Board Converting News, March 20, 2023

BoardConverting Serving the North American Corrugated and Folding Carton Industries for 39 years March 20, 2023 VOL. 39, NO. 12

OxBox Strengthens Grasp On Bullish Big Box Market BY LEN PRAZYCH

Sonoco To Close Mill In Hutchinson, KS

According to multiple media sources, Harts- ville, South Carolina based Sonoco Products Company will permanently close its paper mill in Hutchinson, Kansas, affecting some 116 em- ployees. The closure was confirmed in a WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notifi- cation Act) notice that the company filed on March 7. The WARN act is a US labor law that helps ensure that employees receive ad- vance notice in the event of plant closings and mass layoffs. The Hutchinson plant, in operation since 1909, had been a longtime employer in the area. The mill took in about 320 tons of pa- per and cardboard a day, with about 295 tons becoming products, according to the The Hutchinson News . Sonoco acquired the Hutchinson paper mill from the privately-held Republic Group LLC in an all-cash purchase in 2001. Sonoco said in a release at the time that the Hutchin- son Mill, which had annualized sales through September 30, 2001, of approximately $30 million, had two pressure former paper ma- chines and employed about 145 personnel.

A Google search for the term, “As Strong as an Ox,” will result in several colorful descriptions that include strong, powerful, able-bodied, tough, hardy, rugged and “as hard as nails.” A search for OxBox, the Addison, Illinois based fourth-generation independent corrugated box maker and wood crate manufacturer, will take you to the company’s compre-

hensive website where customers have been flocking in increasing numbers for their enormous heavy-duty, triplewall corrugated boxes, to which the aforementioned ox-like descriptors can be applied. “Pretty much all we do is heavy duty and jumbo corrugated boxes,” says Guy Ockerlund, who assumed leadership and 50 percent owner- ship of OxBox in 1993 and acquired full ownership 2005. “We still have a wood products department but it’s less of our overall business than it used to be. I thought we’d lose at least 30 percent of our corrugated business after Covid. I also thought a lot of the customers who found us on our website would have gone back to their big suppliers but shockingly, they haven’t. Like other box makers, we got stretched way out and that was uncomfortable, but we’ve come back strong and we continue to see impressive demand for our big boxes.” The strength Ockerlund speaks of is drawn from knowing OxBox has the machinery – and the personnel – on its production floor to han- CONTINUED ON PAGE 24 Guy Ockerlund, right, owner of Addison, Illinois based OxBox, with his son and Production Manager Eric Ockerlund, center, and Ricardo Altimarano, an operator on the company’s new Makina Jumbo.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

WHAT’S INSIDE 6 AICC Announces Launch Of New Podcast: AICC Update 10 ISM: Manufacturing Contracts For Fourth Straight Month 14 Adventures Await Attendees Of FBA Annual Meeting In Alberta 42 Inland Packaging Invests In Koenig & Bauer Rapida Coater

EVERYTHING CORRUGATED UNDER

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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

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Sonoco To Close (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)

“Sonoco was the mill’s largest customer, purchasing paperboard for composite cans, primarily for refrigerated dough products, and for tubes,” the release said. Sonoco, a global provider of packaging products, was founded in 1899 and has about 22,000 employees. Its net sales in 2022 was approximately $7.3 billion, according to the company website. AICC Drops New Breaking Down Boxes Episode ‘Anything Is Possible’ Hosts Gene Marino, Executive Vice President, Akers Pack- aging Service Group, and Joe Morelli, Vice President of “Kim is a competitor ‘through and through’ which speaks to her drive as a leader, but her transparency and honesty is what makes her an exceptional leader,” Marino said. Rather than pursuing a career in law as she had planned, Nelson returned home when her father, the founder of Royal Containers, called. It was supposed to be temporary, but she turned it into her career and found her passion in trying to build and grow what her father had created. “Joe and Gene were bang-on when they said, ‘Let’s have a candid conversation about your career in the pack- aging business.’ The interview turned out to be a reveal- ing discussion, and that is because these guys are sincere and authentic,” Nelson said. Founder Ross Nelson, after a rough start causing the family to lose everything, built Royal into a strong com- pany. Several years after the next generation came into the business a decision had to be made about the com- pany’s direction. Kim Nelson looked at the company as a business, and if it were run as a successful business could benefit the family. Her father agreed and knew the com- pany had to grow, but others in the family thought differ- ently. Kim honestly shares the challenges her family faced during this transition. “Kim is an extraordinary leader, a role model, and a pi- oneer in our industry and in our Association,” said Mike D’Angelo, AICC President. “All that comes shining through in this latest compelling episode of Breaking Down Boxes.” Nelson’s belief in being authentic and her leadership skills helped build the company from a one plant operation to a multi-plant company with stakes in a mill and a sheet feeder. Her story is one that will encourage anyone in the industry. Subscribe to Breaking Down Boxes on all podcast plat- forms or visit www.AICCbox.org/Boxes . Sales and Marketing, Huston Patter- son Printers and Lewisburg Printing Co., speak with Kim Nelson, President and CEO, Royal Containers, in Any- thing is Possible, the latest episode of Breaking Down Boxes. Kim Nelson

5

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AICC Announces Launch Of New Podcast: ‘AICC Update’ AICC, The Independent Packaging Association, an- nounced the launch of a new weekly podcast, AICC Up- date. Each week in less than five minutes, members can learn about upcoming AICC events and new benefits. AICC member companies are investing in their team by offering access to AICC member benefits. AICC Update is another way for everyone to know those benefits better. “The Association offers so much to members that it can be difficult to be aware of everything. We wanted to give our members a quick reference to stay on top of the ways AICC can help team members and their company grow,” said Virginia Humphrey, Director of Membership & Market- ing at AICC and the host of the podcast. The podcast will remind members of event deadlines, upcoming learning opportunities, and member benefits. AICC President Mike D’Angelo said, “AICC is constantly working to keep our members out front. We always offer something new. This podcast will be impactful because in a few short minutes, members can be updated and ready to access programs that will help them achieve success.” The first episode will be available on March 23 with new episodes dropping every Thursday. Subscribe to AICC Update on all major podcast platforms or visit www. AICCbox.org/Update .

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

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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NAM Announces Kickoff Webinar To Plan For MFG Day MFG Day (Manufacturing Day), celebrated nationally on the first Friday in October each year, helps show the reality and future of modern manufacturing careers by encourag- ing thousands of companies and educational institutions

mote manufacturing, positively shift perceptions about our industry, and build the foundation for the manufacturing workforce of the future. It empowers manufacturers to come together to address their challenges so they can help their communities and future generations thrive. MFG is an initiative of the Manufacturing Institute, with the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association as a founding partner. The Institute grows and supports the manufactur- ing industry’s skilled workers for the advancement of mod- ern manufacturing. The Institute’s diverse initiatives sup- port women, veterans, students and workers through skills training programs, community building and supporting the advancement of their careers in manufacturing. Get Started Throughout the month of October and beyond, man- ufacturers across America will engage and excite young minds by hosting an MFG Day event. Learn more about the initiative and how to get involved by joining the Manu- facturing Institute — the organization behind MFG Day na- tionwide — for the MFG Day kickoff webinar taking place from 2:00 to 2:45 p.m. EDT on April 6. To register, visit themanufacturinginstitute.org . For more information, contact mfgday@nam.org. By hosting or participating in an MFG Day event, com- panies join thousands of other hosts in showcasing mod- ern manufacturing jobs and technologies. This is a great opportunity to highlight the benefits that manufacturing provides to the community and the nation.

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ISM: Manufacturing Contracts For Fourth Straight Month

“The New Orders Index remained in contraction territo- ry at 47 percent, 4.5 percentage points higher than the fig- ure of 42.5 percent recorded in January. The Production Index reading of 47.3 percent is a 0.7-percentage point decrease compared to January’s figure of 48 percent. The Prices Index registered 51.3 percent, up 6.8 percentage points compared to the January figure of 44.5 percent. “The Backlog of Orders Index registered 45.1 percent, 1.7 percentage points higher than the January reading of 43.4 percent. The Employment Index dropped into con- traction territory, registering 49.1 percent, down 1.5 per- centage points from January’s 50.6 percent. “The Supplier Deliveries Index figure of 45.2 percent is 0.4 percentage point lower than the 45.6 percent re- corded in January; readings from the last three months are the index’s lowest since March 2009 (43.2 percent). The Inventories Index registered 50.1 percent, 0.1 percent- age point lower than the January reading of 50.2 percent.

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in February for the fourth consecutive month following a 28-month period of growth, say the nation’s supply execu- tives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business. The report was issued by Timothy R. Fiore, CPSM, C.P.M., Chair of the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Manu- facturing Business Survey Committee: “The February Manufacturing PMI registered 47.7 per- cent, 0.3 percentage point higher than the 47.4 percent recorded in January. Regarding the overall economy, this figure indicates a third month of contraction after a 30-month period of expansion. In the last two months, the Manufacturing PMI has been at its lowest levels since May 2020, when it registered 43.5 percent.

The New Export Orders Index reading of 49.9 percent is 0.5 percentage point higher than January’s figure of 49.4 percent. The Imports Index continued in contraction ter- ritory at 49.9 percent, 2.1 percentage points above the January reading of 47.8 percent. “The U.S. manufacturing sector again contracted, with the Manufacturing PMI improving marginally over the previous month. With Business Survey Committee panelists reporting softening new order rates over the previous nine months, the February composite index reading reflects companies continuing to slow outputs to better match demand for the first half of 2023 and prepare for growth in the second half of the year. “Demand eased, with the (1) New Orders Index contracting at a slower rate, (2) New Export Orders Index still below 50 percent but continuing to improve, (3) Customers’ Inventories Index remaining at ‘too low’ lev- els, a positive for future production and (4) Backlog of Orders Index recovering for a third month but in moderate contraction. “Output/Consumption (measured by the Production and Employment indexes) was negative, with a combined 2.2-percentage point downward impact on the Manufactur- ing PMI calculation. The Employment Index returned to contraction after two months of expansion, and the Production Index logged a third month in contraction territory. “Panelists’ companies continue to indi- cate that they will not substantially reduce head counts, as sentiment is positive about the second half of the year, though slightly less so compared to January. Inputs — de-

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Sales Management Forum Tops List For AICC Spring Meeting Preshow Did you know that 14 percent of companies grew an aver- age of nine percent during the last recession? Protecting revenue and relationships in uncertain times will be the topic at a fast-moving, provocative, and time- ly Sales Management Forum, which heads off the AICC 2023 Spring Meeting April 23-24 at the Trump National Doral resort in Miami, Florida. Leading the forum will be Omar Abdullah Ph. D and Ed Wallace. Abdullah is a millennial sales strategist and Di-

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Outdoor Adventures Await At ICCA/WCO Global Summit, FBA Meeting In Alberta, Canada If you’re ready for an adventure, there will plenty of fun outdoorsy things to see and do if you plan on attending the ICCA/WCO Global Summit and FBA Annual Meeting set for June 18-22 in Fairmont Banff Springs, Alberta, Canada. With the panoramic surroundings of the Canadian Rockies, it is a great place to be outside.

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Attendees can create their own adventure or take part in one of the fol- lowing group activities that have been arranged. Sign up for the following activities during registration: The Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course – Renowned for its panoramic beauty, the Banff Springs Golf Course is situated in Banff National Park, a mile high in the Canadian Rockies. With a breathtaking view in every direc- tion, it is a captivating and challenging course. Amateurs and professionals alike are constantly amazed by its sense of difficulty. The optical illusions created by the mountains towering overhead can deceive the eye of even the most skilled player. Offering 27 holes, the original 18-hole course was designed by world-re- nowned golf architect Stanley Thompson in 1928. It was later completed with the construction of an adjoining 9 holes opened in 1989. Holes gently roll along the Bow River under the snow-capped peaks of Sulphur Moun- tain, Mount Rundle, and Tunnel Mountain. Forest Bathing — Forest bathing is a mindfulness practice born in Japan and known as Shinrin Yoku. This experience encourages participants to connect with nature in a deeper and more profound way. The two-hour ses- sion provides an opportunity to stop and connect with nature. Necessary materials for forest bathing including mats and hot tea are included in this experience. Banff Adventures Bow River Float — This is a scenic guided float trip on the Bow River within Banff National Park. The one-hour tour drifts down gentle waters traveling approximately seven kilometers with the assistance of a skilled guide. Landmarks include Tunnel Mountain and Mount Rundle, World Heritage sites and more. View sleeping buffalo and other wildlife. Boats are equipped with raised wood floorboards to keep feet dry during the journey. A floatation device is provided, and participants are required to arrive 15 minutes prior to departure for a safety briefing. Sign up for one of the activities during registration at iccanet.org . Those already registered, may modify their registrations.

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Paper Excellence Issues Statement About Its Commitment To Canada Paper Excellence has issued a statement highlighting its commitment to Canadian communities after the comple- tion of its most recent acquisition of Resolute through Domtar. The statement is as follows: It is well known that Jackson Wijaya, the ultimate and sole owner of Paper Excellence, is the son of the current head of APP. In the early days, Jackson benefited from some experience gained from the family business early in his life, as well as support getting his company started. This is hardly a unique or exceptional circumstance. The situation is entirely different today. Jackson oper- ates his Paper Excellence independently. Many stakehold- ers and regulators – global funding institutions, regulatory bodies and certifiers, among others – have acknowledged this reality. Paper Excellence’s acquisition of Resolute was extensively reviewed under the Investment Canada Act. As we have expanded our business, we have looked for companies and markets steeped in long traditions and with best practices to share in these areas. Our recent acquisitions of Domtar and Resolute were spurred certainly by undervalued businesses that we be- lieve with meaningful investment can be improved and modernized, but equally by the rich experience and ex- pertise of the leadership, and deep understanding of the

norms and values of the markets in which they operate. The leaders and workers of Domtar and Resolute have set the highest standards for sustainable forestry the busi- nesses they operate, both in business practices and en- vironmental standards, and we both sought that out and uphold those standards. Working with our teams in each of the businesses, we have investment plans that support local communities, create and maintain good jobs, and do so in an environmentally sustainable way. Paper Excellence is committed to conducting business in a manner that protects the environment, conserves resources, minimizes its environmental footprint and en- sures sustainable development. We strictly comply with government regulations everywhere we operate in Cana- da, in the U.S. and in Europe. We want to be crystal clear: • We have no outstanding loans from any Chinese insti- tution, nor any other financial ties to China. • Paper Excellence is separate and entirely independent from Asia Pulp and Paper, which is controlled by other members of the Wijaya family. • There is no involvement of any other Wijaya family member in Paper Excellence or Fibre Excellence. • Paper Excellence and Fibre Excellence strictly comply with environmental regulations. Thanks to ongoing in- vestments, the environmental performance of opera- tions continues to improve. None of the reports published in recent days have brought that into question.

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AF&PA Opposes EPA’s Final NOx FIP Rule

leader and supports American workers with high-paying jobs, often in small, rural communities. “EPA missed an opportunity to craft a balanced and achievable regulatory solution. Sustainable regulation requires a willingness to achieve environmental prog- ress while also supporting manufacturing and economic growth in America.”

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) Presi- dent and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency’s final rule for Federal Implementation Plans (FIP) Addressing Regional Ozone Transport for the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NOx FIP). The NOx FIP is a multibil- lion-dollar Clean Air Act rule that would, for the first time, include 7 manufacturing sectors, including U.S. paper mills. “In its decision to regulate paper mill boilers, EPA failed to consider new information we provided showing our in- dustry did not meet legal thresholds in the proposed rule. “Our industry’s inclusion in the final rule will not mean- ingfully improve air quality. The pulp and paper industry is already a leader in sustainable manufacturing, and our mills have reduced NOx emissions by 50 percent since 2000. Furthermore, this action will be significantly higher than EPA’s cost threshold of $7,500/ton for inclusion. At a time when the Administration is seeking to strengthen U.S. supply chains, this rule becomes a new obstacle. “We encourage EPA to consider regulations that avoid unintended outcomes. Ultimately, this regulatory action will harm U.S. paper mills and cost hundreds of millions of dollars, with minimal environmental gain. This agency action will directly impact an industry that is a sustainability

EPA Sends New-Indy Notice Of 19 More Potential Air Violations

The Environmental Protection Agency has found 19 more potential violations at New-Indy’s Catawba mill in South Carolina, according to local media sources. In a letter out- lining the alleged violations, the EPA says the company could have violated the Clean Air Act by failing to com- ply with emission regulations for multiple pollutants. In response, New-Indy told the media that they have been providing supplemental information. The EPA questions New-Indy’s conversion to produc- ing only unbleached paper; an increase in the amount of virgin pulp produced per day; and a change in the method of treating process condensates. In November 2022, the EPA announced that New Indy agreed to a $1.1 million pen- alty and consent decree to resolve health concerns due to elevated hydrogen sulfide levels. People living near the mill have complained of foul odors going back to 2020.

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Young Living Launches Eco-Friendly, Family-Friendly Packaging Materials Lehi, Utah, based Young Living Essential Oils has launched a new line of shipping materials for its products that are more environmentally friendly and make recycling a family affair. The refreshed boxes, bags, and tubes are 100 per- cent recyclable, offer more durability, and come printed with fun patterns to encourage children to color the panels and repurpose boxes into a personal masterpiece. Young Living has worked to extend its sustainability initiatives to its packaging through a partnership with the Packaging Corporation of America (PCA). PCA is one of the largest producers of corrugated packaging products in North America. The new boxes and bags have also been downsized to fit the contents better, reducing the use of materials needed inside. Other new features of the ship- ping boxes include: • Higher-quality, sturdier boxes designed for recycling. Boxes easily flatten to take up less space in the recy- cling bin. • Wood fiber that is sourced responsibly, demonstrat- ed by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Certified Sourcing standard. • Eco-friendly EarthAware® AirPouch pillows made from recycled plastic that protect products inside the box- es and easily deflate to further encourage recycling

through store take-back programs. • Nature-inspired designs that double as coloring activ- ities for kids. “We strive to be stewards of the earth,” says Prasad Gankanda, Chief Operating Officer at Young Living. “As the global leader in the essential oils space, we are com- mitted to preserving the environment and making a posi- tive impact in all that we do.” Young Living selected PCA as its partner for this initia- tive because of the company’s clear commitment to the environment, demonstrated through its compliance with the U.S. Lacey Act, Endangered Species Act, and the Clean Water Act. PCA also prioritizes managed forestry—making sure trees are planted, grown, and harvested responsibly to prevent depletion of natural resources. “PCA values align with our sustainability initiatives,” notes Gankanda. “We’re excited that together we can am- plify our shared commitment to the environment, while providing the high-quality end product that our customers expect from us.” The new boxes have already entered rotation and will replace the older boxes as inventory is phased out over the next month. Young Living Essential Oils, LC,is a world leader in es- sential oils, offering the highest-quality oil-infused prod- ucts available. For more information, visit YoungLiving. com , visit follow @youngliving on Instagram, or “like” the company on Facebook.

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Each year, the TAPPI Journal (TJ) Editorial Board honors the best of TJ content by nominating and voting for the Best Research Paper. The award is ultimately selected based on scientific merit, innovation, creativity, and clarity. For 2022, two papers claimed this distinct honor. The first paper, “Microbial load and proliferation asso- ciated with various face mask types and sources during the COVID-19 pandemic,” was authored by Srinivasan Narasimhan and co-authors Meenashree Balakrishnan, Olukayode James Ayodeji, and Seshadri S. Ramkumar. Narasimhan is Chairman of the Asthagiri Herbal Research Foundation in Chennai, India, while Balakrishnan is a se- nior scientist, also at the Foundation. Ayodeji is a Ph.D. candidate and Ramkumar is a professor in the Department of Environmental Toxicology at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. The nonwovens research appeared in the January 2022 issue and is now available as a free down- load. “It is notable that a Nonwovens paper, for the very first time, has won the TAPPI Journal Best Research Pa- per Award. This speaks to the excellent caliber of their re- search and the tremendous contributions of all the co-au- thors,” said Doug Coffin, TAPPI Journal Editor-in-Chief. “TAPPI congratulates them for producing and submitting such an outstanding paper.” The second paper, “Review of coating cracking and bar- rier integrity on paperboard substrates,” was authored by Joel C. Panek and Peter W. Hart. Panek is a senior princi- pal R&D scientist at WestRock in Richmond, Virginia, while Hart is the director, Fiber Technology, also at WestRock. The paperboard coating research appeared in the Novem- ber 2022 issue and is now available as a free download. “This research paper is a comprehensive review of the literature around a common cause for failure in sustain- able barrier coatings in packaging; fold cracking,” said Steve Ottone, the TJ Editorial Board member who facili- tated the paper’s peer review. “It looks at the causes of cracking, both substrate and coating, and helps set a path forward for improving barrier integrity. It represents a great starting point for anyone looking to develop sustainable packaging solutions.” In addition to receiving Best Research Paper honors as primary authors, Narasimhan and Panek will also share the Honghi Tran TAPPI Journal Best Research Paper award. The $2,000 cash prize is endowed by Professor Emeritus Honghi Tran, Ph.D., of the University of Toronto and author or co-author of more than 80 papers published in TJ. Tran established the award in 2019 to encourage and reward the publication of high-quality research in TJ. The awards will be presented at TAPPICon, April 22-26, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia. TAPPI is the leading association for the worldwide packaging, paper, pulp, tissue and con- verting industries. For more information, visit tappi.org .

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OxBox Strengthens (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)

erlund, who led the initiative to find a machine that would be able to bridge the capacity gap. Ockerlund & Son lo- cated a pre-owned Maramatsu 85-inch by 185-inch Jum- bo that “hadn’t been running for a while” and was in dire need of reconditioning. Being naturally gifted in all things mechanical, Eric, with the help of an OxBox maintenance

dle whatever next big order for ultra-big boxes comes its way. No machine has been more impactful than OxBox’s new Makina 110-inch by 197-inch 2-color Jumbo with a ro- tary die cutter/slotter, the first installation of its kind in the United States and a purchase that strengthens OxBox’s grasp on the Midwest’s big box market. A Stitching & Gluing Solution Ockerlund learned of the machine from Jeff Jensen, president of Cincinnati, Ohio based Stitching & Gluing Solutions, LLC (S&G), with whom he has a long and mu- tually beneficial relationship. When Ockerlund expressed his desire for more “horsepower” to satisfy post-Covid de- mand on OxBox’s busy production floor, Jensen suggest- ed he consider Makina, a Turkish company making unique converting equipment brand new to the U.S. market. (Mak- ina’s primary market is Germany, where they’ve sold a lot of flexos but not a lot of Jumbos.) “We knew that pulling our old Jumbo out and prepping the floor for the new machine meant we would be down for at least 30 days and there’s no way we were going to run without a Jumbo press for 30 days,” says Ockerlund. We already had a Solarco Boxmatic, which is a very good and very capable machine, but we needed more to ‘bridge the gap’ while the new Makina was being installed.” Enter Guy Ockerlund’s son, OxBox’s fourth-generation Production Manager and AICC Emerging Leader, Eric Ock-

tech, rebuilt the entire machine, including the hydraulic stacker. More remarkably, the pair performed the job by using five photographs as their installation guide. They successfully had the old machine churning out Jumbo box- es as demand warranted. Production Manager Eric Ockerlund and a maintenance tech- nician reconditioned a used Maramatsu Jumbo to help ‘bridge the gap” while waiting for its new Makina.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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OxBox Strengthens (CONT’D FROM PAGE 24)

To accommodate the massive weight of the 2800 Mod- el Makina – the machine weighs more than a quarter of a million pounds, more than 125 tons – prepping the floor for the behemoth required a trench four-foot deep filled with rebar and concrete running the entire length of the machine, with a center trough that feeds out for washups.

“One of the things we love about this machine is that it’s not about looks, it’s not about technology, and it’s not about throwing all these crazy features on it like new ma- chines have,” says Eric. “It’s farmyard machinery, it’s like a

piece of agricultural equipment. It doesn’t require a team of technicians to run it or fix it, but it got the job done for us and it continues to provide good redundancy on our floor. For about two months, we were running just about everything on it.” With a weight of more than 125 tons, the Makina is equipped with a servo feeder, a servo die cutter, an auto-set slotter and full Sauer attachments.

The machine is equipped with a servo feeder, a servo die cutter, an auto-set slotter and full Sauer attachments. “The Makina has the biggest print and die cut cylinder you can buy, probably in the world,” says Ockerlund. “It’s run- ning amazingly, as promised and as expected. If we were getting out 800 pieces an hour out of our old jumbo, that

CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

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OxBox Strengthens (CONT’D FROM PAGE 26)

AIR CONVEYING CORPORATION is a recognized leader in the industry of Pneumatic Conveying Systems and has been in business since 1968. As an equipment manufacturer rather than simply a sales organization, we have complete control over the quality of material and products which make up your proposed system. Our equipment is found in Printing, Folding Carton and Corrugated plants throughout the country and the world.

was considered a pretty good day. The Makina is clipping out at 2,400 pieces an hour. With our Maramatsu and three really strong finishing machines, we’re well positioned for the future.” Additional Investments The other “really strong finishing machines” Ockerlund refers to are a fully automatic 188-inch Jumbo Stitcher/Hot Melt Gluer by the French manufacturer Gazella, purchased from S&G in 2018. That machine was installed next to Ox-

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OxBox’s additional investments from S&G include a Solarco Boxmatic Boxmaker, above, and a Gazella stitcher/hot melt gluer, below.

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Box’s Bahmuller Double Champion Stitcher Gluer, which has been running efficiently since 2005, when OxBox first moved into the 80,000-square-foot facility in Addison it currently occupies. This past February, OxBox purchased a second Gazella from S&G, this one a 287-inch 2-piece Stitcher/Hot Melt Gluer with a MiniPal (Pitless/Mesh) Stacker. And in 2021, Ockerlund & Son bought a Solarco Boxmatic 98-inch by 210-inch Triplewall Boxmaker with servo die cutter and vacuum downstacker, which was originally purchased as a short-run machine to churn out orders of 250 pieces and less. CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

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OxBox Strengthens (CONT’D FROM PAGE 28)

systems. Ockerlund is also quick to commend Jeff Jensen and the team at Stitching & Gluing for their professionalism and responsiveness throughout. “It’s been a really great partnership that will only continue,” he says. Suprisingly, or maybe not, OxBox doesn’t have a full time sales staff. Virtually all its orders come from repeat customers, “word of mouth,” or via the company’s web- site, which makes it clear that if a potential customer needs Jumbo boxes within a 3–5-day window, OxBox is the box maker of choice. “We’ve been told we’ve delivered a com- plete order in the time it took to get a quote from a larger manufacturer,” says Ockerlund. Also surprisingly, or not, OxBox has no scrap system to speak of. Maintenance techs moved the company’s baler and BloApCo hogger to the attached warehouse because they were taking up valuable real estate in the production area. Says Ockerlund, “We’re still manually hauling scrap over to the BloApCo but at some point, probably when we pick up more die cut work on our new big press, it’s going to have to be addressed, but for right now we’re sur- viving without it.” To alleviate potential dust issues, Oxbox installed Zehnder ventilation units in several locations on the production floor. ‘Eric’s Kingdom’ From the observation deck that overlooks several pieces of cutting-edge Jumbo converting and finishing machinery on OxBox’s production floor, Guy Ockerlund

Ockerlund isn’t shy about divulging his investment into the company. “We will have invested just under $4 million on the shop floor in the last three years, which is a lot of money for a small company like ours. It paid off as we’ve

BCN(US)202209(QS1025)(o)(出血5mm).pdf 1 2022/8/30 下午 02:02:46 He attributes the success to the hard work and dedica- tion of OxBox’s 40 employees, especially the administra- tive team who have fine-tuned the company’s operating more than doubled our sales volume since Covid. We’re very proud of that.” OxBox’s Bahmuller Double Champion Stitcher Gluer, which has been running efficiently since 2005.

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