Board Converting News, February 13, 2023

BoardConverting Serving the North American Corrugated and Folding Carton Industries for 39 years February 13, 2023 VOL. 39, NO. 7

Are You A Great Manager? Rate Yourself On These 10 Indicators BY PHILLIP M. PERRY Great management skills are more important than ever in today’s tight labor market. Businesses large and small need to take steps to retain top-performing people and attract new ones. Dealing effectively with employees can do just that.

Bradford Group Acquires Assets Of Partitions Plus Partitions Plus Incorporated, a wholly owned subsidiary of Holland, Michigan based Brad- ford Group Incorporated, announced the as- set acquisition of Findlay, Ohio based Parti- tions Plus LLC, one of the Midwest’s largest corrugated partition manufacturers. The acquisition will expand Bradford’s presence in the corrugated partition market. Ben Riblet, a co-founder of the original com- pany, will be the General Manager of the new enterprise, which will continue operations in the 80,000-square-foot facility in Findlay. “We are excited to build on the posi- tive customer relationships that have been formed by the Partitions Plus Team and look forward to working with the many talented people there,” said Bill Baumgartner, Senior Vice President at Bradford. Partition Plus becomes the ninth packag- ing manufacturing operation of the Bradford Company, a fifth generation family-owned business with locations in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. The Bradford Company was founded as the W.J. Bradford Paper Company in 1897 and was incorporated in 1924.

Management mastery, however, is not a one-and-done affair. Ef- fective leaders continuously assess their workplace performance and seek ways to improve. How good are you as a manager? In this article, business experts specify ten indicators of effective leadership. 1. Do you listen well? Effective listening is a core competency that underlies other man- agement skills. “When speaking with employees, managers need to hear both the words and the music,” said Johanna Rothman, founder of Rothman Consulting Group. ( jrothman.com ). “That means understand- ing not just what the person is saying, but also the subtext.” Rothman gives an example. “Suppose a manager asks Jane, ‘Is ev- eryone on your team working well together?’ and she responds with a lackluster ‘It's okay.’ That, to me, is a big red flag and an early warning signal of bigger problems.” On the surface, noted Rothman, the word “okay” is positive. The subtext, though, is that Jane’s team has dysfunctional elements that need to be addressed. Doing so will require follow-up questions that encourage Jane to speak out. A simple “Tell me more about the situa- tion” may do the trick. CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

WHAT’S INSIDE Brian Kentopp Launches Topp Corrugated Products AICC Drops New Episode Of Breaking Down Boxes P+PB Names 'Powerhouse States' For Pizza Box Recycling

6 x x 8 x x 12 x x 26 x x

40 Bobst Launches New Evolution Folder Gluer

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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 E. Coast Midwest Southeast Southwest

42# Kraft liner $ 9 55.00-960.00 $ 9 70.00-980.00 $ 9 70.00-980.00 $ 970.00-980.00 $ 1000.00-1 010.00 $ 9 73.00-983.00

26# Semi-Chem. Medium

Short Ton Del. Short Ton Del. Short Ton Del. Short Ton Del. Short Ton Del. Short Ton Del.

$ 890 .00-9 4 0.00 $9 0 5.00-9 2 5.00 $9 0 5.00-9 2 5.00 $9 0 5.00-9 2 5.00 $9 2 5.00-9 4 5.00 $9 0 8.00-9 2 8.00

West Coast U.S. Average

SHEET PRICES BY REGION (AVERAGE) Per 1MSF, local delivery included, 50MSF single item order, truckload delivery. Sheets

E. Coast Midwest South-SW S. CA N.CA/WA-OR US Aver.

200# 275#

$62.26

$72.05

$62.69 $82.80

$85.35 119.54

$73.13 101.29

97.32

99.89

90.86

113.65

More box makers, brokers and end users are relying on the containerboard pricing in Board Converting News to negotiate their contracts than ever before.

OYSTER UP-CHARGE 8.34

8.34

8.34

8.34

8.34

8.34

275# DBL-WALL 350# DBL-WALL

107.46 118.45

114.69 129.32

116.54 137.25 117.82 145.56

141.08 148.46

122.76 131.80

CANADIAN SHEET PRICES (AVERAGE) In Canadian Dollars, per 1MSF, local delivery included, under 50MSF single item order, truckload delivery. 200# 275# Oyster UC 275#DW 350#DW $78.56 $99.18 $9.00 $96.32 $105.83 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.

See the current prices every week right here on Page 3.

Len Prazych at 518-366-9017 lprazych@nvpublications.com

42# Kraft Liner 26#

Semi-Chem Medium

East West

$9 2 0.00 $ 96 5.00

$9 1 0.00 $9 4 5.00

3

February 13, 2023

www.boardconvertingnews.com

Bradford Acquires (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)

Core Competency

Today, Bradford is one of the largest manufacturers of industrial paperboard partitions and custom engineered reusable/returnable interior protective packaging.

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In February 2022, Bradford announced a new corru- gated product line producing fully assembled corrugated partitions from small 6-inch by 6-inch offerings to large pal- let-sized partitions. In 2020, Bradford won the Outstand- ing Growth Award presented by the Western Michigan Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth, which recognizes companies that have demonstrated growth in sales, profitability or employment as well as community in- volvement. Visit bradfordcompany.com .

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February 13, 2023

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Brian Kentopp Launches Topp Corrugated Products

large scale integrated companies. Topp Corrugated Products offers a select, yet diverse group of product lines that will allow Kentopp to contin- ue sharing his expertise with clients and to support them in not just meeting but exceeding their unique business goals. Kentopp’s career in the corrugated industry began in 1996 as a southeast sales representative at Automatan,

Corrugated veteran Brian Kentopp has announced a new business venture — Topp Corrugated Products — that puts his passion and expertise in the industry to use as a cus- tomized solutions provider and business consultant.

where his passion for the industry and his customers first sparked. From 2002-2021, he joined glob- al equipment supplier Bobst and quickly moved through the ranks from Regional Sales Manager for

Kentopp developed the concept for Topp Corrugated Products in 2022 following a 25-year career that included leadership roles with some of the world’s leading corrugated equipment suppliers, including Bobst, SUN Automation Group and Autom- atan. Over the years, he has success-

Corrugated Board in the Midwest, Product Manager for Corrugated Board, and Director of Sales for Corrugated Board. He became Vice President, Business Unit Sheet- fed in 2014 for both the U.S. and Canada, ultimately work-

Brian Kentopp

fully built strong industry connections while working with a variety of businesses, from independent sheet plants to

ing on both a local and global level with cor- rugated and folding carton business owners and operations to support and create both dynamic and fluid business operations. Kentopp became Vice President of Sales for SUN Automation Group in 2021, but his aspirations to strike out on his own as an independent soon rose to the surface. An entrepreneur at heart, he had started his own Motorsports Marketing business while in college. Today, his relatable personality, vast ex- perience and knowledge in the corrugated industry combined with his talent for identi- fying industry trends and needs makes him an ideal business partner for those seeking to navigate successfully in the corrugated and folding carton business world. Kentopp can be reached at (201) 738- 8623 or brian.kentopp@toppcp.com. For more information, visit www.Toppcp.com . National Roll Kote Acquires Trojan Roller New Castle, Delaware based National Roll Kote has announced the acquisition of Tro- jan Roller of Forest Hill, Maryland. NRK is a leading supplier of Feed, Pull & Wiper Rolls serving the corrugated container industry. “The edition of Trojan Roller greatly ex- pands NRK’s growth into the Narrow Web marketplace,” said Director of Market Devel- opment Cameron Wright. NRK is a division of Pascale Industries based in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. For informa- tion, visit www.nrkrolls.com or call (302) 421-9400.

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February 13, 2023

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AICC Drops Breaking Down Boxes Episode 'Young, Dumb & Fearless' Hosts Gene Marino, Executive Vice President, Akers Pack- aging Service Group, and Joe Morelli, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Huston Patterson Printers and Lewisburg Printing Co., speak with Chad Wagner, President, Peachtree Packaging, in “Young, Dumb, & Fearless,” the latest episode of Breaking Down Boxes. Wagner was recruited by the founder of Peachtree Pack- aging when he was working after school as a golf caddy. After graduating high school, he joined the US Air Force and then studied at the University of Georgia, where in his junior year Peachtree’s founder asked him to come back after he graduated. Working throughout the plant, and excelling in sales, Wagner, with several partners, eventually bought Peachtree Packaging. “The company is continuing to learn and evolve and spend capital to add assets for what we want to do and in- crease our capabilities. We care about investing in our peo- ple and attracting the best talent,” Wagner said. “We are constantly asking how we can push the company forward with better service and solutions to bring value to the mar- ketplace and help as many people as we can.” Subscribe to Breaking Down Boxes on all major podcast platforms or visit www.AICCbox.org/Boxes .

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Follow Board Converting News on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook to get the most current news and information for the corrugated and folding carton industries.

Len Prazych at 518-366-9017 lprazych@nvpublications.com

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February 13, 2023

Cascades Invests In EVOL Press At New Jersey Facility

Box Shipments ( U.S. Corrugated Product Shipments) Industry Shipments In Billions of Square Feet Month December 2022

Kingsey Falls, Quebec based Cascades, a leader in the recovery and manufacturing of green packaging and hy- giene products, announced its purchase of a new EVOL press at its Piscataway, New Jersey, corrugated packaging converting facility. "The purchase of an EVOL press, one of the fastest technologies in the world, will allow us to continue our growth in the Northeast and increase our ability to serve our current and future customers. This $9 million invest- ment is part of our 2022-2024 strategic plan and is aimed at increasing our integration rate by adding additional con- verting capacity in the United States," said Mario Plourde, President and CEO of Cascades. The Piscataway plant opened in 2018 and currently serves the distribution and food processing markets. It is one of the newest and most modern in Cascades' asset base. The purchase of this new press, the plant's sixth, will increase production capacity by 17 percent, or the equiva- lent of 480 million square feet. The installation of the press will be completed by the end of April 2023. The Piscataway plant currently employs over 175 peo- ple and is one of the region's top employers. This invest- ment will require the hiring of 20 additional people. For more information, visit choosecascades.com .

Year

Actual

Percent Change Avg Week Percent Change

2022 2021

30.124 34.180

-11.9

7.927 8.545

-7.2

Industry Total

Year-to Date

December 2022

Year

Actual

Percent Change Avg Week Percent Change

2022 2021

400.520 416.189

-3.8

7.979 8.291

-3.8

Industry Total

Containerboard Consumption (Thousands of Tons)

Year

Month

Percent Change Year-to-Date Percent Change

2022 2021

2.4260 2.7360

-11.3

32.5461 33.8321

-3.8

Container Board Inventory - Corrugator Plants (Thousands of Tons)

Corrugator Plants Only

Date

Percent Change Weeks of Supply

Percent Change

Dec. Nov.

2.2603 2.2586

0.1

3.5 3.6

-2.8

Shipping Days

Year

Month

Year-to-Date

2022 2021

19 20

251 251

SOURCE: Fibre Box Association

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February 13, 2023

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Paper & Packaging Board Recognizes 'Powerhouse States' For Pizza Box Recycling Football fans will have eaten nearly 13 million pizzas during the Big Game in February, but the big winners are the areas that make it easy for fans to recycle those pizza boxes. According to a Paper and Packaging Board (P+PB) analysis produced by Resource Recycling Systems, 10 states and the District of Columbia shine as pizza box powerhouses where at least 90 percent of residents can recycle their pizza boxes. “Although a majority of communities accept corrugated pizza boxes for recycling, there’s been a lot of consumer confusion,” explained Mary Anne Hansan, President of P+PB. “This massive pizza eating occasion is a great time to clarify that pizza boxes are made to be recycled, but you should check your local guidelines to see if they take them.”

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The new analysis produced for P+PB’s How Life Unfolds campaign in- cluded examining over 7,500 recycling program guidelines representing 90 percent of the population to determine which jurisdictions accept piz- za boxes for recycling. The top jurisdictions include Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Vermont. The data is important since only 57 percent of Americans realize pizza boxes can be recycled at all, even though a majority of people have ac- cess to pizza box recycling. Since U.S. residents use about 3 billion pizza boxes a year, amounting to 600,000 tons of cardboard material that can be recycled and kept out of landfills, that represents a big opportunity for consumers and the environment. Hansan added, “Inconsistencies around local recycling program im- plementation, the influence of regional waste management operators, commodity export considerations and state-level policies are some fac- tors that contribute to regional variability. “The paper industry is communicating with recycling centers across the U.S. to encourage them to update their recycling guidelines. We know that paper mills across the country are using recycled pizza boxes, even ones with grease stains and a little stuck on cheese, to make the products that we use and rely on every day.” For consumers, recycling a pizza box is as simple as these three easy steps: empty, flatten and recycle the box by dropping it in a recycling bin or taking it to a recycling center. Consumers can check local guidelines by inputting their zip code at BeRecycled.org. Other resources include P+PB’s "What to do with Paper, Cardboard and More" at howlifeunfolds. com ; WestRock's study on pizza boxes with grease and stuck on cheese at westrock.com ; and The American Forest & Paper Association's recy- cling study at afandpa.org .

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February 13, 2023

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Koenig & Bauer Welcomes Ran Landau As New Senior VP Sales Koenig & Bauer announced Ran Landau, a seasoned busi- ness leader with proven sales performance, as its new Se- nior Vice President of Sales. Landau, who has lived and worked in Israel, has relocated to the company’s North American headquarters in Dallas. “I am thrilled to be joining Koenig & Bauer’s strong sales and management team here in North America,” Lan-

executive overseeing the firm’s global strategic accounts. During this period, he worked with customers across the world and promoted the firm’s latest digital press products for the print, label, and folding carton markets. Prior to that position, he was the general manager of a digital printing press distributor in Israel. He has earned both a Bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance and an MBA in finance from the University of Manchester in England. “We are pleased to welcome Ran to the Koenig & Bauer family,” says Kilian Renschler, President and CEO of Koenig & Bauer (US/CA). “He brings a wealth of knowledge and significant experience to this role where he will be working with all of our divisions. His collaborative approach will be a win-win for our customers and our organization.” IP Announces New Communications Roles At Headquarters, Rome Mill International Paper’s Rome Mill has announced that Re- gional Communications Manager Jenna Guzman has been promoted to the IP headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, and welcomes Kelly Trumbo as the new Communications Manager for the containerboard mill. This move is effec- tive February 15. Guzman has managed internal and external commu- CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

dau said. “Koenig & Bauer has a very impressive strong portfolio of prod- ucts and a forward-thinking vision for the future. It’s an exciting time to be a part of this dynamic company and its Exceeding Print strategy. “I will be concentrating my ef- forts working collaboratively with

Ran Landau

our sales managers and loyal customers and prospects throughout North America visiting their businesses to fully understand their current and future needs. I am committed to identifying printing and packaging solutions, expanding upon our value proposition, and continuing to strengthen new business partnerships.” Before he joined Koenig & Bauer, Landau spent 15 years with a leading digital printing solutions provider in Israel. His most recent post for the past six years was as an

We’ve got our customers covered… …with our fiberglass backed, boltless, full double-wide blankets and an extensive inventory of corrugated parts needed by virtually every box plant in the country. The innovator of the original fiberglass-backed knuckle locking anvil cover, Stafford is the industry’s go-to source for everything corrugated. TM

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February 13, 2023

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IP Announces (CONT’D FROM PAGE 14)

nications at the IP mill since 2016, including community partnerships and serving on several boards, including the United Way of Rome and Floyd Coun- ty, the Rome Floyd County Commis- sion on Children and Youth, and the Rome Floyd Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. In her new role, she will be leading communications strategies in human resources and enterprise efforts for International Paper at the Memphis Global Headquarters. “Jenna has been a valuable business partner and key community leader since she joined the mill in 2016,” said Clay Ingram, Mill Manager, International Paper. “We wish her and her family all of the best in their next steps with IP.” IP named Kelly Trumbo as Guzman’s successor as Com- munications Manager. Trumbo has served as a communi- cations professional at other IP mills including the Red River Container- board Mill in Campti, Louisiana. “We are happy to welcome Kelly to the Rome team, both at the mill and in the community. She has many years of manufacturing communications experience and will be a strategic part of our leadership team as well,” said Ingram. Kelly Trumbo Jenna Guzman

16

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February 13, 2023

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Great Manager (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)

force Education and Development at Pennsylvania State University. “And a great way to use them is to systematical- ly delegate a manager's duties.” This technique is of particular value for workers who have expressed a desire to get ahead. Rothwell suggests telling such people that the process of delegation is in- tended to help them step up to more responsible posi- tions. Set reachable goals by delegating one or two items from the manager’s job description every year. “Proceed- ing slowly will allow time to coach the worker on effective techniques for mastering each duty,” said Rothwell. 4. Do you challenge employees to set reasonable perfor- mance goals? Employees are motivated to perform well when they have taken ownership of their future. Managers must en- sure that workers buy into any mandated performance pa- rameters. That process begins with a clearly drawn road map. “If we set expectations that are not clearly under- stood, manager and employee will operate on different wavelengths,” said Randy Goruk, President of The Randall Wade Group in Scottsdale, AZ ( leadersedge360.com ). “The manager expects X and the employee thinks, ‘I'm going to do Y.’ Next thing you know you've got somebody not meeting expectations.” Seek assurances that the employee really understands what’s expected of them, advised Goruk. One way to do that is to invite the individual to restate the expectations

2. Do you communicate company priorities clearly? Shared goals energize a business. “Everyone's priority should be the same as the company’s top executive,” said Lois P. Frankel, President of Corporate Coaching Interna- tional in Pasadena, California ( drloisfrankel.com ). “When you talk about your company’s big picture, where it’s go- ing and how the employees can help it get there, that's real leadership.” Inspired by the knowledge of the company’s motivating mission, employees will develop their own creative tech- niques for boosting performance. “People will not be man- aged. They will only be led,” said Frankel. “Too often man- agers communicate how to do what needs to get done instead of letting people do it the way they want.” Good managers also create milestones to monitor progress, added Frankel. They also check in regularly with staff members to share feedback. “Everyone needs to feel that their unique skills are being used and further developed in a way that contributes to the priorities of the organization.” 3. Do you delegate effectively? Delegation is not just about saving a manager’s time and fostering operational efficiency. It’s also about prepar- ing employees for promotion. “Step-up assignments are great tools for grooming people into higher levels of re- sponsibility,” said William J. Rothwell, Professor of Work-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

18

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February 13, 2023

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Great Manager (CONT’D FROM PAGE 18)

cannot move beyond your prior expertise, you will not be an inspiring leader.” 6. Do you encourage employees to contribute ideas? The best ideas come from people on the front lines. Top managers encourage employees to develop and communicate new and productive operational techniques based on their experience. “You need to tap into the collective wisdom of the team,” said Frankel. “Creating an environment where ideas are appreciated, recognized, and rewarded will spark ideas that help the business achieve its priorities.” Encouraging worker contributions means going be- yond the company suggestion box. “Reinforce at every team meeting that there are no bad ideas,” said Frankel. “People will speak up only if they understand that they will not be punished for doing so, and that the company wants everybody's ideas on the table.” When the business comes up with a new goal, said

you have delineated. It’s better to discover any disconnect now than six months down the road. 5. Do you inspire your employees? Inspired employees work with greater enthusiasm and invent creative solutions to workplace problems. But how do you inspire someone? The task seems formidable and abstract. The secret is to look at the big picture. “The way to inspire people is to explain how the business service or product benefits employees, customers, and society,” said Rothman. “That will charge workers with the enthusiasm required to perform at peak levels of excellence.” Becoming an inspiring leader requires making a spe- cial effort to relate the goals of employee and company, Rothman added. And that means moving beyond the man- agement techniques one has employed in the past. “If you cannot get rid of what you previously used to do, if you

Frankel, throw it out to the employee pool and invite input. “Many managers are afraid to ask for suggestions because they fear they will receive unworkable ideas,” Frankel said. The fact is that employee groups tend to be self-correcting, and will reject ideas that are impractical. 7. Do you take a personal interest in your employees? Managers gain the trust of employees by engaging with them on a personal basis. “Any good manager communicates a gen- uine interest in the well-being of workers,” said Rothwell. “Doing so doesn’t require a face to face structured conversation. It can be a hallway interaction of a minute or less. It can be a brief talk in the break room, the cafeteria, the parking lot, or even online through direct messages.” Employees who trust their managers will not only work with greater commitment, but will also share information they might other- wise keep secret from fear that it could dam- age their status in the company. Suppose a valued worker is planning to leave for employment elsewhere. If they feel secure enough to share such information, the manager can take steps to improve the work position in a way that will keep the person from jumping ship. 8. Do you help employees rebound from per- formance shortfalls? Effective managers take the initiative quick- ly when employees fall short in their duties. “If someone is performing poorly, don’t surprise them at review time,” said Goruk. “Have an early two-way conversation.” Goruk suggests leading off with an open

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CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

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February 13, 2023

Truck. Loads. More.

Corrugated printing has gone from basic to beautiful in 10 years. With the explosion of packaging demands and shorter print runs, speed has become the #1 capacity driver.

One of our customers tells us automated complete plate cleaning in < 4 minutes adds 25% capacity in a working week with FlexoCleanerBrush™

He calls it ‘Truckloads More Capacity’. You can do your own math.

Great Manager (CONT’D FROM PAGE 20)

The Perfect Combo Get Peak Performance From Your Equipment with Matched Component Sets

ended question such as “How do you feel you’re doing?” That provides an opening for the individual to express anything bothering them about their work experience. The manager can then follow up with a statement such as “You know what? I've noticed the same thing.” The manager should provide specific examples of where the person has fallen short, including dates, times, and numbers where possible. “Ask what you can do to help them get back on track,” said Goruk. “Develop a game plan: What steps can they take to resolve the prob- lem? And when will you have a follow-up meeting to as- sess progress?” 9. Do you resolve conflicts in a productive way? Organizational change often leads to workplace con- flict. Dealing effectively with flare-ups is part of the leader- ship challenge. While most managers would rather avoid the negative emotions that accompany workplace interventions, com- pany profitability requires the maintenance of a smoothly running work environment. “Effective managers need to realize that the ability to address conflict is a core competency that they must de- velop,” said Pete Tosh, Founder of The Focus Group, Ma- con, Georgia ( thefocusgroup.biz ). Effective managers learn the skills required to help em- ployees deal with disagreements. That means directing the involved parties to reach realistic resolutions, casting light on perspectives and ideas that can improve business performance. “Focus on solutions, not the problem,” advised Tosh. “Concentrate on commonalities, the future, and negoti- ation, rather than on differences, the past, and emotion. Emphasize process, not content.” 10. Do you behave in a professional manner? Titles empower obedience; behavior earns respect. “A leader's actions are far more important than their words,” said Tosh. “People listen to talk, then watch the walk.” A manager’s words and actions must be consistent in order for them to be believed. And they must also con- form to the company policies and practices that have been championed by top leaders. Any deviation from them can create distrust. “When we lead by example, our actions need to be consistent with our words,” said Tosh. “No matter what we say or how we ask others to behave, our actions will al- ways serve as the truest indicator of our priorities.”

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reconditioned) can help you achieve a more perfect union of production and prots.

Phillip Perry is an award-winning freelance writer based in New York City and is a regular contributor to Board Converting News. His byline has appeared over 3,000 times in the nation's business press. Reach him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ phillipmperry/.

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February 13, 2023

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SUPPLIER REPORTS 2023 (PART 2)

AES SCRAP COLLECTION SYSTEMS Souderton, Pennsylvania: Jeff Dietterich reports, “As a long-time supplier to the corrugated and folding carton

customers took advantage of low interest rates to not only expand their manufacturing capacity but to make their operations highly automated on both the production and scrap handling side of the business. Not only will they be ready for the next big push for boxes, but they will be able to ramp up production without the high labor dependen- cies that affected so many businesses during Covid. “AES’s AirSharkTM rotary material separator continues to see strong demand among end-users as well as sys- tem integrators, and we continue to develop new ways to apply this technology to both traditional and non-tradi- tional uses in packaging, paper converting and other in- dustries. It has truly become our flagship product and we have some exciting developments in the works designed to make it even more cost effective to use and maintain. “Fresh air intake systems offer customers another op- portunity for cost savings by avoiding the high upfront and ongoing costs of dust collection systems while delivering month-over-month savings on HVAC costs. We have had several customers qualify for utility company rebates and credits by using VFDs to reduce electrical demand on the grid. As an added bonus, fresh air systems can resolve negative air pressure problems in the plant.

industry, we have witnessed many cycles of economic growth as well as uncertainty, with the latter being the watchword of the moment. While our project backlog slowed some- what in Q3 and Q4, 2022 was a very busy year for AES. Even now, we are seeing strong signs of investment in

Jeff Dietterich

capital projects as our customers prepare for their envi- sioned future. If you asked if I foresaw another banner year for AES, our magic eightball would read ‘All signs point to yes.’ I am optimistic that a slowing inflation rate, strong employment numbers, and steady demand for products offered in the e-commerce space will continue to support the industry and the US economy. “Boosting profits by reducing costs is a winning formu- la, and scrap system automations can be an important part of the plan. AES has made labor saving automations and energy efficiency a priority in our system designs, devel- oping innovative products and implementation strategies to help our customers do just that. In fact, several of our

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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Supplier Reports, Part 2 (CONT’D FROM PAGE 24)

“Baysek’s sales team believes there are several rea- sons for the increase in interest and sales. 1) The Baysek C-170 and C-190 die cutters require only ONE Operator which is a big advantage when con- sidering the available labor pool. 2) Continued acceptance and desire for the unique Nick-Free Baysek die cutting method for simple to complex die cut parts. 3) Knowledgeable ser- vice from a growing base of attentive die makers. 4) Baysek’s expert and dependable 24-hour worldwide customer service team. And 5) Made in the USA. “The flagship model C-170 die cutter remains Baysek’s most popular die cutter for medium and large runs. Bay- sek has reached a milestone and has over 200 current model C-170 machines producing in the field. Baysek’s decision to invest in the new C-190 model machine has also produced good results. The wider die format, model C-190 die cutter fills an often-requested need for a larger sheet size. The C-190 provides the same Nick-Free, Multi- ple-Out, One Operator process. Dies within format size are transferable between all machine models, and trades are accepted when transitioning from an older model machine to a C-170 or C-190. “Advantages of Baysek’s Nick-Free vacuum assist method include the ability to convert difficult die cutting CONTINUED ON PAGE 28 Mark Helbach

“Combustible dust and NFPA compliance continues to be an area of concern for our customers, as it can be a confusing and costly process. We help our customers wade through the complexities of NFPA with expert guid- ance and assistance including dust hazard analysis, com- bustible dust testing, dust collection system design, and coordination with the authority’s having jurisdiction (AHJs). AES has many creative and budget-friendly solutions to address this important safety issue. “As we begin our 40th year in business, AES would like to thank our customers for placing their trust in us to help them achieve greater profitability, productivity, and sustainability in their manufacturing processes. Looking forward, we strive to maintain that trust and improve our product and service offerings as partner in process im- provements.” Visit www.aesales.net . BAYSEK MACHINES, INC. Nelsonville, Wisconsin: Mark Helbach reports, “The year 2022 was another successful one at Baysek Machines. It has been a great couple of years to be part of the corrugat- ed industry, whose strength has again produced growth and record sales. Worldwide recognition and acceptance of the Baysek die cutting process has been proven a One Operator, Nick-Free Multiple-Out Baysek die cutters valu- able choice.

Do you need printed sheets? We have your answer.. Introducing Heartland’s ColorCorr. This is “flexo-printing in the round”. On our corrugator we can print up to 109” wide. The advantage is that we can print the equivalent of ½ roll at a time and not be required to keep several rolls of very expensive preprinted paper on the floor. Much less waste and risk. In continual print mode, we use either laser-engraved rubber rolls or solid rubber rolls to print a “flood coat” or a repeating pattern. If we are printing a repeating pattern, we can run a two-color design on the paper. Customers have found that running sheets we print can allow them to run a lighter-grade due to reduced caliper loss, and in some cases eliminate one or more machine passes.

For more information contact: Charlie Freeman | 816-500-8889 | cfreeman@heartlandsheets.com Tim Kramer | 816-841-8317 | color@heartlandsheets.com

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February 13, 2023

DualBox TM Two-in-one productivity

Revolutionising box production with the EMBA unique solution enabling double production capacity of RSC boxes:

The extended 4 shaft EMBA Magna XL VSC enables making all slots of both sheets in the slotting unit at speeds up to 30 000 boxes per hour – with no tolerance variations between the boxes. Like having two machines in one. The DualBox™ innovation combined with the intelligent Ultima™ platform, unique Non-Crush Converting™ and Quick-Set™, makes EMBA 245 QS Ultima™ unbeatable. Converting knowledge into productivity.

TwinFeed™ + XL Slotter = DualBox™ = 2x Output

TwinFeed™ is an option for the EMBA 245 QS Ultima™, which feeds two identical sheets from 280 mm up to 520 mm in running direction in a single machine cycle.

To double your output: EMBA 245 QS Ultima™ with DualBox™

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Supplier Reports, Part 2 (CONT’D FROM PAGE 26)

chines & Engineering, United Kingdom. Baysek’s knowl- edgeable and friendly team stands ready for inquiries.” Contact sales@baysek.com, (715) 824-5300 or visit www.baysek.com . EAM MOSCA Hazle Township, Pennsylvania: Randy Wright reports, “Well known for the highly successful SQ4A Tandem System,

with ease, eliminating the need for hand stripping or ad- ditional ancillary stripping equipment. Waste is fully pneu- matically stripped and directed to ecofriendly recycling. Large die formats allow up to 60-Out simple to complex, 100 percent perimeter cut pieces to be converted per cy- cle. Short setup and changeover times with no make-ready and flexibility to convert a wide array of various substrates is additionally beneficial. There is little the Baysek cannot conquer, further promoting the one operator die cutter a valuable choice with a quick return on investment. Baysek encourages challenging die cutting that traditional rotary and flatbed die cutters struggle or fail to achieve. “Increased sales for the Baysek IR Series Load Turner/ PreFeeder was and is a strong contributor to growth at Baysek. This machine is available as a prefeeder to the Baysek C Series die cutters or can be used in stand-alone applications. A growing percentage of new die cutter sales included our load turner in line and several retrofits to existing machines were completed in the field. The sim- ple baseplate design of the machine means that it can be easily located within a factory because there is no need for a pit or special foundation, creating a quick installation whether it be a retrofit or new install. “Worldwide technical service, parts and consumables are handled by Baysek Machines, Inc. U.S. and Baysek Ma-

EAM-Mosca’s new MAX-Q reinvents the conventional Tandem System for squaring and strapping bundles by combining proven technologies with new designs and product handling. “The new system, which is de- signed to be used behind a box slit- ter, integrates two strappers that can

Randy Wright

be positioned and varied inside a fixed-length chassis to align with the strap-to-strap distance of adjoining bundles. This unique design allows it to strap two bundles simul- taneously without separating the bundle after slitting. By simultaneously strapping, the MAX-Q increases bundle throughputs by 50 percent from 32 per minute in the cur- rent SQ4A Tandem System to 48 per minute. “In addition, the MAX-Q features an innovative, pat- ent-pending variable-length roller conveyor that enables a 48 percent reduction in line space compared to the SQ4A Tandem System, from 160.8-inches to only 83.6-inches.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

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