Neil MacDonald (CONT’D FROM PAGE 12)
The Perfect Combo Get Peak Performance From Your Equipment with Matched Component Sets
Rapid growth created challenges and opportunities and the Sr. MacDonald approached his son Finn to dis- cuss getting involved in the family business. Both found each other at the right time. Finn joined the company in December 2010 and became one of several multi-gener- ational employees. Dad’s first advice to his son was — get involved with the AICC. This advice proved invaluable over the years to come. Neil MacDonald joined the AICC in the early ‘80s and became active as a Regional Board Member and as one of many rowdy participants at annual meetings. Boxboard Containers featured Neil and the company in 1992 to rec- ognize 10 years in business. Steve Young — EVP AICC — wrote a letter stating “I am impressed with your philosophy about training employees. As you know, the sophistication of our technology requires a more sophisticated workforce. The article should be re- quired reading for every independent plant.” In 2012, Neil joined an AICC-CEO group that created a new generation of friendships and shared experiences. While a lot of the real work got done late at night around the bar exchanging jabs with each other, friends from this group have said that Neil brought a lot of wisdom to each meeting and that he was not afraid to speak his mind. Relationships and innovation kept MacDonald ahead of the competition. One midwestern sheet plant opera- tor said that “Neil was LinkedIn before it existed.” He en- joyed conversation and storytelling — he enjoyed having a good time — and he always made the person across from him feel engaged. Innovation also was a key to success — MacDonald purchased high-end converting machinery over the years, was an early Amtech customer, and was not afraid to invest in ThatBox, Solarco Boxmatics or the Domino x630i because they solved unique needs in the market. The relationships fostered with sheet suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and fellow box makers made his life richer and his companies more successful. The last major projects that Neil MacDonald oversaw were the relocation and construction of Independent II’s new 340,000-square-foot facility in 2022 and the process of evaluating and selecting a buyer for the company in 2024. In a conversation with Finn recently, he said, “that the best years for our customers and for our company lie ahead.” For so many of his longtime employees and peers — the best years were the years enjoyed with Neil Mac- Donald. Neil is survived by his adoring wife Jane (57 years of marriage), his son Finn and family, his daughter Era and family, and many other friends and family members. In lieu of flowers, please consider a tax-deductible con- tribution to the AICC Foundation for Packaging Education (packaginged.org/). The MacDonald family believes that the AICC and the FPE are the best resources to support entrepreneurship and business growth in the years ahead. Together — let’s create the next great Independent.
Nothing’s more rewarding than a couple made for each other.
That’s why the engineers at ARC International have focused their skills and talents on crafting perfect matches between the components that must work in tandem on your flexo folder gluers and die-cutters: • Anilox Rollers and Ink Chambers • Anilox and Wiper Rollers • Feed and Pull Rollers • Glue and Meter Rollers You can achieve the press speeds and print quality you need to fill your most demanding orders by pairing your team with The ARChitects of Flexo . Contact ARC today to learn how these engineered matches of flexo folder gluer and die-cutter components (new or reconditioned) can help you achieve a more perfect union of production and profits.
The ARChitects of Flexo
SINCE 1984
ARCInternational.com 800-526-4569
14
www.boardconvertingnews.com
July 29, 2024
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker