value, to now developing ed- ucational programs that are vital to the industry, she has

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June 23, 2025

A.G. Stacker Appoints Deavers Vice President

Metsä Board Americas Taps Robert Heithaus Director Of Sales-Converters Norwalk, Connecticut based Metsä Board Americas an- nounced that Robert E. Heithaus Sr. joined its team as a Di- rector of Sales-Convertors at the end of 2024, bringing with him a passion for environmental stewardship in the paper and packaging sector. “Since then, he has been focused on customers, driving operational efficiency through CRM integration, reducing

Weyers Cave, Virginia based A.G. Stacker, a leading manufacturer of innovative corrugated material handling equipment, announced the appointment of Cory Deavers to the role of Vice President. Deavers has been an integral part of A.G. for nearly a decade, beginning his journey in the accounting de-

partment. Throughout his tenure, he has demonstrated exception- al leadership and a commitment to operational excellence. Under Deavers’ guidance, A.G.’s ac- counting and human resources departments have seen signifi- cant improvements in structure, efficiency, and interdepartmental communication.

complexity, and enhancing perfor- mance to grow our direct customer base,” the company said. He admits that it has taken him time to grasp the scope and scale of a $6 billion dollar enterprise while also getting to know his colleagues, their teams, and systems. “I love listening to and learning about the histories of people who

Deavers earned his Master of Business Administra- tion, applying his knowledge and strategic thinking to strengthen the company’s relationships with banks, in- surance providers, and key vendors. Most recently, he assumed responsibility for A.G.’s facility and manufactur- ing operations, where he successfully integrated these teams into broader company workflows—fostering great- er transparency, collaboration, and productivity. Cory Deavers

have been here for over a decade, which has led to the success and commitment to our Americas’ clients,” he says. Robert’s focus this year is building upon the strengths of the teams and products and expanding Metsä Board Americas’ reach into new market segments. He previously served as VP of Marketing at Lewisburg Printing Company, now Lewisburg Patterson Company. Robert Heithaus Sr.

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Trillora Packaging Solutions Names Industry Veteran David Kalman CEO Portland, Oregon based Trillora Packaging Solutions an- nounced the appointment of David Kalman as Chief Ex-

growth, and organizational alignment. His appointment signals the next growth phase for Trillora as it continues to evolve its packaging solutions and global services for leading brands in apparel, footwear, and sporting goods. “I’m truly grateful for this opportunity to serve Trillora and the customers who have placed their trust in us,” said Kalman. “Over the past year, I’ve seen how deeply commit- ted our team is to helping customers navigate complexity, disruption, and constant change in their businesses. It’s something I take seriously. My focus in this new role is sim- ple: listen to our customers, support our team, and stay true to the values that got us here.” Kalman’s leadership will also guide the company to- ward expanded service capabilities that help global brands meet rising expectations around sustainability, supply chain transparency, and responsible sourcing. “Our customers’ needs are evolving, and we have an

ecutive Officer. Kalman succeeds Richard Lange, who led the com- pany through a successful brand transformation and strategic re- alignment following its 2023 acqui- sition by Mimir Group.

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opportunity to evolve with them,” Kalman said. “When you combine genuine care for customers with meaningful insights into environmental impact, social respon- sibility, and supply chain transparency, you create packaging strategies that do more than meet business needs. They help build more sustainable, accountable operations that benefit everyone.” Trillora leads global packaging pro- grams with support from a strategically integrated production network through- out Asia and dedicated sales and account management teams in Europe and the United States. The company continues to serve as a trusted partner in packaging performance, from design and sourcing through quality assurance and delivery. Pratt Industries To Layoff 53 Workers In Livonia, MI Atlanta, Georgia based Pratt Industries plans to permanently lay off 53 workers at its converting and transportation facility in Livonia, Michigan on August 10, according to WARN notice filed this month with the Michigan Department of Labor and Eco- nomic Opportunity. The company listed reduced business as the reason for the layoffs and said that “Ford has decided to end its relationship with the company.” Pratt Industries also operates a converting and transportation facility in Grand Rapids and a recycling plant in Kalamazoo. The company says it is the largest privately held 100 percent recy- cled paper and corrugated box manufac- turer with 70 factories in America.

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ICPF & PLT’s ‘Thinking Outside the Box’ Activity Collection Is Now Available

The International Corrugated Packaging Foundation (ICPF) announced the release of “Thinking Outside the Box,” a brand-new activity collection developed in partnership with Project Learning Tree (PLT), an initiative of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). The release of this innovative resource marks the first major milestone in ICPF’s two-year partnership with PLT and aims to bring the world of corrugated packaging to K-12 classrooms, helping students see the in- dustry as a vibrant, sustainable career path.

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packaging advances sustainability and supports a circular economy while incorporating relevant curricular standards and tools. Dedicated “career corners” throughout the collection also highlight ten in-demand careers across the industry, providing early exposure to potential pathways. “This collaboration is about more than creating new resources that will excite both students and educators — it’s about breaking down bar- riers and elevating different entry points to the corrugated packaging industry, showing young people the kinds of meaningful, sustainable job opportunities that exist,” said Caitlin Salaverria, President of ICPF. “By CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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ICPF & PLT (CONT’D FROM PAGE 12)

partnering with experts in environmental education at PLT, we’re planting the seed so future generations can see the endless career opportunities our industry has to offer.” The release of “Thinking Outside the Box” brings about the second phase of ICPF and PLT’s partnership, which will

Lewisburg Patterson Company celebrated Tonya Kowa-Mo- relli, COO, on being named the winner of the 2025 GLGA Women in Print Excellence Award. “Tonya’s leadership,

support targeted professional development opportunities for educators and counselors to amplify the reach of these materials on a national scale. In addition, representatives from ICPF and PLT presented last week at the National Career Development Association (NCDA) Global Career Development Conference in Atlanta, Georgia to promote these resources to career counselors and career service practitioners across the United States. For info, visit plt.org/icpf or careersincorrugated.com/ connecting-students-with-corrugated /.

drive, and unwavering commitment to excellence have made a lasting impact not only within our company but across the entire print industry. From guiding major press installations to mentoring emerging leaders, Tonya leads with heart, integrity, and vision. This award is a well-de- served recognition of the passion she brings to her work and the difference she makes every day.”

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GBP’s Bryan Hollenbach To Retire, Matt Szymanski To Assume Role Green Bay, Wisconsin based Green Bay Packaging (GBP) announced that its Executive Vice President and Past Fi- bre Box Association Chairperson, Bryan Hollenbach, will retire on August 31. Matt Szymanski, currently Vice Presi- dent of Mill Operations, will be promoted to EVP and suc- ceed Hollenbach. GBP said that during Hollenbach’s tenure, the compa- ny experienced significant growth, investment, and modernization in its operations. The company es- tablished a new recycled paper mill, constructed two super box plants, each 500,000 square feet, updated nearly every corrugated converting facility, and completed seven acquisitions that expanded GBP’s geographic reach. This in- cludes the recent acquisition of Southern Missouri Con- tainer in June 2024. Hollenbach has been an active supporter of the indus- try, serving as Chairperson of the Fiber Box Association and as Chair of the Kraft Containerboard sector for the American Forest Products Association. He is also a board member of the International Corrugated Packaging Foun- dation. Hollenbach’s career spans 38 years in the paper in- Bryan Hollenbach

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dustry, with nearly 21 years at GBP and a 16-year tenure at Hoffmaster, where he served as senior vice president of Operations. Started in 1933, Green Bay Pack- aging Inc. is a family-owned, verti- cally integrated company consist- ing of corrugated container plants, a folding carton facility, recycled and virgin containerboard mills,

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pressure-sensitive label roll stock plants, timberlands, a paper slitting operation, and a sawmill facility. GBP oper- ates more than 40 facilities in 16 states. PAC Global, DIA Join Forces On Packaging & Printing Innovation Toronto, Ontario based PAC Global welcomed the Digital Imaging Association (DIA) to its expanding international community — a collaboration that unites two member-driv- en organizations under a shared commitment to innova- tion, education, and industry advancement. Joining PAC Global’s portfolio of programs including PAC Awards, PAC IOU, PAC Ed, and PAC NEXT, the new initiative will be branded PAC Digital Imaging. For more information, visit pac.global .

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June 23, 2025

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Smurfit Westrock Celebrates Solar Project In Texas

“As the need for energy continues to increase in Texas, I am pleased that Wharton County can be a part of the solu- tion, leveraging solar in an all-of-the-above energy strate- gy,” said Wharton County Commissioner, Bud Graves.

Ireland based Smurfit Westrock and Wharton County, Texas recently joined ENGIE and several of its landown- ers to dedicate the Bernard Creek Solar Project in Texas. With nearly 570,000 solar panels on roughly 1,620 acres, Smurfit Westrock said the project will be capable of pro- ducing 230 megawatts (MW) of energy. In keeping with the area’s agricultural heritage, hundreds of cattle, horses, and other animals graze around the site. Touted benefits include lease payments to landowners, approximately 300 jobs during construction, four long- term jobs to manage the facility, numerous purchases of local goods and services, $50 million in new tax and other revenue to Wharton County, local organizations, and the East Bernard Independent School District in support of students, teachers, and educational projects. “We’re glad to be here in Wharton County and want to thank all who joined us today for their support in making the Bernard Creek Solar Project a reality,” said Caroline Mead, ENGIE Senior Vice President, Power Marketing and Commercial Strategy. “Bernard Creek underscores EN- GIE’s objectives to enhance domestic energy production and affordability in Texas as power demand continues to grow while enabling our customer and the local communi- ty where we’re investing and operating to prosper.”

“Smurfit Westrock is partnering with ENGIE on the Ber- nard Creek Solar Project in support of its sustainability goals via a renewable power purchase agreement. “ENGIE’s mission to balance impact on business with impact on people and the planet dovetails with our own aims at Smurfit Westrock and our belief that sustainable business is good business,” said Garrett Quinn, Chief Sustainability Officer, Smurfit Westrock. “We appreciate this opportunity to demonstrate our shared commitment to support local communities, increase production of re- newable energy and contribute to the reduction of green- house gas emissions.”

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ePS, CarbonQuota Partner On Carbon Footprint Control

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.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania based ePS Packaging has an- nounced a strategic partnership with CarbonQuota to in- tegrate advanced carbon footprint capabilities across its software ecosystem. The collaboration will embed Carbon- Quota’s automated carbon calculator into ePS’ software offering for the packaging and print industries, creating a special market offering that drives measurable sustainabil- ity in production through accurate and verifiable data. By integrating ePS’ traceability capabilities with Car- bonQuota’s auditable carbon footprinting mechanism,

this collaboration delivers a tool for data-driven decision making that enables businesses to provide pricing options and carbon footprint details to their customers. Business- es can evaluate and optimize production and supply chain scenarios with precision, enabling informed trade-offs that balance cost, efficiency, and environmental impact. Every carbon footprint generated through this solution is verifi- able and auditable, safeguarding brands and their supply chains from risks such as challenges from NGOs or regula- tory scrutiny, ePS said. “We are excited to bring to market a key differentiating capability for our customer base, enabling them to bet- ter collaborate with their brand customers in this crucial joint environmental responsibility of reducing carbon foot- prints,” said Gaby Matsliach, CEO, ePS Packaging.

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Piedmont National Corporation Celebrates 75th Anniversary

Atlanta, Georgia based Piedmont National Corporation, a distributor of packaging materials, automation, and ser- vices, is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Since its founding in 1950 as Piedmont Paper Compa- ny, Piedmont has stayed true to its roots as a private, fam- ily-owned company. In 1975, the company rebranded from Piedmont Paper Company to Piedmont National Corpora- tion. Over the last 50 years, Piedmont has grown from a single-location company to Atlanta’s 48th largest private- ly-owned business comprised of 18 operating branches and nearly 300 employees. Piedmont National maintains its legacy of reliability of putting the customer first, while growing within the pack- aging distribution space to include automation and soft- ware technology.

www.boardconvertingnews.com

June 23, 2025

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McElroy Packaging (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)

for Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) in neighbor- ing Rittman, and when the company moved 35 miles west to Ashland, he went on his own and began assembling and packing point-of-purchase displays for PCA and var- ious packaging jobs for Newell Brands’ Rubbermaid Divi- sion. Steve McElroy remembers the tenuous nature of the small company’s early customer base: “There was always a standing joke that one phone call could put us out of business, and two weeks before I graduated from college, they got that one phone call.”

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The jolt forced the McElroys to focus on what was then only a small part of their business: corrugated. “We always dabbled in corrugated as a result of do- ing business with Rubbermaid,” he said. “One day my dad walked in and said, ‘I’m getting rid of every bit of contract packaging that we’ve got, and we’re going to either live or die on corrugated!’” Investing To Meet A ‘Hyper-Competitive’ Market The State of Ohio’s manufacturing sector is the third largest in the country, trailing only California and Texas. The state is one of the largest producers of plastics, rub- ber products, fabricated metals, electrical equipment, and appliances, and is the second largest producer of automo- biles, after Michigan. This rich industrial market has attract- ed many corrugated box manufacturers, creating a highly competitive landscape. When McElroy Packaging jumped into this fray, it was with what Steve McElroy called a “crappy” printer slotter and a General gluer. “Our maximum quantity was 200,” he remembered. The company operated in that mode for McElroy Packaging chose the Alliance High-Speed Topfeeder prefeeder for the EMBA 295.

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CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

www.boardconvertingnews.com

June 23, 2025

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McElroy Packaging (CONT’D FROM PAGE 22)

on the heels of the Apstar came an EMBA 244 Ultima three-color, flexo folder gluer with Alliance load former. To prepare for these later installations, McElroy in 2022 took

several years, but competition forced change. Steve re- called: “The industry kept evolving around us, and I said, ‘Dad, we’re competing against IP, against GP, and that line between sheet plants and everyone else is blurring.’ I fi- nally talked him into buying his first flexo [folder-gluer], and of course it was his idea once it started working all right.” By the mid-teens, seeing the need to relocate from the company’s antiquated plant in Wooster, Steve McElroy scouted the area, settling on a 30,000-square-foot facility in Orrville, Ohio, 15 miles to the northeast. In August of 2017, the company started production in the new location with 27 employees and revenue of $8.8 million. (McElroy later added an additional 72,000 square feet of ware- house space down the street.) The move to Orrville would be but the first step in what has become an eight-year equipment and facility modern- ization journey. The goal? To better serve its customers in a highly competitive market. “It started with my waking up at night thinking, ‘I’ve got some old equipment here, and I don’t know what the lifespan is.’ So we started the search.” In 2019, the company installed a Solarco Boxmat- ic 2-color boxmaker with die cut capabilities; in May of 2020, a Gazella Stitcher Gluer; in March of 2023 an Ap- star three-color, 66” x 110” rotary die-cutter with Alliance pre-feeder, AG Stacker, and JB Machine dryers and InKom- mand ink management system in the print stations. Close

on a 28,000-square-foot expansion of its plant, bringing the manufacturing floor total to 58,000 square feet. In a presentation to the Orrville City Council in September of 2021, McElroy made the case for a 10-year, 50 percent CONTINUED ON PAGE 26 McElroy Packaging installed the Apstar three-color 66x110 Rotary Die Cutter in 2023. The machine is outfitted with an Alliance Prefeeder, AG Stacker and JB Machinery dryers and InKommand print management system.

www.boardconvertingnews.com

June 23, 2025

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McElroy Packaging (CONT’D FROM PAGE 24)

Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY

property tax abatement on the added footage, noting that since its 2017 relocation to the city, the company had grown from 27 to 41 employees and had doubled its reve- nue to $16.4 million. “We have been blessed with growth, and we are committed to staying here a long time,” he said, just before the Council approved his request. The latest jewel in McElroy’s capital-investment crown is the EMBA 295. Steve McElroy made the forward-look- ing decision in consultation with Jeff Mendenhall, McElroy Packaging’s Operations Manager for the past five years. “Northern Ohio is still hyper-competitive,” Steve said, “and I felt like we needed something to compete at a larger volume level.” Mendenhall agreed, adding, “A lot of our competition was moving to higher-speed machines,

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.

and we were still running equipment from the ‘80s. Steve came to me and said, ‘We’ve got to get out in front of this.’ That’s what prompted us to look for a new flexo.” The 295’s Speed, Efficiency And Productivity Speed was an important consideration in the decision, and the EMBA 295, because of its unique dual-feed ca- pability, can run up to 24,000 sheets per hour. In McElroy Packaging’s plant, the machine can run up to 300 sheets per minute maximum in regular feed mode and 450 sheet per minute in “twin-feed.” McElroy and Mendenhall were also looking for quality, and their positive experience with their prior-generation EMBA was another driving force in the decision. The EMBA QS 295 Ultima’s no-crush pre- serves the integrity of the board through the machine, re- sulting in enhanced box performance and material cost savings, depending on the customer’s requirements. “We liked the ‘no-crush’ on the EMBA 295,” said Jeff, saying that the prior generation EMBA 244’s vacuum transfer through the machine delivered much higher board quality that their older equipment. “The quality was much better [on the 244] because of the vacuum transfer,” he said. “It was much better than we were getting off our older ma- chines.” The “older machines” were an early-generation S&S CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

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.

www.boardconvertingnews.com

June 23, 2025

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McElroy Packaging (CONT’D FROM PAGE 26)

Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY

flexo and Langston Saturn III. The EMBA would replace both, and so Mendenhall conducted a rigorous study of McElroy’s business mix to determine the most effective configuration for the 295. Looking at the mix and quantities of smaller items ver- sus larger, Mendenhall and McElroy concluded that the greater gain for McElroy’s business would be in a larger machine. Larger-volume, smaller boxes, said Mendenhall, could be effectively run on the Apstar rotary die cutter and joined on the company’s 74” Post folder-gluer, freeing the new 295 for orders for high-volume larger blanks.

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.

“In the range of sheets that we were running, larg- er-size and larger volume orders fit into that category bet- ter than they would have on a smaller machine. That was our thought process on how we picked that machine.” The footprint of McElroy’s EMBA 295 can handle sheets as small as 12⅝” x 34” or as large as 55” x 114”. Menden- hall elaborated further on this point, saying that since typ- ical sheet-plant order quantities are all over the map, the EMBA 295’s faster set-up times also allows McElroy to run larger boxes but in smaller quantities. “Mostly I think the machine gave us the ability to cap- italize on smaller quantity, bigger sheets, because now we can set it up in a couple of minutes instead of 15,” he said. Indeed, Mendenhall and his production team are fast closing in on their target of five-minute setups: “We’ve cut our set-up times in half across all machines,” he said. “We want to be right around the five-minute mark on the 295.” From a production point of view, McElroy and Menden- hall praise the EMBA 295 for its speed, efficiency, and pro- ductivity. “When I look at the reports, it’s just about dou- bled our contribution dollars,” said McElroy. Mendenhall, for his part, cited the higher square footage, saying, “The MSF that I get off that machine per hour is almost double what I was getting before, too.” No single piece of converting equipment performs in isolation; it requires a supporting cast of well-specified an- CONTINUED ON PAGE 30 The EAM-Mosca SQ4 bundler easily handles the horsepower of the EMBA 295.

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.

www.boardconvertingnews.com

June 23, 2025

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