BoardConverting Serving the North American Corrugated and Folding Carton Industries for 40 years May 27, 2024 VOL. 40, NO. 22
AICC Industry Experts Weigh In On Potential Of AI In Packaging BY GREG KISHBAUGH AICC, The Independent Packaging Association, recently held a timely and compelling seminar, the AI Xperience, built around the latest ad- vancements in AI technology. For two days — May 15-16 at the Rose- mont Hyatt in Rosemont, Illinois — a wide range of experts in the field discussed ways in which AI will impact the corrugated industry. The first day began with a roundtable event bringing together the association’s recently formed Innovation and Technology Committee as they examined how important AI will become to box makers and the many challenges and efficiencies that lie ahead.
Entries Open For TAPPI/AICC Box Manufacturing Olympics TAPPI and AICC, the Independent Packaging Association, co-producers of SuperCorrExpo, have announced that entry for the quadrenni- al Box Manufacturing Olympics is now open. All selected entries will be showcased at Su- perCorrExpo from September 8-12 at the Or- ange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The deadline for entry is June 28. The Box Manufacturing Olympics (BMO) combines TAPPI’s CorrPak Competition and AICC’s Design Competition into one unified event with competitors from across the globe. The BMO is open to all TAPPI and AICC mem- bers who produce corrugated, rigid box and folding cartons, as well as their suppliers. Packaging schools and universities are also invited to participate in the competition and have their own categories and requirements. Judges will evaluate entries on a number of levels, including design, quality, graphic excellence, technical difficulty and innovative application, among others. All entries will be prominently displayed on the SuperCorrExpo exhibit floor and winners will be announced each day preceding the opening session, with the Best of the Industry winners and At- CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
What follows is the roundtable discussion, edited for length and clarity, led by AICC President Mike D’Angelo: D’Angelo: Where do you see AI today? Greg Tucker, Chairman and CEO, Bay Cities: I see AI in not necessarily its infancy, but it is blowing up. I think that we have a lot of investment banking, private equity in AI. I think there’s a lot of posers in AI, too. I’ll give you a quick example. At a wine symposium, I had a gentleman come up to me and say, “I have an AI program and it’s a wine sommelier.” I go, “Wow, that’s a great idea. Where did you get your data from? Was it from a wine som- melier, like school or something like that?” He goes, “Oh, no, it’s just a cover over ChatGPT.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 26 AICC President Mike D’Angelo moderates a roundtable discussion at the AI Xperience. Panel members, from left, are Jim Hawton, Greg Tucker, Jeff Putt, Gokul Gopakumar, and David Wiens.
WHAT’S INSIDE
6 x x 8 x x 12 x x 26 x x 8 Cascades Taps Hugues Simon As New CEO/President 10 PPC To Host Folding Carton Tours At Drupa 2024 BWP Honors Jetzer Brothers For Century Of Service 14 EAM-Mosca Celebrates New Customer Showroom
SUN625® Heavy Duty Die Cut Section The new SUN625® Heavy Duty allows our customers to perform at the highest levels for their customers. With increased load capacity, larger journals, enhanced fatigue resistance and reduced deflection under load, the SUN625 HD can easily accommodate full-width/length sheets for multiple out/up production while maintaining consistent sheet specifications at higher speeds and heavier score impressions . EVERYTHING CORRUGATED UNDER Exceptional Design, Optimized Output Feed, Print, and Convert 24/7 with the SUN625 Rotary Die Cutter
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Entries Open (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)
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.
tendees’ Choice winners being announced on the last day. Winners will be featured on the SuperCorrExpo, TAPPI and AICC websites, and will also be announced in various in- dustry publications.
REGION E. Coast Midwest Southeast Southwest
42# Kraft liner $955.00-960.00 $970.00-980.00 $970.00-980.00 $ 970.00-980.00 $1000.00-1010.00 $973.00-983.00
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
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
To participate in the Box Manufacturing Olympics, please sign up at my.reviewr.com/s2/site/BoxManufac- turingOlympics_2024 . To learn more and register for Su- perCorrExpo, visit supercorrexpo.org . SuperCorrExpo is the premier trade show and con- ference dedicated to the corrugated packaging industry. The event takes place every four years and is organized by TAPPI and AICC. SuperCorrExpo brings together pro- fessionals, suppliers, manufacturers, and experts from all around the world to showcase the latest technologies and equipment, exchange knowledge and resources, and fos- ter new business partnerships.
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.
42# Kraft Liner 26#
Semi-Chem Medium
East West
$9 2 0.00 $ 96 5.00
$9 1 0.00 $9 4 5.00
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May 27, 2024
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FBA Announces Election Of Officers, Board Members
The Fibre Box Association (FBA) Board of Directors elect- ed Tim Bergwall, Division President of Paper Packaging at Greif, Inc., as the Association’s 2024-2025 Chairman during their Board of Directors Meeting held May 6 in Key Largo, Florida.
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Additional officer elections include first Vice Chairman Rob Barger, Georgia-Pacific; second Vice Chairman Jeff Kaser, Packaging Corporation of America; Immediate Past Chairman Bryan Hollenbach, Green Bay Packaging Inc.; and Staff President Bob McIlvaine along with Senior Vice President Rachel Kenyon. New or re-elected board members approved by vote of all members during the Annual Meeting held on May 7 include Andrew Akers, Akers Packaging Service Group; Ray Huelskamp, Orora Packaging Solutions; Mike Lafave, Kruger, Inc.; Trent Mayol, Pacific Southwest Container; Ken Mello, Philcorr; and Jeff Michels, Great Northern Corpo- ration, who will each serve a three-year term from 2024- 2027. FBA recognized and thanked directors whose terms ended this year: Dave Boles, Atlantic Packaging Products, Ltd.; Mike Riegsecker, Menasha Packaging Company, LLC; and Greg Tucker, Bay Cities. In other news, nine FBA member companies combined to take home 32 awards at this year’s Shop! Association's Outstanding Merchandising Achievement (OMA) Awards, and FBA is highlighting each of these award-winning com- panies and their creative displays on its social media and in the FBA Reports each week. The OMA Awards are the Marketing at Retail Industry’s most prestigious, largest, and longest-running awards contest. Winners include International Paper, which won three awards through its partnerships with brands including Her- shey’s and Dewalt, and The Central Group, which won two awards for its creative displays for Nestle and Kraft. Newly elected FBA Chairman Tim Bergwall, left, and outgoing Chairman Bryan Hollenbach.
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AICC To Host Three Dynamic Summits This Summer
combining America’s favorite pastime with unparalleled networking opportunities. Attendees will tour Harris Pack- aging and the new Greif Dallas facility along with gaining industry insights at an educational program taking place at the University of Texas Arlington. The hotel deadline is May 27. AICC Midwest (Region 6) Golf Tournament, July 22, St. Charles Country Club, St. Charles, Illinois: Before en- gaging in a friendly golf tournament, participants can enjoy access to practice facilities, including a driving range and practice greens. The day will start with a cookout lunch and culminate in an evening of cocktails and dinner. Due to its popularity, early registration is strongly advised as this event consistently sells out. Northeast Summit, August 7-8, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Atlantic City, New Jersey: The Northeast Summit offers a full schedule starting with a welcome reception that provides a perfect setting for connecting with peers. The Summit continues with an educational session to en- hance industry knowledge. Attendees can also participate in a golf tournament, awards ceremony, and dinner, round- ing out two days of learning and leisure. AICC offers special box plant discounts for multiple at- tendees at the Southwest and Northeast Summits. Early registration is encouraged to secure participation in these premier industry gatherings. For more information and to register, visit www.AIC- Cbox.org/Calendar .
AICC, The Independent Packaging Association, an- nounced that registration is open for three upcoming Sum- mits, each offering unique networking and educational op- portunities for professionals in the packaging industry.
These events, set in various prestigious locations across the United States, are designed to provide valuable industry insights and engaging activities. Southwest Summit, June 19-20, Live by Loews Hotel, Arlington, Texas: Attendees will kick off the Summit with a welcome reception in a suite at a Texas Rangers vs. New York Mets baseball game, an unforgettable experience
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Cascades Names Hugues Simon As New President & CEO Kingsey Falls, Quebec, Canada based Cascades Inc. an- nounced the appointment of Hugues Simon as its new President and CEO. Currently President of the Wood Products business at Resolute Forest Products, Simon
Box Shipments ( U.S. Corrugated Product Shipments) Industry Shipments In Billions of Square Feet Month December 2023
Year
Actual
Percent Change Avg Week Percent Change
2023 2022
29.711 30.124
-1.4
7.819 7.927
-1.4
Industry Total
Year-to Date
December 2023
will assume his new role no later than July 1. After more than 11 years at the helm, Mario Plourde will sup- port the new President and CEO during a transition period through December, after which he will act as a Special Advisor. Patrick Lemaire, Chairman of
Year
Actual
Percent Change Avg Week Percent Change
2023 2022
380.555 400.520
-5.0
7.611 7.979
-4.6
Industry Total
Containerboard Consumption (Thousands of Tons)
Year
Month
Percent Change Year-to-Date Percent Change
2023 2022
2.4080 2.4260
-0.7
30.9333 32.5461
-5.0
Hugues Simon
Cascades’ Board of Directors, said that Simon’s exten- sive experience in leadership positions in the industrial products sector will be a great asset to the company and its customers.” “I am proud to join a company that is recognized as a pioneer in recycling and the circular economy committed to innovation and a client-centric approach, all of which is reflected in the quality of its products and its people,” said Simon. “I look forward to working with all the em- ployees and continuing the important work begun under Mario’s leadership, ensuring the Company’s long-term growth and value creation.”
Container Board Inventory - Corrugator Plants (Thousands of Tons)
Corrugator Plants Only
Date
Percent Change Weeks of Supply
Percent Change
Dec. Nov.
2.1892 2.1071
3.9
3.5 3.5
6.1
Shipping Days
Year
Month
Year-to-Date
2023 2022
19 19
250 251
SOURCE: Fibre Box Association
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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PPC To Host Folding Carton Tours At Drupa 2024
The Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC), will be hosting folding carton-specific tours of member technology pro- viders during drupa 2024, the world’s leading trade fair for all kinds of print technologies, taking place in Düsseldorf, Germany this week through June 7. At drupa 2024, PPC aims to facilitate meaningful connections and provide in- sights into the latest folding carton technologies. Hosted by Ben Markens, President, and Emily Leon- czyk, Vice President & Executive Director, PPC’s curated tours are designed to keep members laser-focused on the newest innovations and opportunities in the folding carton segment. “We are excited to offer these one-of-a-kind cu- rated tours for our members,” Markens said. “Drupa pres-
ents a unique platform for our industry, not only to learn about the newest converting technologies but also to
build community and foster collaboration.” Drupa 2024 is synonymous with cut- ting-edge technology, and it is imperative for manufacturers to stay abreast of the latest advancements. PPC advocates for continuous innovation and technological excellence in the paperboard packaging sector. PPC supplier members currently slated to show at drupa include: • ACTEGA GmbH • Baumer hhs GmbH • Bobst Mex SA • BW Papersystems Hamburg GmbH • Emmeci S.p.a. • eProductivity Software • Esko-Graphics BV • EUKALIN Spezial-Klebstoff Fabrik GmbH • Gietz AG • Heiber + Schröeder Maschinenbau GmbH • Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG • Henkel AG & Co. KGaA • Koenig & Bauer • Komori International BV • manroland Goss web systems GmbH • Marbach America, Inc. (Karl Marbach
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Opportunities are available for boxmak- er members to join tours as well as suppli- er members who are showing at drupa to be included on PPC’s tour route. To learn more and sign up, visit paper- box.org/drupa .
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BW Papersystems Recognizes Jetzer Brothers For 100 Years Of Service The Jetzer brothers — Jim, Tom, and Dave — share near- ly a century of experience working at Phillips, Wisconsin based BW Papersystems, and they are just as much in sync together at work as they are at home.
“What I will miss the most is the people, some who I’ve worked with here throughout my whole career,” Jim said. And as for what’s next? He’s excited for retirement, where he looks forward to traveling across the country in his camper. Like his brother Jim, Dave, who retired from Paper- systems in 2021, spent much of his career working in the shop. He began his career in 1989, initially to head up a fabricating department. He cherished his time as a super- visor of the fabricating shop. “I loved being hands-on,” Dave recalled. And, like his brother Jim, he also misses the team members. “I always liked working with people. And I’m appreciative for all the diverse things I got to do during my time here.” Particularly, he said, about the impactful work within sourcing that he got to do overseas in China. And just like his older brothers, Tom Jetzer echoed his passion for being part of a team at work that is cohesive and in sync. “It’s like working with your brothers,” Tom said of work- ing as an assembly lead. “You just know what you need to do next.” And Tom, who began at Papersystems in 1990 as a mechanical assembler, has viewed his career here as an opportunity to learn from the best. “I’ve worked with great people over the years who have helped to guide and coach me,” he said. Like brother Dave, he also has had the opportunity to work in China for installation projects, before finally becoming an assembly lead.
Jim Jetzer, who most recently worked in shipping and receiving, retired from the company on May 3. He be- gan his career in 1995 as a machinist, later becoming a supervisor in 2000. He worked in the shop closely with his brother, Dave, before transferring to assembly. Around 2018, he found himself working in material handling, pri- marily within the twin box flow line. In 2022, he switched to shipping and receiving.
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EAM-Mosca Celebrates Completion Of $9M Campus Renovation In Hazle Township, PA EAM-Mosca Corp. announced the Grand Opening of its newly renovated building in Hazle Township, Pennsylvania. The remodeled complex be- comes the second structure of a two-building campus that serves clients in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Latin America. The new building is located at 525 Jaycee Drive, close to Interstate 81 and adjacent to the company’s existing headquarters at 675 Jaycee Drive. EAM-Mosca acquired the land in December 2020 and broke ground on the $9 million renovation project in June of 2023. Less than a year later, the strategic expansion is open for business.
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The newly unveiled corporate headquarters is part of a larger $20.6 million strategic initiative to expand EAM-Mosca’s economic footprint in Pennsylvania. In addition, the state-focused investment was partly funded by a $250,000 Pennsylvania First grant provided by Governor Josh Shapiro. The project represents a positive step forward for both EAM-Mosca and the surrounding Hazle Township community. “This is not an isolated case,” said Christian Wiethuechter, President & CEO at EAM-Mosca Corp. “If we look at the last five years, we’ve invested more than $50 million here in Pennsylvania actually to grow ourselves, to serve the market. But this is now a $20 million strategic initiative that we’ve embarked on.” The reclaimed facility is a massive 118,000-square-foot addition to the original 165,000-square-foot headquarters. The combined two-building campus contains over 30,000 square feet of office space (15,000 of which are in the newly renovated addition). It also contains over a quar- ter of a million square feet of operational space, which will be used to expand operations and meet growing customer demand. This expansion effort includes the launch of the company’s Machinery Center of Excellence, an initiative designed to improve product develop- ment and customization for end-of-line packaging equipment. The new structure also contains an innovative state-of-the-art showroom, which features EAM-Mosca’s end-of-line packaging strappers and stretch wrappers. The Hazle Township location is the corporate headquarters for all of the Americas, handling machine assembly and customization, strapping production, spare parts, and service support for the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean. EAM-Mosca Canada Ltd., located in Whitby, Ontario, manufactures the company’s unitizers, large strapping machines used to compress and strap pallet loads, and manages all machine, strapping, CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 EAM-Mosca, along with state and local officials, celebrate the Grand Opening of their new building featuring a state-of-the-art Customer Showroom and Ma- chinery Center of Excellence at their headquarters campus in Hazle Township, Pennsylvania.
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Do More with Less APB is an automated and integrated plant planning system designed to help your schedulers do less manual work. By utilizing scheduling optimization technology, your planning department can focus on exceptions only. Visibility Enables Optimization Our intuitive scheduling solution features seamless, bidirectional data flows with core backend systems. Easy-to-Understand Dashboards Machine capacity charts provide graphical real-time information of the equipment’s backlog state and next available delivery dates. Improve Capacity through Automation Our proprietary algorithms leverage cutting edge automation to dynamically prioritize your most critical scheduling constraints. ADVANCED PLANNING BOARD
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EAM-Mosca Celebrates (CONT’D FROM PAGE 14)
and parts sales in Canada. EAM-Mosca de Mexico, locat- ed in Monterrey, Mexico, manages all machines, strapping, and parts sales in Mexico. Mosca do Brasil, established in 2020, handles all business transactions in Brazil.
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Vanguard Companies Announces Digital Expansion in Bentonville, AR Kansas City, Missouri based Vanguard Companies an- nounced the expansion and enhancement of its sales and design center located in Bentonville, Arkansas. The ex- pansion includes the acquisition of a new HP Latex R2000 Plus Digital Printer which is expected to augment the com- pany’s digital printing capabilities and services.
er than UV. Furthermore, it matches our HP C500 Digi- tal Printer profile and improves our capacity, agility, lead times, and commitment to our customers on a continuous improvement cycle.” The HP Latex R2000 Plus Digital Printer is touted for improved performance, quality, and quick turnaround times for mock-ups, short production runs, signage, vari- able print, and more. The HP Latex R Series employs environmentally friend- ly inks to produce vibrant colors.
BCN(US)202308(N11)(o)(出血5mm).pdf 1 2023/8/28 下午 02:15:14 “We opted for HP due to our previous relationship with them and their high level of service,” said Josh Grindstaff, Director of Plant Operations. “The HP Latex R2000 Plus Digital Printer was specifically selected to continue our sustainable mission, as it is a water-based printer rath-
“After conducting extensive research on other digital printer options, we have the utmost confidence in the HP Latex R2000 Plus Digital Printer to provide our clients with a robust and reliable digital solution to explore and visu- CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
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Passion for your success is our greatest strength.
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Vanguard (CONT’D FROM PAGE 18)
world, offering the most comprehensive convergence of resources and insights in the corrugated and folding car- ton industries. This year’s educational program focuses on emerging technologies and next-generation business practices, equipping attendees with the tools needed to chart a path into the future. The AICC Production Forum: Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the Production Floor, 8:00 a.m. to noon EST on Sep- tember 10-11, is a specially curated production forum that will explore the groundbreaking impact of AI in the pa- per-based packaging industry. This is your opportunity to be at the forefront of tech- nological innovation, learning how AI can transform every- day operations to boost efficiency, enhance quality con- trol, and revolutionize your production strategies. Whether you’re looking to refine your process flow with predictive analytics or optimize your supply chain management, this forum will provide valuable insights and practical applica- tions to take your manufacturing capabilities to the next level. Attendees will learn from Gokul Gopakumar, Vice Pres- ident of Technology and Business Development at SUN Automation Group, and Mohamed Azzouz, Continuous Im- provement Manager at Royal Containers Ltd. A separate registration is required to attend the Forum. To register and learn more about the Forum and the other educational opportunities at SuperCorrExpo, visit super- correxpo.org .
alize the best merchandising programs for their require- ments,” said Chris Cummings, Executive Vice President of Sales. The Bentonville Sales and Design office of Vanguard Companies offers a comprehensive range of services, in- cluding sales, design, program management, and digital printing, all under one roof. This consolidated approach enables the company to help its clients drive innovation, reduce program costs, create brand value, gain market share, and enhance in-store merchandising effectiveness. According to Jim Beard, CEO of Vanguard Company, Vanguard is committed to making continuous investments in its commercial organization by prioritizing the growth of high-performing teams, capabilities, operations, and best-in-class customer experience. “The Bentonville team is an integral part of our successful growth strategy. We are excited to continue to invest in talent and resources to expand our commitment to this region,” he said. TAPPI/AICC SuperCorrExpo 2024 To Feature AI Production Forum TAPPI/AICC SuperCorrExpo will take place September 8-12 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. This event draws industry experts from around the
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FLEXO ROTARY DIE CUTTER
MORE BOXES EVERY MINUTE . . . PERIOD! Since 1955 we have been serving the corrugated industry with both new and used equipment. Now more than ever, we offer practical and affordable solutions to meet the needs of today’s boxmaker.
K7io The Original Multi-Color Inside/Out Flexo Rotary Die Cutter Pioneers in inside/outside printing offering quality printing and die cutting. The K7 offers the ability to print on both sides of the box in a single pass. The K7 Series can be equipped with slotting and scoring and a SHINKO Super Alpha folder gluer/counter ejector thereby making it a K7S. Global has also incorporated a unique configuration to our K7S 66” X 142” 1636 Flexo Folder Gluer creating the “Dual-Line”. The Dual-Line configuration enables a customer with two of the same size machines to have side tracking printer interchangeability. Sizes Available: 66” X 110” to 66” X 190”
1486 St. Paul Avenue, Gurnee, Illinois 60031 USA 847-949-5900 800-621-4343 www.boxmachine.com THE ORIGINAL WORLD WIDE LEADER IN MULTI COLOR INSIDE/OUTSIDE PRINT TECHNOLOGY
SINCE 1955
Drive Sales With Demand Generation BY BILL LINK
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.
The packaging industry has always relied on field sales to drive business, and that isn’t likely to change anytime soon. What has changed, though, is buyer behavior. Has your sales strategy kept up? Traditional sales methods, while still pivotal, no longer
suffice on their own. Gone are the days of your sales rep being a cus- tomer’s best source of information about your (and your competitor’s) products. Most buyers now prefer conducting extensive online research before ever speaking with a sales rep. The rise of digital research, evolv-
Bill Link
ing buyer behaviors, and intensified global competition demand a reimagined approach. Enter demand genera- tion marketing, a strategy poised to not only complement but significantly enhance the effectiveness of sales teams. Forces Of Change • Technology and Digitalization: The advent of CRM sys- tems and analytics has revolutionized lead manage- ment but also raised buyer expectations for personal- ized engagement.
AIR CONVEYING CORPORATION PH: 901-454-5016 FAX: 901-324-7979 e-mail: sales@accfilter.com • www.accfilter.com
CONTINUED ON PAGE 24
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Eliminate Warp at the Speed of Light! Laser Warp Correction
Monitor It — Identify It — Eliminate It
X Immediately identify and correct warp without operator intervention X Continually measure 1200 points across the full web width with laser precision X Produce high quality sheets sooner by utilizing Machine Learning algorithms (AI) X Fully integrates and communicates with CoparSolutions’ QualityMaster™ System Laser Warp Correction brings the latest AI technology to corrugator process control. This next generation of automation combines the precision of laser measurement with closed-loop process control to enhance sheet quality, improve consistency, eliminate operator error, and maximize productivity and profitability!
+1.708.496.1859 Info@CoparSolutions.com | coparsolutions.com
Demand Generation (CONT’D FROM PAGE 22)
• Adapting to Changing Buyer Behavior: By creating and distributing valuable, educational content, demand generation strategies meet buyers where they are in their journey, building trust and positioning the compa- ny as a thought leader. • Navigating Global Competition: Tailored messaging and differentiated branding help companies stand out, turning global competition into an opportunity to high- light unique value propositions. Sales And Marketing Synergy Demand generation marketing not only addresses the modern challenges head-on but also creates a seamless continuum between marketing and sales. This integrated approach ensures that sales teams are equipped with bet- ter-qualified leads and actionable insights, enabling them to focus their efforts more effectively and close deals more efficiently. The Path Forward As the packaging industry continues to navigate the complexities of the modern B2B sales landscape, embrac- ing demand generation marketing offers a way forward. By integrating these strategies, businesses can enhance their sales processes, adapt to the changing market dy- namics, and ultimately, secure a competitive edge in a rap- idly evolving industry. Bill Link is a marketing strategist specializing in B2B marketing and President of BRANDSherpa. Visit brand- sherpaconsulting.com.
• Changing Buyer Behavior: The modern buyer's journey is increasingly self-directed, with a preference for gath- ering information online ahead of sales interactions. • Global Competition: Easier access to global markets has broadened options for buyers, intensifying the competition among suppliers. Respond To Change The shift in B2B sales has introduced challenges, such as lengthier sales cycles and increased sales costs, but
also opportunities for those willing to adapt. By aligning sales strategies with current buyer pref- erences, companies can achieve greater efficiency and profitability. Demand generation marketing has emerged
as a strategic response, leveraging digital tools and in- sights to attract, engage, and nurture prospects until they're ready to engage with sales. • Technology and Digitalization Response: Through targeted digital campaigns and sophisticated use of data, demand generation captures and nurtures leads across multiple touchpoints, ensuring a steady pipeline of sales-ready leads.
• Value: High productivity driven by precise registration and low waste. • Versatility: Wide board and label size range. • Low Maintenance: All Servo Drives and simplified controls. • Ease of Use: Easy machine set-up, clean-up, and routine maintenance.
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INTRODUCING
LINERBOARD A NEW LIGHTWEIGHT SO POWERFUL, YOU’D THINK IT WAS A HEAVYWEIGHT.
LIGHTER I STRONGER I SUSTAINABLE
FSC | ISO 14001 | SFI | ISO 9001 FDA Compliant | C-TPAT Certified
containerboard.kruger.com
AI In Packaging (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
So think about that. Just building a cover over a regular and large language basis. It’s a poser. It’s stupid. So you’ve got to be really, really careful as to what’s out there. And it’s growing, growing every minute. I mean, every second. David Wiens, Founder and CEO, BPS AI Software: I completely agree. I think that everything’s happening in
ADVANTZWARE www.advantzware.com
Advantzware provides a comprehensive system to address the business management needs of the independent box business, as well as the ERP requirements of full scale pack- aging plants and integrated companies. With modules for estimating, scheduling, production, inventory and account- ing, this scalable system supports companies that produce corrugated boxes, folding cartons, point of purchase dis- plays, assembled partitions, and paperboard products. AIR CONVEYING CORPORATION www.accfilter.com Air Conveying Corporation is a leader in the industry of Pneumatic Conveying Systems and has been in business since 1968. As an equipment manufacturer rather than sim- ply a sales organization, we have complete control over the quality of material and products which make up your pro- posed system. Our equipment is found in printing, folding carton and corrugated plants throughout the world. We've been designing, manufacturing and engineering pneumatic conveying systems since 1984. We partner with our customers to ensure they operate efficiently and guar- antee our systems meet or exceed their specifications. ASDI specializes in full pull-through systems trim separators, and NFPA compliant systems with full electronic controls. AMTECH SOFTWARE www.amtechsoftware.com AIR SYSTEMS DESIGN, INC. www.airsystemsdesign.com Amtech offers the industry’s most innovative and com- prehensive corrugated and packaging ERP, integrated scheduling software, and engineered automation technol- ogy. For over 30 years, Amtech has kept our customers competitive in an ever-changing economy with customer digital storefronts and workflows, business intelligence, automated scheduling for corrugators, converting and shipping, proactive roll stock and inventory management. APEX INTERNATIONAL www.apexinternational.com World’s largest Anilox and Glue & Metering roll manufac- turer, providing the widest selection of corrugated engrav- ings and complementary services. Anilox engraving options available from our North American manufacturing facility include elongated 75°, 60°, 45°, plus Apex’s patented GTT technology. Glue rolls are produced with Hardened Stain- less Steel and a max TIR of 10 µ for Single, Double Facers.
a break-neck pace right now. People are trying to get their arms around exactly how it can be utilized. There’s some 300,000 wrapper applications that people are putting out there that are just basically wrappers over the top of existing technology that really provide no value to businesses in the long term. So, we all know that it’s go-
David Wiens
ing to disrupt the industry. There’s a lot of people out there trying to search for what that means for them. There’s a whole lot of smoke to try to sift through. D’Angelo: Jeff, do you agree that the place for the peo- ple in this room, as well as your companies, to start is looking at the supply chain? Jeff Putt, Managing Director of Digital Services, Linebox & Display: It certainly is the one area that we can all ben- efit quickest because connecting all the different aspects of our business is not easily done currently. We have so many silos of our ERP and our MES and our this and our that, our CRM; they are rarely connected in a way that’s meaningful. But supply chain definitely will allow you to move more efficiently, faster, and with more quality out- put. AI can certainly learn from what you’re doing and then give you insights into what to do next and how to do it. D’Angelo: And Gokul, as someone from a machine man- ufacturer, in addition to the supply chain, you’re also looking at ways that AI can be applied for the reduction of waste and the optimization of efficiency in a produc- tion environment. Gokul Gopakumar, Vice President of Technology and Business Development at the Sun Automation Group: Absolutely. I think there’s a big challenge with improving machine reliability, where it’s not just what the machine
can do, it’s also about how people operate and maintain it. It’s a com- plicated problem to solve effectively. And the exciting thing about AI is for the first time, we have a way of us- ing software and computers to do that instead of having to hire people with talent and knowledge to do all that work. So that’s a big part of it and
ALBANY INTERNATIONAL www.albint.com
Gokul Gopakumar
definitely making machines more able to help the users run them effectively. That copiloting is a huge push for all OEMs across the world. D’Angelo: Jim, what steps should our members take to ensure their workforce is ready for for AI-driven change? CONTINUED ON PAGE 28
Albany International has a corrugator belt for every appli- cation. Our reputation for durable performance is the trade- mark of the most dependable belts in service today.
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WE DESIGN & BUILD CORRUGATED FACILITIES
250,000 SF Akers Packaging
University Park, IL
I’ve worked with a lot of people throughout my career, and I can confidently say that the ARCO/Murray team is one of most talented I’ve come across. They are driven, detail-oriented, and always act with a sense of urgency. Working with ARCO/Murray has been a great experience.
GENE MARINO | PRESIDENT | AKERS PACKAGING
EXPERIENCE A BETTER WAY TO BUILD (331) 251-9929 | arcomurray.com
AI In Packaging (CONT’D FROM PAGE 26)
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
Jim Hawton, Chief Information Technology Officer, Bay Cities: Guiding your workforce into play to use it. You have to start using it to get good at it. You have to have
ARC INTERNATIONAL www.ARCInternational.com
a comfort level. If the people aren’t using it, they’re going to struggle in the future. It was talked about earlier a little bit about the technology re- placing jobs and replacing people. It’s not the technology replacing people and costing their jobs; it’s going to be the people who are not learning the technology that are displaced from
ARC International is a world leader in the manufacturing of roller products for flexography. The latest nano-technology laser engraving in our NC and NV manufacturing facilities ensures superior quality and consistency in anilox rollers.
AES (ADVANCED EQUIPMENT SALES) www.aesales.net
Jim Hawton
AES is a leading full-service provider of integrated convey- ance systems specializing in scrap, trim, and dust. AES en- gineers custom scrap systems and works as a partner in process improvement to help businesses achieve greater profitability, productivity, and sustainability. Products include balers, shredders/hoggers, core shredders, filters, fans, and specialized dust control and collection systems. AES is the ex- clusive distributor for the AirShark Rotary Material Separator. For a wide variety of new and used equipment on to- day’s market, visit our website at www.acm-corp.com. BAUMER HHS CORPORATION www.baumerhhs.com hhs is a global leader in advanced gluing, camera verifica- tion and quality assurance systems for the packaging indus- try. Zero-defect quality and elevated production speeds are key parameters in the manufacturing of corrugated boxes. With hhs Xcam Box Monitoring and non-contact flap gluing of corrugated board, hhs offers every option for quality as- surance in the production of boxes with flexo folder gluers. AMERICAN CORRUGATED MACHINE www.acm-corp.com BLOWER APPLICATION COMPANY (BLOAPCO) www.BloApCo.com BloApCo has served the corrugated industry since 1933 with a variety of scrap handling solutions, including Hori- zontal Floor Shredders, Trim Cutters, and Material Handling Fans and Conveying Systems. BloApCo Shredders allow for continuous shredding and pneumatic removal of sheet waste stacks of all sizes, roll slab, cores, and carton scrap.
their jobs. You’re still going to have people being in those positions because it’s helping them do their job. And with that being the case, if you can’t use the technology, that’s what’s putting you out of the job. D’Angelo: Jeff, do you have any comments or anything you want to say about utilization of AI? Is the design space also someplace where we’re seeing it come very quickly and actually effectively? Putt: As a previous art director, I find I use Midjourney, I use DALL-E, I use some of the text to image generative AI software programs to basically do what we used to do with Microsoft Teams. You’d stick thumbnails up on
the board, you’d criticize them, you would ideate, you would generate new thoughts, you would change the way you approach things. And I do the same thing. I tell AI what I want, then I tell it what I don’t like, and then I have it regenerate. So, yes, I think graphic design, production, art prep, and structural design will all be heavi-
Jeff Putt
ly impacted in the near term with automation that will allow us to use fewer design resources and also supplement the design resources that we already have in our plans. You have an assistant that is infinitely patient. When you talk to people and say, “No, I don’t like it, go back and do it again,” that sets things off in the wrong direction. But an AI could care less. It just keeps generating ideas until you’re blue in the face, until you finally give up. Many jobs that are somewhat more labor-intensive will certainly be augmented, if not replaced by an intelligent assistant or helper. Hawton: Just in what we’ve seen in the automation that we’ve done and the time that we’ve helped our graphic team, for example, we have taken work that has taken them two hours to do and reduced it down to minutes with the tools that are out there. When their job is not complete in five minutes now, they’re on the phone saying some- thing’s not right, something’s broken, it’s not working. So that’s how that could really change your workforce, also. You can see how the people have changed just by having that tool.
CORRUGATED MACHINERY SPECIALISTS www.cmsretrofits.com
Leading manufacturer and installer of quality retrofits, up- grades and replacement parts for S&S and Prime Flexo Folder Gluers. Specialists in reconditioning of S&S Flexo Folder Gluers, including ink, air and electrical systems.
CORRUGATOR BELT SERVICE LLC www.corrugator.com
Serving the corrugated box industry since 1991, Chicago- based Corrugator Belt Service LLC maintains corru- gator belts for peak board quality and performance.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 30
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