Board Converting News, February 2, 2026

February 2, 2026

VOL. 42 NO. 5

BoardConverting Serving the North American Corrugated and Folding Carton Industries Since 1985

How To Find The Hidden Innovators In Your Company BY SUSAN ROBERTSON Most people who work in a corporate environment are familiar with some type of personal style indicator — Meyers Briggs Type Indicator, Strengths Finder, DISC profile, and many others. However, there’s a less well-known one that’s particularly relevant and useful in innovation and it is specific to your creative thinking style.

PCA First Board Producer To Increase Prices In 2026 According to a memo released by Green Mar- kets , a Bloomberg company, Packaging Cor- poration of America (PCA) issued letters to customers noting a $70 per ton price increase for containerboard, slated to go into effect March 1. This is the first major containerboard company to make a price increase announce- ment this year. In 2025, with demand decreases playing into closures that resulted in an approximately 10 percent loss of North American production capacity. The last of those closures is set for next month, and the full impact to the industry should be realized at that time. Already in the past couple months, the ca- pacity cuts have resulted in producers’ oper- ating rates ticking up into the low 90s, with multiple analysts projecting mid-90s this year. “Rising energy costs, health insurance pre- miums, wage inflation and capital-equipment expenses should take center stage,” said the memo. It also mentioned that any contain- erboard price increases “would be primarily aimed at halting the erosion in box pricing amid sustained demand weakness.” North American containerboard producers

At the heart of creativity and innovation is problem-solving. Since all humans problem-solve, by definition, all humans are creative. Howev- er, we each go about our problem-solving in our own preferred style, and society has come to label only one style as being “creative” – the style called “Innovator” on this assessment. Think of Leonardo da Vinci as an extreme example of that Innovator style. He was an idea machine, constantly jumping around in numer- ous disciplines—including art, cartography, anatomy, botany, astrono- my, geology, and others. Many of his ideas were truly ground-breaking. He conceptualized a helicopter, a tank, a calculator, and concentrated solar power. He even outlined a rudimentary theory of plate tectonics. Thomas Edison is a great example of a creative thinker with an Adaptive style. He held more than 1,000 US patents. However, many of the products he patented, perfected, and commercialized were not originally conceptualized by him. For example, he did not actually in- vent the light bulb, he developed a light bulb that was practical. He was able to improve, fix, optimize, and operationalize ideas better than perhaps anyone else in history. CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

WHAT’S INSIDE

6 x x 8 x x 12 x x 26 x x 8 SUN Appoints Ram Srinivasa Director Of Aftermarket Service 12 ICPF Donations Advance Packaging Education At RIT 14 Apex International Partners On Print Initiative For Coating 18 Supplier Reports, Part Two

EVERYTHING CORRUGATED UNDER

Next-Level Productivity & Reliability Heavy-Duty Rotary Die Cutter Re-imagined to Perform in the Most Demanding Conditions

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EVERYTHING CORRUGATED UNDER

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Are You Using AI In Your Box Plant? If So, BCN Wants To Hear About It! Let’s be honest, there’s no way around it anymore. If you’re running a box plant and trying to stay competitive, you’ve probably had at least one conversation about AI, if not many more. Whether it’s curiosity, skepticism, or cautious experimentation, AI has officially entered the chat. Across the industry, AI is being increasingly integrated into processes and tasks like scheduling, maintenance, data organization, customer service, and admin. The plac- es that quietly eat up time and energy. We want to hear how box makers are actually utiliz- ing this technology. What inefficiences were you trying to solve first? Is AI helping, or still more talk than action? How has adoption gone internally? Have you seen real results, or are you still figuring out where it fits? How do you think AI fits in the long-term vision for your company? We’re compiling your AI experiences to tell a broader story about how this technology is taking hold in the in- dependent corrugated and folding carton industries. The beauty of our industry is that even when we compete, we still learn from one another. This feature is about sharing ideas, not giving away secrets. If you’re interested in being part of the conversation, please reach out to Ashley Prazych at aprazych@nvpub- lications.com.

AVERAGE CONTAINERBOARD PRICES The average prices reported are tabulated from prices PAID by various sources throughout the United States the week previous to issue. Prices in some areas of the country may be higher or lower than the tabulated average. The prices tabulated here are intended only for purposes of reference. They do not connote any commitment to sell any material at the indicated average. Transactions may be completed at any time at a price agreed upon by seller and purchaser. REGION 42# Kraft liner 26# Semi-Chem. Medium $ 900.00-925. 00 $ 825. 00 -$850.00 U.S. Average CANADIAN LINERBOARD & MEDIUM The average prices reported are tabulated from prices PAID by various sources throughout Canada. Prices may be higher or lower in various areas of the country. The prices tabulated here are intended only for purposes of reference. They do not connote any commitment to sell any material at the indicated average. Transactions may be completed at any time at a price agreed upon by seller and purchaser. Prices are Canadian $ and per metric ton. 42# Kraft Liner 26# Semi-Chem Medium East $970.00 $960.00 West $1,015.00 $995.00 REGION North American containerboard producers didn’t try for price increases in 2025 beyond those that took hold ear- ly in the year after having been announced in late 2024. Most of the major producers announced two hikes for 2024, which followed about two years of no increases. Meanwhile, movement continues behind the scenes on the containerboard price-fixing lawsuit that Artuso Pastry Foods Corp. brought in July 2025 against major produc- ers including Cascades, Georgia-Pacific, Greif, Interna- tional Paper, Packaging Corporation of America and Pratt Industries. Graphic Packaging International and Smurfit Westrock have since been dismissed from the case. PCA Increase (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)

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FOLDING SECTION UPGRADES THAT MOVE THE INDUSTRY FORWARD

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SUN Appoints Ram Srinivasa Director Of Aftermarket Services Glen Arm, Maryland based SUN Automation Group (SUN), a global leader in providing innovative solutions to the corrugated industry, is pleased to announce the hiring of Ram Srinivasa as Director of Aftermarket Services. In this

Vice President of Technology and Business Development and Aftermarket. “His experience across multiple segments of our industry—combined with a strong understanding of finishing operations—allows him to approach service and aftermarket solutions from a truly customer-centric per- spective. We are excited to have him lead initiatives that strengthen uptime, performance, and long-term value for our customers.” As Director of Aftermarket Services, Srinivasa will be responsible for advancing SUN’s service and parts strate- gies, enhancing customer support programs, and ensuring SUN’s aftermarket offerings continue to scale alongside its growing equipment portfolio and global footprint. “Aftermarket support is a critical part of how SUN differ- entiates itself in the market,” says Greg Jones, Executive Vice President of SUN Automation Group. “Ram’s exten- sive experience and proven leadership will be instrumen- tal as we continue to invest in service, parts availability, and customer responsiveness. His addition reinforces our commitment to supporting customers throughout the full lifecycle of their equipment.” Srinivasa’s appointment reflects SUN Automation Group’s continued investment in its people, infrastructure, and aftermarket capabilities—ensuring customers receive reliable support, expert service, and long-term perfor- mance from their SUN equipment. To learn more about SUN Automation Group and its of- ferings, visit www.sunautomation.com .

role, Srinivasa will lead SUN’s aftermarket strategy, focusing on service excellence, parts support, and long-term custom- er success across SUN’s global installed base. Srinivasa brings more than two decades of diverse industry experience spanning machine tools, corrugating, automation,

Ram Srinivasa

and finishing operations. He began his career in the ma- chine tool industry, building a strong technical foundation before transitioning into the corrugating sector, where he spent seven years developing a deep understanding of box plant operations. He later expanded his expertise within the automation industry before spending the last 17 years in the finishing business, where he further refined his leadership and service capabilities. “Ram’s background uniquely positions him to elevate SUN’s Aftermarket organization,” says Gokul Gopakumar,

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Gene Marks: Numbers Show U.S. Small Businesses Are Doing Fine According to Gene Marks, owner of Marks Group PC and past AICC keynote speaker, small businesses have been doing pretty well in this country across the board. Take a look at some of the latest numbers. For more than 50 years, the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) has published a monthly report of small-business economic trends, based on a ran- dom sample of the organization’s approximately 300,000 member firms. This survey is one of the longest and most consistent of any I follow, using the same questionnaire since 1973. So where do things stand? Last year ended with a second consecutive month- ly uptick in small-business optimism, with small-business

owners anticipating that economic conditions would re- main generally favorable going into 2026. Business own- ers reported that their cost pressures moderated, employ- ment challenges eased (for most) and capital investments picked up. “The December data also delivered good news on a major 2025 pain point, with a welcome improvement in uncertainty,” reported the study’s economists. Fiserv’s Small Business Index, which aggregates con- sumer spending activity from point-of-sale transaction data across some 2 million small firms in the U.S., highlighted that monthly sales rose over the prior month in December. “December’s sales gains show the resilience of small businesses during a competitive holiday season,” said Prasanna Dhore, chief data officer at Fiserv. “Consumers focused on essentials and made selective discretionary purchases, driven by ongoing cost pressures. These pat-

terns, resulting in modest monthly sales growth, highlight how small businesses continue to adjust in a challenging eco- nomic climate.” Intuit, the maker of QuickBooks, pub- lishes its own monthly Small Business In- dex, drawn from transactions across more than 420,000 small businesses in its da- tabase. The company also reported that small-business employment increased in all eight U.S. regions and that hiring in- creased in 13 of 20 states tracked. The index also showed reported revenue was up in all U.S. regions compared with No- vember. This doesn’t mean that everyone’s do- ing great. We live in a big country. There are 33 million small businesses. We all have different challenges. The NFIB reports that members in the agricultural industry are struggling with tariffs and dramatically higher costs, some retailers are seeing slower sales (and increased competition from big box stores), many truckers are struggling with increased regulations and some service firms are struggling to convince consum- ers to spend money when other prices re- main high. Among the small businesses that I work for, finding talent remains a persistent is- sue. And the rising cost of healthcare is creating huge pressures for both compa- nies and their employees. But, for the most part, US small busi- nesses fared pretty well in 2025, and a significant majority are optimistic about the coming year. Maybe that’s the glass-is-half- full attitude of the American entrepreneur. We’ll see.

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ICPF Donations Advance Packaging Education And Research At RIT The International Corrugated Packaging Foundation (ICPF) has approved funding to support two new initiatives with- in the packaging and graphic media science program at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), reinforcing its long-standing commitment to hands-on education, indus- try-aligned curriculum, and innovation in corrugated and sustainable packaging. ICPF has funded the acquisition of advanced corru- gated, paper, and print quality testing equipment for RIT’s Food Packaging and Shelf Life Testing (FPSL) lab, Hammer Family Packaging and Graphic Media Center and instruc- tional laboratories. The investments will enhance labora- tory capabilities, expand research opportunities, foster collaboration with industry partners, and provide students with direct experience using tools commonly found in to- day’s packaging and printing environments. One award will support the purchase of essential cor- rugated and paper testing equipment for the Food Pack- aging and Shelf life (FPSL) Lab, including a manual circular sample cutter needed for precise preparation and evalua- tion of coated paper and corrugated specimens. The lab, housed within RIT’s Department of Packaging and Graph- ic Media Science, focuses on developing innovative and sustainable food packaging solutions, with research areas

spanning barrier performance, corrugated functionality, and bio-based materials derived from agro-waste. Fund- ing will also support professional development for lab per- sonnel, further strengthening the lab’s technical expertise. “These investments allow us to complete a critical piece of our analytical setup and expand our ability to evaluate coating performance in paper and corrugated packaging,” said Sneh Bangar, Assistant Professor in the Department of Packaging and Graphic Media Science (PGMS). “With ICPF’s support, we can continue advancing sustainable packaging research while preparing students for the next generation of industry challenges.” In addition, ICPF approved funding for the acquisi- tion of four state-of-the-art instruments from Beta Screen that will be located at the Hammer Family Packaging and Graphic Media Center to enhance print and packaging quality control instruction within the packaging and graph- ic media science program. New equipment will include a corrugated analyzer, folding carton crease and fold ana- lyzer, braille dot print analyzer, and microdottie-3 CMYK Color Separation USB video microscopes. These tools will fill critical gaps in corrugated testing, converting analysis, tactile accessibility verification, and print inspection. “This funding enables us to elevate how we teach print quality, converting performance, and accessibility in pack- aging. By integrating advanced corrugated analysis, braille verification, microscopic print inspection, and foundation- CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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Apex International Partners On Print Initiative For Coating Performance Donora, Pennsylvania based Apex International has an- nounced a partnership with Lake County Press and Stahl on a collaborative print initiative designed to demonstrate real-world coating performance under true production conditions.

ICPF Donations (CONT’D FROM PAGE 12)

al evaluation methods relevant to printed and functional electronics, students gain hands-on experience that mir- rors real production environments. ICPF’s support directly enhances the skills our graduates bring to the packaging industry.” said Dr. Bilge Nazli Altay, Assistant Professor. The new equipment will be integrated into core courses such as Gravure and Flexography, Packaging Printing, and Packaging Materials, Processes and Applications, and will support lab activities, student assignments, thesis work, and capstone projects. The instruments will also open new research and outreach opportunities while increasing vis- ibility for ICPF through acknowledgment in publications, conference presentations, and external communications. “ICPF is proud to support Rochester Institute of Tech- nology as it continues its packaging and graphic media education,” said Caitlin Salaverria, President of ICPF. “By investing in advanced testing and quality control technol- ogies, we’re helping ensure that students graduate with the hands-on experience, technical skills, and industry awareness needed to succeed in corrugated packaging and related fields. These projects exemplify how targeted investments can elevate education, research, and work- force readiness.” ICPF has worked for four decades to advance student and faculty knowledge of the corrugated industry and to promote the development of a highly trained workforce.

Delivered in the form of a 2026 desktop calendar, the project goes beyond design aesthetics to provide a tangi- ble, hands-on example of how modern coating materials, controlled press processes, and Apex’s GTT anilox tech- nology work together to achieve measurable improve- ments in consistency, finish quality, and coating efficiency.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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February 2, 2025

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Apex International (CONT’D FROM PAGE 14)

Rather than relying on lab samples or isolated test sheets, the team set out to create a fully finished commer- cial product that mirrors the challenges printers face every day. The calendar was produced on production equip- ment, using customer-grade substrates, and incorporating multiple coating techniques to ensure relevance across a wide range of print environments. “This project was created to show what is possible in real production settings,” said Nick Harvey, Technical Di- rector at Apex International. “By developing a finished demonstration piece instead of a test sample, printers can see, feel, and evaluate the results in a way that directly relates to their own operations.”

The collaboration brought together expertise from across the supply chain. Apex North America led the ini- tiative and coordinated print development, Lake County Press executed printing and coating with precision, and Stahl supplied materials, technical insight, and support throughout the project. To ensure authenticity, all coatings were applied using a flexographic coating unit configured to replicate condi- tions commonly found in commercial print facilities world- wide. The finished piece features soft-touch coatings, high-gloss finishes, reticulation and texture effects, and specialty combinations achieved through precise GTT an- ilox selection. “I gained 15 gloss points using your roll,” said Ben, Press Operator at Lake County Press. “For soft touch we are able to achieve a more velvet feel versus other coating rolls,” added Brian Popp, Press- room Manager at Lake County Press. Results included improved coating uniformity, en- hanced gloss and tactile finishes, reduced coating con- sumption in many applications, and greater predictability across long production runs. To explore the full project results, see coating compar- isons, or request a calendar, visit: https://discover.apexin- ternational.com/2026-calendar-collaboration .

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Sonoco COO Fuller To Exit After Over 40 Years With Company Hartsville, South Carolina based Sonoco, a global leader in high-value sustainable packaging, has announced that Chief Operating Officer (COO) Rodger Fuller plans to retire after a 40-year career in company leadership effective February 28.

Domtar To Temporarily Curtail Lumber Production

Fort Mill, South Carolina based Domtar has announced a curtailment in its lumber production. Due to challenging market conditions, U.S. tariffs, and ongoing economic un- certainty, the company will temporarily reduce its lumber production by 150 million board feet for the first quarter of 2026 across its facilities in Quebec, Ontario and the U.S.

Fuller joined Sonoco in 1985 as a customer service representative and rose through a series of leader- ship roles during his career. Before becoming COO, Fuller held several other senior leadership roles in both

Rodger Fuller

North America and Europe. Since becoming COO in 2020, Fuller has been responsible for the Company’s global con- sumer and industrial operations as well as its diversified businesses and Information Technology. Sonoco does not intend to appoint a successor to the COO position, and the president of each business unit of the Company will report directly to Howard Coker, Presi- dent and CEO. “It’s been my honor to work along-side so many talent- ed people at Sonoco and participate in the extraordinary progress we have achieved during my tenure in transform- ing the company into a global leader in consumer and in- dustrial metal and paper packaging,” Fuller said.

“The demand for lumber in North America remains weak, requiring us to adjust our production levels in line with market conditions,” said Luc Thériault, CEO, Wood Products, and President – Canada, for Domtar. “While this decision is necessary, we are fully aware of the impact it will have on our employees, contractors, suppliers and the communities in which we operate.”

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Hidden Innovators (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)

• Accepts change in the interest of improvement • Use more methodical, disciplined approach; more like- ly to document work • Focus on getting things done efficiently and methodi- cally on a day-to-day basis • Dislike ambiguity • Aware of and concerned with group norms.

Creativity Style Characteristics It is important to note that your thinking style is an indi- cator of preference, not of ability. Any of us can think and behave in another style—and we all do it effectively when we recognize it’s needed. But we go back to our preferred style as soon as we can. It’s where we’re most comfortable and probably where we’re most consistently successful. Below are some common characteristics of extreme in- novators: • Find rules and structure limiting in solving problems • Redefine the problem • Think of many varied ideas inside and outside of exist- ing systems. Some ideas may seem unacceptable to the group • Likes change simply because it’s different • Approach may seem undisciplined and disorganized • Spontaneous and unplanned. Can be efficient when extreme circumstances require massive change; will- ing to throw out existing systems • Regularly creates ambiguity • Has difficulty conforming to group norms Characteristics of extreme adapters include: • Find rules and structure helpful in solving problems • Solve the stated problem • Find a few workable solutions within the existing par- adigm

The important question becomes - who should you have running your innovation projects? Extreme innovators are great at coming up with ideas, and their energy and passion for ideas may get other peo- ple excited about them, at least at the beginning. But then their greatest strength – their zest and constant quest for new ideas - becomes a weakness that starts to cre- ate problems. In short, they’ll drive everyone on the team CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Serving the North American Corrugated and Folding Carton Industries Since 1985 DRIVE your message to the GREEN... with the credibility of Board Converting News behind it! Sponsor a weekly Monday morning issue blast or we can ‘Tee It Up’ any time you like to our full online circulation of 7,500+. You provide the copy, images and link to a video or website and we’ll do the rest!

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Global Boxmachine Introduces Shinko Velocity Rotary Diecutter Gurnee, Illinois based Global Boxmachine has announced the introduction of its new Shinko Velocity Rotary Diecut- ter, a high-performance platform combining print capabili- ties, speed, precision, and long-term reliability.

Hidden Innovators (CONT’D FROM PAGE 20)

crazy and jeopardize the success of the project. So, an extreme Innovator may not be the person you want to run the show. They’re one of the actors, and probably a lead actor, but they shouldn’t be the producer. So, if it isn’t that person, the next logical conclusion might be that the extreme Adaptors should manage the process. They’re organized, disciplined, and efficient. But similarly, their strengths can also become weaknesses at the extremes. High Adaptors’ discomforts with ambiguity will likely result in attempting to define the scope of proj- ects too early, or kill them altogether if the ambiguity can’t be resolved quickly. And their focus on the stated problem may prevent them from seeing solutions or opportunities outside their day-to-day world. So now what? If you’ve ruled out extreme Innovators and extreme Adaptors as the best candidates for manag- ing the process, where does that leave you? With every- one else. Here’s the great news: everyone else is most of us. 67 percent of the population is in the middle of these 2 extremes. If you want someone who may be naturally inclined to manage an innovation process, pick someone more in the middle, who can be a Bridger. The benefits of a Bridger in this role are numerous because they naturally exhibit moderate traits of both adaption and innovation. So with a Bridger, you get a bit of the best of both. They “get” the vision of the big idea that the extreme Innovator came up with. They’ll get excited and energized about ideas. They can live with ambiguity for a while. But they also see the need for organization and documenta- tion. They’ll understand the challenges that will have to be solved in order to implement that big idea. They can stay focused and see projects through to the end. They’ll un- derstand group norms and will bridge the communication gap between the high Innovators and the high Adaptors on the team. The problem may be in getting these people to un- derstand that they are the ones who should be running the innovation process. Since they’re not high Innovators, they haven’t had people telling them their whole lives that they’re creative thinkers. So they may not think of them- selves as a good fit for innovation. The role of those responsible for innovation in your company should be to convince the “everyone elses” in the middle that they’re needed in the innovation process— and help them see how their unique contributions can be incredibly valuable in this arena. Susan Robertson is a creative thinking expert with over

The Shinko Velocity Rotary Diecutter was developed with di- rect input from converters who op- erate at high throughput levels and require consistent results across a wide range of board grades and applications. Rather than focusing solely on headline speed, Velocity

Tod Crowell

emphasizes controlled performance—maintaining printing registration, diecut accuracy, sheet handling stability, and repeatability throughout extended production runs. From the infeed through the diecut and delivery sec- tions, the Velocity platform prioritizes smooth board con- trol and mechanical robustness. This approach minimiz- es variation, reduces waste, and supports higher overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), particularly in plants run- ning multiple shifts or demanding schedules. Multi-color printing and diecut quality remains a defin- ing requirement for modern packaging operations. The Shinko Velocity Rotary Diecutter is designed to deliver precise print, clean, repeatable cuts that meet the expec- tations of brand owners and end users alike. Tight toler- ances, rigid construction, and precise registration capabili- ties allow converters to maintain consistent quality even at elevated operating speeds. This level of precision supports a wide range of appli- cations, from standard production to more complex print and diecut designs, helping plants expand their capabili- ties without sacrificing efficiency. Downtime is one of the costliest risks a converter can face. Velocity was engineered with maintainability and durability as core design principles. Heavy-duty mechan- ical components, straightforward access points, and ser- vice-friendly layouts help reduce unplanned downtime and simplify routine maintenance. By focusing on proven engineering fundamentals, the Shinko Velocity Rotary Diecutter is built to deliver depend- able performance year after year—an essential factor for converters making long-term capital investments. Equipment performance does not stop at installation. Global Boxmachine backs the Shinko Velocity Rotary Diecutter with comprehensive technical support, parts availability, and experienced field service resources. “We recognize that no two plants operate the same way,” says Tod Crowell, President of Global Boxmachine. “Our approach emphasizes collaboration—working close- ly with customers to understand their production goals, board mix, and operational constraints before recom- mending solutions.”

20 years of experience speaking, consulting, and coaching in Fortune 500 companies. As an instructor on applied creativity at Harvard, Susan brings a scientific foundation to en- hancing human creativity. Visit: su- sanrobertsonspeaker.com.

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PRECISION IN MOTION.

NOT JUST FAST... INTENTIONALLY FAST

SHINKO VELOCITY U 12,000

U -

R -

847-949-5900 800-621-4343 www.boxmachine.com

SUPPLIER REPORTS 2026 (PART II)

ARC INTERNATIONAL Charlotte, North Carolina: Steve Woodard reports: “2025 was another great year for ARC International! It was also the first full year of working closely with our parent com-

balanced with welded internal weights. • Fortunately, both ARC International manufacturing fa- cilities in Charlotte, North Carolina and Las Vegas, Ne- vada are able to perform any necessary machine work in-house without the need for outside vendors. This leads to better lead times! “Remember that ARC International technical repre- sentatives can perform critical anilox roller audits on flexo presses in-plant and provide analysis in a timely manner. They can also offer care and handling seminars to ensure that operators have the best understanding of how to choose, care for and maintain their rollers to achieve con- sistent print quality and a longer life.” Visit: https://www.arcinternational.com . COPAR SOLUTIONS Burbank, Illinois: Jim Burrows reports: “I can confidently say it was one of the busiest and most rewarding years in company history. Both domestic and international orders commitment resulted in the introduction of significant new products and updates to existing products, each en- gineered to address critical challenges faced by today’s corrugating operations. “Safety was a critical focus in 2025. One of the high- lights of our year was the introduction of FireSafe360™, our most comprehensive industrial fire prevention system to date. Plant fires have been increasing over the past five to eight years, often caused by the buildup of flammable materials such as paper dust in areas that are difficult to see or access. FireSafe360 was designed to address that risk head-on by identifying threats before a fire can start. “Using a network of AI-enabled infrared cameras and particulate sensors, FireSafe360 continuously monitors the corrugator environment. When an ignition source or temperature anomaly is detected, FireSafe360 immedi- ately stops the machine, sounds an audible alarm, and no- tifies operators and management. The result is a proactive safety solution that reduces downtime, repair costs, and lost production, and may help lower insurance costs. “We also have our updated Laser Warp Correction AI™ in final test stage. The use of green laser technology offers many advantages over our previous red laser version. The green laser solution delivers enhanced efficiency, great- er accuracy through a 4K camera for superior resolution, were on the rise. That momentum re- inforces what we hear daily from our customers: investments in efficiency, safety, and intelligent automation are no longer optional, they’re essential. “A major driver of our success in 2025 was continued investment in research and development. That Jim Burrows

pany, Precision Roll Solutions. This partnership has allowed ARC to ex- pand our full-service capabilities and range of products to serve the cor- rugated industry. The anilox roller, however, continues to be the core product of ARC and on which the company was founded in 1984. The

Steve Woodard

anilox roller is often called the “heart” of the flexographic press, as it is designed to consistently supply the proper amount of ink to the printing plate. “Let’s address some of the frequently asked questions regarding anilox rollers: “How long should an anilox roller last? This is a com- mon question and the answer is dependent upon many factors such as: • Proper blade pressure and blade angle • Whether the press is a top or bottom printer • Press preventive maintenance; if rollers are neglected and allowed to remain dirty and plugged with dried ink, operators and maintenance personnel assume the roll- er is worn due to poor ink transfer; upon prematurely removing the roller from the press instead of thorough- ly cleaning it, real impact damage often occurs • High pH anilox cleaners that haven’t been diluted can result in premature corrosion issues • Damaged cells from excessive soda blast cleaning “What are the best products, chemicals, or materials to clean anilox rollers for them to maintain their volume and continue to provide proper color density? • Since most water-based inks have a pH level of 8.5 to 9.2, any cleaning agent has to be stronger to be effec- tive. ARC offers a product called triClean™, which works well on both rollers and plates. • The cleaning plate is manufactured to the same specs as the customer’s printing plate and is mounted in the same manner. If the press has vacuum transfer, a color station that’s not in use can be cleaned while other sta- tions are printing! “How quickly can my damaged or worn anilox roller be repaired and returned? • The roller must be thoroughly inspected to determine the steps required to return the roller to OEM specs. • If the roller has integral journals, then the bearing sur- faces or gear steps may be undersized or egg-shaped and need to be undercut, properly welded, machined and polished. • If the roller is out of balance as determined with dy- namic balancing equipment, it may need to be properly

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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InkMate ™ modular ink management

Compact Precision Ink Management for Optimum Performance

X Self-contained system with full InKomand ® functionality for individual station and top print applications X “Set & Forget” eliminates operator intervention X Color variation minimized if not eliminated X Continuous uninterrupted printing

JB Machinery Inc. | +1-203-544-0101 | jbmachinery.com InKomand, InkMate and the JB logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of JB Machinery, Inc. Productivity — Quality — Profitability

Supplier Reports, Part II (CONT’D FROM PAGE 24)

Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY

and is far easier to install. Only one laser and camera are required per level, reducing both space requirements and installation time. “Auto Correction functionality automatically fixes op- erator input errors, improving consistency and reducing scrap. It is also a straightforward upgrade from our previ- ous Laser Warp Correction systems. Like all CoparSolu- tions technology, reliability is built in, both the camera and laser are backed by a five-year warranty. “2025 also saw the introduction of Vapor Logic AI™, smart, self-cleaning system that uses AI-based logic to operate automatically. Vapor Logic AI represents a major step forward in web moisture control by atomizing wa- ter into a fine mist rather than relying on traditional spray pulsing. This allows for more uniform moisture application and improved sheet quality. “In addition to these major innovations, 2025 also saw the latest release of our Scoreboard 2.0, a 98-inch, du- al-sided production monitor. This ultra-large display keeps entire teams informed and motivated by presenting more production data, including real-time details. “Finally, Copar Electric, a division of CoparSolutions, continued to expand its range of industrial services, sup- porting customers with the electrical, technical and me- chanical expertise needed to implement and maintain in- creasingly sophisticated systems plant-wide. “As we open the book on a new year, I want to sincere- ly thank our customers and partners for their trust and col- laboration. Your feedback and support helped make 2025 a mutually successful year, and we look forward to build- ing on that momentum in the years ahead.” Visit: coparsolutions.com . EAM-MOSCA Hazle Township, Pennsylvania: Jimm Dodd reports: “For over 40 years, EAM-Mosca has been providing indus- try-leading end-of-line solutions for the corrugated in-

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.

dustry. Our product offerings have expanded to meet evolving custom- er needs and now include a range of stretch wrapping machines from Movitec. “In addition to providing custom- ers with reliable, high-performance equipment, we also pride ourselves

Jimm Dodd

on our comprehensive support services, knowing that equipment can only remain optimized when supported by a complete system. Our offerings include expert training and onboarding, regular performance check-ins, fast and easy parts orders, and high-quality consumables. “Each Movitec system incorporates automatic film ten- sioning to guarantee uniform wrap quality while reducing film waste. The automatic reel changer minimizes down- time by enabling continuous operation, and the top sheet

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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