BoardConverting Serving the North American Corrugated and Folding Carton Industries for 39 years July 31, 2023 VOL. 39, NO. 31
AI And The Bottom Line: Making Chatbots Profitable BY PHILLIP M. PERRY
WHAT’S INSIDE 8 AICC SE Summit Features Golf, Tour Of Domtar In Kingsport, TN 12 PPC Interviews Hilda Murray Of TPC Printing & Packaging 20 HP/LP Appoints New COO: Tonya Kowa-Morelli 38 Cascades Announces New Leadership, President/COO The Paris facility is positioned to meet the increased demand in the U.S. for more inno- vative and sustainable folding cartons which provide convenient, safe and hygienic food for busy consumers. The site is expected to employ up to 80 employees within the first three years. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 The investment into production assets is approximately $30 million and the warehouse and manufacturing facility will be leased. This significantly increases the North America business segment’s capacity in folding car- tons to support the growth of the food service business. Production is expected to start ramping up in the first quarter of 2025 and will be key to servicing the growth of existing customers and a growing list of up-and-coming custom- ers throughout the Southern and Midwestern states. Huhtamaki Invests $30M For Paris, TX Facility Expansion Espoo, Finland based Huhtamaki has an- nounced a significant investment in its Paris, Texas facility. The investment consists of an expansion of its manufacturing capacity as well as a con- solidation of an external warehouse.
Artificial intelligence is invading the business world. Companies of all sizes are experimenting with ChatGPT and similar programs to improve their performance in such areas as sales optimization, inventory man- agement, business planning, customer service, and fraud detection.
“Artificial intelligence is enabling a new way of working, communi- cating, and sharing information throughout all business operations,” said Jake Maymar, VP of Innovation at the Glimpse Group, a technolo- gy company working with generative AI ((theglimpsegroup.com). “It is a new age dawning that will extend the technological advances that began a few decades ago when the computer replaced the printing press.” The benefits of AI accrue not just to large corporations. “Smaller businesses are often laser focused on selling, closing deals, and work- ing productively with customers,” said Patrick Delaney, a software en- gineer specializing in artificial intelligence. “AI is well suited to enhance the efficiency and potency of those very business activities.” Minding The Store While AI is a promising venture for most any enterprise, managers must ensure that unmonitored technology does not damage a com- pany’s operations or tarnish its image. Especially in these early days, skepticism is as valid an attitude as enthusiasm. CONTINUED ON PAGE 24
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Huhtamaki Invests (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)
“This expansion scales up our core business to support the continued growth of our U.S. foodservice customers,” said Ann O’Hara, President, Huhtamaki North America.
“The Paris plant will be key in helping the company achieve its 2030 strategy for Customer Excellence by meeting the demand for folding cartons across the region.” Huhtamaki is a global provier of sustainable packaging solutions for consumers around the world. Their products are used to protect on-the-go and on-the-shelf food and beverages. With a 100-year history and strong Nordic her- itage, it operates in 37 countries and 114 operating loca- tions around the world. Visit Huhtamaki.com .
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FBA Announces New Officers, Board Members
The Fibre Box Association (FBA) Board of Directors has announced the election of Bryan Hollenbach, Executive Vice President of Green Bay Packaging Inc., as the Associ- ation’s 2023-24 Chairman. The election took place during their Board of Directors meeting on June 19 in Banff, Alberta, Canada. Other officers elected include: • First Vice Chairman Tim Bergwall, Greif • Second Vice Chairman Rob Barger, Georgia-Pacific • Immediate Past Chairman Doug Bosnik, Buckeye Cor- rugated Inc. • Staff President Bob McIlvaine along with Senior Vice President Rachel Kenyon New or re-elected board members were approved by a vote of all members during the Annual Meeting on June 20 and will each be serving a three-year term from 2023 to 2026: • Cathy Foley, Pratt Industries • Tom Hamic, International Paper • Joseph Palmeri Jr., Jamestown Container • Juan Pablo Perez, Smurfit Kappa North America
• Steven Rose, DS Smith NAPP • Clay Shaw, Batavia Container For more information, visit fibrebox.org .
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TAPPI Announces Corrugated Division Honorees, Award Winners TAPPI announced the honorees who will be recognized during a special awards ceremony at CorrExpo, on August 28-30 in Cleveland, Ohio: • Christopher Krumm, Greif Inc.’s former Vice President of Production, now retired • Harrison Talton, R&D Researcher, Fiber Technology, WestRock • Ed Stuczynksi, Director of Engineering at Menasha Packaging Co, LLC Krumm will be presented with the Corrugated Division’s David A. Carlson Leadership and Service Award. A TAPPI Fellow, he has served on the TAPPI Board of Directors, the
Corrugated Packaging Division’s Council (CPC), as well as its Supplier Advisory Council. The award is intended to recognize individuals for outstanding leadership and exceptional service to the Corrugated Packaging Division that have resulted in significant and demonstrable bene- fits to Division members. Talton is one of TAPPI’s 2023 Young Professional of the Year recipients, an annual honor identifying aspiring young leaders in the global forest products, pulp, paper, tissue, Chris Krumm Harrison Talton Ed Stuczynski
packaging and associated industries. Eligi- ble nominees are age 35 or younger with less than 10 years of industry experience. The award recognizes young profession- als who have made significant contribu- tions to the forest products industries in the following areas: leadership, communi- ty service, and problem-solving contribu- tions to scientific or engineering projects. Stuczynksi will be honored as Outgo- ing Division Chair. A TAPPI member since 2006, Stuczynksi has been an active vision participant serving in a variety of capaci- ties, as well as being involved in the Divi- sion’s special events, including SuperCorr- Expo, Corrugated Week and CorrExpo. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the Chicago TAPPI Local Section. During the Awards ceremony, the Divi- sion will also celebrate its 2023 scholar- ship recipients: •Katherine Marie Bodenschatz, University of Cincinnati, the Supplier Advisory Com- mittee Scholarship •Alex E. Boyd, Western Michigan Univer- sity, the Terry S. Paulson Memorial Schol- arship and the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Scholarship •Weston Blaine Cregger, North Carolina State University, the Joe Dieffenbacher Engineering Scholarship •Abigail Brooke Mendius, Dunwoody Col- lege of Technology, the Corrugated Pack- aging Division Scholarship •Kate Ross, Miami University, the John O. Telesca Engineering Scholarship Visit correxpo.org to register and learn more about the event. To learn more about the Corrugated Packaging Division, visit tappi.org .
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AICC SE Summit Draws 60 Members To Tennessee For Golf, Domtar Tour The 2023 AICC Southeast Summit drew more than 60 attendees to Kingsport, Tennessee, earlier this month to tour Domtar's mill and play in the annual golf tournament.
AICC members, including several first-time attendees, saw Domtar's venerable, now modernized, Kingsport Mill at the industry event. Originally opened in 1916, the mill is a downtown landmark on the Holston River. Through extensive renovation, Domtar converted the facility into the company's first 100 percent recycled containerboard CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
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AICC SE Summit (CONT’D FROM PAGE 8)
facility. It is expected that the mill will be able to produce and market about 600,000 tons of recycled linerboard and corrugated medium annually, making it the second-largest recycled containerboard machine in North America. Dom- tar sells its output to independents. The attendees received a tour that began with the historical aspects of the mill and progressed through the renovations and upgrades that have made the mill a show- case of the most modern paper-making technology. The mill utilizes 50,000 tons of recycling residuals and other by-products that otherwise would enter landfills. "AICC appreciates Domtar opening the facility for our members. It is impressive to see one of the widest, fastest, paper machines in the world creating 100 percent recy- cled product. It is the cleanest paper mill that I have ever visited,” said AICC President Mike D'Angelo. The golf tournament was held on the Cattails Golf Course at the MeadowView Marriott Resort. The winning team included Gregg Diethorn, Longreach International; Greg Jones, SUN Automation; James Moncure, J.M. Fry; and Chris Neighbors, Cumberland Container. AICC is appreciative of its sponsors: Domtar, along with Haire Group, AG Stacker, Bobst, SUN Automation, Inde- pendent Corrugator, American Corrugated Machine, Inde- pendent Paperboard Marketing, Baysek Machines, EAM Mosca, and TranSouth Logistics.
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Q&A: PPC Talks To Hilda Murray Of TPC Printing & Packaging On Cusp Of Centennial On the cusp of TPC Printing & Packaging’s centennial, the Paperboard Packaging Council sat down with Hilda Murray, the company’s Executive Vice President and Owner, to learn the company’s history, how they have overcome numerous obstacles, and how they are staying competitive. The independent, family-owned folding carton converter has adapted to market changes, gen- erational shifts, new technology, and much more during its 99-year history. Here’s a closer look: PPC: Let’s dive into the history of TPC Printing & Packaging. What motivated your family to start their own independent carton converting business? How have you changed over the years? HM: My grandfather, Joseph Schmissrauter, Sr., started the business in 1924 when he purchased used printing equipment for $250. We started out with letterpress and making labels for the textile industry, thus the name: Textile Printing Company (changed to TPC Printing & Packaging in the late 90s). Back then, there was a huge concentration of sock man- ufacturers in our area, and we produced pressure-sensitive labels that wrapped around socks. This was the majority of what we did until my dad, Joseph Schmissrauter, Jr., came into the business in 1955. My dad was a super salesman. He could sell ice to Eskimos. When he joined the company, he went to New York City and brought on some busi- ness from a major women’s hosiery company in the textile industry. With that business, we then transitioned into a “converter” and added a cutter and a gluer to our printing operation so we could begin making hosiery envelopes. That was kind of our bread and butter in the 1950s and 1960s. In the early 70s, we moved into a much larger facility and multi-color litho-offset presses, and we were a wide format manufacturer. We had 55-inch equipment throughout the building. Again, we were mainly fo- cused on the textile industry. PPC: What challenges did you and your family face when growing your business, and how did you overcome them? HM: When the North American Free Trade Agreement was established in the mid-80s, the textile industry pretty much evaporated, and, with it, went its need for paperboard packaging. We had to go into survival mode and reinvent. We ended up working with Kmart and Walmart through a third party, and we also started manufacturing DVD sleeves. We manu- factured millions of those, and we also produced cartons for Fujifilm, ce- real cartons for McKee Baking, OTC pharma packaging for Chattem Drug, photograph carrier envelopes for the Olan Mills company, and even hair care display pegboard cards for Goody products. In the early 90s, I managed our Prepress department. That was also the time that digital imaging and workflow were born. It was a total tran- sition from what we were used to in a traditional darkroom environment. We purchased our first Raystar digital image setter from Scitex in 1992. This technology was the beginning of a completely new and efficient workflow that transformed our entire industry. As technology advanced and much of our traditional business like the Fujifilm, DVD, and traditional photography went away, we had to reinvent again. We had to find a new niche, and that was when we got into spe- cialty and luxury lines of packaging. Hilda Murray
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TPC Printing & Packaging (CONT’D FROM PAGE 12)
continue further development of the higher-end cosmet- ics and spirits packaging segments throughout the past 15 years. Our most recent reinvention of sorts occurred as a re- sult of Covid-19. We shut down our operations on March 7, 2020, when we quickly realized Covid was very serious. Our state deemed us an “essential” business, and we got the plant back into operation within a week. To ensure our employees’ safety, we put many proce- dures into place. In addition to requiring masks and stricter hygiene, we installed acrylic shields in almost every part of the building. Social distancing was standard operating procedure, as well as individual temperature checks, staggering shifts, and even adding a crew of personnel to clean each piece of equipment between shifts. Staff to maintain as sanitary a place as possible was added. Of course, hand sanitizers were placed everywhere. It was a very challenging and surreal time. However, this time allowed us to develop a virtual press approval system that is still being utilized by the majority of our customers today. We also now have a more secure and safe working environment. During this time, our biggest challenges were unprec- edented supply chain shortages and pricing fluctuations. Although extremely challenging, it just taught us how to manage our materials purchasing in a more timely and ef-
Partnering with an innovative design company in the UK, we became an exclusive licensee for paperboard tubes, which launched us into the spirits business.
My father passed away in 2000. He had been semi-re- tired, so my three brothers, Joey, Mark, and Kurt, and I were already integrated into managing our family busi- ness. When he passed, we became equal partners in TPC Printing & Packaging. We survived the 2008 recession. All I can say was it was challenging, to say the least. We were then able to The owners of TPC Printing & Packaging, from left: Kurt Schmissrauter, Joey Schmissrauter, Hilda Murray, and Mark Schmissrauter.
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TPC Printing & Packaging (CONT’D FROM PAGE 14)
the business now, so we will be leaving it in good hands. Our pledge is to stay independent. A lot of our competitors have been acquired or merged with great thoughtfulness to the best interest of their families and their businesses. We decided that our adult children are very capable of leading the company and taking it to the next level. We feel comfortable that we will stay independent despite any obstacles that may arise. PPC: How do you stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market, and what strategies do you employ to differentiate your company from others? HM: Quite frankly, it is very hard for our core accounts (or anyone) to move business. We, of course, must remain competitive in pricing, and there are also not many of us left. We have found our niche in luxury packaging and high- ly decorated cartons, so we feel a little bit ahead of the pack or, at the very least, solidly “in the game.” We have also had a digital enhancement machine from Scodix since 2016, so we have a multi-year jump on our competition. We saw the machine at Drupa in 2016 and secured it shortly thereafter. It is a unique, state-of-the-art technology that is extremely innovative. We also have a huge focus on sustainability. We are al- ways exploring initiatives to eliminate plastic from our car- tons, and we are evaluating all the paper and paperboard tray options.
ficient manner. Our customers knew that they could depend on us to keep them supplied. It seems surreal now that we are on the other side of it, but I do think it made us a much better partner and supplier to our customers.
TPC Printing & Packaging's 2022 holiday celebration.
Finally, our latest adventure has been getting into the rigid box business, which has propelled us into brand new territory. It has also been so successful that we are com- pleting a 65,000-square-foot facility to house our specialty and digital business segments. Our growth has been fantastic and challenging. Grow- ing pains are good problems to have, and we are excited about the future. It has been a fun ride. Four of our 13 children are in
CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
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TPC Printing & Packaging (CONT’D FROM PAGE 16)
our future is in good hands. That said, continuing to think outside the box, stay innovative, and reinvest in our equip- ment, technology, and our people by providing continuous training and education will be key to a successful and sus- tained future. PPC: Why are independent, family-owned converters im- portant to the paperboard packaging industry? HM: I think that we are giving big corporations a run (may- be, just a little one) for their money because we are so flex- ible, and we can make decisions a lot faster than they do. We can be nimble about some decisions that we make, while also serving our clients extremely well. Our owner- ship is in the trenches, doing whatever it takes to stay con- nected with our customers. Some larger corporations probably look at an inde- pendent carton company like ours, and they see distinct advantages and disadvantages to being independent. In the end, I think and hope that the independent segment will grow because of limitless technology and the spirit of entrepreneurship. PPC’s Commitment to Carton Converters PPC offers opportunities for learning and growth, keep- ing converters at the forefront of industry advancements. Through meetings and events, PPC facilitates networking with peers and enables access to insights from industry experts, fostering valuable connections and knowledge sharing. For more information, visit paperbox.org/join .
We are being challenged by our clients to take it to a new level, and some are willing to pay a little more for sustainable options. Packaging has become a hot topic for sustainability, so we are trying to stay ahead of that as much as possible.
Sustainability in packaging and materials is the stan- dard of our future, and, if you’re not there, you’re probably not going to stay in business for the long term. PPC: What do you think the future holds for TPC Printing & Packaging, and how do you plan to adapt and thrive in the coming years? HM: We are going to leave that to our kids. We feel like
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Huston Patterson/Lewisburg Printing Name Tonya Kowa-Morelli New COO Decator, Illinois based Huston Patterson Printers and Lewisburg Printing Company announced that Tonya Kowa-Morelli has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer.
cade long growth of her family’s business. She is an in- dustry proven leader with a track record of success at all levels. Since the merger of Huston Patterson and Lewisburg Printing, she has been leading company-wide integration teams, board level integration and the implementation of EOS across the company’s five locations. “Tonya possesses the rare ability to think, plan, and execute strategically. And she does that with a spirit of helpfulness and encouragement, embodying our core val- ues and motivating those around her,” said Hale Hawkins, CEO. “We are incredibly fortunate to have her leadership.” Kowa-Morelli said she is humbled and grateful for the opportunity to help guide the company into the next chap- ter of success. “Lewisburg Printing, Hawk Converting, Huston Patter-
In this role she will manage the day-to-day operations and will con- tinue to champion the company’s mission of helping employees and clients build their futures. All Illinois and Tennessee operations will re-
Tonya Kowa-Morelli
port to Kowa-Morelli. Kowa-Morelli has been the President of Huston Patter- son since 2014 and was instrumental in the historic, de-
son and Sigma Graphics have excellent em- ployees who dedicate their careers to ex- ceeding our clients’ expectations and I am excited to work alongside them,” she said. Both founded in the late 1800s, Lewis- burg Printing Company and Huston Patter- son merged in March 2022 after a century of independent success providing printing and packaging to client’s clients across North America. With a combined 200 years of demon- strated history in print, combined with a new focus and capabilities, the company said it has the equipment, materials and dedicated service required to handle their customers’ folding carton needs. Lewisburg Printing, Huston Patterson, Hawk Converting, Sigma Graphics, and LPC Texas Visual are backed by Radial Equity Partners. CCCA & PPEC Announce Inaugural Golf Tournament The Canadian Corrugated & Container- board Association (CCCA) and the Paper & Paperboard Packing Environmental Council (PPEC) announced the Inaugural Golf Tour- nament on September 27 at Club de Golf de L’lle de Montreal in Montreal, Quebec. This is an opportunity to gather for a day of golf and networking with colleagues from across the industry. Special early registra- tion pricing is available through August 21. The event begins with breakfast at 10:30 a.m., a shotgun start at 11:30 a.m., and re- ception and dinner at 4:30 p.m. Online registration opens soon. For more information, contact Kate Menard at kmenard@cccabox.org or (905) 458-0087.
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Registration Open For Chicago TAPPI’s Annual Golf Outing & Dinner TAPPI announced open registration for Chicago TAPPI Lo- cal Section’s 23rd Annual Golf Outing and Dinner taking place on August 8 at the Meadowbrook Country Club in Mt. Pleasant, Wisconsin. This is a four-person scramble with a shotgun start at 1:30 p.m., followed by cocktails at 6:00 p.m. and dinner at 7:00 p.m. The fee is $200 per person/$800 per foursome. Register individually or as a team. TAPPI membership is not required to participate. This is a valuable opportunity to network with clients, colleagues, and friends. Early registration is recommended as space is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Onsite registra- tion will be available from noon to 1:30 p.m. but advance online registration is highly encouraged. Register now at tappi.org/chicagogolf. The jewel of Meadowbrook Country Club (MCC) is its 18-hole par 71 golf course. The course is both beautiful and challenging and will test the skills of even the most expe- rienced golfer. First opened in 1927, Meadowbrook’s golf course fea- tures a creek and two ponds that come into play on eight holes. The terrain is predominantly flat with most of the fair- ways wide and tree-lined. The greens are medium-sized,
sloped and fast with sand bunkers on almost every hole. Whatever your handicap, MCC offers an enjoyable chal- lenge to all who play it. Visit tappi.org/Chicago to learn more about Chicago TAPPI. For questions about the golf outing, contact the 2023 Golf Committee members John Meyer at (269) 569- 0060; Phil Eads at (973) 722-9637; and Ed Stuczynski at (920) 427-3410. Pre-Registration Open For PPC Fall Meeting & Leadership Conference The Paperboard Packaging Council invites you to experi- ence the beauty of San Diego, California renowned for its ideal climate and breathtaking coastline, at the 2023 Fall Meeting & Leadership Conference on October 25-27 at the Rancho Bernardo Inn. For three days, attendees will gain invaluable insights to optimize folding carton production, stimulate innovative paper box designs, and ignite their leadership potential. The winners of the Paperboard Packaging Competition will also be recognized as well as the finalists of the Pa- perboard Packaging Alliance's 2023 Student Design Chal- lenge. Pre-registration is now open. Once registered, PPC will send an invoice for hassle-free payment. For more infor- mation, visit paperbox.org .
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Artificial Intelligence (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)
can create robust feelings of loyalty. “Over reliance on AI can lead to a missing out of human intuition,” said Delaney. Third, no matter how “smart” the output from a chatbot program, it remains true that an experienced human being can develop an affinity with customers that can only be achieved through years of productive interactions. “Someone who has operated as a plant manager for 20 years will have vastly more knowledge and customer savvy than an AI program that has been trained on three or four years of data,” said Piyush Tripathi, lead engineer at Square. “Businesses need to balance what is produced by the machine with what is produced by the human.” Finally, managers must constantly address AI activity in light of the company’s current posture with employees and the public. Do the initiatives created by AI align with company values? “While AI is objective in its analysis and conclusions, it is not aware of how to assess values and why they are important,” said Tripathi. “A project plan may be perfect in the eyes of a robot, but a human can look at it and instantly know it’s not going to be acceptable to the employees or the public.” Improving Performance So where can an investment in AI return the most bang for the buck? Here are some areas of business operations for which chatbot programs seem especially suited: Automated Design - “Manufacturers will be able to
Managers must keep their eyes open for sever- al potential problems. The first is accuracy. Given the impressive size of AI’s resources, humans are apt to place too much trust in its output. In fact, AI often pro- duces many factual errors which technologists call “hal- lucinations.” Experts warn that everything generated by the new technology must be validated by a human. Unchecked errors, of course, can damage any company’s reputation.
BCN(US)202209(QS1025)(o)(出血5mm).pdf 1 2022/8/30 下午 02:02:46 But a second problem is a lack of empathy that is all too evident in much of the output that emanates from AI pro- grams. Customers and employees can be irritated when AI disrupts the personal, one-on-one human interactions that
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Artificial Intelligence (CONT’D FROM PAGE 24)
design equipment, installations, and floor plans instantly rather than wait weeks for people to complete the work,” said Tripathi. “These tasks can all be done fairly easily by AI, and that will reduce costs in terms of time and labor.” Predictive Maintenance - “AI can predict in advance when something will fail in a system,” said Tripathi. “It bas- es its decision on an analysis of how similar equipment performed in the past. This allows the manufacturer to get a replacement part or run maintenance before a problem arises. And that can reduce downtime.” Part and parcel of predictive maintenance is the utiliza- tion of failure alert systems. While these have been driven in the past by the Internet of Things (IoT), AI will increase substantially their quality and dependability. Customer Service - Chatbot programs that handle customer problems are advancing far beyond the famil- iar, simple-minded web helpers of the past. Rather than accessing a limited database of information and spitting out canned responses to customer questions, the new programs handle inquiries in creative ways, using natural language. And their answers are informed by all of the in- formation they have absorbed from the Internet. End User Modules - Larger manufacturers can use AI to create sophisticated modules that can be left with cus- tomers to help run and maintain equipment. “The ability to provide customers with a helpful user interface and proprietary software that makes their equip- ment easier to use,” said Phil Siegel, founder of CAPTRS, a nonprofit organization working with artificial intelligence (captrs.org). “This can make the customer relationship very tight and increase the ability to continue to market to them.” Advertising & Marketing - Artificial intelligence can develop complete marketing campaigns, starting with themes and moving on to story boards, promotional text, and even artwork and videos. “An AI program can do the work of a creative direc- tor and even perform A/B testing,” said Maymar. “It can speed up such projects dramatically, completing in maybe an hour what unaided humans might require two weeks to accomplish.” Performance Reviews - AI Programs can complete the foundational work of employee evaluations by comparing worker achievements against company metrics. They can also produce reports that reveal performance trends over the years. Project Planning - “Thanks to its sophisticated algo- rithms, AI can create smart schedules that analyze the various parts of a project and identify the often-hidden de- pendencies that must be addressed to avoid unexpected delays,” said Tripathi. “Very often it’s hard to do all of that manually, because there are so many loose connections and variables that must be kept in mind.” Such programs can analyze worker and resource avail-
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Len Prazych at 518-366-9017 lprazych@nvpublications.com
CONTINUED ON PAGE 28
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Artificial Intelligence (CONT’D FROM PAGE 26)
out that something is likely to go wrong at an organiza- tion long before a human can spot problems,” said Tripathi. “This allows the business to take the appropriate action to avoid a hit to the bottom line.” Business Plans - What is the best course of action for a business over the next three years? Into what new markets should it expand? “Artificial intelligence can lay out a potential busi- ness direction, along with an appropriate marketing plan,” said Maymar. “It will provide stimulating ideas and a clear path to follow, even if current manage- ment lacks an MBA or formal business education.” Laying Groundwork While AI can increase company profitability by lending efficiencies to all of the above areas, the fact remains that a watchful eye is essential for ensuring that the activities of the new technology are accurate, empathic, informed by human experience, and aligned with company values. “We should not think of AI as some kind of magical pro- cess, because then we would lack the understanding of its internal operations necessary to criticize its performance,” said Delaney. “We need to know that it has limitations, that it can't give all the answers, and that there's still value in cross-checking everything it does.” Experts advise using a two-step process in every area of company operations. That means letting AI do the foun- dational work, and then having a human check for errors
abilities, equipment capabilities, and budgetary limitations when planning timelines for peak performance. The result is often a more objective plan, noted Tripathi. “These programs can help avoid the natural bias that can arise with the tendencies to go with what worked in the past or what is familiar, as opposed to what is logical.” Training Programs - “AI programs can make the task of developing staff educational modules much easier,” said Siegel. In the past, businesses would write static manuals that required constant updating over time. Modern AI pro- grams can create dynamic, interactive modules built upon foundational performance parameters provided by com- pany management. “Training initiatives can be made more specific than in the past, responding to the needs of people who are hav- ing trouble with certain parts of their jobs.” Service Manuals - “Equipment is becoming so com- plex that it will be very hard for anyone to know everything about them,” said Siegel. “AI will be needed to help install- ers, users, and repair people.” AI will also be able to find defects in manufactured equipment before it moves out to the customer. Supplier & Customer Evaluations - Will a prospective customer be able to pay their bills? Will a vendor close up shop before delivering critical materials? “Because AI can analyze data so deeply, it can figure
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Artificial Intelligence (CONT’D FROM PAGE 28)
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
of fact and nuance. Some examples will make this clear. Despite their so- phistication, AI-fueled customer service interactions can still seem tone-deaf. That’s why a human representative must usually step in after the AI program has completed such foundational work as performing an initial analysis and assessing metrics.
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.
With promotional initiatives, too, experienced humans need to come in and check the work provided by artifi- cial intelligence. “While AI programs may seem valid on their surface, very often they lack the human element that makes such initiatives work.,” said Maymar. “Without the human touch, they can seem soulless.” In the area of performance reviews, employees will benefit from one-on-one conversations that discuss why targets were achieved in some areas and not in others. “The human manager needs to provide the encourage- ment that an AI program cannot,” said Maymar. “Personal interaction is necessary to transform an objective review into an opportunity to grow, coach, and share knowledge.” Getting Started While AI holds promise for any business enterprise, it can be difficult to get the ball rolling. Experts advise start- ing with simple projects, encouraging everyone to partici- pate. “Figure out a way to make AI a common part of daily operations throughout your business,” advises Delaney. “Schedule learning periods so the staff becomes familiar with the system.” Delaney compares the role of ChatGPT to that of Mi- crosoft Word twenty years ago. What was a novelty then has become a routine part of the business world. Experimentation will be necessary, and that can lead to some failures. Businesses need to keep in mind that if a certain operation doesn’t work particularly well with AI right now, it may do so in the future. “AI programs get smart really fast,” said Joe Karasin, an AI consultant and SEO specialist. “As you continue to train the program, it continues to improve, and gives you better, more targeted information.” A major driver for the improvement of AI performance is the ability of the human operator to write effective ques-
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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Artificial Intelligence (CONT’D FROM PAGE 30)
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
tions. “AI learns from the corrections an individual makes to their prompts, and with repeated iterations does a bet- ter job of providing productive results,” said Karasin. “At the same time, the human operator learns how to fashion prompts that bring productive responses.” While the AI learning curve may seem daunting, it’s wise for every business to get an early start, even at a basic level. “Managers need to become aware of how AI works, and how it can be used as a force multiplier for business capabilities,” said Maymar. “Everyone is going to be using AI pretty soon, and you don’t want to be the one left behind. The best thing to do is to ride the wave now instead of being buried in the crest as it goes over.”
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.
Phillip Perry is an award-winning freelance writer and a regular contributor to Board Converting News. His byline has appeared over 3,000 times in the nation's business press. Reach him at https://www. linkedin.com/in/phillipmperry/.
DS Smith Donates Boxes To Support Children's Summer Nutrition Program Atlanta, Georgia based DS Smith announced its partner- ship with nonprofit food pantry Chatham Outreach Alliance (CORA) of Pittsboro, North Carolina, to help address the food insecurity schoolchildren face during summer break. The DS Smith North America Packaging and Paper (NAPP) plant in nearby Holly Springs is producing and donating 5,000 boxes for packaging and delivering food donations to families over the summer. CORA’s SNACK! (Summer Nutritional Assistance for Chatham Kids) distrib- utes food to approximately 1,400 kids who depend upon free or reduced-cost meals at school during the school year but have little or no replacement for this when school is not in session. “Our SNACK! Program was originally established as a farmer’s market-style service for families to select food from the pantry we provide, but during the pandemic we were forced to switch to providing boxes that our volun- teers fill and deliver curbside to families,” said Rebecca Hankins, Development and Communications Director, CORA. The organization has continued using boxes for distribution because of the convenience curbside distribu- tion offers for families. “We hope this can make a difference to those relying on the Summer Nutritional Assistance for Chatham Kids program,” said Bryce Deblasi, Holly Springs Plant Manag- er, DS Smith NAPP. “Our sites play an active role in their communities, and we seek to represent the communities and customers we serve.” For more information, visit dssmith.com .
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.
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