Converter Outlook (CONT’D FROM PAGE 26)
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
as a business that raises prices in response to a sales slump. “E-Commerce isn’t growing like it did during COVID, but it’s not going away either. Online orders continue to drive steady demand for shipping boxes, protective pack- aging, and indirectly, containerboard, jobs, etc. New web- sites and promos written by ChatGPT will become popular, similar and boring. Search engines, and Social Media are still major channels to engage customers and prospects. According to Troy Harrison in an article in BCN, ‘When E-commerce buyers doubt the authenticity of your com- munication, they doubt the authenticity of your company. This hits B2B particularly hard because business relation- ships depend on trust. B2B buying decisions involve com- mitments, significant investment, and organizational risk. Buyers need confidence that you’ll deliver, support, and stand behind your product over time.’ “The U.S. paper and paperboard packaging business is still a heavyweight—roughly a $116 billion industry—but 2026 is shaping up to be a year where fundamentals real- ly matter. Box shipments, recovered fiber pricing, and mill utilization rates are back in the spotlight. There’s not much room for sloppy execution. For converters and brand own- ers alike, energy prices and efficiency are becoming the battleground. We’re seeing growing interests in AI-driven inspection, machine learning to catch defects early, faster setups, full inline process printing, and hybrid inside/out- side print capabilities, to name a few. The goal is simple: do more with less waste, less downtime, and fewer disrup- tive surprises. “Inflation hasn’t gone away—it’s just changed location and form. At its core, it’s still about too much money chas- ing too few goods, and the result is higher prices across the board. A lot of the policies meant to cool inflation have ended up layering on new costs instead. Big companies with legal teams and financial firepower can absorb sone of this. Smaller converters and family-owned operations immediately feel the higher costs, tighter margins and cus- tomers who push back harder every quarter. That squeeze for profit isn’t easing much in 2026. “There’s no question AI is moving fast. In 2026, AI oper- ating tools will get smarter, easier to use and more widely adapted across manufacturing and packaging. Investment dollars are pouring in and revenues are climbing quickly. Yet, there is also a fear at the possibility of an AI driven bubble from a trillion-dollar cost for data centers. “But there’s another side to it. The lack of transparen- cy and hype feel familiar to the dot-com-era. Not every AI company is real, profitable or sustainable. Some will deliver real value for businesses and others won’t make it past the investors’ pitch desk. My recent conversation with a young cybersecurity founder David Colombo of Silicon Valley really drove this home. His start-up works with U.S. government and officials in Dubai to find ways
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.
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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January 12, 2026
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