A.G. Stacker (CONT’D FROM PAGE 24)
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
er engineer has informed his leadership of A.G. and has propelled the company into the world-class manufacturer it is today. He received his undergraduate degree in elec- trical engineering from Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in Lexington, Virginia, and his MBA from Averett University in Danville, Virginia. He arrived at A.G. in 2017 after spending a combined 11 years at an Allen-Bradley and Siemens sup- plier of electrical panels, components, and engineering to the company. “I knew the Allens,” he recalls. “I was an automation engineer for a major electrical distributor, and so I helped them with their PLCs (Programmable Logic Controller) and control cabinets on and off for 10 years. They were great to me, but they beat me up on price when they had to.” The Allens offered Wunder a position when they learned he was looking for a new role, and he immediately accepted. Shortly after accepting the role, the Allens then asked him to be director of engineering and operations. “Three months after that they asked me to be President.” ‘Digital Connection’ And ‘Human Interaction’ Wunder points to the digital transformation in corru- gated converting technology in recent years, especially through developments in machine connectivity and human interaction. This, he says, is the basis for A.G.’s collabora- tive mindset, adding that while machine connectivity has been around for many years for predictive maintenance or identification of component failure, the technology is limit- ed in its ability to optimize machine performance. “When you talk about remote connection, everyone can do it. But in my mind, that’s ‘90s, early 2000s,” he said. “We need to go beyond that, and so we’re adding collab- oration with the equipment, utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) so a person can actually work with it.” Wunder uses this example as a definition of “Industry 5.0,” where the human-machine interaction allows re- al-time process modification and improves safety for the worker. Pointing to A.G.’s own manufacturing floor, he says, “You’ll see out here what we’re doing is getting into collaborative robots, or ‘cobots,’ where a person can actu- ally work next to the robot safely. It’s not like a standard ro- bot that has to be guarded and fenced off. A cobot doesn’t need a fence; you can go right up to it, and it stops in a safe manner that won’t hurt you.” This technology, he said, is being introduced into A.G.’s automatic load forming lines to allow box makers the flexibility of using the automated cobot, or employing a worker for orders that may require more human oversight of the process. ‘Future-Proofing’ “That’s why we want to collaborate with our custom- ers,” he explained. “Everything we do is a digital platform. We just add it—like your phones, you get an update.” This platform approach, says Wunder, is the basis for A.G.’s line of “eSERIES” machines which are fully electric, modular systems without the predominance of hydraulics or pneu-
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.
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.
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www.boardconvertingnews.com
March 10, 2025
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