Converter Outlook (CONT’D FROM PAGE 24)
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
“We will see the continuation of our elders retiring in big numbers in our industry. News alert! AI can help there with not only efficiency gains but retraining many in our companies and documenting our ‘tribal knowledge.’ We will learn to do more with less as we reposition our em- ployees to be front and center with our clients to build on customer retention and customer acquisition. We will have to retrain many in our industry next year and in the coming years. “There is nothing like the ICPF to help us drive youth into our companies. This foundation is doing more than it ever has to drive entrants into our industry. The new lead- ership there is phenomenal! The best thing everyone can do for our industry is to write some big fat checks to the ICPF so it can help support all of our growth. “Happy New Year! Remember, happiness is a quality box!” CALBOX GROUP Santa Fe Springs, California: John Widera reports: “Most CEOs we talk with share two outlooks: a conviction that
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.
the U.S. economy will continue to grow and even strengthen, tem- pered by concerns about what’s going to come out of overreach- ing Washington and blue echo chambers like New York and Cal- ifornia. More than anything, they want tax cuts and a lower cost of living. Those high hopes also put
John Widera
the pressure back on paper mills and their customers to stay flexible, control costs, and execute cleanly. They don’t need a hammer, but a scalpel for changes. “Unfortunately, manufacturing is still loaded down with yesterday’s promises. Durable goods sales remain sluggish and order patterns are choppy. Instead of stock- ing up, many customers are choosing to run lean, which means choosing to sell out inventory rather than sell it off. Plants with financial discipline adjust quickly without burn- ing margin will have the advantage. When demand finally firms up later in 2026 or into 2027, those operations will be ready to grow their brands. “U.S. trade policy continues to make life more compli- cated than in needs to be. Tariffs haven’t stopped com- merce, but they added capital costs—especially for an industry that depends on imported machinery, parts, and new technology. For box plants and mills, that means high- er investment costs and longer payback periods. “Tariffs don’t magically bring manufacturing jobs back, they mostly just reshuffle who pays the bill. In response, companies are focusing harder on productivity, supplier relationships, and squeezing more out of existing equip- ment. A government that has protectionist tariffs in re- sponse to avoiding a recession makes the same mistake
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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January 12, 2026
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