Board Converting News, August 31, 2026

BoardConverting Serving the North American Corrugated and Folding Carton Industries Since 1985 August 31, 2026 VOL. 42 NO. 35

Bay Cities Celebrates 70 Years Of Innovation And Growth BY ASHLEY PRAZYCH Pico Rivera, California-based Bay Cities, a leading designer and man- ufacturer of retail packaging and in-store displays, celebrated its 70th anniversary this July, marking seven decades of growth and evolution. Today, the 100 percent employee-owned company helps brands navigate every stage of the retail journey, from packaging and displays to fulfillment, logistics and retail execution.

Amtech To Showcase AI Solutions At Conference Amtech Software, purpose-built provider of ERP, MES and CRM solutions for the pack- aging and labels industry, has announced the agenda for its 2026 Amtech User Con- ference, taking place October 11–14th at the Sheraton Grand Nashville Downtown. Now in its fifth edition, the conference is expected to draw 300 packaging executives, technology leaders and plant operations pro- fessionals to Nashville, Tennessee. Sessions will focus on AI innovation, cybersecurity, operational excellence and business growth, with an emphasis on where those invest- ments deliver measurable return. “Packaging manufacturers are navigating significant change, from evolving market con- ditions and continued pressure on margins to cybersecurity and the rapid emergence of AI,” said Chuck Schneider, CEO of Amtech Soft- ware. “Our user conference is an opportunity to bring the industry together around those challenges and have practical conversations about what manufacturers can do to operate more efficiently, compete more effectively and prepare their businesses for what’s next.” Ryan Fox, corrugated market analyst at

The milestone comes during one of the strongest periods in the company’s history. Over the past three years, Bay Cities has achieved: 17.5 percent workforce growth 10 percent year-over-year revenue growth 92 percent customer retention rate That growth has been accompanied by investments in new facili- ties, capabilities and markets, but Bay Cities’ leadership has remained central to how the company has evolved. As it enters its eighth de- cade, the company is building on the same combination of long-term relationships, teamwork and willingness to adapt that helped turn a regional corrugated business into one of North America’s leading retail packaging partners. Leadership Perspective: Growth Through Reinvention What began in 1956 as a regional corrugated packaging company has grown considerably in both size and scope, but Bay Cities’ lead- CONTINUED ON PAGE 24 Bay Cities Chairman and CEO Greg Tucker has led the company through unprecedented levels of growth.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

WHAT’S INSIDE 10 Folding Cartons To Make First Appearance At LOUPE 14 Corrugated Converters Share Tariff Concerns 18 Colbert Thrives Amidst Industry Consolidation 40 Curtis Packaging Optimizes Brand Protection With K&B

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Amtech Conference (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)

Bloomberg Intelligence and managing editor of the Green Markets Box Report, will keynote the conference with an outlook on corrugated demand, pricing and capacity heading into 2027. Schneider will follow with his perspec- tive on how manufacturers can position their businesses for growth amid rapid technological change. “Heading into 2027, the corrugated packaging industry is navigating one of its most consequential periods of tran- sition in years, as stubbornly weak box demand collides with shifting containerboard capacity, mill closures and conversions, major capital investment and a challenging pricing environment,” Fox said. “I’ll examine what these changes tell us about where the industry is headed and what the corrugated market may look like when demand finally returns.” Danna Nelson, Amtech’s SVP of Product, will unveil the latest of Amtech Intelligence and corrugated solutions, alongside the broader product roadmap for 2027. Inside The Agenda Executive strategy sessions will explore how packag- ing manufacturers can approach AI as a driver of business value, strengthen cybersecurity resilience and use tech- nology to improve profitability. The agenda also includes customer-led sessions, in which packaging manufacturers walk through what they’ve changed in their own plants and what it returned; those speakers will be announced closer

to the event. Attendees will also have direct access to Am- tech executives and product leaders, with opportunities to exchange best practices with industry peers, learn how other manufacturers are addressing common operational challenges and help shape Amtech’s product roadmap. The conference is built for owners and executives, plant and operations managers, IT and cybersecurity lead- ers, and finance and scheduling teams who are current Amtech Software customers. “Technology is evolving quickly, but innovation has to solve real business problems and deliver measurable val- ue for our customers,” Schneider said. “We want attend- ees to leave Nashville with ideas they can put to work in their businesses, whether that means getting more from the technology they already have, strengthening their op- erations or identifying new opportunities for growth.” For additional information and to register for the con- ference, visit www.amtechuserconference.com . Registration closes October 5, 2026.

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Mondi Develops Zero-Defect Corrugated System

set to ensure adhesive bonding is optimized. The system will be installed at all Mondi corrugated packaging plants in the near future. AF&PA Releases July 2026 Packaging Papers Monthly Report The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) re- leased the July 2026 Packaging Papers Monthly report. Total packaging papers & specialty packaging ship- ments in July increased one percent compared to July 2025. They were up five percent when compared to the same seven months of 2025. The unbleached packaging papers operating rate in- creased to 87.5 percent in July, up from 85.7 percent in June, but below the rates seen between February and May this year. The year-to-date operating rate was 5.1 points higher than last year. Shipments of bleached food wrapping were down 3.6 percent from last July, but up 2.7percent year-to-date. Total July 2026 inventories were down 4.9 percent compared to last July, though they did increase to their highest level since February. A subscription to the complete report with detailed tables, charts and historical data can be purchased by contacting Kory Bockman at Statistics_Publications@af- andpa.org or at (202) 463-4716.

In collaboration with Procter & Gamble, paper and packag- ing group Mondi has developed a system for zero-defect corrugated packaging production. The new system, according to Mondi, will be of par- ticular benefit to food and beverage and personal care customers. In 2009 the Mondi Group initiated a Zero Defect project to contribute to 100 percent defect-free production in inline machines and thereby boost customer satisfaction. Based on an in-depth analysis, Mondi assessed customer issues and associated costs. The Mondi Pro Excellence System, developed in collab- oration with Procter & Gamble, allows optimized monitor- ing during production: each box is monitored using special sensors. Measuring ranges are set by the system, and ac- tual and target values cross-checked on an ongoing basis. The system prevents boxes with false gluing from being assigned ‘approved’. Faulty boxes are marked clearly as such and discarded. An automated reporting system dis- plays all relevant monitoring information and automatically generates a real-time quality assurance certificate stating that the packaging is 100 percent defect-free. System stoppages due to adhesive bonding problems no longer occur, and predefined tolerance values can be

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Folding Cartons Come To LOUPE Americas BY ANDY THOMAS-EMANS

verse side printing, cold foil, UV flexo (or offset) printing, coating and cast-and-cure lamination. Additional units might include silkscreen, extended driers for water-based flexo and gravure coatings, digital print bars and more. After print and decoration, the folding carton is die cut and creased in the same machine pass. Cutting Edge This can be achieved either with in-line rotary die sta- tions, one for creasing and one for thru-cutting, or with an in-line flatbed die cutting station. In-line flatbed tech- nology was demonstrated on a Canon/Edale CartonLine press at Labelexpo Europe 2025, (now LOUPE Europe) a UV flexo press configured with cold foil and cast-and- cure lamination. Semi-rotary flatbed uses the same kind of inexpensive tooling found in an offline cut-crease machine, so is ideal for shorter runs. Press speed is slower compared to fully

In-line flexo printing of folding cartons is now firmly es- tablished as part of the wider LOUPE universe, opening up new opportunities for label converters in the booming folding carton space. The key difference between in-line production and tra- ditional sheet-fed offset is that finished printed and embel- lished folding carton pieces are produced in a single pass from a roll of cartonboard. A range of print and decoration processes can be add- ed to the same press line, in exactly the same way as on a narrow web label press. In-line processes typically include web treatment, re-

rotary cut-crease, so the chosen configu- ration will depend on the kinds of work the converter is expecting. Individual die cut blanks are delivered onto a shingling conveyor with automatic waste removal, with options for fully auto- mated packing if the cartons are shipping directly to customers. Going forward, we expect to see not only flexo, but also hybrid machine plat- forms producing folding cartons in a single pass, powered by inkjet with flexo coating and other modular decoration processes. Sweet Spot vs Sheet-Fed Traditional sheet-fed folding carton pro- duction accounts for the overwhelming vol- ume in today’s global packaging market. Sheet-fed carton conversion involves multiple production steps including printing, die cut/crease and foiling /embossing. This involves a lot of work-in-progress (WIP), is labor intensive and creates additional lead time for each additional process step. Label converters moving into folding carton production using in-line presses can offer a more agile service as they are printing and finishing in a single pass. Mul- tiple decoration processes can be offered as part of the same press pass. This sug- gests how label converters can find niche markets in folding cartons. Firstly, where is the wrong place to compete? It is impossible to compete on price alone against highly efficient and au- tomated sheet-fed converters. Also, the narrow/mid-web in-line press width places limits on the format size that can economically be offered. So the niche is to be found in short CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

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LOUPE (CONT’D FROM PAGE 10)

tions,” said Steve Haedrich, President of New York Labels + Box Works, and LOUPE Americas 2026 Folding Carton Ambassador. “Customers want to test products and enter new markets without committing to extremely large quan- tities. In-line folding carton technology currently can allow the printer to perform 6 steps at once - roll to press, back print, front print, foil stamp, film laminate and emboss and die cut at the same time.” The Future A key advantage of introducing in-line folding carton technology to LOUPE is the presence of so much of the surrounding eco-system, including inks, coatings and materials. This allows us to focus on folding carton sustainability issues at LOUPE, particularly the replacement of non-re- cyclable laminated structures with recyclable barrier coat- ings for bakery and confectionery applications. It took around 12 years for flexible packaging to be- come a key part of Labelexpo, now LOUPE. We expect in-line and hybrid folding carton production to become a key part of the LOUPE global portfolio in considerably less time than that. Andy Thomas-Emans is the Strategic Director at Informa Markets Labels & Packaging Group. LOUPE Americas 2026 (formerly Labelexpo Americas), taking place September 15-17 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, is opening the door to in-line folding carton technology.

run, fast turnaround, multiple-SKU work on smaller format folding cartons; or in longer runs of highly embellished small format folding cartons.

“The growth in new product launches, seasonal pack- aging, limited editions, and SKU proliferation is driving de- mand for short-run and more flexible folding carton solu- LOUPE organizers expect folding carton technology to grow in visibility at the show in coming years.

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CCCA Warns Tariffs Could Disrupt Supply Chain BY SERGE DESGAGNÉS

In-line flexo printing of folding cartons is now firmly estab- lished By Serge Desgagnés, Executive Director , Canadi- an Corrugated & Containerboard Association (CCCA) The Canadian Corrugated & Containerboard Associa- tion (CCCA) is urging the federal government to take de- cisive action as potential U.S. tariff measures threaten one of North America’s most integrated supply chains. In a letter to Ottawa, the CCCA warns that tariffs on corrugated packaging and containerboard could disrupt crossborder material flows that manufacturers, retailers and distributors rely on daily. Canada and the U.S. operate a highly interconnected system in which containerboard, corrugated sheets, finished boxes and recycled fibre rou- tinely move back and forth as part of production and dis- tribution processes. Almost every product category—from groceries and pharmaceuticals to ecommerce shipments and industri- al goods — depends on corrugated packaging at some point in its supply chain. The CCCA says tariff-driven fric- tion would have consequences far beyond the packaging sector itself. “Everything moves in a box,” said Serge Desgagnés, Executive Director of the CCCA. “If you disrupt the box,

you disrupt the system. Tariffs may appear narrow in scope, but their impact would be felt across every sector that relies on goods moving efficiently.” Policy Concerns The CCCA has outlined several concerns for policy- makers: • Higher costs for manufacturers: corrugated packag- ing is a universal input. Tariffs would raise costs that flow directly into production and distribution. • New inefficiencies and delays: crossborder move- ments of containerboard and finished packaging could face added complexity, forcing companies to adjust sourc- ing and inventory strategies.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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Tarif fs (CONT’D FROM PAGE 14)

• Consumer impact: increased packaging costs typi- cally move through the supply chain, ultimately affecting retail prices. • Effects on Canadian facilities and workers: the broad-

er paper packaging sector employs 27,000 Canadians, many in communi- ties where packaging plants are ma- jor local employers. Tariff uncertainty could influence production planning, investment decisions and job stability. • Broader economic exposure: sta- tistics Canada’s 2025 GDP data shows the scale of the industries connected to

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corrugated packaging: $3.4 billion for pulp, paper and pa- perboard mills (NAICS 3221) and $2.5 billion for converted paper product manufacturing (NAICS 3222). While these figures extend beyond CCCA members alone, they under- score the potential implications of tariffs on “cartons, box- es and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard.” The CCCA is urging government officials to recognize corrugated packaging as critical supply chain infrastruc- ture rather than a niche manufacturing segment. Maintain- ing stability in the Canada–U.S. packaging system is es- sential to protecting manufacturers, retailers, consumers and the communities that rely on packaging sector jobs. Serge Desgagnés is the Executive Director, Canadian Corrugated & Containerboard Association (CCCA). AF&PA Releases Statement On U.S.-Canada Trade Discussions Heidi Brock, President and CEO, American Forest & Paper Association, has released the following statement in re- sponse to US-Canada trade discussions

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“The U.S. pulp, paper, packaging and tissue supply chain is deeply in- tegrated across North America. New counter-tariffs on U.S. goods, including pulp and paper products, risk adding uncertainty and cost for manufactur- ers, workers, customers and commu- nities on both sides of the border.

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Share the story of your company’s success with an ARTICLE in Board Converting News. The corrugated and folding carton industries are waiting! Brand Owners, Converters & Decision-Makers READ BCN Don’t keep it a secret! Articles generate leads for converters and suppliers!

“AF&PA supports trade policies that address unfair practices and strengthen U.S. manufacturing. At the same time, escalating tariff disputes between the U.S. and Canada will disrupt the cross-border supply chains that help mills and manufacturers invest, compete and deliver essential products people depend on every day. “We urge both governments to return to the negoti- ating table and work toward solutions that address le- gitimate trade concerns without undermining the North American manufacturing base or the long-standing part- nerships that support jobs and economic activity through- out the region.”

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

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Colbert Packaging Thrives Amid Industrywide Consolidation As the field of independent paper-based secondary pack- aging converters continues to shrink amidst ongoing private-equity-backed consolidation, Colbert Packaging Corporation, an independent, family and women-owned business, has experienced steady growth since 1959.

Ryan Hart. “We have the agility to support our customers’ needs for speed-to-market, clinical trials, product launch- es, etc. Plus we provide 100% vision inspection, and a manufacturing environment that mirrors that of the phar- maceutical industry.” Projected Industrywide Growth In light of solid growth projections for Colbert’s custom- ers in pharma, medical device and OTC healthcare, its stra- tegic vision to grow alongside its customers remains intact. “Our experience has shown that our customers value relationships with independent suppliers,” said Colbert Senior Vice President of Sales, Lon Johnson. “Regard- ing our growth strategy and capital investments: our in- dependence and management structure provide for swift

Growth projections for the paper- board packaging industry continue to attract investors eager to streamline operations and focus on specific core competencies. While many of its com- petitors have been, and continue to be,

decision making and we remain fully focused on supporting our customers’ needs, now and into the future.” With this vision for the future, Col- bert Packaging recently invested in its human capital by welcoming Senior Account Executive Danielle Douros to the Sales team.

Danielle Douros

acquired and swallowed into larger business models, Col- bert Packaging remains committed to its independence. Though Colbert Packaging serves customers across multiple industries — commercial and consumer — its pri- mary concentration is secondary paperboard packaging for the pharmaceutical, medical device and OTC health- care sectors. “Our strategy positions Colbert to serve our cus- tomers with strength, loyalty and individualized service, while remaining a top competitor in products like pack- aging customizations and combinations, and specialty features,” said Vice President of Sales and Marketing,

John Lackner

“What drew me to Colbert was its outstanding reputa- tion, its 67-year history as a privately held, women-owned company, and its unwavering commitment to quality and customer service,” Douros said. “In today’s environment, our customers need more than a packaging supplier. They

CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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Colbert Packaging (CONT’D FROM PAGE 18)

cialty colors and coatings, cold foil metallic enhancements, backside printing, and vision inspection in a high-speed, one-pass format. Of particular relevance today is the fate of the packag-

need a trusted partner who understands their business, anticipates challenges, delivers innovative solutions, and keeps their production lines running efficiently.” Colbert Packaging’s strategic business plan also in- cludes a perpetual focus on growth through capital invest- ment. “We continually invest in converting equipment and

ing insert, or Instructions for Use (IFU). At a time when many packaging con- verters are exiting the category, Col- bert continues to ramp up production of this critical element of healthcare packaging. These packaging components provide end users and consumers

technology,” said Colbert President and COO John Lackner. “Our com- mitment to 100% vision inspection capabilities across our manufacturing facilities and across all phases of pro- duction is clear and steady.” Vision inspection is an essential component in pharmaceutical manu-

Ryan Hart

with critical information regarding user safety, intended use, instructions, warnings, and product end-of-life and recycling information. In recent years, there has been an industry assumption that, due to increasing electronic access to information, the need for printed informational inserts would be on the decline. However, aging popula- tion and regulatory requirements command an ongoing need for printed inserts. Colbert Packaging recognizes this growth opportunity and its alignment with the com- Having the capabilities and talent to continue innovat- ing through ongoing capital investment and technical ad- vancements, while maintaining a focus on sustainability, truly allows the company to differentiate. CONTINUED ON PAGE 22 pany’s strategic plans. Top Dog vs. Underdog

Lon Johnson

facturing and Colbert mirrors this level of quality control in its production of secondary packaging. “From state-of-the- art printing presses and QA systems, to our die cutting and finishing equipment, Colbert Packaging’s dedication to im- plementing the latest technology in packaging converting is unyielding, yet always in alignment with our strategic goals balanced with our customer requirements,” Lackner said. “With each investment we carefully consider how we can extend our product offerings and overall capabilities, while surfacing cost savings.” One recent example of this is Colbert’s installation of a 10-color printing press. This press accommodates spe-

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Colbert Packaging (CONT’D FROM PAGE 20)

“At Colbert, we see ourselves as the underdog, as it were,” said Johnson. “At times, it’s easy to feel envious of the industry big dogs — those that have deep pockets, endless resources, and strong brands with big ads and guerilla marketing everywhere. But then, I look at what else they have — bloat, appearances to maintain, enti- tlement, and shareholder expectations. They can be too slow, conservative and cautious. They rest on their laurels, glide on their reputation, and play defense. What they re- ally have is a lot to lose. “Then I think about what we have at Colbert — hunger, drive and grit,” he continued. “Our independence keeps us on the offense. We can move quickly and adjust on the fly. We’re producing while they’re still deciding what to do. We purchase and implement new assets while they wait for a long chain of command to get approvals. We see be- ing small, not as a stepping stone or ‘less than.’ We see our size as greater than, faster, more focused and agile. We savor our position, and the benefits that provides to our customers and our employees.” “I have been screaming from the mountain tops about how good the Colbert story resonates in the current maining independent during rampant packaging industry consolidation offers our customers better transparency, agility and service levels that healthcare companies re- quire in a supplier.” Colbert Packaging’s strength as an independent small business is summed up best by its Chairman and CEO, Nancy Colbert MacDougall. “We recognize that our success rests on the contribu- tions made daily by our talented and capable employees. Colbert associates routinely give us a sense of pride in who we are as an organization,” said MacDougall. “It’s with that pride that we carry on my father Charles Colbert’s legacy.” Making A Difference Colbert Packaging is a women-owned business with extensive R&D capabilities and a solid reputation for ex- cellence. Founded in 1959, Colbert Packaging has grown its repertoire of paperboard packaging solutions into one of the most comprehensive, diverse and inventive portfo- lios in the industry. packaging landscape,” Hart said. “We continue to be in the right industry focused on the right markets at the right time.Paperboard packaging de- mand is projected to continue grow- ing over the next decade. The phar- ma/healthcare industry is the fastest growing segment in paperboard packaging, and our commitment to re- Colbert’s Kenosha, Wisconsin, facility produces offset and flexographic printed folding cartons, pressure-sensi- tive roll labels and package inserts; the Elkhart, Indiana, operation includes folding carton production and paper tray forming. Learn more at www.colbertpkg.com . Nancy Colbert MacDougall

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Bay Cities (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1) ership credits much of that longevity to the people behind the business and their ability to evolve together. “Reaching 70 years is a testament to the people, cus- tomers, and partners who have helped build Bay Cities over the decades,” said Greg Tucker, Chairman and CEO

we’re proud of our history, what excites me most is where we’re headed next.” As the company enters its eighth decade, Bay Cities is also preparing for its next generation of leadership. Earli- er this year, the company promoted Sahar Mehrabzadeh to Chief Revenue Officer, a newly created executive role overseeing all revenue-generating functions and leading client-facing departments. “Seventy years in business is an important milestone, but what I’m most proud of is the people behind it — our teams, our customers, and the long-standing relation- ships we’ve built along the way,” said Sahar Mehrabza- deh, CRO of Bay Cities. “We’ve grown from a corrugat- ed box company into a strategic retail partner, helping brands navigate packaging, displays, fulfillment, sus- tainability, and changing consumer expectations. At ev- ery stage, it’s been about people — understanding their needs, solving real problems, and earning trust. As retail continues to evolve, we’re focused on building on that foundation and continuing to grow with the people we serve for the next 70 years.” Today, Bay Cities’ work can be found in major retailers across North America, supporting product launches, retail activations and omnichannel programs for brands across food and beverage, beauty, electronics, apparel, pet care and other markets. Bringing structural and graphic design, manufacturing, fulfillment, logistics and retail execution

of Bay Cities. “Many companies never reach this mile- stone. We’ve remained independent, employee-owned, and committed to evolving alongside our customers. While Bay Cities' display work has been recognized by customers, trade groups and award panels.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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Bay Cities (CONT’D FROM PAGE 24)

In November 2025, Bay Cities opened a sales and design office in Blue Ash, Ohio, complementing the com- pany’s existing locations in Los Angeles and Bentonville, Arkansas. The move gave Bay Cities a physical presence across the Pacific, Central and Eastern time zones. Led by Senior Vice President of Sales Jeff Craig, who brings 35 years of industry experience in high-end graphics, displays and retail supply chain solutions, the office offers graphic and structural design, project management, sales support and digital printing capabilities. And just this summer, Bay Cities celebrated its full own- ership of Royal Bay, a 233,000-square-foot packout and fulfillment facility in Oak Forest, Illinois. Located just out- side Chicago, the state-of-the-art facility houses kitting and repack operations as well as full POP display execution. The Royal Bay facility officially opened in June 2026 with a ceremonial ribbon cutting and employee celebration. Sustainability, Recognition, And Industry Impact As Bay Cities has expanded its capabilities, the com- pany’s work has continued to earn recognition both within the packaging industry and beyond. Recent honors reflect its creative work as well as ongoing investments in sus- tainability, innovation and operational efficiency. Among its recent achievements are Outstanding Mer- chandising Achievement (OMA) Awards from the Shop! Association in both 2025 and 2026. This year, Bay Cities received a Silver OMA Award for its Simple Mobile “Un-

together has allowed the company to take on a broader role with its customers, supporting projects from the initial concept through the final retail execution. Building A Coast-To-Coast Presence Much of Bay Cities’ recent growth has come from ex- panding into regions where client demand is growing while adding capabilities that allow the company to pro- vide more comprehensive support. Bay Cities acquired Santa Fe Springs, California-based Premier Packaging & Assembly in the spring of 2023. The two companies had worked closely together for decades, making Bay Cities a natural successor when the Premier family retired. The acquisition expanded Bay Cities’ capa- bilities in variety pack assembly, repacking, bundling, and cartoning. Bay Cities also chose to preserve the Premier Packaging name, honoring the company’s long-standing reputation while welcoming its employees into the Bay Cit- ies ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan). In 2024, Bay Cities launched Digital Print Partners (DPP) in Bolingbrook, Illinois, a large format digital printing facili- ty. Equipped with the Barberan Jetmaster 2.0 Single-Pass Digital Printer, capable of printing up to 72.4” x 196”, DPP expanded Bay Cities’ ability to deliver high-quality pack- aging, displays and signage with greater speed and agility in the Midwest.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

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26 August 31, 2026

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Bay Cities (CONT’D FROM PAGE 26) limited World” campaign and a Bronze OMA Award for its Oura Gen 4 Ring Costco pallet display, recognizing the creativity and collaboration behind two retail merchan- dising programs that successfully connected brands with shoppers. Innovation has also remained closely tied to Bay Cit- ies’ sustainability initiatives. Through responsible sourc- ing, circular design and vertically integrated operations, the company continues to develop solutions aimed at reducing environmental impact while helping customers meet their own sustainability goals. Those efforts earned a 2025 Sustainability Innovation Award and inclusion in Flock Freight’s 2025 Annual Impact Report after avoiding more than 100 metric tons of CO₂e emissions through sus- tainable shipping practices. The company’s leadership has also been recognized across the industry. Earlier this year, Tucker was selected to serve as the next Vice Chairman of the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation (ICPF), an organization dedicated to developing the next generation of leaders for the corrugated packaging industry. Ohana Means Family For Tucker and Bay Cities, celebrating 70 years meant recognizing the people who helped the company reach the milestone. To commemorate the anniversary, Bay Cities hosted

festive celebrations at its Pico Rivera, California, head- quarters and Bentonville, Arkansas, location, bringing to- gether employee-owners, customers, partners and friends who have been part of the company’s story. Guests en- joyed authentic Polynesian performances, shared meals and stories, and celebrated the generations of people who have contributed to its growth. The theme reflected a philosophy that has become closely tied to Bay Cities’ culture: “Ohana,” the Hawaiian word for family. With Bay Cities’ ESOP at the very founda- tion of the company culture, words such as transparency and family are used casually and often in the business ver- nacular. They take on a weighted meaning at Bay Cities, as these concepts are backed-up by intentional actions geared to empower the company’s workforce with owner- ship of their work product – and of the company. Getting Started At 70 years old, Bay Cities is just getting started. With a clear vision, a committed team, and strong leadership, it enters its next chapter with momentum, and poised for continued growth. At the heart of that vision is Bay Cities’ mission to help brands and retailers win at retail. The company’s role ex- tends far beyond fulfilling a packaging or display order — Bay Cities serves as a strategic retail execution partner, helping create compelling shopping experiences, exe- cute programs seamlessly and drive sales from concept through delivery, in-store and online.

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28 August 31, 2026

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Corrugated Packaging Market To Reach $265 Billion By 2031

Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY

The global corrugated packaging market is worth $240 bil- lion in 2026 and is forecast to grow to $265 billion by 2031, according to a new study by Smithers. Based on primary re- search and expert analysis, The Future of Corrugated Pack- aging to 2031 breaks down the global market by grade, end-use and geography, with five-year forecasts to 2031. The global corrugated market is driven by six converg- ing, permanent forces: automation economics, sustainabil- ity regulation, demand-side change, e-commerce growth, consolidation and geopolitics. Automation is widening the gap between producers: top-quartile operators run 20–40 percent lower costs than bottom-quartile peers.

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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. 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.

High-performance recycled containerboard (HPRC) lightweighting, right-sizing, and format evolution (fanfold, paper mailers replacing regular containerboard) mean ton volume growth lags unit count and revenue growth across 2026–2031. The report forecasts continued recov- ery toward markedly higher levels by 2031 as HPRC, bar- rier-coated, and digital-print SRP grades compound their share at the expense of commodity board. “Following more than two decades of reliable structural growth since the globalization era of the 1990s, the sector has entered a cyclical and structural reset since the begin- ning of the current decade,” said Eric Chartrain, Associate Consultant, Smithers. “Unlike prior downturns driven by a single shock, the industry has absorbed multiple simulta- neous disruptions: COVID-19, the Ukraine war, Middle East conflicts and Strait of Hormuz tensions, escalating US-Chi- na trade friction, and persistent global inflation across all input costs. Each shock has altered consumer habits, ac- celerated emerging trends, and forced organizations to demonstrate unprecedented resilience. Growth is expect- ed to recover to the 2021 peak level by 2031, but along a decidedly non-linear trajectory. Demand itself is more nuanced than simple growth, the report shows. More than 80 percent of U.S. and European consumers now rate private-label as equal or superior to branded goods, flattening volumes across most catego- ries. E-commerce remains the clear growth engine, led by electrical goods (+3.4 percent Compound Annual Growth Rate) and personal & household care (+2.3 percent).

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Aopack is a leading manufacturer of automatic corrugated box making machines for short-run and on-demand pro- duction. 1,200+ machines operate in 60+ countries. The BM2800-Ultra integrates digital printing, slitting, slotting, creasing, and vibrating knife cutting, delivering efficient, flexible solutions for customized corrugated box orders.

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