AICC Celebrates (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)
ing environment compared to the early ‘70s when supply chains were less visible. “If you segue to today, most independents have tre- mendous relationships with their integrated supplier part- ners and a lot of them run a lot of work for the integrated companies,” said AICC President Michael D’Angelo.
of Container Service Corp., and others made it their mis- sion to recruit and unite members to be part of an associ- ation that would safeguard their interests. By November of 1974, they had their first national meet- ing in St. Louis, Missouri with 91 attendees representing 54 independent box plants. It was there that Gene Macchi, president of the Independent Corrugated Container Corp., made a prophetic statement: “A single stick can be easily broken. A bundle of sticks, bound together, cannot.” In the early years, AICC focused primarily on the supply of paper to independents, competitiveness, and the de- velopment of a level playing field for independent owners. But more practical reasons for joining forces, such as pro- viding affordable employee benefits and industry training, which were previously unavailable to independent compa- nies, also became apparent. In 1979, AICC negotiated a 10-year supply agreement with International Paper after it acquired the Pineville Kraft Paper Mill, a key supplier to many independent convert- ers. This became the model for “set-aside” agreements, which helped to ensure supply. These and other initiatives spurred membership growth. By 1980, AICC had more than 300 members. Fast forward to 2024 and the independent has a lot to celebrate as the AICC, stronger than ever, marks it’s 50th year. Today, one sees a completely different packag-
“All boats have certainly risen with so many more bil- lions of square feet being produced today, and the econ- omy has grown as the importance of paper-based pack- aging has also grown versus plastics. The members have a green story to tell with paper-based packing. It’s a good market to be in. Consumers want paper-based packaging.” The upcoming AICC Spring Meeting & 50th Anniver- sary Celebration is around the corner on April 8-10 at one of members’ most popular venues — Palm Desert, Cali- CONTINUED ON PAGE 26 AICC’s founding members at the Association's first national meeting in St. Louis, Missouri in 1974.
24 March 18, 2024
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