January 12, 2026
VOL. 42, NO. 2
BoardConverting Serving the North American Corrugated and Folding Carton Industries Since 1985
Converter Outlook, Part II: Insights From The West Coast BY ASHLEY PRAZYCH The ability to adapt has always been one of the corrugated industry’s strengths. Year after year, box makers adjust to shifting conditions, bal- ancing caution with opportunity as they work through forces largely outside their control. The year ahead looks no different. Cost pressures remain top of mind, tariffs continue to influence planning, and the cur-
Package Crafters Acquires AXIS Corrugated Container High Point, North Carolina based Package Crafters, Inc. has acquired AXIS Corrugated Container, Inc. in Butner, North Carolina. Gary Brewer, President and Founder of Package Crafters, made his first acquisition in 2015 with Creative Packaging. The addition of
AXIS Corrugated, a 70,000-square-foot man- ufacturing and distribution facility, enhances the geographic footprint of the family of busi- nesses throughout the Southeast and furthers Brewer’s commitment to supporting local manufacturing jobs with impeccable custom- er service and innovative solutions. Trip Casson, former CEO, AXIS Corrugated, left, and Gary Brewer, President, Package Crafters.
rent political landscape adds another layer of uncertainty. At the same time, conversations around artificial intelligence are becoming more common, prompting questions not just about what is possible, but what is practical. In Part II of our annual Converter Outlook, two indepen- dent West Coast box makers share how they are approaching the year ahead. Their outlooks reflect a measured, experience-driven mindset shaped by real operating conditions rather than short-term trends. THE BAY CITIES Pico Rivera, California: Greg Tucker reports, “Where, oh where will we grow? Last outlook I posted was a demonstration of history, which helped form my opinion (or guess) as to what would happen in the world of boxes. I thought things would be bumpy in the first half of 2025 and we would get our footing and start to get back to normalized growth. This last year was met with the buzzword of ‘uncertainty.’ “After the hopes and dreams of the Orange Marshmallow coming in for a second round, we thought we would see immediate reductions in regulations, taxes and a spike in business activities. This time around the Orange Marshmallow thought through exactly how to maneuver through a very dirty dust-filled system of the ‘deep state’ and drive a CONTINUED ON PAGE 22
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
WHAT’S INSIDE
6 x x 8 x x 12 x x 26 x x 4 SupplyOne Expands West, Acquires Wertheimer Box Buckeye Corrugated Opens New Facility In Nevada Jeff Ramsey Of Central Box Florida Passes Away At 59 18 Mesirow Welcomes New Managing Directors
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting