Board Converting News, August 24, 2020

FBA: Shipments Up (CONT’D FROM PAGE 8)

Virtual Press Checks (CONT’D FROM PAGE 34)

Storat also noted that shipping days are having an un- usual effect on box shipments, since every shipping day accounts for four to five percent of monthly shipments. Al- ready this year there have been three more shipping days than last year. This makes the average weekly shipment rate a more important barometer of industry supply. AF&PA Releases July 2020 Containerboard Report The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has re- leased its July 2020 Containerboard Monthly Report. Total containerboard production in July remained basically flat (-0.2 percent) compared to July 2019. It was up four per- cent when compared to the same seven months of 2019. • July 2020 production of containerboard for export de- creased seven percent compared to the same month last year; it was up 28 percent year-to-date. • The containerboard operating rate was 89.4 percent, down 1.6 points from July 2019 and up 3.1 points ytd. • Mill inventories of containerboard at the end of July de- creased 7,000 short tons from the previous month and were up 67,000 short tons compared to July 2019. The complete report can be purchased by contacting- Statistics_Publications@afandpa.org or (202) 463-4716.

1. Put an experienced team together to ensure success- ful press checks: a senior pressroom supervisor, CSR for the account, and sales representative for the account. 2. Implement a series of internal team meetings to keep processes and team members aligned with goals. 3. Clearly communicate expectations. I recommend a pre-game meeting with the client’s point person. 4. Clearly communicate that once approved, you are producing. 5. Follow up with the client afterwards to get feedback on any issues, improvements, or concerns. 6. Evaluate your internal process after each press check. Despite creating challenges for the paperboard in- dustry, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many opportunities for improved processes, including press checks. Sending everything virtual has increased safety and efficiency while decreasing the time it takes to com- plete. Your team saves on resources while your customer saves on time and cost – it’s a win-win for everyone in- volved. Murray’s team is already experiencing the benefits: “In my opinion, it is doubtful that in-person press checks will be done going forward,” she says. “It is costly and time-consuming for our clients, and it becomes a mar- keting strategy to improve the experience for them. It has already improved production efficiency at TPC.”

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