Jan/ Feb 2022 AICC BoxScore: The Big Associate Issue

A PUBLICATION OF AICC, THE INDEPENDENT PACKAGING ASSOCIATION

January/February 2022 Volume 26, No. 1

THE

ASSOCIATE ISSUE V The solutions guide for your business

ALSO INSIDE Working With a Broken Chain Foundation for Packaging Education: Thank You

TABLE OF CONTENTS January/February 2022

•

Volume 26, No.1

COLUMNS

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CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

128

THE ASSOCIATE ADVANTAGE

136

THE FINAL SCORE

DEPARTMENTS

4 4

118

WELCOME, NEW & RETURNING MEMBERS

119

AICC INNOVATION

130

FOUNDATION FOR PACKAGING EDUCATION

132

INTERNATIONAL CORRUGATED PACKAGING FOUNDATION

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE V The solutions guide for your business

122

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EQUIPMENT

70

DIES, ROLLS, PLATES, AND ACCESSORIES

80

INKS, COATINGS, AND ADHESIVES

86

SHEETS, PAPER, AND PRINTING

96

SERVICES

112

SOFTWARE AND ELECTRONICS

122 Finding success despite supply chain shortages

WORKING WITH A BROKEN CHAIN

BoxScore is published bimonthly by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association, PO Box 25708, Alexandria, VA 22313, USA. Rates for reprints and permissions of articles printed are available upon request. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of AICC. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial or advertising matter at its discretion. The publisher is not responsible for claims made by advertisers. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to BoxScore, AICC, PO Box 25708, Alexandria, VA 22313, USA. ©2022 AICC. All rights reserved.

Visit www.aiccboxscore.org for Member News and even more great columns.

Scan the QR code to check them out!

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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OFFICERS Chairman: Gene Marino, Akers Packaging Service Group, Chicago, Illinois First Vice Chairwoman: Jana Harris, Harris Packaging/ American Carton, Haltom City, Texas Vice Chairmen: Matt Davis, Packaging Express, Colorado Springs, Colorado Gary Brewer, Package Crafters, High Point, North Carolina Finn MacDonald, Independent II, Louisville, Kentucky Immediate Past Chairman: Jay Carman, StandFast Packaging Group, Carol Stream, Illinois Chairman, Past Chairmen’s Council: Joe Palmeri, Jamestown Container Cos., Macedonia, Ohio President: Michael D’Angelo, AICC Headquarters, Alexandria, Virginia Secretary/General Counsel: David Goch, Webster, Chamberlain & Bean, Washington, D.C. AICC Canada: Renee Annis DIRECTORS West: Jack Fiterman, Liberty Diversified Industries, Minneapolis, Minnesota Southwest: Michael Drummond, Packrite, High Point, North Carolina Southeast: Ben DeSollar, Sumter Packaging Corp., Sumter, South Carolina Midwest: Casey Shaw, Batavia Container Inc., Batavia, Illinois Great Lakes: Josh Sobel, Jamestown Container Cos., Macedonia, Ohio Northeast: Stuart Fenkel, McLean Packaging, Pennsauken, New Jersey AICC Canada: Terri-Lynn Levesque, Royal Containers Ltd., Brampton, Ontario, Canada AICC México: Juan Javier Gonzalez, Cartró, S.A.P.I. de C.V. (CP), Tepotzotlán, Mexico

DIRECTORS AT LARGE Kevin Ausburn, SMC Packaging Group, Springfield, Missouri Eric Elgin, Oklahoma Interpack, Muscogee, Oklahoma Guy Ockerlund, OxBox, Addison, Illinois Mike Schaefer, Tavens Packaging & Display, Bedford Heights, Ohio

EDITORIAL/DESIGN SERVICES The YGS Group • www.theYGSgroup.com

EMERGING LEADER DELEGATES Cassie Malone, Corrugated Supplies Co. LLC, Chicago, Illinois Lauren Frisch, Wasatch Container, North Salt Lake, Utah John McQueary, CST Systems, Atlanta, Georgia

Copy Editor: Steve Kennedy

ASSOCIATE MEMBER DIRECTORS Chairman: Joseph Morelli, Huston Patterson Printers, Decatur, Illinois Vice Chairman: Greg Jones, SUN Automation Group, Glen Arm, Maryland Secretary: Tim Connell, A.G. Stacker Inc., Weyers Cave, Virginia Director: John Burgess, Pamarco, Roselle Park, New Jersey Immediate Past Chairman, Associate Members: Pat Szany, American Corrugated Machine Corp., Indian Trail, North Carolina ADVISORS TO THE CHAIRMAN Joseph M. Palmeri Cos., Jamestown Container, Macedonia, Ohio Al Hoodwin, Michigan City Paper Box, Michigan City, Indiana Joseph Morelli, Huston Patterson Printers, Decatur, Illinois PUBLICATION STAFF Publisher: Michael D’Angelo, mdangelo@aiccbox.org Editor: Virginia Humphrey, vhumphrey@aiccbox.org

OVERSEAS DIRECTOR Kim Nelson, Royal Containers Ltd., Brampton, Ontario, Canada

Vice President: Serena L. Spiezio Content & Copy Director: Craig Lauer Managing Editor: Jessica Price Senior Managing Editor: Sam Hoffmeister Art Director: Alex Straughan Account Manager: Max Lalwani SUBMIT EDITORIAL IDEAS, NEWS & LETTERS TO: BoxScore@theYGSgroup.com CONTRIBUTORS Maria Frustaci, Director of Administration and Director of Latin America Cindy Huber, Director of Conventions & Meetings Chelsea May, Education and Training Manager Laura Mihalick, Senior Meeting Manager Patrick Moore, Membership Services Manager Taryn Pyle, Director of Training, Education & Professional Development Alyce Ryan, Marketing Manager Steve Young, Ambassador-at-Large Richard M. Flaherty, President, ICPF ADVERTISING Taryn Pyle 703-535-1391 • tpyle@aiccbox.org Patrick Moore 703-535-1394 • pmoore@aiccbox.org AICC PO Box 25708 Alexandria, VA 22313 Phone 703-836-2422 Toll-free 877-836-2422 Fax 703-836-2795 www.aiccbox.org

ABOUT AICC PROVIDING BOXMAKERS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE NEEDED TO THRIVE IN THE PAPER-BASED PACKAGING INDUSTRY SINCE 1974 We are a growing membership association that serves independent corrugated, folding carton, and rigid box manufacturers and suppliers with education and information in print, in person, and online. AICC membership is for the full company and employees at all locations have access to member benefits. AICC offers free online education to all members to help the individual maximize their potential and the member company maximize its profit.

WHEN YOU INVEST AND ENGAGE, AICC DELIVERS SUCCESS.

Chairman’s Message

Leadership, Value, Innovation

W

e are busier than ever. Long lead times, limited access to transportation and supplies, and a dearth of available plant labor are combining to impact our ability to do what we do best: service our customers. These challenges only heighten the need to provide clear direction to our teams, our customers, and our stakeholders. Strategic frameworks help organizations ask themselves the tough questions to bring clarity to their vision, crystallizing it so it becomes more than a poster on the wall or a quippy phrase on the back of your business card—it becomes a way of doing business. Mugs and T-shirts don’t align a company’s core purpose and core focus— leadership does. Core purpose and core focus represent your “walk-the-talk” approach to doing business.

As the leader of your organization, you must ask yourself the key questions that will help to define your vision. The Entrepreneurial Operating System®, or EOS, for example, recommends that the leadership team come together to answer eight questions about the business, encompassing themes around why we are great, what we provide, and who we serve. The purpose of this exercise is less about penning a document for documentation’s sake and more about alignment and clarity. It is precisely this clarity that allows your team to work within a defined framework, day in and day out, to realize short- and long-term goals for the business. This clarity also helps avoid those ever-present conundrums such as, “Why is this running in the plant? We don’t do this type of work,” and “Why are we quoting this piece of business?” and “Why are they even a customer?”

Once key questions surrounding your purpose and focus are clearly defined, they serve as the foundation for communication by the leadership team on a regular and recurring basis. Leading a monthly conversation with your people that highlights where the company is, where it’s been, and where it’s going serves as your alignment tool and a way to keep everyone focused on the path forward. Too often, we assume that everyone “gets it,” but the message is typically neither obvious nor clearly communicated. Remember, the view changes based on your seat. You cannot assume everyone sees things the way you do. Recall the telephone game we played as kids. That’s the same thing that happens when the leader does not own and communicate the message behind the company vision, even when it is clearly defined.

Not only does this issue of BoxScore happen to be one of my favorites, but it also ties nicely into our own membership focus! This issue highlights the value each Associate member brings to the membership and perhaps where they may potentially support our organization’s core purpose and focus. We all excel and improve because of our key stakeholders—vendors that are loyal, hardworking, and invaluable to the success of our business—and AICC is no different. I would like to personally thank each AICC Associate for your unwavering support and for providing constant innovation for the improvement and sustainability of our operations.

Gene Marino Executive Vice President, Akers Packaging Service Group Chairman, AICC

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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THE

ASSOCIATE ISSUE V The solutions guide for your business

4

BOXSCORE January/February 2022

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE has reached its fifth year in publication.

It’s a venue for AICC Associate members to communicate who they are, what they do, and how their products and services support the greater independent paper-based packaging community. The opportunity to submit a company article was opened to all AICC Associate members in good standing, and nearly 100 companies provided material.

AICC has always valued its Associate members and welcomed their contributions. The Association often relies on them to keep us updated on the market and technology, as suppliers, as expert speakers and trainers, and as contributors to AICC publications, including BoxScore. Associate members also offer significant financial support that allows AICC to invest in benefits for all its constituents, such as education, advocacy, networking opportunities, and more.

AICC’s goals with this annual edition of BoxScore are to help members see opportunities and gather information and materials that will guide the future of their businesses. We hope that the Big Associate Issue will serve as an effective tool for informing you of all the useful, innovative products and services at your fingertips. It is a reference book for what is available to independent converters today, segmented into:

• EQUIPMENT • DIES, ROLLS, PLATES, AND ACCESSORIES • INKS, COATINGS, AND ADHESIVES

• SHEETS, PAPER, AND PRINTING • SERVICES • SOFTWARE AND ELECTRONICS

To the converters reading this magazine and using it throughout the year, give your fellow members a first look. Support the companies that support you and your Association. When you speak with an Associate member, please let them know that you saw their article in BoxScore to allow us to continue to offer this member benefit.

When you invest in and engage with AICC, you strengthen the foundation for continued growth—for all independents.

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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EQUIPMENT

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Alliance Machine Systems International New from Alliance New for Alliance Machine Systems International is our Digital Print Prefeeder.

Designed for today’s sheet fed digital printers, the Digital Print Prefeeder accepts a stack of boards in the same orientation as traditional prefeeders, simplifying the infeed system requirements.

The incoming stack is separated into blocks, which are inverted and transported to a right-angle transfer, then shingled and fed into the hopper of the digital printer.

The prefeeder is capable of simultaneously feeding two lanes of board into the digital printer to maximize productivity.

Also new is our Inverting Top Feeder for high speed flexo folder gluers. The Inverting Top Feeder inverts the entire load, allowing it to feed over 500 blanks per minute. The Inverting Top Feeder comes in two sizes, a design for Mini lines and a design for double kick midline machines.

For the J&L Specialty Folder Gluer, Alliance has developed a QR printer option. The QR printer prints an individualized QR code to be printed on the inside of every box as it passes though the gluer.

This allows traceability for every box.

For the last couple of years, the Alliance family of palletizers have been helping customers maximize

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BOXSCORE January/February 2022

productivity and weather the labor shortage storm. Whether you run E-commerce at 800 boxes per minute or pinwheel patterns at 400 boxes per minute on your high speed flexo folder gluer, Alliance has a palletizing solution that will keep up. Beyond high speed flexo folder gluers, Alliance has robotic solutions for rotary die cutters and specialty folder gluers.

• Raptor XR Loadformer º High-speed flexos º Rotary die cutters º Specialty gluers • Raven Loadformer º Medium-speed, 50-inch flexos • RaptorPAL palletizer º High performance pit-less Robotic palletizer For more information, visit www.alliancellc.com/robotics.

ABOUT ALLIANCE

For more than 40 years, Spokane Valley, Washington-based Alliance Machine Systems International, LLC has designed and manufactured more than 15,000 machines for the corrugated industry, with installations worldwide. Alliance offers material handling systems that keep pace with today’s faster finishing machines. It offers high speed feeding and downstream handling designs that are reliable, cost-effective solutions to increasing productivity. Products include robotic loadformers, stackers, prefeeders, pallet handlers, specialty folder gluers, and more. Contact your local Alliance representative for more details.

Richard Wilkinson Vice President of Sales and Marketing Rick.wilkinson@alliancellc.com 509-535-0356

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

EQUIPMENT

Baysek Machines, Inc. One Operator Nick-Free Die Cutting In a prolonged state of world change, now more than ever, ergonomics is playing a bigger role in “one operator” Baysek Machines, Inc. die cutter acquisitions. Obtaining and retaining employees has become a major challenge. So what does management do in a rapidly growing industry with an absence of an available workforce? Decision makers turn to “technology” and the “one operator” Baysek C-170 die cutter to adapt to demand for increased productivity during a period of critical labor shortage.

C-170 DIE CUT TER – ONE OPERATOR

Engineered and manufactured in the U.S.A., the CE Certified C-170 rotary anvil-flatbed die cutter produces foodgrade multiple-out die cuts with no nicks/ tags, angel hair, or paper dust. The versatile C-170 masters simple and complicated jobs, F-Flute through Double Wall, Solid/ Thin/Chip Board, Foil/Foam/Printed laminates, Coated Board, Single/Open Face Corrugated, Warped & Recycled Board, and more. The reciprocating flat die is compressed between two rotary anvils.

Simple and Complex shapes (up to 60 pieces per cycle) are 100% perimeter shear cut and held in the die via suction cups while scrap is simultaneously extracted up the pneumatic waste hood and directed to ecofriendly recycling. Accurately counted finished pieces are neatly stacked on the unload table via unload suction cup assemblies at a rate of 1800 cycles per hour.

Orderly finished units exit the machine ready for shipping preparation. The entire process is carried out by one person via a user-friendly computerized touch screen.

EL-150 DIE CUT TER

The EL-150 offers the same labor reducing cutting and stripping capabilities as the C-170 at roughly half the speed and half

the cost of the C-170. The EL-150 was designed for smaller start-up companies on a lesser budget or convertors looking for a larger custom format than the C-170.

I-6072 & IR-6072 LOAD TURNERS

The I-6072 and IR-6072 load turners require no pit and contain no messy hydraulics. Variable speed vibration allows easy squaring and the removal of damaged sheets and dunnage. One operator can flip and/or rotate sheet stacks without the risk of physical injury.

Optional multiple conveyor lines from the IR-6072 allow service to multiple C-170 die cutters or other equipment.

GAL XE – DIRECT TO CORRUGATED DIGITAL PRINTER

When customers ask, Baysek delivers.

Baysek now offers the ability to digitally print bar & QR codes, part numbers, and other identification on boxes, partition sets, and other jobs. Printers are offered inline or stand alone, and are available in One Color, Two Color Spot, and 4 Color Process.

TRADES & RECONDITIONED EQUIPMENT

Baysek accepts rare trade-ins of older machine models when upgrading to a new Baysek C-170 die cutter. Servo and conveyor infeed conversions are also offered in the field upon request.

COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENT SERVICE

Baysek was built on customer service, caring for machines around the world with 24-hour access to service technicians committed to keeping customers running at maximum potential. Additionally, Baysek Machines & Engineering is located in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom, which services all of Europe. Parts and consumables are stocked for customer convenience at both Baysek locations.

Baysek’s knowledgeable and friendly team stands ready to assist. Contact Baysek by Phone: 715-824-5300 or Email: sales@baysek.com. Livestream machine demonstrations and headquarter tours remain available.

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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EQUIPMENT

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EMBA Machinery EMBA QA ULTIMA™ | Developed for ultimate results It’s time to unbox the latest model in the Ultima machine family EMBA 295 QS Ultima™ Delivering outstanding productivity and quality as well as material efficiency to large box operations.

That’s what we call big news.

By introducing the EMBA 295 QS Ultima™, we now offer a complete machine range to fit any customer need. It comes loaded with all the benefits you’d expect and like all our Ultima machines it features our unique Non-Crush Converting™ and Quick-Set™ technologies.

The 295 QS Ultima™ offers true DualBox™ production through TwinFeed™ and XL slotter, as well as complex internal box die-cutting and creasing with the bottom die cutter.

Optional HighBox™ and the award winning LiquidCreaser™, further enhance its true flexibility and top-class performance.

Based on the patented Ultima™ platform, EMBA machines set new standards in converting operations, delivering outstanding productivity, print quality and material efficiency. The easy to learn and use software makes the operation of the machine extremely user-friendly, a must for real Quick-Set™ of new orders or repeat orders instantly downloaded from the article database. During production, the operator supervises and controls the entire machine through the interactive Operator Interface.

DualBox™ Two machines in one! The DualBox™ option has introduced a whole new realm of productivity TwinFeed™ + XL Slotter = DualBox™ = 2x Output = Record breaking productivity with speeds of over 30k/ hour. Unlike existing solutions for twin box production there will be no

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BOXSCORE January/February 2022

tolerance variations between the boxes and achievable production output of up to 33,000 boxes per hour.

The 295 QS Ultima™ will be a perfect fit to the existing 175 QS Ultima™, 215 QS Ultima™ and 245 QS Ultima™. All built on the proven Ultima concept, with its advanced features, including non-crush converting, quick-set, high speed, vacuum transfer through the complete machine and low energy consumption. Four machine sizes built on the same platform result in an efficient machine range in any factory from an operational and efficiency point of view.

With a wide range of options available, all of our machines are customized to fit the specific needs of every customer. The speed, intelligence and flexibility of the EMBA QS Ultima™ enable rapid and precise adjustment to the latest market trends and demands.

The non-crush technology of the Ultima™ platform preserves the strength and geometry of the corrugated board throughout the production process. This means enhanced box performance and the only machines truly capable of converting the next generation of lightweight board grades now being introduced to the North American market.

McKINLEY MACHINERY

McKinley RDC and FFG machines available in sizes 66" x 110" to 88" x 215" with completely updated control systems from B&R automation and optional inside printing.

EMBA continues to manufacture and service the full range of McKinley Machinery products from our Westlake, Ohio location.

McKinley Premier Rotary Die Cutters feature Servofeed lead edge feeders, vacuum transfer, reverse angle or chamber doctor blade ink metering, independent

servo drives of all units, anvil grinding, quick lock die mounting, touch screen operator control systems and much more.

McKinley Flexo Folder Gluers feature motorized dual slotting shafts, optional precreasers, extended vacuum folding section, positive gap control, top loading counter ejector.

EMBA SERVICE

EMBA Total Maintenance Program participants continue to report consistent reductions in downtime and overall maintenance costs.

For service inquiries, or to discuss the details of this program, and customize a plan to fit your maintenance needs, contact: Jeff Dreger, Service Coordinator Jeff.Dreger@embausa.com +1-440-360-7940 EMBA SALES

For sales inquiries contact: George W. Linn, Sales Manager George.Linn@embausa. com +1-770-329-8586

Scott Davidson, Western Region Sales Manager Scott.Davidson@embausa. com +1-713-542-7202 General Sales inquiries usa-sales@embausa.com For complete information on our range of EMBA and McKinley products and services visit us at www.embausa.com.

Upsize your output EMBA 295 QS Ultima

™

It’s time to unbox the latest model in the Ultima machine family – EMBA 295 QS Ultima ™. Delivering outstanding productivity and quality as well as material efficiency to large box operations. That’s what we call big news.

benefits you’d expect and like all our Ultima machines it features our unique Non-Crush Converting ™ and Quick-Set ™ technologies.

The 295 QS Ultima™ offers true through DualBox ™ production TwinFeed ™ and XL slotter, as well as complex internal box die-cutting and creasing with the bottom diecutter. Several available options, like for example HighBox™ and the award winning LiquidCreaser ™, further enhance its true flexibility and top-class performance.

XL boxes + XL slotter = XXL output.

By introducing the EMBA 295 QS Ultima™, we now offer a complete machine range to fit any customer need. It comes loaded with all the

www.emba.com

Liljedal Communication 2021

Inspired by the challenges of our customers, developed for ultimate results.

EQUIPMENT

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Fosber Fosber’s New State-of-the-Art Training Center With Fosber’s recent 40,000 sq. ft. expansion, we built a very elaborate training center. There was a real focus on people’s safety and comfort in the design. Fosber Trainers provide premium industry training. They bring real world experience into the classroom fitted with the latest technology, combining touch screen controls, telecommunication and interactive presentation systems. The Fosber Trainers take the time to understand the student’s needs. We study how the student executes their current tasks and learn the terms that the student is familiar with. The Trainers then build

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BOXSCORE January/February 2022

the customized training class upon this base knowledge to instruct the new procedures. Whether your group is 2 or 50, our new Training Center rooms can be expanded for larger groups or divided for more condensed classes.

We offer classes in 3 formats: in-house Factory School, On-Location School, and on-line with our new Virtual School.

Paul Hrubesky VP Sales hrubeskyp@fosber.com 920-339-6100

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

EQUIPMENT

WSA-USA, LLC of projects which include all the latest technologies in material handling equipment and PC based automation software.

In just 10 short years, we have grown into one of largest and most trusted suppliers in the corrugated market. We owe this success to staying true to our core beliefs. That being customer-based products built to the highest quality standards and supported by the most trusted partners in the industry.

WSA offers the most comprehensive range of material handling equipment for the corrugated industry including fully automated conveyor systems, vertical rack storage systems, centralized pallet inserting systems, automatic prefeeders, bundle handling systems, breakers, robotic solutions, and much more.

growth and overall success in the market.

KTC, Kennedy Technologies Corp., was one of our first North American partners and together we developed the most sophisticated load tracking automation products in the industry. This partnership single-handedly gave us the ability to support those customers looking to fully automate their existing facility or new Greenfield sites with automated load tracking from corrugator to shipping.

Another key partnership that has been instrumental to our growth and continued success is the Warak group who, through their relationship with Körber, gave us the exclusive rights to vertical rack storage systems for the North American market. This state of the art system was developed and perfected over the past 10 years in Europe and is now seeing tremendous interest here in the U.S. and Canada. Harmax is another partner we are now working with to provide our customers with a highly technical roll handling system. With these three highly valued partners we can scope the largest

STARCH

Doug Vandergriff North American Sales Director dvandergriff@wsa-usa. com 513-588-3188

BOILER

1,446 SF 401

AIR

1,942 SF 402

826 SF 403

WASTE WATER TREATMENT

ELECTRICAL

MAINTENANCE

1,436 SF 405

2,130 SF 404

2,195 SF 501

BALER SHREDDER 6,052 SF 406

RAIL LOADING

DN

STR EL 6340 [20'-9 1/2"] 02

R1 O1 L

O2

2-STORY OFFICE BUILDING

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1 21 00 [39'-8 1/4"]

FFG 1 228 NT R S 6C

R3

R3

R1 O1 L

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8020 [26'-3 3/4"]

LOBBY V UP

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From Humble Beginnings to World Class Since our humble beginnings which began back in 2011 when the North American operations were founded, WSA-USA has grown into one of the largest suppliers of material handling equipment and automation solutions in the United States and Canada. This tremendous growth can be attributed to focusing on three main fundamental approaches to the market: 1. Quality Equipment 2. Innovation and 3. Rocksolid Partnerships.

Quality has always been the foundation of what we bring to market. When we built our new factory in 2015, the approach was focused on one principle— the ability to efficiently manufacture the highest quality material handling equipment for the worldwide corrugated market. This includes following a lean manufacturing process, incorporating an in-house automotive quality paint booth, utilizing the most advanced manufacturing brands like Mazak and sourcing raw materials and components from the most trusted and industry leading suppliers.

Our approach to innovation begins with our customers. Listening to our customers has always been the foundation to our product development and to the solutions we choose to bring to market.

Our belief is that our customers know best what it is going to take for them to be successful. This can be a different style prefeeder or load former that will increase their machine throughput and decrease their overhead or finding better ways to store WIP or finished goods in a smaller footprint. We have always and will continue to embrace the approach of taking customer ideas and seeing them through to innovative products and solutions.

Our partnerships with industry leading suppliers have been so critical to our

SHIPPING SUITE

TRUCK LOADING

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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EQUIPMENT

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Geo. M. Martin Company Achieving “design speed” on today’s die cutters requires a modern approach.

Scrubber® Technology provides the solution.

To be market leaders, converters need to maximize the productivity and efficiency of their high-speed rotary die cutters. Therefore, they need material handling solutions that are reliable, have the capability to operate at high speeds for extended periods of time, eliminate virtually all scrap in the load, are easy and fast to set up, and can maximize the sq. ft. per sheet throughput of even the fastest die cutters.

The advanced technology of the Geo. Martin LBX Scrubber® stacker meets converters’ requirements for high-speed diecutting around the world and contributes to its growing global popularity.

With over 130 systems in use, the LBX Scrubber® stacker has changed converter performance expectations from 32 MSF per hour to an average 80 to 100 MSF per hour. Top performers are running as high as 200 to 400 MSF per hour.

The latest additions to our range of innovative products address converters’ challenges of making “better boxes”, providing more consistent products, and enhancing safety and ergonomics for operators.

LQC™ – Length Quality Control system is engineered for quality-conscious converters, especially those serving automatic packing lines where a short sheet can result in jams, stoppages, downtime, and product waste. LQC scans the sheets and initiates a feed interrupt when non-conforming products are detected allowing the operator to manually pull the sheets. When used with the SQC or SQX sheets can be automatically ejected at full speed.

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SQC™ – Sheet Quality Control system automatically removes sheets from the stacker’s board line at all rated press speeds. This fast acting process can be integrated with the LQC system for consistent on-the-fly ejection of single or multiple sheets. Sheets will be ejected to the stacker’s operator side for safe and easy quality control sample pulls. SQC can also create web gaps for a stack or bundle change, thus eliminating “double inking” issues.

SQX™ – Sheet Quality Extended system combines SQC sheet ejection features with additional scrap removal capabilities. Placed behind an LBX Scrubber, the SQX further enhances the Scrubber’s already superior scrap removal capabilities to deliver virtually scrap free boxes (well under 1%) making it ideal for scrap critical operations such as auto

packing lines. The SQX can also be placed on new or existing Select® and/or ValuStak™ stackers allowing them to take advantage of enhanced scrap removal and blank ejection capabilities.

The Quick-Break™ III (QB-III) is the latest model of Geo. Martin’s high performance nicked bundle breakers.

The heart of the bundle line system, the QB-III features significantly faster cycle speed, soft stop/start break and pull cycle, and unique multi-function “gapless” upper platen which eliminates edge roll on small bundles.

Dan D’Angelo Geo. M. Martin Company VP Sales ddangelo@geomartin.com 510-652-2200 www.geomartin.com

DOUBLE

THE OUTPUT OF YOUR

NEXT DIE CUTTER

ASK US HOW. GEO. M. Martin Company • 1250 67th Street Emeryville, California 94608, United States 510.652.2200 • Fax 510.652.6447 • email info@geomartin.com ROTARY DIE CUTTER STACKERS & PERIPHERALS

The Martin logo and the word Scrubber are Registered Trademarks of the Geo. M. Martin Company.

EQUIPMENT

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Haire Group CONTINUED GROWTH SMALL WORLD. BIG SALES.

For a company that focuses on relationships, 2021 was a welcomed shift back to Haire’s roots. The Haire team has been able to rack up frequent flyer miles once again visiting clients throughout North America.

“Being out among people and getting to work with them hand-in-hand really feels like home for us,” said Jeff Quinn, VP and General Manager of Haire Group.

“We were certainly blessed with great technology to take care of our clients during the pandemic, and it will continue to serve us well, but nothing replaces good-old, in-person interaction.”

UP-TICK IN SALES

As the corrugated market soars, Haire’s sales mirror that trajectory. In fact, Haire is proud to announce its 150th APSTAR installation—a noteworthy accomplishment.

Haire’s Executive VP of Sales, Keith Umlauf, stated, “Our sales team works hard to make the sale, but that’s only the beginning. Our strength lies in the long-term relationships we build with each and every client throughout the duration of ownership of one of our machines.

That sales number is important because it represents the trust and value placed in the machines we sell.”

SUPERCORREXPO

It’s a small world. We have all heard the saying. However, nothing brings that phrase to life like SuperCorrExpo, and this year was no exception. This stellar event brings together a global market as no other trade show could. After missing last year due to the pandemic, Haire embraced the chance to see friends, colleagues, and customers from across the globe. Though

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this year’s SuperCorr was a bit smaller than normal due to Covid adaptations, Haire Group had the most successful show in their tenure at SuperCorr.

NEW MACHINERY L AUNCH

Another high of 2021 was Haire Group’s unveiling of its new machine offering, the sleek and sophisticated Encore 618 and Encore 1628. Italian innovation and design combine with rugged manufacturing to birth a machine that takes printing and box assembly to the next level. Doubling production speeds is a reality with the Encore’s set-up-while-run feature. More versatility and less downtime generate higher profits and greater customer satisfaction for our clients.

When asked about the new Encore line, Quinn said, “We are a real triple-threat now. Between the best-in-class APSTAR, the innovative Encore, and the best team in the industry—we have a recipe for success, not only for Haire Group but more importantly for our customers.”

worthy recipient of this award than my mentor and friend, Doug Muller.”

LOOKING FORWARD

“Every year upstages the one before it,” Umlauf shared. “We keep wondering how the next year can possibly be better than the last, but we know it will be. In the face of a changing world, one thing is certain, Haire Group will adapt and flourish as we have always done. We are looking forward to what promises to be an exciting 2022.”

For more information about Haire Group or to view a video about Doug Muller, AICC’s latest Hall of Fame inductee, please visit www.hairegroup.com.

JEFF QUINN, VP AND GENERAL MANAGER

Jeff has been with Haire Group for more than 30 years. He has been invaluable in his role of shaping the company’s infrastructure to accommodate the additional DFA support personnel, both in the office and in the field.

In addition, Jeff is a longtime member of AICC and TAPPI. He recently took the post as the new Chairman for the Corrugated THE HALL OF FAME Packaging Council (CPC) TAPPI Board.

To cap off his illustrious career, Haire “In the world we live in today, communicaGroup’s Doug Muller was inducted into the AICC Hall of Fame during SuperCorr. tion technology is always changing, so our This honor is well-deserved for this titan in challenge is to keep everyone at our company the industry. Along with company founder in clear communication with customers.

Whether involving office personnel or Tom Haire, Doug created the Haire culture that has created the long-term suc- DFA techs in the field, we want clear and consistent interaction using the latest devices.” cess the company enjoys still today. His Jeff is also an avid golfer and remains active passion for the industry is bested only by in leadership roles at his church. his love of people—customers, colleagues, vendors, friends, and employees.

Quinn shared, “Throughout his Jeff Quinn notable 40 plus year career, Doug made VP and General Manager a tremendous mark on our industry and jquinn@hairegroup.com created a legacy worth celebrating. He, 219-947-4545 quite frankly, helped shape the industry we are fond of today. There isn’t a more

S A L E S

B Y

S T A T E

Over 150 Apstars Installed

hairegroup.com

EQUIPMENT

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Inspire Automation

The Inspire Automation “One Supplier” Advantage Inspire Automation delivers the “one supplier” advantage by combining material handling and automation solutions from two long standing brands in the industry: Systec & Automatan. The combined product line is the most comprehensive in the industry, offering customers fully integrated turn-key automation solutions.

The benefits can’t be ignored. Focusing on providing customers with full plant automation solutions, Inspire Automation introduced its new automated palletizing systems which include the Load Palletizing Device and Robotic Pallet Dispensing Systems. Combined with the Systec automatic strapping control system (VAPS), the devices interface with the plant scheduling system to automatically strap, wrap and palletize without operator intervention, while easily maintaining plant production requirements. This

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system is the most innovative, leading choice for automated palletizing solutions.

With more than 75 installations, the AutoFeed robotic pre-feeder continues to be an industry benchmark. During a recent, extensive uptime test of the AutoFeed robotic pre-feeder on a rotary die-cutter, the AutoFeed enabled the plant to set records in production with virtually no downtime. Along with the ability to run at maximum machine speeds, the AutoFeed has the lowest operating and maintenance cost of any pre-feeder available, delivering a return on customer investment, particularly when compared to a traditional pre-feeder.

The combination of the Automatan AutoStak robot with the Systec FastPal load former has proven to be a very powerful combination as well, allowing for full integration of the equipment with conveyor, pallet dispensing, etc.

The all-electric load former features

user-friendly operator controls, along with new features focused on operator safety.

Inspire Automation has the technology, experience and expertise to provide its customers the solutions they need by increasing automation, reducing costs and improving safety. By adding these innovative products and solutions to the existing product catalog, including Automatan’s industry leading line-up of Litho-Labelers, Inspire Automation is committed to maintain the most comprehensive solution catalog in the industry, and our “One Supplier” Advantage.

Visit us online at InspireAutomation. com, call today: 800-578-1755, or email us at sales@inspireautomation.com.

Tony Coats VP – Sales & Marketing tcoats@inspireautomation.com 317-890-9230

Reinventing Corrugated Packaging

AD HP

Produce corrugated boxes at a lower cost, faster and better with HP digital packaging solutions

To schedule a meeting with one of our sales reps: corrugated.packaging@hp.com

EQUIPMENT

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

JB Machinery

Optimizing the Performance of your Equipment!

For more than 25 years JB Machinery has offered the sheet-fed corrugated industry innovative products that optimize performance, quality and safety. JB products are designed for ease of use and total integration within the converting line and have won many prestigious awards including the most recent Innovator of the Year.

ColorDry XL3000® IR dryers remain the centerpiece of our product line allowing converters to achieve the highest quality product possible at high speeds while diecutting in-line for a smooth and efficient single pass operation. The systems are virtually essential for maximizing the quality and productivity of inside/out flexo printing. The safest and most efficient dryer on the market today, ColorDry XL3000 includes Sentinel® sheet detection, Lead Edge Sheet Detection (where applicable) and the optional VisionMaster® in-press real-time 1080p video monitoring.

InKomand® precise ink temperature control continues to gain acceptance globally as a fully automated system to maintain ink temperature, pH and viscosity throughout the production run. Equally effective on brown box as high-graphics, this true “set it and forget it” system minimizes, and in many cases, eliminates, color variation, improves drying—allowing increased production

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speeds—enhances overall finished product print quality and significantly reduces clean-up and color change times.

KleenPlate® 3.0 print defect eliminator with auto plate washing. This fully automated system includes continuous, spot and “on-demand” cycles. Operators can also choose from wet or dry washing cycles to custom match the operation to their printing requirements. KleenPlate is essential for maintaining high line screen dot quality throughout the production run. *NEW – AutoWash™, one of our newest products and the 2021 AICC/BCN Innovator of the Year, is a high-speed plate washing system that provides automatic, simultaneous pre- or post-production sub four-minute washing cycles, and 1.5 second “in-production” print defect removal cycle.

The soft brush roller provides effective deep cleaning of all plate screen ranges and matts. The dual action cycle, with a finite injection of environmentally friendly cleaning solution, is followed by a rapid power drying interval, quickly washes and makes plates ready for the next job. *NEW – DigiFlex™, another recent award winner, is a high-speed variable

imaging system available for most rotary diecutters, flexo folder-gluers, specialty folder-gluers, flatbed diecutters or any line where space is available. The system includes ink delivery system, LED UV system, graphic editor and control software. It’s the only system that is capable of printing 600 dpi at 1,000 ft/minute on all substrates, including semi or fully coated paper.

DigiFlex is an additional turnkey print unit that provides variable data capability, inside and outside the box, without any changes to the architecture of the host machine.

ColorCure®ColdUV® is the leader in the UV curing segment, and now with TurboBoost™, offers the fastest UV curing times in the industry with speeds more than 50% greater than prior performance.

KleenPlate® 3.0 auto plate wash and print defect eliminator has continued to hit the mark with many new installations currently in process around the world!

Dave Burgess Sales Director – The Americas dburgess@jbmachinery.com 203-544-0101 www.jbmachinery.com

AutoWash

™

automatic plate washing

Go with the Winner!  2021 SuperCorrExpo Innovator of the Year!  All plates washed in less than 4 minutes  Print defects removed in less than 1.5 seconds

 Eliminate manual washing  Maximize uptime

®

Productivity — Quality — Profitability JB MACHINERY

©2021 JB Machinery Inc. | +1-203-544-0101 | jbmachinery.com

EQUIPMENT

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Koenig & Bauer The CorruCUT from Koenig & Bauer To remain committed to its customers in North America, Koenig & Bauer (US/ CA) has expanded its popular portfolio to include the corrugated printing and converting segment. One of its major products is the CorruCUT, the most cutting-edge and productive rotary die-cutter on the market.

The CorruCUT has been designed for the high-performance rotary production of die-cut corrugated products in ultimate flexo post-printing quality. It can handle corrugated sheets with a width of up to 2,800 mm (110.24 in) and a thickness of 9 mm (0.354 in), running at speeds up to 12,000 sheets per hour. Operators are impressed that they can set up new jobs while production is running providing fast job change and low-maintenance.

Press control can be handled via a flexible Profibus system and touchscreen. It features enhanced software and hardware and a high level of automation.

Its innovative technical functions include: • a vacuum-belt feeder with revolutionary construction without feed rolls that ensures non-destructive and precise feeding of the sheets into the system • sheet guiding by means of continuous vacuum transport that guarantees stable sheet travel through the press as well as perfect register accuracy throughout the entire printing process • wear-free transport rollers to ensure operation without downtime due to necessary belt replacement • state-of-the-art servo direct drive technology for maximum register accuracy in multiple-color printing • new flexo printing units with all current and completely new technologies for HQPP flexo post-printing

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• The rotary die-cutting unit with optional quick tool change has been designed for maximum die-cutting accuracy for single as well as multiple out production (up and across) • The top vacuum stacker has been completely newly designed and features entirely new approaches to waste disposal (zero defect concept).

• Our service offerings enable efficient online diagnosis and fast telephone support around the clock in the event of machine malfunctions.

Why is the CorruCUT special? Koenig & Bauer took its years of experience with the rotary die-cutter developed in the mid-2000s to completely redesign the CorruCUT. Its engineers around the world drew on the expertise of colleagues from a wide variety of departments.

The end result was a unique overall solution using the latest technologies and functions, combined with simple and intuitive operation. The CorruCUT sets new standards in terms of output and productivity.

Please contact Koenig & Bauer to learn more about our post-press solutions.

Tom Fitzgerald is a well-respected and seasoned veteran of the post-press industry. He is Director of Post-Press Products at Koenig & Bauer (US/CA) and is on the Board of Directors in the International Association of Diecutting and Diemaking (IADD) for Director of Member Retention. He is a tremendous resource for Koenig & Bauer’s customers who have come to rely on his knowledge and commitment to world-class service.

The scope of Fitzgerald’s experience in the print industry is vast from field service, service management, sales, and product management.

Tom Fitzgerald Director of Post-Press Products at Koenig & Bauer tom.fitzgerald@koenigbauer.com 502-310-1368

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

EQUIPMENT

LD Davis LD Davis Partners with Europrogetti LD Davis has been a leader in the glue distribution and packaging industry for over 95 years. Recently, LD Davis partnered with Europrogetti for the commercial development and exclusive distribution of Europrogetti rigid box equipment across North America. By combining our expertise with Europrogetti, we hope to enable our customers by providing access to high-quality equipment.

ABOUT EUROPROGET TI

Europrogetti manufactures automated machines for rigid box making and has long been a leader in the cardboard processing industry. For over 30 years, they have designed and supplied equipment that has evolved with the demands of manufacturers in the luxury packaging industry.

INNOVATIVE RIGID BOX EQUIPMENT

Today’s competitive retail environment means brands and retailers are looking for better and faster packaging methods.

Rigid boxes play a significant role in the packaging and delivery of high-end products. Creating rigid boxes for top-of-the-line electronics, perfumes, and jewelry has become a simplified process because of innovations like the EP100 and EP130N. • Business Efficiency: These compact, reliable rigid box machines make it more efficient for manufacturers to create rigid boxes. The machines are mobile and do not require heat-sealing tape, making them easy to move and more efficient for rigid box manufacturing. Both machines run at a maximum speed of 2,200 boxes per hour, enabling manufacturers to keep up with demand.

• Manufacturing Versatility: The EP100 is suited for small to medium rigid box manufacturing and can create boxes up to 100mm in size. The EP130N can create packages up to 130mm deep and provides clamshell box creation options.

• Customer Support: As an exclusive distributor for Europrogetti in North America, manufacturers can order rigid box equipment from LD Davis and receive assistance troubleshooting glue applications. We not only provide gelatin glue formulations for rigid box machines but offer assistance with troubleshooting.

The EP100 and EP130N offer a unique combination of productivity, quality, and flexibility that enables manufacturers to scale their productions efficiently. These machines provide more profitability than other traditional rigid box making equipment.

Glenn Maile is a seasoned professional of the rigid box, setup box, and turned edge industries. He is the national Account Manager for LD Davis and uses his expertise to assist customers in the packaging industry. Glenn has extensive experience in the packaging business that goes back 40 years. Glenn is dedicated to helping clients make sure their machine, substrate, and chosen adhesive provide the expected results with his expertise.

Glenn Maile National Account Manager gmaile@lddavis.com 215-886-6001 215-715-0835

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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EQUIPMENT

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Pamarco Direct Print Maximizing Your Output The box industry is going through a renaissance of sorts, more capital is being spent today on FFG and die cutters than any time in the past (at least in my memory). These investments take multiple approaches, graphic machines, inside out and the classic blow and go converting lines. But they all have a common denominator, speed and increased graphic quality. In a nutshell: with technology today, there are ways of pushing the limits in direct print that the industry has never seen before. In some cases, direct corrugated print quality replicates that of preprint, but it often does so at a reduced cost. By following a disciplined approach, that investment in new equipment will outperform your expectations. It works to the printer and converter’s favor to collaborate with and utilize the expertise of their vendors. The relationship you have with your anilox roll vendor, used properly can add value to your business.

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a significant role in your decision making. With the decision of what to print, there will be a correlating ink sweet spot to ascertain.

Finding out what works best isn’t always easy. That’s where we come in.

The chart at right is a great starting point for establishing the volume needed to hit solid density targets.

This chart was established through the collection of data over multiple press runs at multiple converters. We have high confidence in making recommendations that will get us on the target, then fine tuning for your specific applications. Using this chart is simple: substrate and graphics to be printed is the starting point.

KEY AREAS OF FOCUS

EFLO

There are two vital factors that stand out above the rest. These are ink requirements and anilox roll engraving. It is the handling of these two things that will make or break the ability of your process to successfully and consistently print on corrugated board. We know that each part of the print process has an effect on the others. Some parts, however, alter quality much more noticeably. In my experience, there are more problems stemming from poor anilox choice than any other part of the process. The opposite is true as well. Good choices can bring about great capabilities and really push the envelope of what direct print can do.

How do you make the anilox decision?

It’s all about what is being printed, the graphic detail and the board type play

Over 50% of the anilox we produce for the corrugated industry is Eflo, our 75-degree extended cell technology. After running Eflo you will find several important reasons this technology is so popular.

• Runs clean and resists plugging, the extended cell allows for the ink to rewet and be toughly cleaned during the washup cycle.

• When printing heavy solid coverage, the cell design allows replenishment of the ink allowing the elimination of skip feed.

• Eflo engravings have a roughly 40% increase in across the cylinder LPI for the same BCM when compared to a conventional 60-degree engraving. This creates increased dot support for graphic printing and combination work.

BOXSCORE January/February 2022

Were confident that you will find Eflo to increase your press performance and capabilities, so confident we offer a performance guarantee.

Everyone wants to print better. Take the steps to find the proper anilox roll engraving by matching the volume and the correct LPI to the graphics and the substrate type. Work with your suppliers to ensure all processes and technology are used to the full extent of their capabilities.

Remember that the work never ends, now that you have the correct anilox specifications, you need to maintain that volume consistently over time. Now roll maintenance becomes critical.

John Burgess President, Flexo john.burgess@pamarco. com 908-241-1200

printing better together

Two Components of Pamarco Consistency is Key

Knowledge is Required

Each department works hard to ensure Quality, Precision, Expertise, and Consistency in every Anilox Roll that leaves our facilities.

Pamarco has a deep bench of technical experts ready to help in real world issues.

info@pamarco.com

www.pamarco.com

EQUIPMENT

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Kolbus America

K

olbus America is the North American division of Kolbus GmbH, a German manufacturer producing precision engineered flexo rotary die cutters and on-demand boxmaking machines, in addition to their world renowned casemakers and luxury packaging machines. Kolbus GmbH, headquartered in Rahden, Germany, has served customers around the world for nearly 250 years. Their service and commitment to excellence has earned the company a trusted reputation for quality and reliability. The Kolbus America sales team continues to grow, adding Ryan Clark (East Coast) and Mark McGinnis (West Coast) this year, as well as Sr. Project Manager, Daniel Brettschneider.

“Having the right people in these critical roles brings great value to our customers,” said Jeffrey Dietz, Kolbus America President. “We’ve built a strong sales team backed with more than 100 years of combined corrugated experience and have added the Sr. Project Management role to ensure that projects run as smoothly as possible for our customers.”The Kolbus product lines including the Hycorr series flexo rotary die cutters, AutoBox boxmaking machines, and the German built Kolbus RD 115S Servo driven flexo rotary die cutter are sure to impress.

NOT YOUR FATHER’S HYCORR

In 2011, Kolbus GmbH acquired Hycorr Machines LLC, based in Kalamazoo, MI. Hycorr machines are known for their robust quality, enduring serviceability, and unique features. Many of the early Hycorr machines are still in operation nearly 30 years later and continue being serviced by our world class technicians. New Hycorr Series machines have been optimized with German engineering, including: an updated

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Kolbus feed section with servo-controlled drive technology, the latest operator-machine control interface, and Kolbus 360 remote diagnostics. They also feature a slit and score section and Serrapid quick change die-mount cylinder.

The Industry’s Best Kept Secret In 2021, Kolbus unveiled its newest innovation to the corrugated industry – the RD 115S servo driven Flexo Rotary Die Cutter. This advanced machine features pneumatic plate lock-up for on the run plate skewing for fine adjustment.

This new feature allows for the operators to adjust the plate while running, without having to open the die-cutter. The modular machine concept includes up to eight print units plus a die-cutting module for corrugated board in one highly automated in-line system. An investment in the RD 115S will strengthen packaging producers’ ability to grow and adapt fast to changing market needs. Service and support are natural concerns to consider when purchasing converting equipment, so Kolbus has addressed this by stocking thousands of spare parts at the Kalamazoo, MI, facility and offers same day shipping

to guarantee maximum uptime. Kolbus supports customers by providing 24/7 support through their 360 Assist program and free technical support hotline.

Short Run Boxmaking Increase throughput and flexibility in your plant with Kolbus AutoBox machines including the new AB310 heavy-duty, all-in-one boxmaking machine with digital print. Move short runs from other converting equipment and create a variety of box styles with this easy-to-operate, quick-set machine. The AutoBox AB300, their most advanced box making machine, has been utilized by hundreds of customers around the world.

The AB300 is compatible with a selection of other AutoBox modules to produce boxes at maximum efficiency. It can be equipped with the Multi-Cut, Auto-Stack and Auto-Feed, or print modules such as the Digital-Print and Flexo-Print to broaden your product offering.

For more information, contact our sales team at sales@kolbus.com or call 216-931-5100. Visit us online at www.Kolbusamerica.com.

EQUIPMENT

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

SUN Automation Group

SUN Automation Group Proves Strong Partners Create Strong Solutions 2021 Brought New Solutions and Trusted Support to Customers Around the World SUN Automation Group® continues to provide robust solutions to the global corrugated industry.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and its unprecedented levels of pressure on the corrugated industry, SUN reached significant milestones over the last year, including creating new partnerships with Para S.r.l. and Highcon. SUN’s extensive offerings and resources are positioning the corrugated industry for continued success into the future, no matter what challenges it may bring.

In February of 2021, SUN announced its exclusive strategic partnership agreement with the Italian material handling company, Para S.r.l. With this partnership, SUN is the exclusive representative of all PARA equipment for the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland. In addition, SUN provides service for all PARA equipment and is the distributor of PARA parts in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

PARA offers a variety of material handling and machinery solutions for the corrugated industry and has installed over 15,000 products worldwide. PARA’s extensive product range includes: pre-feeders, palletizers, RDC stackers, bundle breakers, pallet inserters, vertical storage solutions, paper mill roll transports and unit conveyors systems from corrugator to converting equipment using smart carts.

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“PARA’s extensive product portfolio is an excellent addition to our customer offerings. PARA’s commitment to innovation and customer service is perfectly in-line with SUN’s own ethos and our customer’s needs,” said Greg Jones, Executive Vice President of SUN. In May, SUN also signed a partnership agreement with Highcon, to promote and sell Highcon digital converting solutions for corrugated in North America. With the exponential growth of e-commerce and the ensuing requirement for packaging that can handle the hazards of direct-to-consumer shipping, Highcon’s digital finishing for corrugated provides solutions to these growing challenges.

“We are excited to be adding the Highcon digital converting systems to our extensive range of innovative equipment for corrugated box plants with the aim of increasing production, efficiency and profitability,” said Paul Aliprando, Vice President of Digital Technologies at SUN Automation Group.

These recent partnerships are just the latest example of SUN’s revolutionary “culture of listening and responding to customers’ needs” at work—which enables SUN to invest in innovation and devise customized customer solutions.

In just over two years since forging a strategic partnership as the exclusive North and Central American representative for all Latitude Machinery Corporation (LMC) machinery, SUN continues to place LMC machines in corrugated box facilities in North and Central America. LMC is a rapidly growing and world-class Taiwanese manufacturer of Flexo Folder Gluers, Rotary Die Cutters and other solutions to the corrugated industry having placed over 100 pieces of machinery in the North America region.

With the largest inventory of parts in the United States, with many ready to ship same-day and overnight, SUN Automation Group is committed to the sustained success of its customers.

Th is commitment goes beyond simply supplying the necessary parts—it also centers around providing customers with all the necessary support needed to keep their machines running optimally, without interruption. As box-making plants are pushed to their capacity limits and supply chains face ongoing challenges, this universal support enables customers to proceed confidently, knowing that they can count on their equipment to run efficiently around the clock. And with a growing staff of service and support technicians around the world, SUN is ready and uniquely equipped to handle most any customer need, regardless of location.

In looking ahead, SUN seeks to continue to meet customer demands by working tirelessly to be a trusted partner and employ a “culture of listening.”

Whether that means servicing equipment and supplying parts, fulfi lling new orders, establishing new partnerships or innovating new solutions, SUN plans to answer the demands of today as well as tomorrow.

With so many happenings going on, SUN encourages visits to its state-of-theart facility in Glen Arm, Maryland. To contact directly call: 410-472-2900 or visit: www.sunautomation.com.

Greg Jones Executive Vice President Greg.Jones@ sunautomation.com 410-472-2900

Machinery and Handling for the Corrugated Board Industry

Machinery and Handling for the Corrugated Board Industry

EQUIPMENT

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Valco Melton PrintChek for Diecutters and Flexo/ Folder/Gluers As brand owners become more aware of the use of their logos on secondary packaging and that packaging is prominently used for displays in many retail outlets, the appearance of Flexo- or Digital-printed trays, wrap-around cases and RSCs is increasingly important.

The ClearVision® division of Valco Melton is introducing PrintChek™—a camera-based inspection system for corrugated sheets. From spots and hickeys to color registration problems, stripes, scratches and smeared, ghosted or missing print, PrintChek™ is able to compare each sheet to a standard and highlight defect areas. Along with

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defect detection, PrintChek™ reads and evaluates barcodes for quality and assesses the geometry of the sheet for size, skew and trim.

The principle involves line-scan cameras and light modules installed above or below the sheet to take images of each sheet which are re-assembled for analysis. Minimum defects down to 2.0 mm are visible. Color measurements of a delta-E value of 3 can be resolved for accurate inspection of ink recipes and matching to desired corporate color standards. If there is no viable pdf standard available to compare to, a sample sheet can be run as a golden standard. The system can also “auto-arm” by skipping a select

number of setup sheets and averaging a group of sheets for developing a reliable standard.

PrintChek™ uses the familiar ClearVision BoxChek 7 interface to activate inspection tests, set tolerances and view images. A defect viewer sorts images, allows them to be zoomed in for closer examination and highlights the source of the defect. Defect data are stored in SQL format and images are stored for later inspection. A large variety of alarms, outputs, notifications and even emails can be generated depending on the defect type to aid in defect identification and removal.

Trend alarms and SPC charts track the direction of a problem and allow others in the facility to be alerted via email.

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

EQUIPMENT

MeasurementChek™ serves as both a local and remote access point for production data, per box details and all of the data are stored on the local device, not the cloud.

Valco Melton is a leading supplier of gluing and inspection systems in the corrugated industry. Since 1952, Valco Melton has been selling and servicing equipment and providing robust solutions for the industry. ClearVision® products are dedicated to using vision for inspecting corrugated production and making removal of defects from the production stream possible.

Contact our sales team at 513-874-6555 or email info@valcomelton.com.

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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EQUIPMENT

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Zünd A Must-Have for Digital Packaging Production STEADILY GROWING NEED FOR AUTOMATION

In part because of the supply-chain disruptions caused by the pandemic, the need for efficient, reliable automation in packaging production is greater than ever. To meet these demands, Zünd has accelerated development on digital workflow solutions that make integrating and monitoring digital cutting in a comprehensive digital production workflow easier than ever. With Zünd Connect, a web-based monitoring tool for example, the system compiles production data from integrated Zünd cutting systems

into meaningful key performance indicators, creating transparency and identifying areas for potential workflow optimization. Among other things, Zünd Connect provides a visual representation of unused machine capacity and shows how frequently different materials, tools, and processing methods are used while identifying possible sources of errors and avoidable interruptions.

ZÜND AUTOMATIC/ROBOTIC BOARD HANDLING

Zünd’s fully automated Board Handling System BHS150 continues to be a great success with digital packaging producers implementing Zünd’s innovative and reliable automation technology all over the

world. Capable of processing 1.5m stacks, materials up to 4" thick, and maximum processing speeds of 2.8m/9.2ft per sec., the system delivers unprecedented non-stop productivity and throughput, especially when paired with the Zünd dual-beam D3 cutter. Customers are reporting significant reductions in production time and cost, along with the ability to attract more business with larger and more economical short runs. The D3 system can accommodate 3 different tools (e.g., cutting, creasing, perforating) on each beam, and automatic file retrieval via QR code further enables efficient, non-stop cutting even if the stack of uncut materials consists of different jobs of varying lengths.

Digital cutting at an industrial level.

1.5 m Contact us anytime for a demonstration, in person or virtual, tailored to your needs.

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THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

EQUIPMENT

WHY ZÜND?

Engaged for more than three decades in the development, manufacturing, and worldwide distribution of modular, multifunctional digital cutting/finishing equipment, Zünd offers several lines of digital cutters for graphics, packaging, and other demanding industrial applications. The G3/S3 and dual-beam D3 are highly adaptable finishing solutions for custom & prototyping to high-volume digital production environments. For packaging manufacturers, Zünd’s state-ofthe-art cutting systems can accommodate a complete palette of specialized tools for processing all commonly used packaging materials, including protective foams up to 2" and 4" thick (depending on beam height) and 10' wide. Zünd Cut Center, Zünd’s end-to-end digital workflow suite, ensures simple, efficient operation and reliable, non-stop productivity that can

be monitored on-site or remotely. With features such as the fully automated, stackto-stack Board Handling System, robotic pick & place, tandem operation, intelligent or even one-shot register-mark capture and touch-free file retrieval, Zünd can provide customers with the most efficient digital workflow solutions tailored to their specific

requirements. Every component of Zünd’s modular systems is geared to maximizing productivity and adapting to ever-changing digital cutting/finishing needs.

Infous@zund.com 414-433-0700 www.zund.com

The Board Handling System BHS150.

infous@zund.com T: 414-433-0700 www.zund.com

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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EQUIPMENT

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

A.G. Stacker Inc. NEW ESERIES EQUIPMENT & DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY

25 Years of Stacker Innovation | Reality Goes Virtual Founded in 1996 by Clarence and Helen Allen, A.G. Stacker celebrated their 25th year in business in 2021, as an American manufacturer of rotary die cutter stackers and material handling systems.

From 2017 through the unprecedented challenges of 2020 and beyond, A.G. continued its journey into digital technology and engineered new, improved equipment and processes.

With this new commitment to digital innovation, A.G. stepped into their 25th year with full line solutions tailored to meet the needs of smart converters navigating big data, automation, and connectivity.

Joe Wunder, President, states: “A.G. is committed to a digital transformation where engineering, design, service, production, training, and operations all are connected and available anywhere, at any time. We are confident our expanded equipment, technology, and service options will help converters nationwide stay competitive and move forward in their own digital transformations.”

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A.G. unveiled their new fully electric, fully integrated eSERIES equipment lines, digital technologies, and the new A.G. mobile APP, at SuperCorrExpo 2021. These patented and/or patent pending, high speed systems are engineered without pits, pneumatics, or hydraulics.

The new equipment line features order recipe recall systems, integrated safety systems, modular designs, and more, to increase safety, productivity, and connectivity for converters nationwide.

The new products are as follows: eBREAK Bundle Breaker (PP). eBREAK is a patent-pending bundle breaker, capable of variable, straight, nested, and offset breaks, with no pits, hydraulics, or pneumatics. eZF Load Former (P)(PP). This patented and patent-pending load former semi-automatically builds loads up to 96" without pits, hydraulics, or pneumatics. eXT Stacker Front End (P). This new, patented front end design is engineered for extreme rotary die cutter speeds, sheet control, and scrap removal.

A.G. Mobile APP. The A.G. mobile APP empowers A.G. customers with important equipment information such as: maintenance and training along with AR technology and direct connection to A.G. Stacker in the palm of their hand.

AG introduced cutting edge digital Technologies such as Digital Twin, AR & VR to improve engineering, operator training, customer collaboration, and service/support options.

To learn more about these new systems, visit www.agstacker.com.

INNOVATION COMES STANDARD

In addition to the new eSERIES equipment and full line solutions, A.G.

continues to innovate the important features of the established G3 Stacker and XRI Stacker systems. Notable A.G. Stacker innovations, popular in 2021 for their ability to improve RDC performance, automation, and safety, include: • Sample Quality Rejection System SQR (P) • Divert & Separate System DSS (P) • eTAMP ServoTamp (P) • High Performance Layboy Section HPLX (P) • High Speed Hopper Ejector HSHE (P) • SRX Scrap Release Layboy (PP) • X12 Pitless Lift Conveyor (P)(PP) • ePX Semi-Automatic Pallet Inserter PROUD TO BE 100% MADE IN AMERICA

With a deep pride for being an American Manufacturer, A.G. employs some of the best welders, electricians, and technicians in the country. From engineering to sourcing and machining to assembly, A.G. manufactures all equipment and parts in their Weyers Cave, Virginia USA facility. This has created a strategic advantage for the company and their North American customers, combatting the supply chain troubles haunting many converters today. With multiple patents and new innovations on the horizon, A.G. looks forward to assisting converters with proprietary equipment and services to propel them into the future of converting, for years to come.

For more information about A.G. Stacker, visit www.agstacker.com or call 540-234-6012 (P) = Patented (PP) = Patent Pending Tim Connell Director of Sales tconnell@agstacker.com 973-495-2355

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

EQUIPMENT

Bahmueller Together we break new ground The last one and a half years have been some of the most challenging times Bahmueller has had and certainly also the entire corrugated board converting industry. Despite these adversities, Bahmueller can look back on a very successful year. We are proud that we accomplish our projects worldwide on time. Despite the global travel restrictions, we were able to install and commission all machines by using creative means and solutions successfully. Even in North America several completely automated converting lines with our TURBOX specialty folder gluer and the associated POWERPACKER for automated take-off were successfully installed. The decisions for buying these lines were based on the highest available output and minimized setup time due to the highest degree of automation and inline quality assurance like DIAGONAL FOLD SUPERVISION (DFS) and glue inspection in combination with single box ejection UNIQUE EJECT to assure Zero-Defect delivery. In addition, several customers bought a BGM flexo folder gluer offered by BGM brand, the cooperation of Bahmueller and Goepfert machinery, in order to keep up with the increased demand on print quality, capability for the heaviest double and triple

wall qualities and the flexible gluing and stitching sealing method.

We had not rested on our success of the TURBO specialty folder gluer technology and BGM flexo folder gluer and therefore were able to present the latest generation of Bahmueller semi-automated sealing line for 1- and 2-piece stitched, glued and/or taped boxes during the SuperCorr 2021 in Orlando, Florida. Our new Multi Double Line (MDL) is equipped with the latest servo drive technology, machine user interface (HMI) and the latest glue application development of the combination of cold and hot melt glue. With this, we

face the demand for increased efficiency, user-friendliness and sustainability.

In order to meet the further trend in automation and the associated demand for our most automated converting equipment, Bahmueller decided to build another production and assembly hall. The construction of the new hall has begun and is expected to be completed in early 2022. This will enable Bahmueller to achieve a significant increase in capacity as well as the ability to respond more quickly and flexibly to customer requirements.

Following the motto “Team up with us”, we look forward to being a part of our customers’ continued success in the following years.

Since 2016 Area Sales Manager NorthAmerica for Bahmueller Degreed Engineer for printing and publishing Benjamin Lauterbach Area Sales Manager hob@bahmueller.de +49-159-0401-7603

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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Bobst North America BOBST FFG 8.20 EXPERTLINE: turning e-commerce challenges into opportunities The already booming e-commerce sector has skyrocketed even further in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with global revenue from online sales in the second quarter of 2020 growing by an extraordinary 71% compared to the previous year.1 With the vast majority of online products delivered in corrugated packaging, the use of corrugated board in e-commerce is set to expand rapidly—at a CAGR of 14.3% through to 2022, compared to a CAGR of 2.9 for packaging overall.2 For corrugated manufacturers and converters, these surges in demand can be very challenging to deal with, but are a fact of modern business life. These are disruptive times—even before the global pandemic, technology had disrupted retail and manufacturing on a global scale.

Combine ever-increasing competition and pressures around shorter times to market, smaller lot sizes, sustainability and quality control, and the pressures are manifold.

Although nobody could have predicted the pandemic, BOBST had already been leading a necessary transformation in the industry to ensure it is prepared for a rapidly changing world. BOBST has built this transformation around four main pillars: connectivity, digitalization, automation and sustainability. Right now, these values—particularly automation and connectivity—are more essential than ever.

These values are perfectly encapsulated by the BOBST FFG 8.20 EXPERTLINE, which is simply the most efficient solution to make corrugated boxes. It is a highly automated and modular Flexo FolderGluer line, which combines multiple flexo press units with slotter, rotary die-cutter and folder-gluer elements. It can convert

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up to 24,000 boxes per hour, with an incredible set-up or change time of less than two minutes.

This is possible because it is so highly automated, with non-stop feeding at rated speed and smooth and ultra-quick order changeover. Pre-feeding is automatic without operator intervention, as is the introduction of the first sheets of each order. The machine uses Sequential Order Change (SOC) to achieve these ultraquick set-up times with optimal safety conditions for the operators. Each part of the line begins its set-up of the next job while sheets from the previous order are still clearing its downstream units.

With this advanced level of automation, fewer operators—only two—are needed.

They benefit from an extremely userfriendly interface, with an intuitive HMI (human machine interface) allowing full control of the machine through box visualization. The user-friendliness of the line allows for a very fast learning curve for new operators, in case mobility is needed between production lines.

Folding is all fully automated and crucially, the reliability and quality of the boxes are extremely consistent. But the key aspect of the BOBST FFG 8.20 EXPERTLINE for e-commerce packaging is its extraordinary productivity.

Short set-up times, high speeds and high reliability mean that high volume orders can be met. “If I had to pick a phrase to describe this machine,” said one BOBST customer, Jimmy Garfinkle, who is president of BOBST MitchelLincoln Packaging, “it would be ‘Total Productivity.’ Not only did we replace an aging machine with the new capabilities,”

he said, “but we more than doubled our productivity on that line.”

It has also helped companies to break world records. In 2020, Saica Warrenpoint, a UK-based corrugated converting plant, achieved a world-record throughput of 191,300 boxes in a single eight hour shift on a BOBST FFG 8.20 BS EXPERTLINE. On top of this exceptional productivity, the line is able to produce multiple height boxes to reduce environmental impact and costs for e-commerce through optimization of the shipping volume, of which 40% is currently air. It offers the widest box range in this category, with a smallest panel of 90mm, a major asset in e-commerce.

Being ready for surges in demand for e-commerce means taking some uncertainties out of the equation—by utilizing greater automation, connectivity, flexibility and quality control in production lines through solutions like the BOBST FFG 8.20 EXPERTLINE, ensuring that challenges become opportunities.

REFERENCES

1. Garf R. Salesforce. 2020. Available online: https://www.salesforce.com/ news/stories/salesforce-q2-shoppingindex-digital-sales-up-71-percent/ 2. Packaging News. Global corrugated packaging set to grow to £270bn by 2023. Available online: https:// www.packagingnews.co.uk/top-story/ global-corrugated-packaging-set-grow -270bn-2023-12-04-2018 Brian Kentopp VP of Sales brian.kentopp@bobst.com

ˍPowering performance

CORRUGATED BOARD

Setting the bar higher Don’t compromise between unbeatable graphics quality and high productivity in printing and converting. Combine both in the most productive corrugated box-making machines.

www.bobst.com

EQUIPMENT

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

C&M Conveyor

S

ince 1982, C&M Conveyor has led the way to innovate robust and safe automation material handling products and systems to address the industry’s ongoing desire for increased quality and throughput, while constantly improving safety.

C&M Conveyor has a formal Voice of the Customer (VOC) process to truly listen to and understand our customers’ needs and values. With this information, our cross-functional teams develop new products, services, and solutions to deliver increased efficiency and velocity while enhancing safety. Our mesh ball rotator and bundle conveyors are examples delivering on these values. C&M’s mesh ball rotator conveyor provides a rollerless surface that utilizes a modular ball-belt and integrated worm gear driven rotational disc. This highly effective design allows us to rotate units at a higher speed and hold the load integrity.

C&M’s mesh ball bundle conveyor allows our customers to achieve transfer rates in excess of 20 bundles per minute and gives them the ability to side-shift, right-angle transfer in one or two directions, and rotate and load build in a smaller footprint. Efficiency at the load former or robotic layer former is improved by grouping bundles together, side-byside, rotating orientation and reducing operator or machine interface.

Another example of how we boost efficiency is with our shipping and distribution systems, which offer higher throughput @240-plus loads per hour.

This system also features an automatic dunnage transfer system for the automatic application of top sheets to finished units to remove the operator constraints.

One additional option with the dunnage transfer system is to digitally print load information on the dunnage prior to

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application to the load. This further removes obstacles within your plant by removing the need for an operator to insert the load tags manually. Our shipping and distribution system utilizes a camera to scan the load for size and shape information and has larger capacity to store customer custom strap patterns.

C&M’s next generation Computer Inventory Management System (CIMS) offers full-plant automation and can identify processes that are not running efficiently or are generating more waste.

It communicates with the customer’s scheduling system and has decision-making software to move material based on the schedule. CIMS also enables strapping systems to interface with scheduling systems and offers scrap tracking capabilities.

With our integrated controls and the pending introduction of predictive maintenance diagnostics, we are looking to prevent unplanned failures while only repairing/replacing equipment and components when maintenance is truly necessary.

In combining Ohio Blow Pipe with C&M Conveyor, we have a tremendous understanding of industry needs and can provide the complete package of customized and integrated material handling and scrap removal systems. We strive to safely and efficiently manage your entire material flow from roll to bale to shipping, and everything in between!

Brett Jaffe CEO bjaffe@cmconveyor.com 216-681-7379

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

EQUIPMENT

Friese German Engineering, Southern Hospitality Since 1992, Friese GmbH has produced one thing—corrugating rolls. FRIESE pioneered tungsten carbide coated corrugating rolls in 1996 and patented our CCS/Thermo-grooves condensate remove system in 1995. With over 60 dedicated employees, 5 grinders, and a capacity to produce 450 sets of rolls per annum we are well positioned to service our customers for many years to come.

This year FRIESE GmbH and SHARP International are pleased to announce the formation of FRIESE North America, LLC. FRIESE North America will be based in Southeast Virginia with Randy Banks and Christian Rodriguez handling the day-to-day operations.

“This is the first step in laying the ground-work for a regrind facility in the United States to service our growing base of North American customers,” states Sven Siepmann, CEO of FRIESE GmbH. “From the first time I met the FRIESE family we have been discussing a manufacturing facility in North America and I could not be more pleased to be a part of this critical next step in our growth strategy,” added Randy Banks.

Please direct your inquiries to: Christian Rodriguez Sales and Customer Service crodriguez@friese-NA.com 757-752-4909 www.Friese-NA.com

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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EQUIPMENT

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Domino The Domino Difference WHY DOMINO?

Domino is a leading manufacturer and distributor of digital printing and product identification solutions. Celebrating our 44th year in business, Domino is a global organization with world headquarters in the UK, and North America headquarters in Gurnee, IL. Domino has 25 subsidiaries, representation in more than 120 countries, and over 2,900 employees worldwide. With over 1,000 industrial inkjet installations globally, Domino is heavily invested in digital technology, is financially strong and stable, and is a trusted business partner. As of June 2015, Domino is a Brother Group Company.

WHY DIGITAL?

Benefits for the Converter…

• With the proliferation of SKUs and shorter run lengths, digital offers “game changing” benefits for converters.

• Digital provides quicker changeover, less make-ready, faster throughput, increased productivity, efficiency, and capacity.

• Digital helps decrease cost, inventory, waste, and material.

• Digital helps increase print jobs per day and profit-per-job.

• Digital creates new opportunities, and the ability to go after new business and enter new markets.

Benefits for the Brand Owner…

• Utilize multiple SKUs / versions (i.e., flavors, colors, varieties, sizes, etc.) for brand differentiation and provide more choices to the consumer.

• Utilize Variable Data Printing for anti-counterfeiting, track & trace, brand protection,

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consumer engagement, loyalty & promo programs.

• Reduce inventory on-hand and have packaging delivered JIT from the converter as needed.

• High quality printing that has color consistency & repeatability with every run, every time.

• The ability to pivot quickly with changes in branding and market messaging.

WHY X630i?

Domino X630i digital aqueous inkjet corrugated press. Built, serviced, and supported in the USA. Small footprint 10' H x 38' L x 21' W. Climate-controlled environmental enclosure. Sun Automation lead-edge, servo-driven feeder. Utilizes a max sheet size of 63" x 118" (max image size 53" x 118"). Prints on coated and uncoated liners without primer.

Polymer-based technology. 600 x 600 dpi print utilizing 4-colors CMYK. AQ95 water-based inks that are Swiss Ordinance, Nestlé & EuPIA compliant. Choice of stacking and OPV options. And acquiring the X630i has never been easier with our In-House Leasing Program!

IN-HOUSE LEASING PROGRAM

Our In-House Leasing Program provides attractive low rates. Fixed monthly payments. No large cash outlay.

No personal guarantees required. No banks or third-party leasing companies involved. You’re dealing directly with Domino. Ramp up program with deferred payments. Bundled with service, maintenance, training, printheads, & Digital Solutions Programs.

And a future-proof trade-in guarantee.

The benefits are endless with this simple, easy, flexible program.

We look forward to working with you. If there is any additional information that you need, please reach out directly to our Sales Manager Lloyd Kent at lloyd.kent@domino-na. com / phone 281-702-4656, or visit our website dominodigitalprinting.com.

Lloyd Kent Sales Manager lloyd.kent@domino-na. com 281-702-4656 dominodigitalprinting.com

EQUIPMENT

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

EAM-Mosca Optimizing performance and reliability since 1982 EAM-Mosca Corporation had a busy 2021 and is excited to announce the introduction of their two newest strapping systems, the MAX-Q SoniXs squaring bundler, and the CTV SoniXs unitizer.

Well known for the highly successful SQ4A Tandem System, EAM-Mosca’s new MAX-Q reinvents the conventional Tandem System for squaring and strapping bundles by combining proven technologies with new designs and product handling.

The new system, which is designed to be used behind a box slitter, integrates two strappers whose position can be varied inside a fi xed-length chassis to align with the strap-to-strap distance of adjoining bundles. Th is unique design allows it to strap two bundles simultaneously without separating the bundle after slitting. By simultaneously strapping, the MAX-Q increases bundle throughputs by 50% from 32 per minute in the current SQ4A Tandem System to 48 per minute.

In addition, the MAX-Q features an innovative, patent-pending variable-length roller conveyor that enables a 48% reduction in line space compared to the SQ4A Tandem System, from 160.8" to only 83.6". The space-saving shorter footprint simplifies the highspeed conveying of unstable small box

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bundles that complicates conventional bundling systems.

EAM-Mosca’s next generation of bundling systems enables box makers to take full advantage of faster flexos and bundle splitters in response to increased demand for small boxes.

Also introduced in 2021 is the fi ve headed CTV-SoniXs®. An all-electric unitizer designed to allow high throughput when strapping units requiring closer strap spacing, a higher number of straps per unit or more units per hour. The CTV combines the speed, reliability and longevity of prior EAM-Mosca SoniXs® unitizers with a narrower version of the SoniXs® strapping head that allows strap spacings as close as 9 inches with up to 5 heads per unitizer.

Heads and tracks may be placed at spacings of 9, 9, 23.5 and 15 inches.

Three straps can be applied in a single hit within 18 inches and up to 5 straps can be spaced as wide as 56 inches.

The benefit is a higher percentage of single hit units, enabling the system to approach peak production levels for a wider range of unit load variation and strapping requirements.

Importantly, the narrow version of the SoniXs® sealing head is a

reconfi guration of the current SoniXs® unitizer head that has been the key component for the Mosca Unitizer program for well over a decade. Thus, the narrower version provides customers with all the performance and reliability of the current SoniXs® unitizer head while accommodating the required strap patterns of small loads with a single platen hit.

Both innovations will allow customers to future proof their production, especially given the increase in e-commerce shipments and related small box demand. The resulting combination of higher unit throughput and less stable units requires more straps and faster throughput to maintain bundle or unit load integrity.

EAM-Mosca strives to be forward thinking with the goal to help customers be prepared to handle current packaging trends, and to be ready for upcoming changes that might occur six months or six years down the road.

Randy Wright VP Corrugated Industry Sales randy.wright@eammosca.com 570-582-9316 (mobile) EAM-Mosca Headquarters phone: 570-459-3426

TRUST THE INDUSTRY LEADER FOR SUPERIOR STRAPPING SOLUTIONS. At EAM-Mosca, we pride ourselves in keeping on the cutting edge of technology.

We design, develop, and engineer highly reliable, top-performing strapping systems for our customers with the greatest return on investment.

All our corrugated bundlers and electric unitizers feature Mosca’s proprietary SoniXs® Sealing Technology for superior performance and reliability.

Contact Us Today!

www.eammosca.com | info@eammosca.com | 570-459-3426

EQUIPMENT

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Fujifilm The Ultra-Productive OnsetX HS Printers nsetX HS, the latest addition to the OnsetX printer series, offers increased print productivity, greater automation and reduced operator intervention, resulting in a significantly more productive printer.

The OnsetX HS presence is driven by three main attributes: quality, productivity and price. On the quality side, the 14 picoliter printheads offer the “sweet-spot” in print quality. The Onset class-leading image quality is attributed to Fujifilm Inkjet Technology integration including FUJIFILM Dimatix printheads and Fujifilm Uvijet inks. In addition to drop size, a full-width printhead array spans the entire width of the print bed, eliminating textural banding that is sometimes associated with traditional scanning print technology. Uvijet inks are formulated specifically for the Onset to perform at high print speeds, and meet the performance demands across a wide range of substrates.

As for productivity, increases in productivity are an ongoing development requirement because burst capacity and expedited job turnaround time are increasingly important for anyone producing print.

From a pricing standpoint, as digital print for corrugated continues to grow, price sensitivity and competition continue to grow and standing out from the crowd becomes increasingly important.

O

Speed Matters.

One of the most alluring qualities of the OnsetX HS is that its features increase the headline productivity of the machine in all print modes, which means even greater print speeds from the same trusted printers. This is achieved by increasing the print jetting frequencies while ensuring print quality and stability are not compromised.

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The HS also offers an optimized 2-pass print mode, titled “Single Cycle.” Jetting frequencies and drop placement have improved relative to the previous 2-pass, and the OX ink technology means adhesion to plastic media can be achieved in the “Single Cycle” mode.

The OnsetX HS also offers automated side shutters and automated table skin adjustment. The OnsetX HS UV shutters are automatically adjusted dependent on media size. In the past, the operator would need to open the side of the machine and manually adjust the shutter on both sides of the machine. With additional automated features, the OnsetX HS is the pinnacle of productivity.

The automated table skin adjustment was previously a manual task, and as a result is rarely adjusted. By automating this process, zero-masking is much more achievable resulting in even fewer operator interventions and therefore increased uptime and faster job turnaround.

With productivity and throughput as a priority, a key feature of the OnsetX HS is the 30 second set-up, which defi nes the time it takes to change job

types in the new fully automated mode.

Th is includes robot effector adjustments, table skin adjustments and side shutter adjustments, and cuts set-up time from 10-15 minutes down to 30 seconds, not including substrate stack changes. With the productivity potential to send your business to the next level, the OnsetX HS is revolutionizing wide format corrugated printing.

Becky is the Wide Format Inkjet Segment Manager, and has spent more than seven years at Fujifilm managing the WFIJ printing system solutions from entry-level to the most high productivity wide format equipment, as well as the digital UV inks that are integrated with these systems.

Becky McConnell Segment Marketing Manager, Wide Format Inkjet rmcconnell@fujifilm.com 630-259-7253 https://www.fujifilmpackaginginsights. com/onsetx3-hs-c/

EQUIPMENT

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

GF Puhl Co. Inc.

Dust and Trim Collection and the ‘Laws of Physics’ We often are called in to survey and troubleshoot an existing trim and/or dust collection system that is not working well.

The majority of the time the customer has done their best to maintain their system and many times has taken extraordinary measures to keep their system running.

Most often we find that the system has been added to without engineering and up-sizing capacity, undersized from the start, or poorly designed for the application. We call this “Breaking the Laws of Physics”. These laws or standards in the dust and trim collection system industry primarily involve proper sizing of the dust filter air-to-cloth ratio, separator screen sizing, having the correct blower performance and type, having some baler surge capacity designed into the system, and the proper sizing, type and layout of the ductwork.

Maintaining minimum conveying velocity is also key to avoiding scrap collection system problems especially when you are manufacturing products that are at or near your die cutter’s size and configuration limits.

Undersizing the system costs less up front, but the system owner ends up paying for it and more over the long term, sometimes without realizing it.

Recurring long term small problems can consume profits and are difficult to address if the system is not designed

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BOXSCORE January/February 2022

for the task. A single scrap duct jam is considered a small problem unless it happens regularly over time for many years. Excessive fi lter media change outs, down time due to jams and dusty baler rooms are all symptoms of these problems.

Today there are several “new” types of dust collectors and filters on the market, each promising to achieve the same result but at a lower price. Our advice is to look both at the investment cost and the impact these new types of collectors can have on your operation when having to shut production down to change filter media often or in unplanned emergency situations where the filter is breached and dusting your plant.

At Puhl we do not try and break the “laws of physics” when designing our systems to be the low bidder. Our customers appreciate this approach and have over many years told us this in many ways. Our system design approach is to include factors of safety on system capacity, performance and endurance.

This allows us to offer a system that is both reliable and cost effective when all costs are considered, and at the same time a system that is NFPA compliant and user friendly.

If you have a system that is not working or are interested in a new system, give us a call at 615-230-9500, or email us at Sales@gfpuhl.com Gregg has been in the trim and dust collection industry his entire career, starting with his first job at his father’s business installing cyclones and balers in the 1970s and later opening his own business in 1983 after his father passed away. Gregg always takes the long term view of maintaining and building customer relationships and stands behind the work we do at Puhl.

Gregg Puhl President and Owner sales@gfpuhl.com 615-230-9500

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

EQUIPMENT

Global Boxmachine Global Offers New Equipment to Expand your Capabilities Established in 1955, Global Boxmachine LLC is one of the largest distributors of new and used corrugated box making and converting equipment in the USA and throughout the world. We are proud to partner with KL Carton Machinery of Guangzhou, China to bring a host of innovative converting machinery to the North American marketplace to meet the needs of the boxmaking community.

KL is in the process of building a new 1,000,000 square foot manufacturing facility, more than doubling their capacity.

Global is the exclusive distributor for KL in North America.

Starting in 2016, with the debut of our K7io 1+3 rotary die cutter at SuperCorr, Global Boxmachine has continued to introduce new products and technology to the market. We were the first company to ever produce a box on the SuperCorr floor with inside out printing in a single pass. This machine is available in 66" X 110", 66" X 125" and 66" X 142".

With their 2017 acquisition of Shinko Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd. (Japan), KL continues to invest in high speed, high quality boxmaking technology and gives Global another valuable sales tool.

In 2017, Global debuted the KLS flexo folder gluer, which was the marriage of our established K7 press with the Shinko high speed folding section. It can also print inside and out in a single pass at speeds up to 288 boxes per minute. The KLS is available in 35" X 94" and 50" X 110" configurations.

In 2020, Global debuted the K1X jumbo series with sizes from 66" x 142" up to 98" X 225". Our first installation was an 86" x 210" in line flexo folder gluer with die cutting featuring a downstacking counter ejector and compression

section, capable of running at speeds of up to 4800 sph. This series can also be produced as a jumbo printer slotter.

This year brings our first US installation of the Shinko Super Alpha high speed, fi xed architecture, flexo folder gluer with run speeds up to 350 spm. This is a quick set while running machine that we offer in both 925 and 1227 sizes. This machine comes with our patented Carrying Belt System, which firmly holds the sheet 20mm from the left and right edges along with a center carrying belt with suction. This system provides maximum sheet stability along with tremendous energy savings.

The year 2021 also brought the addition of a new product line to Global Boxmachine. We are proud to be the sole North American distributor of the Zihong GL Quest 2800 specialty folder gluer. In sizes up to 110", this gluer is equipped with vacuum stream feeder, motorized folding rails, HHS 4-gun glue system, servo driven backfold system, auto-lock, 4 & 6 corner gluing capabilities, squaring system and compression section along with a monitor with camera. The Zihong provides exceptional capabilities at an amazing value and has been well received.

Of course, at our roots is the used equipment business. Although new machinery is a huge amount of our product mix now, used equipment is still integral to who we are. Because of our reach in the used

market we are able to offer extraordinary value for trade in equipment. In addition to our inventory, through our broad dealer network, if you can’t find it, we will.

Global Boxmachine, along with our valued partners, KL/Shinko and Zihong, will continue to bring innovative converting solutions to the North American market. With over 30 machines deployed in the North American market, we also have our own dedicated parts and service team to keep your machine well maintained and running in top condition.

Our own parts depots in Chicago and Phoenix keep our customers well supplied.

Although 2020 and 2021 were certainly challenging years for our industry and for the world, Global continued to push forward with creative solutions for our customers and partners to deliver the service and support they expect. 2022 will bring a raft of new installations and continued growth and innovation. Global is very excited for what the future holds.

Please join us for an in person or virtual visit to see one of our machines in production. We have new and used solutions for all of your boxmaking challenges.

Todd Olson National Sales Director Todd@boxmachine.com 847-732-5548

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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EQUIPMENT

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Machine Compare The tech start-up revolutionizing industrial trade Manufacturing professionals are all too familiar with factory storerooms holding huge quantities of spare parts to safeguard against lost production, potential stockouts and an inability to sell in the event of a breakdown. The industrial tech start-up, Machine Compare, has spent the last four years evaluating this underreported area of manufacturing and engineered a way to reverse the supply chain upon finding that millions of parts are being sent for scrap each year.

And the move is transforming industrial trade, globally.

ABOUT MACHINE COMPARE

Machine Compare was founded in 2014 by brothers Ben and Eric Findlay, with the vision of changing how the world trades industrial machinery and spare parts.

What started as an online platform for machinery sellers to list capital equipment has evolved to include an auction sales environment, on-site personalization, tailored experiences for buyers and sellers, chatbots, subscription-based payment terms and new marketing channels to increase traffic and conversion.

Buyers benefit from being given an accurate sense of the machines they’re viewing, with enhanced details including product photography, video, location search and extra communication features such as webinars to demonstrate equipment and reduce carbon emissions.

The platform features machines from a range of industries, including corrugated, packaging, paper and printing, plastics and everything in-between.

In March 2021, Machine Compare enhanced its portfolio with the launch of a first-of-its-kind e-commerce

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Marketplace for new, refurbished and unused surplus spare part stock.

MAKING THE WHOLE WORLD YOUR SPARE PARTS STOREROOM

The Amazon-esque e-commerce platform Machine Compare Marketplace allows manufacturers with unused inventory to list items for sale, and buyers in need of replacement or additional parts to search a growing database of over $20M worth of parts.

With B2B buyer expectations tipping in favor of digital-first experiences, and environmentally conscious professionals leading the way for industrial trade, the platform comes at the perfect time.

By adopting a circular business model, Machine Compare not only responds to consumer demands for digital experiences, but simultaneously reduces carbon footprints and lead times. It also allows buyers to access lower priced parts, whilst enabling sellers to generate new revenue streams by turning surplus stock into capital.

Additional benefits include: Buyers • Access hard-to-find parts • Contribute to the circular economy • Discover the best prices • Purchase from industry leading traders • Enjoy fast fulfilment

Sellers • Generate new revenue streams • Reduce carbon footprint • Stop spare parts ending up in landfill • Reach millions of verified buyers • Take stress out of inventory management More than 30 multi-national manufacturers have already partnered with Machine Compare to sell their surplus inventory, showing a clear appetite for change. BHS, DS Smith, Stora Enso, Smurfit Kappa, Nestlé, JBS, Chicago Electric, AB InBev and UCIC are among the growing list of manufacturers listing their surplus inventory, taking the number of individual brands, including spare part manufacturers and sector specific OEMs on the website, to over 350.

Become part of this global community and join the movement in changing how industry trades, globally.

To learn more about Machine Compare, please visit marketplace.machinecompare. com or call +44 (0) 1615135907.

Benjamin Findlay CEO ben@machinecompare.com +44 (0) 791208844

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

EQUIPMENT

Solema USA

T

he leader and partner you need in the graphic arts and paperboard converting business. With over 39 years of experience, our company is proven in using our talent, ambition, and creativity to serve our customers in new & unique ways.

Go Modular with Uni.Co • pads, corner protectors, other protections, supports • cutting, scoring, creasing, perforating • fillers, dividers, partitions

Our machines will work for you and your business to provide optimal protection for anything from a wine bottle down to a test tube or even for small electrical parts, helping you deliver your products to the customer safely.

C. Scott Ellis President csellis@solemausa.com 765-376-2280 www.solemausa.com

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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Stickle Steam Specialties Stickle Corrugated Steam System Dashboard Stickle Steam Specialties continues to see success with its Corrugated Steam System Dashboard. Let us, the experts, monitor your steam system during full production, alert you when any issues arise, and deliver the support you need when you need it the most. Our Dashboard monitors your steam system 24/7, ensuring safety, quality, and reliability for your steam system from boiler room to corrugator. By retrieving real time

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data, the Dashboard allows you to make instantaneous decisions to optimize your plant, as well as develop long term execution goals to operate at peak performance. We manage to achieve this by installing ultrasonic recording devices on boiler room and corrugator equipment.

These devices relay all data points to the secure data host in the cloud, and the Dashboard visually presents this in a graphical format for the end user to better make decisions for their steam system.

While building your Dashboard interface

Stickle Steam can customize each data point to our customer’s request. Bring the ability to stay informed, be proactive with safety, and decision-making and make data-driven system decisions to your facility—talk to us about the Corrugated Steam System Dashboard.

Please give me a call.

Will Stickle Sales Executive wpstickle@sticklesteam.com 317-636-6563

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American Corrugated Machine Corp.

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n industry leader since 1985, American Corrugated Machine Corp. is a broker of new and used equipment from industry leaders such as Torosian Tech Services, Engineered Recycling Systems, Sechang Machinery Company, RJE Machinery, Potdevin, and Marumatsu. American Corrugated Machine also specializes in expert ASA appraisals.

Patrick Szany President pszany@acm-corp.com 800-528-2331 www.acm-corp.com

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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Baldwin Technology Top Three Technologies for Corrugated Printing | Automate and Enhance Your Printing Process with Intelligence With the increase of e-commerce and the higher amount of delivered goods, the demand for corrugated production is sky high. Yet the market is fragmented with many corrugated printers and tough competition. Along with the need to differentiate their businesses in this tough climate with faster, safer and sustainable processes, corrugated printers need to satisfy increased customer demands for high quality packaging.

Thanks to three key technologies from Baldwin, corrugated printers will improve sustainability, safety, production speeds, waste reduction and more. Learn about the top three technologies here or at this free, on-demand webinar: https:// bit.ly/35bC84a!

With more than 100 years’ experience building equipment for printing presses, it is impossible to fi nd another manufacturer of allied equipment for printing that can match Baldwin’s pedigree. Baldwin’s products are used by high-graphics corrugated printers across the globe to automate common cleaning tasks, as well as for curing and drying of inks or coatings as part of print-production processes. Baldwin also provides consumables (such as cleaning cloths and detergents), parts and aftermarket service, making Baldwin a single-source solution with cleaning, drying and curing technologies.

Baldwin manufactures a full portfolio of capital equipment and related consumables that help printers achieve better results every day. The solutions work in tandem with presses, whatever their make, and Baldwin’s expert team ensures that printers get the expected return in operational efficiencies.

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TECHNOLOGY 1 – CLEANING SYSTEMS

Baldwin manufactures leading solutions for cleaning high-graphics presses running corrugated materials. The FlexoCleanerBrush™ is Baldwin’s flagship solution to enhance print quality and improve worker safety in corrugated printing. The system automatically removes dust and contamination from the plate and picks hickeys in seconds during production, without stopping the press. It also performs full end-of-job plate cleaning and drying in fewer than four minutes, enabling multiple plates to be cleaned more efficiently, both during and between print runs. This results in dramatically increased uptime, production capacity and sustainability.

See FlexoCleanerBrush in action at this free on-demand webinar: https://bit. ly/3kdgXF1.

TECHNOLOGY 2 – LED UV CURING SYSTEMS

Baldwin builds UV curing systems that are primarily used to cure coatings as part of the corrugated printing process.

The reliable designs are known for providing exceptional curing, which

leads to more brilliant appearance of coatings. Baldwin’s X Series™ LED curing equipment consumes up to 80% less energy than conventional UV systems. It dramatically increases gloss levels. Learn more about LED UV curing: https://bit. ly/31kvuYj. TECHNOLOGY 3 – IR DRYING SYSTEMS

With more than 10,000 installations worldwide, Baldwin is one of the printing industry’s leading suppliers of IR drying systems. Designed for corrugated flexo printing presses, the FlexoDry™ infrared drying system is an ultra-efficient IR solution that delivers high-quality printing and significant productivity gains. It uses infrared energy generated by patented Diamond IR lamps and an optional integrated hot-air knife airflow system to achieve perfect drying at top speeds.

FlexoDry systems can be retrofitted onto existing presses, or integrated as part of a new press installation. Learn how the FlexoDry operates at this free on-demand webinar https://bit.ly/3j5Ov6M. Contact Baldwin’s sales team and learn more at https://bit.ly/3bjnVp6.

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

EQUIPMENT

Baumer hhs

Quality Control and Corrugated Case Production The control of quality in a corrugated plant is increasingly critical to ensure that the cases delivered to customers perform reliably in automatic case erecting machines and make up accurately.

Baumer hhs offers a wide range of proven quality control solutions to manage the quality on Flexo folder gluers and Specialty folder gluers.

Flexo folder gluer applications use our rugged and reliable non-contact triple valve. The automatic, integrated water bath prevents the glue in the nozzles from drying out so that the fi rst box through the machine is glued correctly to minimize waste and maximize quality. Optical glue detection options include the cost-effective MLT and our fully featured Xcam. Machines with only a single side glue frame can benefit from our Inverto, which is capable of top down and bottom up glue from a single glue station. Inverto can be optioned with integrated glue detection if desired. As our most cost-effective solution, Baumer hhs has introduced a very competitive FFG GO glue system that cuts cost yet still retains our performance advantages of high pressure, non-contact application.

Flexo folder gluer applications can also use our Box Monitoring solutions to control the manufacturers’ GAP as well as slot depth monitoring. Both GAP and slot real time trend lines may

be displayed on the screen to provide immediate feedback as the operator sets up the machine for optimal box quality.

Our real time results are accurate for finished boxes, even after passing through the counter-ejector where it is “spanked” with a squaring device before ejecting the bundle.

Bundle reject signal options can be applied to any of these quality devices, allowing them to interface with most commercially available bundle reject solutions.

Specialty folder gluer options pair our proven high pressure non-contact glue application with our Xcam camera solution to scan for glue, anti-glue, skew, folded flaps, print and other targets. Our wide view application places the cameras out of harm’s way and reduces the need to reposition the QC cameras during a setup change. Fast and easy QC setup is accomplished via the large format touch screen. Defects may be sprayed for manual removal from the product stream, or optionally interfaced with an ejector for fully automated removal.

For more information on how Baumer hhs can improve your quality, contact our sales team at sales.usa@baumerhhs.com or 937-886-3160.

Richard Pallante became President of Baumer hhs’ USA and Canada subsidiary in January 2020. Pallante joined the company in 2017 as Business Development Manager–Packaging.

Richard Pallante President – Baumer hhs USA and Canada rpallante@baumerhhs.com 937-886-3160

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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BHS Corrugated

B

HS Corrugated is the leading supplier of Corrugators, Corrugator Technology, and Corrugator Lifecycle Support. The continued development of our products is driven by our vision for the factory of the future “Box Plant 2025”. “Box Plant 2025” incorporates the foundation of our corrugator products, the operation of our Digital and Logistics offerings, and the support of our Lifecycle services. With options from 72" to 132" and production speeds up to 1500 FPM, our portfolio of corrugators can meet any production needs.

The following are a sampling of the various product lines offered by BHS Corrugated: Width Line – As the only supplier to offer a 132" corrugator, BHS continues to provide options for our high output customers. The Width Line can be configured as single, double, or triple wall on the Wet-End and double or triple knife on the Dry-End. Additionally, it can now achieve speeds up to 1300 FPM. These options make the BHS Width Line second to none in its production capabilities.

Speed Line – Offering a true 1500 FPM capable line in both 98" and 110", the Speed Line is ideal for the high output box plant or sheet feeder. This option can be configured in double or triple wall at the Wet-End as well as double or triple knife on the Dry-End. Volume Line – Offering 110" line with a top speed of 1300 FPM suited for the high-volume box plants & Sheet Feeders of today.

All the above lines incorporate the leading technology that sets BHS apart, which includes the BHS belted single facer technology that has made the Modul Facer the leading high performance single facer in the market. Our single facer family also includes the AF-P and the newest addition EF-P. Our corrugator lines go well beyond, and also include the Value and Quality lines. From 1000 FPM to 1500 FPM or

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72" to 132", BHS Corrugated has the corrugator to meet your production needs now and long into the future.

All corrugator lines, regardless of speed or width, are prepared to take your plant into the digital age. All machines come prepared with iCorr®. The iCorr® Universe comprises the digital product portfolio of BHS Corrugated. You—the customer—are at the center of the iCorr® Universe which includes, but is not limited to, iCorr® Operations Support—a truly digital online monitoring of your corrugator parameters and performance around the clock. The iCorr® Operations Support makes it possible to identify production loses at an early stage and reduce stop times to a minimum.

In addition to this aspect of the iCorr® Universe, there is also the iCorr® Assist Glasses. These glasses allow you to get the experts of BHS Corrugated directly to your corrugator within seconds; the state-of-theart wearable technology allows for audio & visual support anywhere at any time.

BHS Intralogistics is the next piece in the plan of “Box Plant 2025”. BHS Intralogistics brings to market BHS iMotion which comprises the BHS iLifter autonomous clamp truck and the BHS iShuttle for autonomous paper roll delivery to the corrugator.

Coupled with the BHS iCMS warehouse

management and control ensures a seamless dynamic paper roll handling solution.

Rounding out “Box Plant 2025” is the most transformative innovation from BHS—The RSR® Digital Print Unit. The RSR® (Roll to printed sheet in real time) from BHS Corrugated is a high-volume digital printer designed for requirements of corrugated box. With speeds up to 1000 FPM and working width up to 110", this is a state-of-the-art machine. With its modular design, it can be configured based on your production requirements.

Want to know more about the BHS Corrugated RSR®? Contact your local BHS representative to find out how.

For all the product offerings BHS offers, we match them with the opportunity for corresponding Lifecyle products to support you through the many years of operation. From traditional maintenance to full maintenance of your equipment, NICE (not including capital expenditure) rolls for all your corrugating roll needs, C.A.R.E (corrugating roll cart exchange program), and the list goes on. We have the product to match your needs today and long into the future. To learn more about any of the BHS Corrugated products, please contact us at northamerica@bhs-world.com.

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EQUIPMENT

BW Papersystems A Corrugator Built for Your Needs BW Papersystems is a premier corrugator manufacturer with a wide range of complete corrugators and corrugator components to match your specific production needs. Every plant has different requirements with respect to paper types, paper grades, web width, overall production capacity and speed. BW Papersystems machines are customized to meet those specific requirements.

These solutions are categorized as Performance, Harmony and Value Corrugators: The Performance Corrugator offers maximum production and board quality.

This line features the Sentinel, a complete corrugator control system, which automatically optimizes all process variables, monitors board quality and facilitates information to be communicated throughout the corrugator. Designed to work as one unit, the Fusion Knife Stacker can be configured to be up to 1,500fpm in 98" and 112" widths.

The Harmony Corrugator is designed for customers looking for a value on cost-to-performance, and a “crushless” corrugator that offers quality board to satisfy their market requests. This is a customized solution with a modular design to meet your market needs. The Harmony Corrugator is available in 98" and 110" widths at speeds from 1,000 to 1,150fpm.

The Value Corrugator is reliable and cost effective, with an emphasis on cost-to-performance ratio. The Value Corrugator, and its comprehensive

management system, fits well in markets that require a high volume of order changes, with moderate demand for product output for narrow to wide widths.

Value Corrugators can be configured in 70", 87", 98" and 110" widths with speeds from 650fpm to 1,150fpm.

In addition to complete corrugators and corrugator components, they offer VortX Starch Mixing Systems in a variety of configurations to meet your production needs and can process all types of starch.

The MarquipWardUnited rotary die cutters from BW Papersystems will help you meet any customer requirements.

The ServoPro and G-Grafi x Rotary Die Cutters can be configured with

single pass inside print. The MaxPro Rotary Die Cutter is the fastest rotary die cutter in the world, proven to run over 200 sheets per minute, with set-up while run functionality, on a true 128". The G-Grafi x Flexo Folder Gluer offers a variety of widths and print unit configurations all of which can include single pass inside print. Additionally, by combining a dual slotter with a TwinBox Slitter™, you will double flexo production.

Contact BW Papersystems at sales@bwpapersystems.com or visit www.bwpapersystems.com to learn more.

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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Corrugated Solutions Our Corrugated Solutions. Your Converting Success.

Corrugated Solutions was founded with a passion for problem solving in 2017, by Michael Klear and Michael Prassel. With over 40 years of combined experience in the corrugated and the pulp and paper industries, the Mikes started a journey to assist converters around the country by finding them the best solutions to meet their goals and needs.

“We take pride in working with the best suppliers in the industry to provide our customers with innovative services that keep their plants running efficiently and profitably.” Says Michael Klear, President of Corrugated Solutions.

CORRUGATED SOLUTIONS PARTNERS

Sun Automation Group. SUN is a global industry leader providing box plants with innovative corrugated solutions for feeding, printing and converting.

Kristian Dillard, Midwest Regional Sales Manager, says, “Through SUN, we off er multiple upgrade and retrofit options for plants looking to extend the life of their current machines. One of the more exciting opportunities for plants right now is the Spectrum Inside Print retrofit, giving converters the ability to print on both sides of the box in one pass.”

PARA. PARA offers a variety of material handling and machinery solutions designed for efficient handling from corrugator to converting line and beyond.

Latitude Machinery Corporation.

LMC is a world-class manufacturer of Corrugated Converting Equipment, specializing in Flexo Folder Gluers and Rotary Die Cutters.

“Some of the top LMC features popular among our clients are the low total cost of ownership, the simplified engineering and controls and the set while run capabilities,”

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says Cody Brant, Southeast Regional Sales Manager.

Helios IIoT. Helios is a new AI and machine learning platform that is OEMagnostic and engineered to provide users access to robust, actionable insights into the performance of their machines.

Michael Prassel, COO, exclaims, “The potential for Helios is enormous! With remote monitoring, anomaly detection and predictive maintenance data, converters can be more efficient than ever using this new IIoT technology.”

Highcon. Highcon has developed a unique and proprietary technology for digital cutting and creasing solutions for post print processes.

C&M Conveyor. C&M Conveyor has been providing industrial conveyor systems and designs, including, automatic chain transfers, strapper consoles, transfer car conveyors and more, for over 30 years.

“It’s an exciting time for C&M—with the new branding of C&M Conveyor and Ohio Blow Pipe to ‘Innoveyance’ we’re excited to off er reliable conveyor systems with a refreshed look and vision,” says Klear.

Ohio Blow Pipe. Ohio Blow Pipe specializes in custom system solutions for trim/scrap conveying, cyclone based systems and dust collection, since 1932.

Arco Murray. Arco Murray uses a proven design-build methodology to

bring converters’ production floors to life, while delivering the very best experience.

Simply Packed. Simply Packed is designed to be your one-stop-shop for the essential packaging products you use the most, such as pallet wrap, PPE, tape, strapping and much more.

SOLUTIONS TAILORED TO YOU

From plant builds to capital equipment installs, Corrugated Solutions is here to match you with the right solutions, tailored to your needs and goals. Contact our team today to discover your best Corrugated Solution—www.corrugated solutions.com or call 847-220-8348.

Michael Klear President michaelk@corrugatedsolutions.com 773-677-5122 Michael Prassel Chief Operations Officer michaelp@corrugatedsolutions.com 312-324-0840

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EQUIPMENT

Digital Print, Inc.

F

or industrial box makers who may feel left out when the industry talks about the “digital printing revolution,” now there is a new digital solution to consider. Digital Print, Inc. (DPi) now off ers brown box manufacturers low cost, high speed digital printing that can be retrofitted directly on to your existing converting equipment or built as a stand-alone system.

These systems allow box makers the economics of flexo, with the advantages of digital printing: • No printing plates • No set-ups or wash-ups / increased output • No flute crush • Speed to market • Variable printing for bar codes, sequential numbering, etc.

DPi’s economical and simple to use technology can be made in almost any width or number of colors, with print speeds that can exceed 1000 feet per minute. DPi’s systems also use environmentally friendly water-based inks, engineered for high speed

printing on the kraft & mottled white substrates that you use every day.

Contact DPi today to discover how our low cost, high speed digital printing technology can bring the benefits of digital printing to your box plant.

Stu Brownell Director Corrugated Applications 859-414-4888 stuart.brownell@outlook.com www.digitalprint.com

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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EFI The Importance of Recurring Technology Training EFI ESCADA

Smurfit Kappa is one of the leading providers of paper-based packaging in the world. The company has 240 packaging plants, 34 paper mills and employs over 46,000 people in 35 countries. In the UK, the company operates around 40 facilities, manufacturing a wide range of corrugated packaging, folding cartons, POS displays and one of the larger sheet feeders to the sheet plant market. Smurfit Kappa has three sites in the UK that are dedicated to the production of corrugated sheets.

One of those sites is located in the Fishergate district of Norwich, in the east of the UK. The plant has been a customer of EFI for some time, as they chose to install EFI Escada Profile Process Control System in 2018. The plant saw an immediate improvement in board quality following the installation. Like all existing Escada Profile Process Control users, Smurfit Kappa Fishergate wanted to focus on improving their processes and efficiencies and invested in Escada’s “super user” training program, which not only provided further user system training, but identified areas of improvement within their process.

In early 2021, the Smurfit Kappa team undertook the 4-day, virtual “super user” course that provided advanced system user and process training. The course was structured in such a way that it allowed users and operators to interact with the Escada trainers, ensuring the best possible outcome.

It also enabled the users to focus on their actual process and machinery, which once focused and corrected resulted in production improvement (quality), speed increases (output) and financial payback (ROI).

With tailored content, Escada trainers took users through the system and

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reviewed all the processes enabling them to evaluate what was actually happening on the machine when specific actions or changes were made.

An important learning from the sessions was that some of the users believed that they needed different settings for every single board grade. With the tailored approach, Smurfit Kappa were able to implement The refresher course was such a success simplified settings and recipes, ensuring that production increased overall. “We manageable settings were configured and have also seen a steady improvement in used efficiently. This allowed the system to automatically make any minor adjustments, line speeds as the supervisors understand the importance and benefits of rather than having operator intervention. running with cruise control turned Scott McKail, Production Supervisor, Smurfit Kappa Fishergate, comments: “Since on which before the training was not happening,” says McKail. “The producthe tailored remote super user training contion line speed [seen below] has seen ducted for us here at Fishergate by one of the an overall improvement so far this year.

EFI Escada Process experts, we have seen an Due to the benefits and results we have instant improvement on board quality and a seen from people receiving this training, reduction in customer complaints, especially we are going to organize more courses for warped board which has always been our with EFI for further improvements that biggest cause for returned board.” we can implement.”

He continues: “During the training, the As part of their commitment to enhancEFI Escada Process expert helped us come ing customer experience, EFI has been up with a more efficient run style for our working on several initiatives to help users corrugator by reducing all heat settings of the EFI Escada solutions to stay up to in the hotbeds and triple stack preheaters. date with the latest tips, methods and best Since this was changed, we saw a big practices by launching a video training improvement in all grades straight away hub in May of 2021. The hub delivers and did not have a single warp complaint “espresso” style learning to users of Profile, for over three weeks which has never Syncro and Clarity software solutions. happened here before. The biggest benefit we have noticed is that all supervisors, shift managers and wet-end operators have a much better understanding of how the system actually works and the importance of maintaining sensors, so we have accurate readings at all times.”

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

EQUIPMENT

Esko Packaging Connected.

Esko is a global provider of integrated software and hardware solutions that accelerate the go-to-market process of packaged goods.

For each stakeholder in the process, Esko solutions enable them to work efficiently and deliver right-first-time packaging and marketing content on time, every time.

Packaging for 9 out of 10 major brands is produced by Esko customers. Our goal is to make it easier for CPG and pharma businesses to manage their packaging, labeling, regulatory and marketing content. With our packaging management platform, brand marketing and packaging teams can increase their productivity, reduce costs and save time.

For packaging and label trade shops, premedia service providers and printer converters, we digitize, automate and connect the entire print production process with software and hardware solutions for CAD design, prepress processes, flexo platemaking and print inspection.

Esko is focused on helping our customers achieve greater profitability with effective packaging process management. With the right software to streamline every part of your workflow, the hardware to deliver the quality you want and a team of specialists to assist you every step of the way, Esko is the ideal partner to help you build success now and into the future.

Connect with Esko today— email us at info.usa@esko.com or call 937-454-1721. Visit esko.com to learn more about Esko software and hardware solutions, join on demand and live web events and to connect with your local Esko team.

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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H.B. Fuller Your Partner for Sustainable E-Commerce Packaging Equipment and Tape Solutions As environmental awareness keeps rising, reducing the overall amount of primary packaging materials and using fewer resources are becoming strong demands of end consumers. The fast-growing business of e-commerce has changed the way we buy, and since a large percentage of purchases arrive at the consumer’s doorstep, companies are looking more at right-size packaging options and expecting the use of more recycled materials.

The goal is to reduce their carbon footprint, while ensuring their e-commerce packaging protects the contents and offers excellent customer experience.

SESAME ® SUSTAINABLE TEAR TAPE

Stay ahead of the competition with sustainable e-commerce packaging design, using new award-winning Sesame® Evolution™ fiber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) opening tapes.

H.B. Fuller expert engineers designed Sesame Evolution sustainable opening tear tapes to provide frustration-free opening on e-commerce packages.

Unlike plastic tapes, our breakthrough sustainable fiber-based solution recycles directly with the board, and adds usable fiber to the recycling stream in support of the circular economy. In summary, Sesame Evolution: • Adds usable fiber to recycling stream • Enables mono-material recycling stream • Eliminates plastic substrate The sustainable fiber-based opening tear tape received the Sustainability Award at the European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers (FEFCO) Technical Seminar in 2021.

It is designed for a thrilling consumer “unboxing” experience of everyday packages used to ship goods from e-tailer to consumer.

SESAME ® DRY END SPLICING

Sesame® Dry End Splicing Assembly is especially suitable for e-commerce packaging because dry end PSA opening tear tapes are used for easy frustration-free

opening of mailers, bags and boxes received via online orders. This new H.B. Fuller equipment is designed for easy roll-to-roll splicing with the Sesame PSA tape to eliminate corrugator downtime due to roll changes and help manufacturers improve productivity and respond to the growing need of an efficient supply chain for e-commerce packaging. The system is designed, built and installed

by H.B. Fuller expert engineers who have intimate knowledge of equipment setup to maximize productivity with Sesame tapes.

In summary, the Sesame Dry End Splicing allows manufacturers to: • Efficiently run tape with roll-toroll splicing • Increase corrugator uptime to meet aggressive e-commerce demand • Save money in corrugated board waste and in butt roll waste • Meet OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) goals H.B. Fuller focuses on developing sustainable adhesives, adhesive coated tapes and equipment for the growing e-commerce packaging market. For more information, visit www.hbfuller.com/ecommerce.

Sesame® is a trademark of H.B. Fuller company (“H.B. Fuller”) or an affiliated company of H.B. Fuller.

Tania Montesi Global E-Commerce Business

Development Manager tania.montesi@hbfuller.com 514-220-6876

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THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

EQUIPMENT

Highcon

Digital Die Cutting is Key to Addressing the Changing Corrugated Job Mix The world of corrugated is changing.

No longer the near-exclusive domain of commoditized, low value-added RSCs, corrugated cartons are an increasingly important part of the consumer’s brand experience. Consumers understand that corrugated packaging is sustainable and recyclable, and brands understand that when carrying a clear brand message and a great opening experience, a corrugated box is a valuable asset.

These changes are driving an ever-growing volume of much shorter run corrugated packages. Typically, volumes are smaller than traditional MOQs. Requested lead times are shorter. Boxes may be more intricate, include secure opening mechanisms and custom inserts also made of corrugated for mono-material recyclability. And increasingly such boxes may be ordered via e-commerce channels without the involvement of a salesperson or a conversation. All this is great news for the corrugated industry but represents a challenge for many corrugated converters whose equipment and processes are optimized for different kinds of runs.

In the traditional linear process, each package is run step-by-step through the plant. Each job implies another setup on each piece of equipment, and when the runs are short, that means that there is an adverse setup-to-run ratio. If finishing

happens on a CAD table, then even short-run jobs take hours. Enter Digital Manufacturing that changes these paradigms for the “problematic” new jobs. Jobs are collected, and then using AI-driven imposition software, dynamically ganged to reduce the number of makereadies and tooling costs. Often these jobs will be printed digitally, though there’s no inherent requirement for that. The printed board will then be digitally die cut— because that’s how you make small runs and dynamically ganged jobs affordable and effective. Tooling cost—essentially eliminated. Lead times—essentially eliminated. Cycle times—shortened.

Production time—dramatically cut, if compared to CAD, and not dissimilar to analog if going on a conventional die cutter. The carbon footprint of the jobs is slashed as compared to a job involving multiple conventional dies. If a job is reordered down the road, it’s thrown back into the mix with the other orders of the day, dynamically ganged and produced affordably, quickly and efficiently.

Digital Die Cutting is what Highcon is all about. Highcon combines digitally driven mechanical crease lines with laser die cutting and digital stripping to dispose of all the internal pieces. With the very short-run-centric Highcon Euclid 5C system and the longer-run-centric Beam 2C system in either pallet-based or non-stop configuration, Highcon has a portfolio dedicated to corrugated, both for packaging and display applications.

Though the maximum sheet size is only 42", growing numbers of converters are finding that they have massive volumes of work in this format and that Highcon’s digital die cutting systems can solve their bottlenecks, enhance their agility, increase the capacity of their conventional systems and improve their SLA to customers and profitability for shareholders.

It’s all about the right tool for the right job. Digital die cutting as part of a Digital Manufacturing strategy making the “new” jobs feasible, attractive, effective and environmentally responsible. Alongside the conventional process through which the traditional jobs continue to run effectively.

Simon Lewis Vice President Marketing Highcon info@highcon.net +972-8-9101705 Highcon Americas Michael Ciaramella VP Sales & GM Americas Michael.Ciaramella@highcon.net

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems New innovations for today’s everchanging cutting demands The demands of the global wide format, sign & display and packaging markets continue to grow.

Manufacturers and converters are under increasing pressure to produce faster, safer and more efficiently—without any restrictions that limit the imagination. At Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems, we fuse technology and creativity to deliver the most robust and reliable digital cutting solutions.

Our latest innovations enable businesses to not only meet their own operational needs but also those of their customers, with new cutting tools and solutions that can enhance efficiency, productivity, quality and creativity.

The Kongsberg C Series – the new dimension for digital finishing “The Kongsberg C series is a digital finishing solution that fits today’s production requirements without compromising on size, versatility or quality,” said Stuart Fox, President of Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems. “It is the first multifunction super-wide digital finisher for signage, display, and packaging applications.”

Built for the highest level of performance and redefining the possibilities of digital finishing, the Kongsberg C offers speeds of 100 m/min (66 in/sec) and acceleration up to 1.7G, with quick and precise tool movements, making high quality digital production possible, even under the tightest of deadlines.

“The Kongsberg C table uses aerospace technology that combines an aluminium composite tabletop, a rack

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& pinion drive system and dynamic table mapping to deliver optimum performance through state-of-the-art engineering,” he said. “This combination of features ensures that the table provides the greatest cutting accuracy and consistency.”

The Kongsberg C60, C64 and C66 tables have a carbon composite traverse, which makes it possible to combine speed with quality, even while spanning 3.2 meters. The extreme rigidity of the carbon traverse also enables high speeds, accuracy and a heavy payload, even when working on the most demanding materials.

Boost productivity with full automation A complete pallet-to-pallet solution, the Kongsberg automated Feeder and Stacker enables users to significantly increase productivity. “With its stack height and quick automatic load cycles, it is the optimal solution for short run production on all typical packaging and display materials and can easily cope with a variety of materials,” explained Stuart.

“The underside camera scans each sheet from below on the print side, automatically locating the registration marks, barcodes and the corner of the sheet. This eliminates manual handling, saving the operator as much as 30 minutes on each set up and boosting productivity without compromising on quality.

“Multi-Zone production also allows two sheets to be loaded simultaneously, maximizing production capacity on the Kongsberg table, without the need for costly additions for automation.”

Discover how you can boost your business with the Kongsberg C series, the Kongsberg Feeder & Stacker and the entire range of digital finishing solutions from Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems. Visit www.Kongsbergsystems.com.

Heather Roden Sales Director North America, Kongsberg PCS Heather.Roden@kongsbergsystems.com 815-483-4947

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

EQUIPMENT

Leary, W. H. Improved Automation Delivers Sustainable Packaging W. H. Leary’s advancement in gluing and quality assurance solutions is in response to a need for overall improved efficiencies and customer requests. Greater quality demands, new and innovative paperboard packaging designs and a continued rise in e-commerce packaging use, have customers looking for ways to improve their specialty folder gluers to deliver drastic results.

Leary’s Monet software user interface drastically reduces training needed as evident with the simple and quick New Job Setup. Using box style intel and machine learning, less pages and less button pushes are needed to deliver quick and efficient startups.

The latest Monet 2.12 release features a more secure approach to maintaining box quality and eliminating human error for repeat jobs by storing defined best-practice settings as a default. Pertinent variables, consistent from job-to-job are protected from operator changes, when exceptions are needed these changes are easily made through a password retrieval system that generates a unique short-term password for log-in privileges. Changes are recorded, and at the end of the production run Monet defaults these settings back to the original, ready for the next run and preserving the baseline setup for the future.

Advancements in glue application and quality assurance offer a more hands-off approach, improving automation in a way that maximizes quality and efficiency. Glue application options allow for automatic tip-seal technology to maintain precise application and minimize equipment maintenance at each machine startup. Quality assurance options include glue detection, flaps detection, code reading, box skew and more. These inspection options

require minimum setup and maintenance delivering 100% quality product.

Monitoring production output at all times creates an environment of improved productivity. A large flat screen graphical Production Display has recently been added to Leary’s range of visual management products. Along with programmable multi-color beacons that immediately alert production personnel of a changed or out-of-specification product, these

customizable flat screen displays deliver instant detail about downtime, spoilage, production counts and more. This notification method is fitted above each machine and is a simple add-on to existing iQ data solutions delivering a significant impact in identifying productivity.

Leary’s solutions remove human touch points and improve automation in a way that maximizes customers’ quality and efficiencies.

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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Manroland Sheetfed Manroland Sheetfed’s ROLAND 900 Evolution | A world of new possibilities in large format offset print For innovation, productivity and quality, the ROLAND 900 Evolution from Manroland Sheetfed pushes the boundaries of what is possible in large format press manufacture.

The ROLAND 900 Evolution has been developed for one purpose—to enable customers to produce large format output of consistently superior quality, with compelling eff ects and coatings to bring printed material to glorious life.

Featuring over 50 advanced end-toend automation technologies, this is the ultimate press for large format printing, delivering superb quality, significant cost & energy savings, lower energy consumption and shorter make-ready times.

BREAK THROUGH AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES

The ROLAND 900 Evolution’s Autoprint is the most completely developed logistics system on the market, providing uninterrupted productivity at the touch of a button, with Automatic Plate Loading enabling plates to be mounted and clamped in one step.

InLine ColorPilot 3.0 represents the fastest, most efficient and most accurate color measurement technology available today, combining process and quality control with simultaneous spectral and

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density measurement across the entire width of the print area.

HIGHLY INTUITIVE INTERFACE

PressPilot enables touch operation on large, 23-inch screens, with a highly intuitive, transparent operating interface featuring smartphone-like operation from the feeder. A Multiview infoscreen provides visualization of such additional software modules as InlineColorPilot, InlineObserver and InlineInspector.

PRECISION QUALIT Y CONTROL INLINE

Inline quality control enables faster communication between module and system unit for more accurate diagnosis and display of images, along with fast and accurate color register.

Among the package’s many benefits for press owners and operators are fast ramp-up of productivity curve following installation and commissioning, reduced incidence of unplanned downtime, rapid elimination of looming issues, controlled cost of ownership, lowered maintenance costs and optimum machine stability.

DRIVEN BY SUSTAINABILIT Y

The innovation that is the DNA of Manroland Sheetfed is driven by an ongoing quest for sustainability. The ROLAND 900 Evolution boasts a host of features focused on reduction of waste paper as well as significant noise emission and waste paper reductions.

LEGENDARY QUALIT Y AND PRECISION

PROSERV 360º: YOUR INVESTMENT OPTIMIZED

Manroland Sheetfed provides its complementary ProServ360º supplier maintenance program for press and peripherals for the entire 24-month period following hand-over.

This all-inclusive program has been developed to deliver maximum return on customers’ investment by ensuring presses operate at peak efficiency and maximum up-time, with 24/7 remote service, regular inspection & maintenance, performance analysis, direct access to experts and genuine factory spare parts.

The build and print quality of ROLAND presses is legendary—and widely recognized as the benchmark of excellence in off set printing.

Designed and developed to Manroland Sheetfed’s exacting standards, critical components in every ROLAND press are precision manufactured to tolerances up to 30 times fi ner than a human hair.

To find out more about the Manroland Sheetfed ROLAND R900 Evolution visit www.manrolandsheetfed.com or email info.us@manrolandsheetfed.com.

EQUIPMENT

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America

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he Corrugating Machinery Division of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America continues to expand the capabilities of the EVOL AR Program.

The industry-first Remote Assistance Augmented Reality Program now includes Work Instructions.

Since its launch in 2019, many EVOL customers have already utilized EVOL AR to troubleshoot machine issues without requiring a costly emergency service visit. EVOL AR enables plant managers, technicians, and engineers to easily share issues in real time from their facilities with MHIA experts who can collaborate with them to solve those issues quickly and efficiently.

With Work Instructions, users now have access to a comprehensive library of intuitive reference manuals and training materials using 3D models of the EVOL.

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This AR content currently includes all basic machine calibrations and is continually being expanded to include wear parts replacement, lubrication, operations, and more advanced machine tasks.

The expansion of EVOL AR is in direct response to ongoing customer feedback and collaboration used to enhance the program’s efficacy and value. Prior to the expansion of EVOL AR to include Work Instructions, MHIA built a few AR scenarios for several common Feed Unit calibrations. Because of the overwhelmingly positive feedback to these scenarios, MHIA has rapidly begun expanding the library of AR content.

Novice mechanics, electricians, and more junior technicians will be able to perform complex maintenance tasks more effectively by utilizing this new online procedural content library. Work

Instructions is the culmination of a concerted effort by MHIA to provide customers with a valuable collection of easy to access AR content designed to replace printed or PEF-based operation and maintenance manuals.

“Our customers across North America count on our machinery, technology, and services to stay productive and profitable,” said Darrold Phillips, Senior Vice President, Service and Operations North America. “EVOL AR has proved to be an incredibly powerful tool, one that we will continue to build and expand to meet our customers’ growth and operational needs.”

EVOL AR was developed in conjunction with ScopeAR, a global leader in developing augmented reality solutions and products for industrial clients focused around field maintenance, manufacturing, and training.

EQUIPMENT

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Sauer System Tooling the Industry for over 95 Years For over 95 years, Sauer System has manufactured the highest quality mechanical tooling and upgrades available to the corrugated industry. Our product line continues to set the standards for quality and innovation.

Every Sauer System tool is manufactured from purposely selected materials to exacting tolerances. We start with a fundamental understanding of the job our tools must perform. Our designers and engineers incorporate as many value-added features into each tool as possible, all of which contribute to ease of operation, customization, and longevity.

Since our inception, we have worked on the front lines of the corrugated box industry helping to develop the tooling applications that have brought the industry to where it is today. As pioneers and innovators, we maintain a responsibility

to uphold and exceed the very standards we developed.

Excellent tool design requires a comprehensive understanding of its application.

Every tool is designed to perform a specific task, and only by understanding the task can the tool be designed correctly.

Basic design decisions, such as choice of material, and more complex decisions, such as tolerances, are driven by knowledge of the application.

Sauer System tools incorporate features that contribute to ease of operation, performance, longevity, and customization.

Our designers and engineers are experienced in assessing which of these features can be incorporated into each tool.

Peter Sauer VP – Sales peter.sauer@sauersystem.com 800-444-8458 www.sauersystem.com

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THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

EQUIPMENT

Signode

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ignode, a leading manufacturer of a broad range of end-of-line packaging equipment, tools, consumables as well as end-to-end automation and warehouse automation solutions, is continuing to serve the corrugated industry through its investments in technology, equipment, and service.

Signode’s advancements are designed to help the corrugated industry meet the challenges and opportunities accelerated by exploding E-commerce growth, rising sustainability requirements, and the ongoing need for brand and product protection.

Delivering Optimal Outcomes The organization’s approach to solving client challenges is a careful, step-by-step process aimed at delivering a holistic solution that balances overall value with investment. First, Signode conducts an on-site review of operations to understand challenges and discover opportunities for improvement. Second, the team designs optimal solutions, supplying equipment, software, process, and consumable recommendations that are field tested in its ISTA-certified labs for validation. Third is executing the concept. Signode collaborates with clients to commission equipment, set up automation, configure software, and provide training to help minimize downtime.

The final step is service and support, with the organization facilitating service and operator training, scheduling preventative maintenance, and providing on-site support.

Equipment and Consumable Highlights GCU SMARTFLEX-S COMPRESSION STRAPPING SYSTEM

The innovative GCU SmartFlex-S compresses and straps corrugated loads utilizing a modular head design

for easy maintenance and operation.

Accommodating up to four strapping heads in six positions, the GCU SmartFlex-S provides more strap placement options, improved single stroke capability, and higher throughput to maximize production.

SIG-CORR BUNDLE STRAPPING AND SQUARING SYSTEM

The most advanced combined bundle squarer/strapper of its type currently available, SIG-CORR is a proven, reliable, and economical solution for the corrugated industry.

Designed to maximize productivity, the SIG-CORR features 6-sided automatic squaring and strapping up to 30 bundles per minute for strapping three, four, and multipoint glued boxes.

Product handling guides bundle directly on the critical gluepoint line.

SIG-VCS TANDEM AUTOMATIC CORRUGATED STRAPPING AND SQUARING BUNDLER

Th is novel system combines the power of two squaring bundlers connected with dual zone conveyors to meet the extreme demands of modern flexofolder gluers (FFGs) including inline bundle breakers and speeds up to 36 bundles per minute.

LACHENMEIER STRETCH HOOD WRAPPERS

Versatile, 5-sided product protection for effective load containment is the hallmark of our line of stretch hood pallet wrappers.

Be it increased load stability, reduced packaging material, minimal waste, or an improved packaging solution, Signode stretch hooders offer the perfect mix between function and value. Our fully automatic stretch hood machines offer the required load stability to any pallet configuration at reduced cost.

XEROS ® WHITE STRETCH HOOD FILM

An industry mainstay, patented Xeros film provides loads that are quickly and effectively secured and also free of contaminants and moisture. With the film’s “10-sided” (5 outside surfaces + 5 inside surfaces) waterproof protection, users can feel confident their corrugated containers remain free from moisture before packing.

The multi-layer film technology effectively manages sunlight to reduce condensation and creates an impermeable barrier to liquids. New Xeros White provides greater transparency to allow for more efficient barcode readability and enhanced track-and-trace capacity.

More Information: www.signode.com/ en-us/contact.

OCTOPUS ® AUTOMATIC ROTARY RING STRETCH WRAPPERS

For those looking to unitize corrugated pallet loads, the Octopus lines of machinery are able to wrap up to 150 loads per hour and feature the high-speed ring-type method of wrapping. Robust design and well-balanced operation maximize efficiency and reliability. More than 5,000 Octopus machines are in operation in nearly 100 countries.

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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EQUIPMENT

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

TRESU Cut down cleaning time and improve quality consistency TRESU is a highly specialized company offering flexo printing machines, ancillary products and concepts for flexo, digital and offset printing and genuine spare parts as well as customer service and technical support. TRESU has 40 years of experience and expertise in the development, production and maintenance of engineered solutions and supplies directly to end-customers, OEMs and partners worldwide.

TRESU has production facilities in Denmark and sales companies in USA, Germany, Italy, Japan and China as well as an international agency network providing local support and know-how.

TRESU presents solutions to optimize wide web corrugated applications through faster cleaning cycles and higher print quality consistency. From 40 years of accumulated experience with printing and coating solutions supplied to leading brands all over the world, we know that automation, simple logistics and easy handling are central qualities of the printing line.

TRESU’s ancillary equipment provides fully controlled ink logistics on each flexo station, regulating ink flow throughout the production run in an enclosed environment from bucket to printing sleeve.

Benefits include optimized drying efficiency, higher reflective and gloss values, automatic cleaning and ink changes in minutes without manual intervention.

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Key equipment includes: • Chamber doctor blade systems with ceramic surfaces for high corrosion resistance or carbon fiber chambers with unique ink repellent surface for extra protection against inks and detergents • Complete range of genuine end seals in felt, foam or EPDM and proven doctor blades in polymer, carbon steel or stainless steel for any pre- or post-printing process • Clamping systems for fast, safe doctor blade exchange—we offer XL blade holders for coating and printing presses requiring thicker doctor blades—with the industry’s fastest pneumatic or eccentric clamping • MaxiPrint CFC chamber with automated cleaning reduces a complete ink change and cleaning cycle down to 3 minutes and improves quality consistency. MaxiPrint carbon fiber chambers feature integrated cleaning nozzles with water-shot mechanisms.

• MaxiPrint Concept offers significantly faster emptying performance because the ink or coating fluid is evacuated through both the inlet and the unique quick-emptying outlet • TRESU F10 iCon ink supply system regulates flow and provides automatic, fast chamber cleaning and with an automated ink supply concept the F10 iCon ink supply provides a lean solution for safe and automated ink circulation and full process control of flow, ink pressure and viscosity • Extending the performance of corrugated printing equipment, TRESU presents a special low foaming biodegradable cleaning detergent—TRESU Wash & Print—based on a recipe only available from TRESU Nick Gerovac Head of Sales TRESU Ancillary Americas nge@tresu.com +1-214-631-2844

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

EQUIPMENT

Young Shin USA / STOCK Young Shin Diecutters/PreFeeders – Meet Your New Employees Looking ahead into 2022, several factors will continue to impact our industry and production capabilities. One of the most challenging factors of the past 18 months has been locating and maintaining a full and trained employee base thereby creating an even greater demand for high-performance, fully-automated diecutters and feeders.

Young Shin’s premier diecutter product line is focused on consistent reliability, operator ease-of-use, and time-saving innovations that reduce manpower requirements and produce the highest quality output—attributes that are essential for today’s essential profitability goals.

Certain production floor equipment upgrades and additions that Young Shin provides can step in and fill the place of those hard-to-secure employees. We welcome you to meet your new employees.

YOUNG SHIN DIECUT TERS

The entire series of Young Shin Diecutters including the Zenith, Giant, Revotec and Meridian models provide an unprecedented two (2) year parts and equipment warranty, comprehensive installation and thorough operator training. Young Shin USA’s service technicians are employed directly by the company and are supported by two U.S.-based parts depots in Atlanta and Wichita. This team manages all service and support calls while competently and rapidly handling any parts orders requested by our clients.

compatible with most standard flatbed diecutters, digital printers and litho-laminating equipment. The unit can process up to 7,000 SPH with minimum production floor space yet expedites the automatic one-by-one staging and feeding of sheets.

The SuperFeed features an automatic sheet turning system for laminated boards that are inverted or that require that all sheets be inverted and incorporates an automatic pallet or base sheet discharging system.

The SuperFeed immediately increases productivity and profitability, reduces labor costs and is available within sixty (60) days from date of order within the North American market.

STOCK MASCHINENBAU GMBH

Young Shin USA is also the exclusive North American representative of the STOCK Maschinenbau GmbH brand of comprehensive in-line systems, pattern gluers, litho-laminating and labeling equipment.

The STOCK SLLM 2025 Combinator Labeler is a high-production unit that offers speeds up to 10,000 SPH with an integrated automated full- and spot-labeling capacity designed for labeling and full

lamination of boxes and displays including single-face corrugated and RSC’s.

To learn more about Young Shin’s and STOCK’s comprehensive product lines, contact Phil Mack, Vice President, at 847-331-0573 or via email at philmack@ youngshinusa.com.

Phil Mack established Young Shin USA, the North American headquarters of South Korean-based Young Shin Industries in 2008, and has successfully expanded Young Shin’s market presence within the flatbed diecutter market. Young Shin USA also serves as the North American representative of the globally-acclaimed products of German-based STOCK Maschinenbau, a premier manufacturer of labelers, laminators, in-line systems and single-face sheeters and the UK-based Cartostrip, a hand-held stripping device.

Phil Mack Vice President philmack@ youngshinusa.com 847-331-0573 (mobile) www.youngshinusa.com

YOUNG SHIN FULLYAUTOMATIC SUPERFEED

Young Shin recently rolled out its new fully-automatic SuperFeed series of pre-feeders.

Seamlessly integrating into Young Shin diecutter models, the SuperFeed is also

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Apex International Superior Glue Sets & Anilox Rolls: Get on board with Quality and Reliability The uptick in demand for corrugated box products spells opportunity for box manufacturers and printers. But with increased demand come competitive challenges to increase quality without raising costs. Reliability in box-making and printing are now equally as important as quality, given tight deadlines and profit margins. Quality and reliability are just what Apex delivers in its innovative, problem-solving glue sets and anilox rolls.

GLUE SETS: BUILDING BET TER BOARD

The two most common problems with glue sets on the market today are 1) Total Indicated Runout (TIR) & Outside Diameter (OD) imprecision; and, 2) Surface Fragility. Defects in TIR cause improper starch application, flashing, slinging, and even crashing. Fragility results in flaking of chrome-plating, scoring, and roll corrosion. These problems impact board quality, corrugator speed, and time/cost efficiency. With the Accora glue set product line, Apex has all but eliminated these two problems from modern board-making.

MIND THE GAP: PRECISE MANUFACTURING

Box manufacturers know that the secret to flat board is the optimal application of starch (glue). The accuracy of the gap where this glue is applied to the applicator roll by the doctor/metering roll is of paramount importance. Too much starch can warp or washboard the final board; not enough starch can cause board delamination.

The Accora glue set is crafted from high-longevity materials appropriate to the harsh corrugator environment. Accora’s glue/applicator roll is made of double-clad

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welded stainless steel, and then hardened during engraving, thus providing a surface twice as hard as chrome glue rolls. The doctor roll is mirror-finished plasma-coated ceramic over a corrosion barrier, resistant to scoring and with superior hydrophobic surfacing. Glue set flaking and corrosion are eliminated.

Equally important is Accora’s precision: TIR and OD across the entire roll face is 0.0003" which will enable a consistent gap down to 0.007".

Accora’s one/two punch of precision and durability have enabled box-makers of all sizes to print flatter board at higher speeds, save money on starch and energy consumption, and enjoy longer glue set lifespans.

ANILOX ROLLS: PRINTING WITH PRIDE

GTT is the Apex’s patented flagship open-channel anilox engraving that

enables box printers to print single-plate solids and screens, resolve finer screens, stronger solids, and sharper lines & reverses. What’s more, GTT cleans up faster & requires less-frequent deep cleaning.

The UltraCell anilox product line has perfected closed-cell engravings for corrugated and is offered in a variety of standard and custom engravings.

Whether standard 60° hex, tri-helical, Channelox, or elongated, UltraCell’s high-density/low-porosity ceramic enables thorough ink release and ease of cleaning.

Apex International gets you on board with quality and reliability.

Joe Settanni VP Sales jsettanni@apexinternational.com 708-214-7740

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

DIES, ROLLS, PLATES, AND ACCESSORIES

ARC International

Your Full-Service Supplier Whether you’re a box plant with a corrugator, laminator and multiple flexo folder-gluers and die-cutters, or merely a sheet plant with a few converting machines, your equipment utilizes many types of rollers that need to be reconditioned or replaced from time to time.

With all the supply chain nightmares that our industry is facing recently, having to deal with multiple vendors even adds to those headaches!

ARC International, with manufacturing plants in Charlotte, NC and Las Vegas, NV, is your full-service supplier of the following rollers for the corrugator: single facer applicator/meter, pressure, infeed, splicer, glue machine applicator/meter and pull/exit knife rollers.

Applicator rollers are clad with stainless steel and come with a 5-year guarantee against rust or delamination. These have become an industry standard due to their durability and longevity! Meter rollers are offered with tungsten carbide and many other standard surfaces such as stainless steel and chrome, while knife rollers are covered with an array of surfaces— tungsten, molybdenum, stainless or carboxylated nitrile.

For flexo folder-gluers and die-cutters, ARC offers the following: upper/lower feed rollers in single or dual durometer, laser anilox, wiper, impression and creaser rollers. ARC utilizes the latest fiber optic laser engraving technology

to produce the following engravings: Opticell™ 60-degree, HV™ (High Volume) 70-degree, HG™ (High Graphic) multi-hit 60-degree, and HD™ (High Defi nition) multi-hit 75-degree, as well as the latest HVV™ (High Volume Vortex) extended cell pattern designed for use with the latest plate technology.

ARC’s feed rollers are designed to provide the most consistent delivery of the board to the print section with the least crush. Visual wear grids can be added to the feed roller surface to let the operator know when the roller needs replacement in order to avoid additional crush. Lower knurled feed rollers are off ered in 45-degree or straight knurl, dependent upon OEM specifications.

On reconditioned rollers, ARC pays strict attention to journals, bearing surfaces, bores, threads, keyways, gear steps and seal areas. All these are repaired in-house by seasoned machinists, which minimizes lead times for

the customer. ARC’s customer service personnel have over 85 years of combined experience with handling rollers and understanding OEM specifications.

And in addition to performing anilox roller audits in the field to analyze roller conditions, ARC’s technical field personnel can provide graphic support and anilox roller care and handling seminars.

Make life easier in your maintenance department and call ARC International today at 800-526-4569 for ALL your roller needs!

Steve Woodard has been with ARC for 35 years.

Steve Woodard Vice-President of Corporate Services swoodard@ arcinternational.com 704-469-4791

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Quest7, Inc.

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uest7, Inc. was established on March 3rd, 2003. Our commitment to the corrugated box industry has established us as a proven leader in the manufacturing and distribution of essential components.

Our current stocked product lines include: corrugator cut off knives, slitters, stones, wicks, splicing tapes, flatback tape, re-enforcement tapes, strings and tear tape. We also manufacture custom-made converting knives including male & female slotters and strippers.

During 2020 we moved into our new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Machesney Park, IL. This will allow us to provide faster service, inventory control, and additional opportunities in the future.

Over the past 18+ years we have always strived to have the best customer service in the industry. We excel above customer expectations. We are extremely responsive to customer requirements.

Many times, we have received phone calls that our customers are down and need products immediately. We will either put the parts in the car and drive them there ourselves, or work with a delivery service to get them on a plane and delivered

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hours later. Countless times we have worked with our customers to solve an issue one of their machines is having or create a custom-made knife to meet their unique needs.

As a family business, we acknowledge the relationship we have with employees and customers who are “like family” to us. Th is partnership and common bond strengthens Quest7’s focus and commitment to the corrugated box industry. To many, it is “just a box.” To us, it is the way we “do life” together. We appreciate

the friendships we have made and look forward to the people we will meet in the future.

Please visit our website www.Quest7.us and contact us to learn more about the products we offer.

Tim J. Burns President 9853 N. Alpine Rd. Machesney Park, IL 61115 Phone: 815-654-7737 Cell: 815-979-7020

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

DIES, ROLLS, PLATES, AND ACCESSORIES

Anilox Roll Cleaning Systems ARCS: Providing On or Off-Press Anilox Laser Cleaning Services & Equipment Anilox Roll Cleaning Systems (ARCS) helps printers, packaging manufacturers, and converters improve their print quality and reduce their operating costs by cleaning out dried ink, coatings, and adhesives from their printing and coating rollers. ARCS is known for its industrial expertise in laser roll cleaning services.

ARCS is a turn-key Roll Cleaning Service and System provider. We can clean your rolls for you at your place or ours. For companies who wish to perform roll cleaning themselves, we offer for sale several equipment options from which to choose.

Our SERVICES DIVISION offers nationwide coverage. Our on-site roll

cleaning service can perform both on-press and off-press cleaning using either our unique Eclipse® Laser Cleaning System or specially formulated “Anilox” baking soda. We offer roll cleaning out of our three warehouse locations: Hatfield, PA, Greensboro, NC, and Grand Rapids, MI. Our deep cleaning process is effective on all types of rollers and residues. We can even clean out completely plugged rollers! Only need a few rolls cleaned? No problem—send them to one of our shops for fast, efficient service—we will restore your volumes to their original specs and have them on their way back to you within 24–48 hours!

Our SYSTEMS DIVISION offers Laser Roll Cleaning Equipment providing a cleaning technology using a

unique, proprietary, circular, non-hot spot laser pattern. These easy-to-use systems only require electricity to work—no compressed air, water, or media are ever required. Laser cleaning also helps companies achieve their sustainability initiatives and move away from the use of chemicals and other processes that produce waste during roll cleaning operations. Proudly MADE in the USA! Also available: New Dust-Free ARCS Pro-Series Baking Soda Cleaning Systems and high quality refurbished Soda Systems.

Amanda DiGiovanni Customer Service Manager amanda@aniloxrollclean.com 800-699-3722

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

CleanPrint USA

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he Covid pandemic has given our industry increased challenges to overcome. Increased demand for online packaging means increased productivity is vital. CleanPrint USA offers increased productivity with our state-of-the-art retrofit systems.

CleanPrint USA is a company totally focused on the corrugated packaging industry, we are industry specialists delivering world’s-best-practice, patented ‘End to end, cleaning in place’ bio-technology based systems and do that with a 100% emphasis on developing and supplying environmentally responsible products.

Our patented ‘Cleaning in Place’ technology sets new standards in anilox and machine cleaning. It means rolls, ink pumps, lines and all areas where ink flows in the machine are automatically cleaned with every wash—quickly and effectively without anilox roll removal.

EVOLUTION BIOCLEAN for converters, reduces a typical 12 plus minute cleanup down to a 2-4 minute ‘hands-off ’ cycle that improves quality—reduces set-up time, reduces downtime and maintenance while increasing overall production.

Depending on your shift structure, you may increase your production output and revenue by an extra hour per day.

‘AN EXTRA HOUR PRODUCTION PER DAY’ with EVOLUTION BIOCLEAN—even on older machines!

For converters we achieve and maintain clean ink lines and pumps, anilox rolls and chambers with a 2-4 minute full wash and rinse cycle after each print job.

Plus, you’ll enjoy reduced ink pump failures, reduced PM clean up to 15 minutes and other long-term time and cost savings, with reduced anilox roll and chamber replacements. This has been proven in multiple plants over many years.

• EVOLUTION BIOCLEAN is the latest patented development in a line

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of very successful bio-technology to automatically clean everywhere the ink goes giving a potential 1-hour extra production per day—perhaps 50,000 extra boxes a day.

For corrugators, CleanPrint USA offers an exclusive patented delivery system and product. EVOLUTION STARCH OFF is an amazing success, gelled and hardened external starch is softened, liquefied and rinsed away within 30 minutes. And this is all with eco-friendly non harmful technology.

• EVOLUTION STARCH OFF offers patent pending innovative technology for dissolving starch in your corrugators. Keeping your applicators clean allows for perfect spread of starch, reducing warp and delamination resulting in stronger board, lower GSM and higher production values.

Clean Print products are used by major international companies such as Pratt/Visy, Orora, Packaging Corporation America, International Paper, Georgia Pacific, Atlantic Packaging, Green Bay Packaging and many independents, through distributors such as CST, Clean Print Chemicals, Harper Love and Sun Automation to name a few. The corrugated products produced in these plants are global ‘best quality’ and the machinery maintained by their ‘End-to-end, Cleaning in Place’ systems ensures these companies enjoy a continuing sustainable competitive advantage.

Our staff are specialists, ensuring our product and systems remain cutting edge and ahead

of the competition, while delivering environmentally friendly and profitable outcomes for our clients. In some cases, we will install delivery technology with no up-front cost, to deliver a cleaning system that is vastly superior to anything else on the market, provided you engage our appropriate supply agreement.

We are the only company in the world with this technology.

For more information contact Geoff Literski on email: geoff@ecochem.com.au

Geoff has 30 years’ experience manufacturing cleaning chemicals, and is totally committed to the box industry, both in the US and internationally.

Geoff Literski CEO geoff@ecochem.com.au +61-416-275-634

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

DIES, ROLLS, PLATES, AND ACCESSORIES

Dicar A Half Century of Industry Leading Innovation, Products and Service.

Dicar is a world-class supplier of top quality, durable urethane components for the paperboard packaging industry. Providing the global corrugated packaging industry with top-level products and outstanding service and innovation for over 50 years is why Dicar continues to be recognized as an industry leader.

Headquartered in Pine Brook, New Jersey, Dicar has manufacturing facilities in New Jersey and Texas, and maintains a global network of regionally located Technical Sales and Service Managers, and Diecutting Experts to provide Global coverage with Local support.

Dicar’s offerings include high quality, durable Anvilok® diecutting covers, lead edge feed wheels, Crushless® rollers and creasers, anvil system, die-making and diecutting supplies and much more.

A family-owned independent business, Dicar maintains a dedication to innovation, product development and customer service. From a humble start with a single product, Dicar now offers an expansive range of products engineered to enhance the efficiency, productivity, quality and safety of corrugated diecutting operations around the world.

Popular Dicar products include …

Anvilok® 2 die cutting covers, the latest version of the popular Dicar Urethane die cutting covers are available in sizes to fit virtually every available rotary diecutter size. Our product lines include conventional bolted and Boltless® designs in both standard and Xtrawide widths. All Dicar blankets are cast and cut to precise specification to provide outstanding quality and performance.

Anvilok® 3 glue Lap and Hand Hole system, converts steel to steel to the soft cutting of glue laps. This saves excessive

wear on shaft bearings and extends the life of cross cut knives. Further, it prevents damage to the head through excessive knife pressure. This system can also be adapted to existing soft cut systems.

Equalizer™ G4, the latest version of the popular Equalizer anvil system uses Dicar’s patented Snap Sleeve “split bearing” design. Th is design allows removal of individual bearing sections for easier and more efficient mounting and rotation especially in close quarters.

The design accommodates thermal expansion maintaining consistent cover mounting and allowing the bearing to easily slide along the cylinder for simplified installation and rotation.

AnviLatch™, Dicar’s ergonomically friendly modern anvil cover mounting technology eliminates the need to use a mallet when mounting or rotating. A simple indexing of the die cylinder secures the covers to the cylinder.

Dicar’s Emba Die Cut Bearing Upgrade brings a new level of ease-of-use and efficiency to Emba diecutting stations. Based on the Equalizer G4 design, this upgrade offers the same benefits and advantages of the G4.

Dicar’s Geo. Martin Scrubber Replacement Wheels feature a Wrap-on™ design for simple and quick removal and installation, meet or exceed the OEM specifications and deliver optimum wear and sheet control without marking the sheets.

SpeedStrap™ reusable magnetic pull bands for printing or diecutting provide a quick and cost effective way to maximize sheet control through the printing and diecutting stations for enhanced registration, fewer jams and higher quality of the finished product.

Visit www.dicar.com for more information on Dicar products or to shop at our online store.

Shawn Spencer VP Sales & Marketing Shawns@dicarinc.net 800-323-4227 www.dicar.net

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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DIES, ROLLS, PLATES, AND ACCESSORIES

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Proden

We Make Performance Happen.

Proden delivers a distinctive customer-centric performance-oriented value proposition combining efficient web services, high performance products, justin-time delivery and technical support, made to measure to each customers’ specific needs.

MyProden™ web portal provides customers with secured web access to all estimations, purchasing and tracking needs. Continuously improved and optimized, it is our commitment to efficient transactions with our customers.

Our ProdenLab™ generates breakthrough innovations through patented

technologies such as TrimSaver® and TopMatrix®, offering world-class solutions through rotary and flat cutting dies,

Revo-XD® anvil covers and a wide variety of products designed with high performance in mind. The ProCare™ program offers all the preventive maintenance, training and support necessary to enable uninterrupted production and maximum operational efficiency of the die cutting process.

With all the above supported by an experienced team in 3 locations, proven best manufacturing practices and state-ofthe-art manufacturing equipment … We make performance happen!

Find out more at https://proden.com.

Guy Gagné Title: Director | Innovation – Marketing – Sales Email: ggagne@proden.com Phone: 514-248-0726

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THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

DIES, ROLLS, PLATES, AND ACCESSORIES

SGS & Co Leadership that moves the industry forward As the leading supplier for wide and narrow-web flexo packaging, we are committed to delivering high-quality plates and unmatched customer service for the corrugated industry. In direct collaboration with our manufacturing partners, we are the first to bring new innovations to our customers—advancing their business while simultaneously advancing our industry.

With an annual output of 580MM square inches of polymer, we produce more than 50% of the industry’s total footprint.

It is this volume that ensures access to the widest array of flexo plate technologies from MacDermid, Dupont, Flint and Kodak.

Our Flexo Centers of Excellence offer full-service plates from simple to complex, including Basic Corrugated, Amazon FFP/SIOC and High End Displays. We understand that there is no one-size-fitsall approach to production and provide customized solutions that marry the perfect

combination of plate, screening, imaging and materials to deliver the desired result.

National coverage, local support In a time when many businesses are consolidating, we are expanding to better service our customers. With the addition of a West Coast operation in the Greater Los Angeles Area, we will have the unique ability to respond to printer needs immediately, delivering plates within hours, not days, so they can get orders completed and delivered on time. This move will also help us reduce our impact on the environment, drastically reducing materials and emissions related to shipping across the country.

The Irwindale, CA plant will join our Atlanta, Florence, Minneapolis and Toronto locations, operating a total of 26 CDI imaging devices and four Kodaks.

Across our network, we have the focused expertise to deliver what our customers need, when they need it.

Commitment to printer optimization We are proud to offer a development program for our printer partners to help establish best practices and advise on equipment optimization. We train staff to be knowledgeable and invested in their careers and in their company’s success.

By optimizing the corrugated printing process through quality hands-on training, printers are able to reduce employee turnover plus find and keep experienced operators. Led by industry training experts with decades of experience in corrugated printing, our program is designed for brand new operators and seasoned print veterans alike. To learn more about our Printer Development Program, please reach out to scott.gilbert@sgsco.com.

Daniel Fournel Vice President of Sales daniel.fournel@sgsco.com 803-603-9516

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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DIES, ROLLS, PLATES, AND ACCESSORIES

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Stafford Corrugated Products, Inc. Stafford Corrugated Products Is Your Number 1 Source for Parts, Accessories, and Technical Support It’s a well-documented fact that the Corrugated Container Industry is a leading economic indicator of the overall strength of our economy. The strength of the Corrugated Industry in 2021 reflects the tremendous growth of Stafford Corrugated Products as well. Looking forward, we anticipate this growth to continue for both the industry and Stafford.

2021 proved itself to be a very challenging year for both suppliers and producers of Corrugated materials. If there is one thing that the COVID-19 Pandemic has taught us, it is that the Corrugated Box is here to stay!

For more than 30 years, Stafford Corrugated Products has been a resource to the Corrugated Industry as a supplier of quality replacement and consumable parts for all makes of Corrugated machinery. As a result, Stafford has earned the reputation of being the “go-to” guys when it comes to seeking solutions to everyday maintenance and production needs for parts and equipment. On practically a daily basis, someone from our Technical Team will receive a message from a customer asking, “Do you guys make this?” From consumable parts to complete machinery enhancement

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systems, Stafford has you covered. We are constantly adding new items to our ever-growing portfolio, and we look forward to adding even more as our industry continues to grow.

Stafford is proud to offer our industry the RODICUT Die Cut Anvil Blanket.

There is a RODICUT Anvil Cover for every conceivable make of Rotary Die Cutter ever produced. Available in single width, double wide and almost every width in between, we’ve got you and your Rotary Die Cutter covered! The unique “knuckle locking” compression system makes these Anvil Covers the easiest to install as well as rotate. Made to meet or exceed OEM specifications, our Anvil Covers contribute to longer cover life and better quality fi nished die cut sheets. In addition, Stafford’s team of Technical Sales Reps have a combined total of over 260 years of relevant industry experience. We are here to assist you and your operating crews to maximize your investments and maintain optimum uptime. Our knowledge base allows us to offer you in person training and troubleshooting of many common issues that box plants today must contend with. Is your Die Cutter equipped with a freewheeling, equalizing compensation system manufactured by a different company? Stafford has

more total years of experience and can offer you training as well as spare and replacement parts.

Is your Cutting Die Cylinder littered with stripped holes or broken bolts? Are your operators unable to utilize every hole in the cutting die to get optimum performance? Stafford offers the service of sending fully trained crews to your facility and overhaul the entire cylinder.

All of the existing inserts are removed and replaced and every hole on that cylinder is replaced with brand new inserts. This service is performed in your plant over a weekend when the machine is not running so as not to interfere with your production schedule. Your cutting die cylinder becomes brand new, once again!

Stafford Corrugated Products wishes to thank our loyal customers for their trust and support. We look forward to working with you in 2022 and beyond.

For more information, please contact your local Stafford Technical Sales/ Service representative or call our Customer Support Team at 800-2825787. Check out the most comprehensive and critically acclaimed product catalog in the industry on our web site at www. go2stafford.com. And watch for the grand opening of our new World Headquarters and factory. A better and more efficient way to serve you.

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

DIES, ROLLS, PLATES, AND ACCESSORIES

Stafford Cutting Dies, Inc. Stafford Cutting Dies Enhances Product Delivery System If you are tired of damaged or late cutting die deliveries, Stafford Cutting Dies is the solution you are looking for. With 14 delivery vehicles positioned across 4 locations covering the southeast and northeast, we can deliver your dies on time, undamaged and press ready.

Additionally, this system allows us to pick up your cutting dies in need of repair or revision without the necessity to package them or contract with outside couriers. Our driver loads your tooling

in our vans, takes them to our nearest service center for repair or revision, then returns them as requested, generating efficient and timely turnaround times.

Give us an opportunity to show you how our enhanced delivery system can make your job easier.

Guy Earley Sales/Marketing Manager GuyE@gostafford.com 704-821-6330 www.gostafford.com

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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INKS, COATINGS, AND ADHESIVES

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Flint Group Paper & Board Sustainability in Paper & Board Packaging When we look back at the history of packaging, sustainability is one of the landmark changes that has shifted not only how packaging is designed, developed and produced—but how it interacts with consumer needs and the world around us. What started as a ripple of change has become a tidal wave, and the drive for packaging to be “greener” is now front and center for brands, printers and consumers alike.

The statistics certainly back this up. A recent study by McKinsey & Company (mck.co/3yxn6Uq) found that 60 to 70 percent of consumers in the United States would be willing to pay more for sustainable packaging. Fifty-two percent of consumers said they would buy more sustainably packaged products if they did not cost more.

The study also found that “consumers are more or less equally interested in recyclable and recycled plastic packaging and in fiberbased packaging.”

What this data tells us is that when the consumer is faced with two comparable like-for-like products, but one is perceived to have more sustainable packaging, they are more likely to choose the greener option. Should the two products be pitched at a similar price point, the advantage becomes even more pronounced. As sustainability is now playing a key part in purchase decisions, it becomes core to long-term brand strategy and commercial success.

Sustainability through the lens of an ink maker.

At Flint Group, our customers rely on our expertise to deliver more environmentally oriented solutions, without compromising on the performance and quality that’s essential to ensuring packaging retains its functionality along with brand integrity. We understand that

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talking a good game of sustainability is nothing if we can’t back it up with action and strategy that creates a better world.

For our team, that means developing a portfolio of products that is ethically managed, reduces overall ecological impact, is designed and built responsibly and supports the need for circularity, as the closed loop economy becomes the norm, not the exception.

Helping to ‘close the loop.’

Flint Group Paper & Board understands that not all brands and printers have the same sustainability objectives when selecting their inks and coatings. Therefore, we have developed a range of products to ensure we meet a wide variety of customer needs.

INTRODUCING TERRACODE

Responding to the specific needs of the paper and board packaging industry to deliver solutions for improved sustainability, packaging innovation and on-shelf presentation, as well as e-commerce supply chain robustness, Flint Group offers a range of water-based inks and coatings under the TerraCode brand; a dynamic bio-renewable product offering that can be tailor-made for converters’ individual printing needs.

SUSTAINABLE SOURCING OF FEEDSTOCKS

An important consideration during TerraCode’s development program has been the sourcing of carefully selected feedstocks. Ethical debates have occurred globally related to crops, normally used for food production, being diverted to industrial applications. The United Nations estimates that nearly 1 billion people globally are suffering food shortages. At Flint Group, we are acutely aware of the importance of ethical sourcing.

Flint Group believes a sustainable source is equally as important as the

renewable content of a product. Therefore, we have extended our strict raw material review policy to include renewable source information.

THE TECHNOLOGY

Ensuring tailored solutions for specific printer converter and brand owner needs, Flint Group’s development teams have created three product series: TerraCode Bio is designed with the highest level of bio-renewable content. Greater than 90% of the resin system is made from renewable resources. TerraCode Bio provides excellent print quality and press stability.

TerraCode Hybrid is a combination of renewable and conventional raw materials where a typical formulation contains in excess of 50% renewable resin content.

The formulation has been balanced with highly effective synthetic ingredients for applications that require the maximum performance and protection.

TerraCode Balance is built on biomass balance technology and offers the same performance as conventional acrylic systems.

The TerraCode range has been designed to support a wide variety of Paper & Board packaging applications that are biorenewable content (BRC) certified through NAPIM and sustainably sourced. The range is available print-ready or via a convenient Flint Group building block package.

Please contact us to discuss how we can work with you to build a more sustainable tomorrow.

Deanna Klemesrud Global Marketing Director – Packaging Inks Deanna.klemesrud@flintgrp.com 763-238-9216

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

INKS, COATINGS, AND ADHESIVES

Astral Adhesives & Coatings, Inc. Astral Innovates to Meet Customer Needs | Quick Response to Supply Chain Challenges and Introduction of New Products are Highlights of 2021 Astral Adhesives & Coatings, Inc. continues to be a leading supplier to the packaging industry, providing customized coatings for the paper and paperboard market. This past year presented many challenges within the supply chain and distribution, and Astral responded by creating custom solutions to ensure clients had everything they needed to run their business.

By operating out of two manufacturing facilities centrally located in the United States, Astral has double the operations capabilities and overlapping inventories.

This production model has helped the company meet customer needs on time and with full service, despite slower shipping times, raw materials shortages, and bearing occasional additional freight costs to ensure there are no disruptions at the customer level.

“Having redundant manufacturing capabilities has helped us weather the storm successfully,” said Vikas

Singhal, president of Astral Adhesives & Coatings, Inc. “We are operating in the most difficult environment I’ve seen in my 30 years in the business.

Supply challenges coupled with freight constraints make it an unparalleled operating environment.

“Astral joins many in the industry who report frequent price increases.

Th is has put pressure on margins, while continued shortages make planning difficult. Labor availability also continues to be an issue. Yet, despite these challenges, we have been able to introduce new products, grow our top line, and increase our market share. We are well positioned to support the packaging industry going forward.”

The company is working on various new opportunities in the “take out” folding carton market, heat seal, and anti-corrosion markets. In addition, Astral has entered the “cohesive” market with an exciting new product that has been fully commercialized. Recyclable and durable products highlight Astral’s multipurpose coating line, changing the

way consumers bring home meals and essential food items.

A long-time industry leader, Astral’s principals have more than 50 years of experience in the coatings business and are committed to finding solutions to the most challenging projects. Groundbreaking technologies in the paperboard industry and coating formulas come together to create sustainable, superior products.

Singhal credits his customers for driving Astral’s pioneering approach to creating new products.

“We are always changing and growing as a company, mainly because we listen to our clients, so we know specifically what they need,” Singhal said. “By partnering with our customers, we are able to create the customized new products they need to succeed in their business, which helps us lead the way in the paperboard packaging industry.”

Contact: Vikas Singhal President vikas@astralcoatings.com 562-676-5607

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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INKS, COATINGS, AND ADHESIVES

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

BCM Inks Color ConneXion®/MyInkIQ – The ecommerce software solutions for better printed corrugated boxes According to eMarketer, ecommerce in 2021 was expected to grow at 17.9%, on top of an unparalleled growth of 32.4% in 2020. As ecommerce grows, so does the demand for ecommerce boxes to showcase print on the inside and outside of the box to capture the “unboxing” experience for the consumer. Printing on the inside and outside of the box in one pass does present some unique challenges such as: • Color consistency, particularly if inside and outside of package are different substrates • Scuff and rub resistance, as the print transitions from inside to outside print • Specialized coating requirements, needed to enhance and/or protect the package BCM Inks products, expertise, and exclusive software (Color ConneXion® and MyInkIQ) provide a total solution so printers can maximize the ability to print on the inside and outside of the box efficiently and effectively.

In 2016, BCM introduced a revolutionary online color management software, Color ConneXion®. Color ConneXion® is updated and enhanced on a regular basis with new features through over-the-air software updates. Today, we are

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proud to introduce the most recent version of Color ConneXion® which includes some of the following unique features: • Designed specifically for the corrugated market • Remote color approvals • User friendly • Unlimited seat licenses • Remote access • Information is backed up safely and securely to the cloud • Ability to pair with multiple spectrophotometers • Job building functionality based off press and anilox roll configurations • Ability to store pH, viscosity, and dryer settings for future reference and better repeatability • Individual and job reporting functionality • Historical reporting functionality • Suggestive color correction • Enhanced communication within the departments

Printers have recognized a reduction in waste, reduced downtime, faster set-ups, and more consistent color after implementing Color ConneXion® software.

BCM’s other exclusive software, MyInkIQ, allows users to easily submit orders and color matches online. Once the order or color match is submitted, the user receives updates throughout the process until delivery. The MyInkIQ also provides easy access to the color/formula library to eliminate color/formula duplication. Users have the ability to run sales and VOC reports and view order history, amongst many other features.

To learn more about our ecommerce printing solutions, our software solutions, or our many ink innovations, contact BCM Inks at 800-678-6238 or sales@bcminks.com. sales@bcminks.com 800-678-6238 www.bcminks.com

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

INKS, COATINGS, AND ADHESIVES

INX International Ink Co.

I

NX International Ink Co. is a global manufacturer of high-performance printing inks and coatings for packaging, digital, and commercial print applications. We bring global brands a strategic advantage no other ink manufacturer in the world can match. From chemical formulation to best manufacturing practices; from technical innovation to field service and support; from all types of printing inks and coatings to new digital platforms; INX International stands ready with global capabilities and local solutions.

We offer a wide range of inks, coatings, and overprints for various methods of corrugated printing—from simple brown box needs, to specialized high-end graphics on demanding substrates. Whether your printing project requires simple line work, a few vignettes, or complex color combinations with process work; we have the perfect corrugated ink system. Our latest system INXhrc offers a high renewable content, which provides

excellent print quality, combined with sustainability.

Our BECB-05 and BSR-06 UV curable inkjet inks are optimized for use on Barberán Jetmaster single-pass industrial printers for corrugated and plastic printing with numerous end applications. The high-performance inks consist of standard CMYK colors with Orange + Green or Orange + Violet as an option when wider color gamut is required. We also offer an opaque white.

These are extremely low odor, and have high durability, excellent rub resistance, and superior flexibility to reduce cracking and chipping during die cutting.

Along with advanced product technology, INX delivers a range and level of services unlike other major ink manufacturers, beginning with an entire group of application specialists to help improve pressroom efficiencies and

reduce costs. From pressroom assessments and press fingerprinting, to product selection and trial support with continuous improvement recommendations, our technical team takes a proactive approach to service. Our structured approach focuses on increased efficiencies and throughput, waste reduction, quality improvements, and lower applied costs.

Contact our sales team at: info@inxintl.com 800-631-7956

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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INKS, COATINGS, AND ADHESIVES

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Magnum Inks & Coatings

M

agnum Inks & Coatings® is an Ohio-based, full-service ink and coating manufacturer specializing in aqueous and UV-cured products.

We are proud to have provided our customers with industry-leading solutions and outstanding service for more than 20 years. We develop formulations for our customers in the Linerboard, Corrugated, Flexible Packaging, Narrow Web Label, and Commercial market segments.

Magnum Inks & Coatings also produces a vast assortment of water-based primers, overprints, and functional coatings.

CorrPrint™ inks and coatings for corrugated printing offer a complete line of GCMI and Pantone® PMS colors, plus the ability to match custom colors quickly and accurately with our comprehensive in-house laboratory. Our inks deliver clean, consistent printing, solid and accurate colors with easy cleanup. The GCMI “Centerline” ink formulations allow matching on both natural kraft and mottled white substrates, giving you the ability to use one ink series for both.

CorrPrint™ RC rod coatings deliver exceptionally smooth coating lay and excellent runability with heat and scuff resistance. CorrPrint™ is available in standard Pantone® PMS, GCMI, or custom-matched colors tested using quantitative color measurement tools.

Lightfast, pearlescent, and metallic coatings also are available.

Everyone at Magnum Inks & Coatings® is committed to providing personal, timely, technical service and customized solutions. Our products and services are designed for your needs today, and our continuous improvement philosophy will ensure your success in the future.

Magnum’s services include product development, product testing, technical troubleshooting, color matching, and

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more. One of our greatest strengths is quickly customizing our products to fulfill specific customer performance needs or particular product specifications.

The mission is to be the ideal business partner by providing customized solutions with exceptional service & quality. Whether you are down the street, across the country, or worldwide, we will make your experience with Magnum Inks & Coatings feel like we are a local business partner.

Contact us to learn more about our products & services and how the right partner can make all the

difference in your printing/coating process. Call us toll-free at 877-460-8406, visit magnuminks.com, or email sales@ magnuminks.com to discuss how we can solve your ink and coating challenges!

Eric Cathie General Manager/Technical Director ecathie@magnuminks.com 513-431-7275 Peter Bernard Sales Representative pbernard@magnuminks.com 513-420-7735

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

INKS, COATINGS, AND ADHESIVES

Quantum Ink Co.

Manufacturing Through a Pandemic Let’s be honest, the world is a pretty crazy place right now. Since the pandemic became a part of our lives at the beginning of 2020, there have been massive changes in the way business is done.

Purchasing and the procurement of raw materials is more challenging than it has ever been. The movement of freight, whether LTL, truckload or rail, is a constant difficulty that makes the tracking of shipments and on time deliveries a daily struggle. To top it all off, finding, and hiring, quality employees has never been more complicated. In short, manufacturing in a post-Covid world has presented a staggering number of obstacles that must be overcome. At the same time, amidst this turmoil, there is the opportunity to learn, grow, change and come out on the other side stronger than ever. Regardless of a company’s size, everyone has had to face the challenges of these times. At Quantum Ink we have a devotion to being the best version of ourselves, and the results have been incredibly positive.

Anyone involved with the purchasing of raw materials understands the challenges the last year and a half have presented. Long-standing supply chains have been tested and broken, materials that were once readily available are

now difficult, or impossible, to get and many materials have been put on allocation with no foreseeable end date.

To make matters even worse, there is no telling week to week what items will be available and at what quantity. Those in purchasing have had to learn to take what they can get when they can get it, without knowing when the next availability will come. Quantum Ink, for instance, now sits on nearly 3 times the inventory that was considered normal 2 years ago. We are in the business of next day deliveries. To ensure our customers get what they want, we have had to change the way we think about inventory. There has never been a time when business relationships are more important, and Quantum Ink has a long-standing tradition of keeping loyal and trustworthy partners. One of the most important things companies can do is to have open and honest communication with their business partners.

Tough times have the tendency to bring out a company’s true character, and as we work toward our second consecutive record year, Quantum Ink has thrived through this difficult time. Our team works tirelessly with raw material suppliers to give us the greatest likelihood for securing the products we need. We have shipping and receiving employees who diligently track every piece of freight, both inbound and out, to make sure our customers are informed of their deliveries. In short, difficult times have brought out the best in Quantum Ink and we are very proud of the success we have shown.

As Quantum Ink has grown throughout the last 2 years, another hurdle that has presented itself is the hiring of quality employees. With the understanding that this is a difficult market to hire in,

Quantum Ink has decided to invest in our existing employees. Throughout the pandemic, there has been no employee turnover to speak of as a result of the productive and positive environment in our facility. Quantum Ink offers employees an incredible compensation and benefits package and tries to encourage employees to better themselves by promoting from within. Our mentality is that if it is difficult to find new talent, why not take care of the talent that you have? The morale level, and employee satisfaction, has led to a team that consistently goes above and beyond.

While the world is crazy, Quantum Ink has found a way to face the post Covid world and come out more successful than ever. This has been accomplished by adhering to the values that have been long established at Quantum Ink. We believe in open and honest communication with our partners, and always strive to do everything we can to ensure success.

We have a strong team of dedicated individuals who take their jobs seriously and have bought in to doing things the Quantum way. As we complete our second consecutive record year, the future is unbelievably bright.

Dan Bland Jr. is part owner and Operations Manager at Quantum Ink Company.

Quantum Ink is a service oriented company that specializes in flexographic and gravure printing applications.

Dan Bland Jr. Operations Manager drb@quantumink.com 502-364-8900

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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SHEETS, PAPER, AND PRINTING

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Huston Patterson

H

uston Patterson has been providing unparalleled value and performance through the use of craftsmanship and technology by incorporating the principles of trust, integrity and commitment since the late 1800s. This is something not many people in this country can say, regardless of the industry. We can though as Huston Patterson is the longest standing, privately owned package printer in North America.

What makes us stand out? How have we not just survived all these years, but also thrived? We could have included endless pictures including the fleet of state-of-the-art Koenig & Bauer printing presses we have invested in over the past decade giving us the capability to handle almost any print need. We could talk about the multi-million-dollar expansion that was completed at the end of 2018.

We thought about featuring our in-house

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sheeting capabilities, giving us the ability to reduce the cost and turn times for our clients because we can sheet our own paper. We also thought about highlighting the fact that we are one of only a few printers in our sector that supplies litho and top sheets from coast to coast. Our strategic location and large capacity for work allows us to hit our clients in all corners of the US and everywhere in between in a timely manner. Finally, we could have decided to talk about our talented team of sales representatives who have the experience and knowledge to help your business succeed.

Instead, we decided to go in a different direction and highlight something totally unique to us. Something that I truly believe makes us stand out as a company. Our people. It is these people, some of whom have been with Huston Patterson for decades, which make our success possible. They are

fathers, mothers, grandparents, hobbyists, risk takers and sports fans … but together, they make up the backbone of our team.

Huston Patterson values our clients and is thankful for the business we have done together over the last 100 years. We have built our company with the foundation of our people and the commitment they have made to our company and our clients. Without these real people, HP wouldn’t be where it is today at the forefront of innovation in the large format print and packaging industries.

Sincerely, Tonya Kowa-Morelli President Huston Patterson Printers Tonya Kowa-Morelli President tonyak@hustonpatterson.com 217-429-5161

CUTTING DIE STRIPPING DIE BLANKING DIE CUTTING PLATES MAKE READY SAFELY IN CASSETTES

Manual or Fully Automatic Flat Die Storage Systems by BCM

Rack up more space, productivity and efficency WhyAgonize.com Info@AskHitek.com 262-842-1700

SHEETS, PAPER, AND PRINTING

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Leipa

A White-Top Liner with the Environment in Mind Since 2003, Sharp International Group has been the exclusive North American agent for Leipa GmbH. Leipa is an independent family company with over 170 years of passion for environmentally

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friendly processes and technologies. Leipa converts more than 1.5 million tons of waste paper back into high-quality paper and packaging solutions every year. Sharp is responsible for U.S. and Canadian sales of Leipa’s 100% recycled white top liner in coated and uncoated grades.

Using paper and cardboard packaging responsibly has become an important factor for brand owners, retailers, printers and producers of packaging. Leipa sees itself as a conscientious partner of trade and industry and actively advises on all aspects of responsible printing

and packaging. In collaboration with our customers and business partners, we develop innovative solutions and products and optimize our processes to ensure reduction of refuse, while at the same time making a contribution to the sustainability strategy of the customer.

Please contact Mallory for more info.

Mallory Jarrell VP Sales and Operations mjarrell@sharp-international.com 757-371-6476 www.sharpinternationalgroup.com

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

SHEETS, PAPER, AND PRINTING

Orora Visual

Orora Visual would like to earn your business!

We are a graphic sheets provider to the corrugated packaging and display markets. Our focus is on litho-labels and top sheets. We do this through a best in class national footprint using standard approved materials and processes. Orora Visual has invested heavily in training, equipment and technology to ensure our quality standards are maintained. We are G7 Master certified and can print sizes up to 60 x 81" at all locations. These advantages allow Orora Visual to deliver consistent, very high-quality products without limitations of size, colors or coatings. We believe our ability to produce our products from New Jersey, Chicago and Los Angeles provides a great deal of value to many of our clients.

Give us a try and let us show you the Orora Visual advantage.

David Nolte Senior Vice President of Packaging Sales david.nolte@ororavisual. com 847-910-4124

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Domtar Packaging Where the Independent Corrugator Comes First Domtar is excited to enter the packaging market to produce a full line of recycled linerboard and corrugated medium products. With 12 pulp and paper mills and more than 6,400 employees worldwide, we’re the largest uncoated freesheet paper manufacturer in North America; and a leading producer of fluff and specialty pulp as well as innovative airlaid nonwovens.

Domtar’s first packaging mill, located in Kingsport, Tennessee, is currently undergoing a $350 million transformation. When it’s complete by the end of 2022, the world-class facility will house the second-largest recycled containerboard machine in North America.

Most other packaging suppliers have their own box plants. Sometimes it can be hard for an independent converter to partner with someone they also compete with. That’s why Domtar has intentionally chosen not to own or operate box plants.

Instead, we’ll focus on our customers’ success and never be put in the position of deciding whether to prioritize our own needs over our customers’.

“We’ll produce a full portfolio of 100 percent recycled containerboard,” Domtar Packaging Sales & Marketing Director Mike Butler says. “Our products will be unique and exclusive to the independents. Our proprietary technologies will give our customers products necessary for light-weighting and right sizing, coupled with strength characteristics not seen in today’s recycled product offerings. Most importantly, Domtar’s hallmark is its focus on quality and service. We are

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redefining integration. Our independent customers are our integration.”

“We’re very excited to help our independent converting customers meet end users’ demand for more sustainable packaging options,” Domtar Packaging Senior Vice President Steve Henry says.

“Collaborating with our customers while supporting the circular economy is a key strategic focus that gives us a great sense of pride.”

By using old corrugated containers, we will upcycle fiber otherwise destined for the landfill to produce our 100 percent recycled packaging products. In fact, the amount of OCC we will collect and reuse annually could fill the Empire State Building nearly 1.4 times!

“Even though our doors aren’t open quite yet, our goals are clear,” Butler says. “We will provide high quality recycled linerboard and medium while offering the industry a new way of doing business that truly partners with the independent corrugators, while also doing our part to ensure a long and sustainable future.”

The Domtar packaging mill in Kingsport, Tennessee, is expected to be in production by Q4 of 2022. In the meantime, we’re meeting with potential customers to discuss their needs.

Independent corrugators looking for a new way to partner should contact Domtar via email at packaging@domtar.com.

Steve Henry Domtar Packaging Senior Vice President packaging@domtar.com 803-802-8050

Mike Butler Domtar Packaging Sales & Marketing Director packaging@domtar.com 804-366-7163

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

SHEETS, PAPER, AND PRINTING

Kruger

• • • •

Extra High-Performance Linerboard XTR as low as 18 lbs.

Delivering high strength at lower cost to the industry Rightweighting is part of our DNA Utilizing the latest European paper technology

Serge Desgagnés Vice President, Sales – Containerboard 514-231-5781 Serge.desgagnés@kruger. com

Maxim Côté Account Manager 514-268-2119 maxim.cote@kruger.com

François Asselin U.S. Sales Manager 609-423-9000 francois.asselin@kruger. com

Jim Piette Technical Representative 843-276-0476 james.piette@kruger.com containerboard.kruger. com

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Metsä Board Together we make the perfect package As marketing media becomes increasingly fragmented, and as sales of pre-packaged and online food grow, high-quality corrugated packaging is playing an ever-greater role. Retail-ready packaging is flourishing, and e-commerce will continue to grow at double digit rates.

Recognizing the wide variety of customer end uses, Metsä Board has a comprehensive selection of white kraft liners—from uncoated to double-coated and in various basis weights. Our white kraftliners offer various design options for retail or e-commerce ready, sales-enhancing packaging that performs equally well during transportation and at point of sale.

All our white kraftliners are made utilizing fresh fibers from 100% traceable wood sourced from sustainably managed Northern European forests. Our

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paperboards are available with PEFC™ or FSC® certification and they are all suitable for packaging food and other sensitive products.

Metsä Board also recently introduced a collaborative 360 Service program to deliver measurable benefits throughout the packaging value chain, from easy recyclability to brand impact, production and supply chain efficiency, reducing

Robert Vaenerberg Sales Director, Americas robert.vaenerberg@ metsagroup.com 475-747-0125

Joseph DePalma Sales Manager, East joseph.depalma@ metsagroup.com 201-241-0422

Greg Baker Sales Manager, West greg.baker@ metsagroup.com 203-957-1354

Liette Gagné Sales Manager, Canada liette.gagne@ metsagroup.com 514-995-1977

BOXSCORE January/February 2022

environmental impact, and beyond, to complement its extensive white kraftliner offering.

With the right liner choice and supported by our know-how, you can meet the most demanding packaging needs quickly, cost-efficiently and responsibly.

Contact our sales team for more information on how Metsä Board can assist with your needs.

Joe Nellis Sales Manager, Midwest joe.nellis@ metsagroup.com 414-698-1519

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

SHEETS, PAPER, AND PRINTING

Mid America Paper Recycling No Pain, No Gain | Discovering a Hidden Revenue Opportunity in Your Plant At Mid America Paper Recycling, we have employed continuous improvement practices for many years as part of an ongoing effort to improve our brokerage services. We’re constantly evaluating and improving them to benefit our clients by proactively presenting a clear pathway for fiber recycling. Because we question everything, we often come across opportunities our partners may have never considered before.

We are constantly engaging with carton and corrugated manufacturers, equipment suppliers and paper mills, discussing their approaches to waste management and seeking new ways to help everyone.

After hearing a few box plants tell us they were happy with their current approach and they were not experiencing any ‘pain’ related to trim waste handling, we wanted to learn why they were so pleased.

In a number of cases, it was because a local waste hauler had installed baling equipment in their plant to remove their waste at no cost. They were simply happy to have this material gone. We continued to dig and discovered that while it did cost them nothing to have this equipment on their floor, they were missing out on a substantial new revenue source—the monetization of this waste.

In one example, a carton manufacturer was missing out on a quarter-million-dollar annual opportunity to re-sell their waste themselves, which was effectively going into the pocket of their waste hauler each year for the free equipment. We believed we could help this customer buy his equipment and pay him at the same time for his scrap. So we worked with

him to develop a cash 10-Year Equipment Payable DLK Receivable Rev/Cost flow statement with the 2020 $121,658.37 $138,450.00 $16,791.63 cost of the equipment, 2021 $121,658.37 $242,450.00 $120,791.63 its amortization over 2022 $121,658.37 $237,900.00 $116,241.63 a five-year period, 2023 $121,658.37 $237,900.00 $116,241.63 and then factor in an $121,658.37 $221,125.00 $99,466.63 average DLK premium 2024 2025 — $219,600.00 $219,600.00 using historical data.

2026 — $219,600.00 $219,600.00 This plant generates 120 tons of trim waste 2027 — $219,600.00 $219,600.00 per month. If the 2028 — $219,600.00 $219,600.00 average premium is 2029 — $219,600.00 $219,600.00 $100, then that is Total $608,291.83 $2,175,825.00 $1,567,533.17 $12,000 per month or plants with 20-plus-year-old equipment $144,000 per year. All that was needed to still functioning perfectly. In our capture this opportunity for themselves experience, balers can last 20+ years with was a $500,000 investment to replace the normal maintenance. current equipment. Assuming an eight So, why doesn’t everyone handle their percent interest rate on this equipment waste this way? It’s often because there and a five-year loan period, the company is no pain associated with the current would pay $608,000 over five years and way it is being handled in many plants. amortize the capital over the same five And ‘pain’ gets management focus. That years. But each month they would also is, until management learns that they be generating revenues above and beyond could be forgoing a significant long-term the equipment costs by selling their waste revenue stream with their current waste paper through our brokerage to paper handling practices. mills who want it most.

What would you do with an extra Where it gets better is after the equipment is fully paid for and amortized, $220,000 each year? All it takes is our simple online waste audit to start seeing the $122,000 annual cost to pay for the your waste not as an operating expense, equipment disappears and now creates but as a valuable product that can drive an annual revenue stream of $220,000 or revenue gains for years to come. more for this plant.

These numbers are based on a very conservative DLK Yellow Sheet value Paul Pirkle of $140 per ton and a five-year useful President life on equipment we know lasts much ppirkle@midamericapaper. longer than five years. Currently this com same material is valued at $210 per ton 630-730-9055 by the DLK Yellow Sheet and we’ve seen

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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Philipp Lithographing Philipp Litho Faces Current Industry Challenges Head On The challenges facing the packaging and point-of-purchase industry today are unprecedented and real. Demand is up, supply is down, and many are left spinning their wheels on how to service their customers in the face of a paper market that is struggling to keep up.

While these industry challenges may have come as a surprise, Philipp Litho, leader in large format off set printing, is prepared. Because of our longterm vision, strategic planning, and commitment to quality and innovation, we are perfectly situated to grow with you. When you and your customers ask about our business, this is how we answer: Do You Have …

PAPER?

Yes! We have paper, tons of it! Although lead-times are longer for large orders and board stock, we have an abundance of litho label stock in dedicated warehouses to fulfi ll your orders.

CAPACITY?

Yes! We have added a third shift and installed a brand new KBA 64" press that prints 6 colors + coating at 15,000 sheets/hour!

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INLINE UV?

QUICK TURN OPTIONS?

Yes! Our 81" and 64" presses have inline UV capabilities! Ask us about printing on foil and special coating effects.

Yes! Philipp Litho is the Insty-Prints of large format printing! On average, our four presses run 15,000 sheets/hour … that’s fast!

At Philipp every customer, every job, and every project is met with the utmost professionalism, integrity, speed, and focus on quality. We urge you to stop spinning your wheels and trust Philipp.

You won’t be disappointed!

DIGITAL?

Yes! We have a high-tech digital facility with a high-speed, HP Scitex 11000 digital press—perfect for printing direct to corrugated—and a Zünd dual beam CAD table.

HIGH QUALITY?

Yes! Quality is key at Philipp. We have one of the most experienced teams of pressmen and state-of-the-art pressroom equipment with high-tech quality control features.

Stacy Buening President stacyb@philipplitho.com 262-377-1100

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

SHEETS, PAPER, AND PRINTING

Roosevelt Paper Co. The Roosevelt Difference For over 90 years Roosevelt has been providing a quality generic product to those in the paper and paperboard market. Our 1,000,000 square feet of warehouse and converting based in New Jersey, Kentucky, and Illinois enable us to meet both volume and quick turn needs.

Our day-to-day business of acquiring, converting and distributing paper and paperboard has become increasingly sophisticated as technology has advanced. Orders are taken by highly-knowledgeable salespeople who can suggest answers to every customer need.

Shipments coming directly from North American mills are bar-coded, labeled and staged so they can be retrieved quickly when orders are received.

Rolls to be converted are processed quickly by Roosevelt’s high-speed precision sheeters and slitter-rewinders, constantly monitored by our Total Quality Assurance (TQA) program.

Still a family-owned business, Roosevelt maintains its long-held traditions of standing behind its paper and board, providing fast, reliable deliveries and offering pricing that gives our customers a competitive edge.

For liner, chip, bag, SBS 1 & 2 side in both sheets and rolls—Give Roosevelt a call!

With 7 sheeters & 7 rewinders we are working around the clock to meet your needs!

Mount Laurel, NJ | 800-523-3470 Alsip, IL | 800-323-1778 Richwood, KY | 800-354-9829

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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Corrugated Chemicals Inc. Building Partnership Through Chemistry, Process, and People Since opening our doors, we have spent over 40 years committed to improving the industry—growing from a regional manufacturer to a global supplier of specialty products.

Our growth has been fueled by the ever-evolving needs of our clients while focusing on the bottom line. No matter your situation, we have a solution for you.

The corrugated industry is going through a transformation, like so many other industries, the competition for qualified personnel, retention of employees, and loss of industry knowledge has created a need for qualified industry specialists and qualified trainers. CCI’s team of experienced technical specialists has been recognized as the company to call. While other suppliers offer training, no other supplier can match the in-depth approach CCI offers.

CCI has anticipated this industry need and has put together a technical team that can provide the knowledge, training, and products that will impact your bottom line. CCI’s comprehensive training is plant specific, classroom, hands on, communication, machine, troubleshooting, formulation, follow up, and much more.

If you need help with production, quality, or training, call us today at 513-561-7773 or visit our website at https:// corrugatedchemicals.com.

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THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

SERVICES

Equipment Finance Corporation

E

quipment Finance Corporation has provided long term, fi xed rate financing for new and used Paper Converting machinery since 1993.

Our commitment to the industry continued throughout the Covid-19 shutdown/slowdown period by providing payment extension and rewrites to alleviate our clients’ cash flow concerns.

Unlike commercial banks, we are not paralyzed by the fear of the virus slowdown and are lending as always with financing of up to 100% of the total project cost of new machinery with amortization terms of up to 15 years.

Loans for used equipment typically include 100% of the cost of equipment, including rigging, shipping, and installation costs with terms of from five to eight years.

We believe that the corrugated packaging industry is stable and growing with the expansion of on-line purchases being the new norm. Equipment Finance is ready to provide the capital required by our clients to take advantage of their opportunities. We are not hampered by bank regulators and Fed regulations which can result in banks being overly conservative in both their lending availability and programs in the current environment.

Our loan options include early prepayment, annual additional paydown, and loan term adjustment options allowing our clients to take advantage of the low monthly payments of a long amortization repayment term, while having the options

to shorten the loan term later, make additional principal paydown, or early prepayment. Therefore, you can have low payments without locking yourself into a long term commitment.

Investment in upgraded equipment continues to be an ongoing requirement for corrugated operations in order to satisfy customer requirements, improve production speed, capacity & efficiency, and reduce unit labor cost. The need to acquire more efficient, productive, and less labor intensive equipment will only increase in the future, as will the cost of machinery. EFC’s 30+ years of industry knowledge and experience allows us to offer qualified clients longer repayment terms plus financial flexibility not available through commercial banks or bank leasing/finance companies.

In addition to loans for newly acquired equipment, we provide debt refi nancing to reduce existing loan payments, fi x floating rate debt or reduce higher rate debt. Unlike bank lenders, our fi nancial terms and structures are set based on the parameters which best serve the needs of each individual borrower, not a regulatory agency. With our historical knowledge of the resale value of packaging equipment, our credit requirements are also much more flexible than other institutions. We do not burden clients with blanket asset liens, restrictive loan covenants, and personal guarantees as are typically required by banks and other lenders.

You have worked hard for many years

to build a strong, successful business.

We recognize that and provide lending terms which you deserve based on your fi nancial strength and time in business, not terms determined by federal bank auditors.

While repayment terms and structure flexibility are extremely important, so is interest cost. Equipment Finance Corporation offers fi xed rates which are equal to or less than those of commercial banks, bank leasing & finance companies, or other financial institutions serving the Packaging Industry. Our large financial services volume allows us access to funding at below market rates which we can then pass on to our clients in the form of lower rates, but with the attractive long term, flexible repayment plans which are not available through regulated banks and bank owned capital and leasing companies.

Contact Ed Gargiulo at 800-469-1082 or 770-714-0662 or ed@efc-finance.com.

We will be pleased to provide you with a list of your colleagues whom we have had the pleasure to assist in the past.

They can advise you how Equipment Finance has helped them, and can help you, grow your business and improve your bottom line.

Ed Gargiulo EVP ed@efc-finance.com 770-714-0662

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Aduco Communications Inc. Pixels and Stones Won’t Break Your Bones – Communication Essentials in the Digital Age Nothing—and yet everything—has changed. The pandemic hit us all in more ways than one. From labor shortages and lockdowns to travel and other related restrictions brought about by the COVID crisis, corrugated OEMs and box plants alike fought hard to keep up with growing demand amid a challenging supply chain.

But the show must go on. Forever resilient, the industry maintained its essential status and converters churned out boxes faster than Santa during Christmas.

For marketers, this meant the typical communication rush around buying season and trade shows was replaced by an 18-month daily communication chess game. Unable to meet in-person, many suppliers turned to digital communications in hopes of staying top-of-mind. In fact, ResearchAndMarkets.com recently reported that “digital marketing spending is poised to grow by $128.83 bn during 2021–2025, progressing at a CAGR of 6.53%.” The study further pointed out that “the market is driven by global digital transformation and increased credibility.” On a micro level, the increased demand even forced us at Adduco to triple our digital department and bring in additional partners where necessary.

For many B2B leaders, the digital proliferation over the last year came as an unexpected surprise. This was especially true for the corrugated market, where most have grown accustomed to more traditional forms of marketing.

Antiquated websites and graveyard social media accounts were quickly losing favor with customers, and many companies were forced to switch tactics quickly.

Several took advantage of the new era in

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communication and started up relevant podcasts and blogs. Others focused on what they needed to fi x ... and a few are still waiting for the tide to turn back.

[Spoiler Alert: It’s not.]

The good news is that the landscape is forever evolving, and as long as you have something to sell, you have something to tell and someplace to share it. According to Siteefy, there are “133,361,676 websites in the US as of August 2021” with 500,000+ more added each day globally.

Furthermore, of those sites more than 23% are not mobile friendly.

Begging the first question, is your site mobile friendly? If not, that’s a first step in optimizing brand awareness and visibility as some statistics show more than 60% of site traffic comes from mobile devices. This also means there are ample opportunities to be seen and heard. Many of these blogs, newsletters, and related industry websites are always looking for new content. As an added bonus, the more sites that you share your brand story with, the greater your own web results will be.

Speaking of content, digital marketing allows for content to be spread further but also demands more of it. According to Forbes, “global online content consumption doubled in 2020,” and social media alone grew by 48%, followed by news websites and apps increasing by 47%. This doesn’t necessarily mean you must double your efforts, but it does pose our second question—how much original content

does your company currently produce?

If the answer is “not much” or “we don’t have enough to say,” it might be time to give us a call or seek out some help.

As previously mentioned, if you have something to sell, there is a story to tell. I should note this is overly simplified as we recognize not all content is good.

This brings up our third and probably most important question—do you know your audience? Simple as it sounds, for marketers this means a lot more than just recognizing who your ideal buyer is by the traditional categories of company and title. We need to know their personalities, likes/dislikes, preferred modes of communication, and channels they visit.

It’s a science. Social media is great for providing that data and we often leverage it for both prospecting and communicating.

In the end, the world has changed but business has not. How we communicate and conduct business has gone largely digital—and many will need to adapt before they fall too far behind. For those of us entrenched in the digital age, we will continue to work hard to ensure the voice of our customer is etched in both pixels and stone.

Simona Georgescu Founder & President Simona@adducomm.com 702-434-0341

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

SERVICES

Athena SWC AICC Packaging Members Are Seeing Revenue Growth – Don’t Be Left Behind Athena SWC partners with packaging manufacturers (corrugated, POP display, retail-ready packaging, medical packaging, rigid box, and custom folding cartons) to assist with strategic sales growth initiatives by providing a proven process model and methodology for new account development efforts (focused on larger repetitive programs with six to seven-figure revenue potential).

Packagers that choose to partner with Athena often experience the following sales situations: • Lack of sales growth (flat or declining YTY sales) • Need to replace bad margin, difficult customer programs • Need to replace customer projects that are nearing the end of their life cycle • Needed to diversify customer revenue base (80/20 rule) • Targeted the wrong type of accounts

of our process, you will see a flow of qualified leads from both inbound and outbound sources (SEO, website visitor tracking, outbound emails, etc.). Those leads and any of your internal lead sources (prospecting, referrals, tradeshows) that you’d like to include are qualified to ensure they meet your company’s specific growth requirements, whether based on industry, geography, potential revenue, or other criteria.

We manage those leads as they move through your sales cycle, set up meetings with the prospects, nurture future interest prospects, and follow up on RFQs and quotes, allowing your salespeople to do what they do best: Close the sale!

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

You will see compressed sales cycles, increased sales rep productivity, and of course, an increased flow of new business opportunities. Plus, you can clearly quantify and link your marketing investments to improvements in both sales productivity and increased sales revenue. To learn more about our packaging experience and see success stories from other packaging manufacturers (including AICC members), visit https://bit.ly/corrugated-packaging!

Todd Zielinski Managing Director & CEO tzielinski@athenaswc.com 716-799-9324

HERE IS HOW IT WORKS:

Our best-practice model combines inbound and outbound marketing tactics and allows you to measure effectiveness and quantify ROI. Programs are designed based on your specific sales goals and desired return. As part

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Corrugated Gear and Services, Inc. We’re more than just a parts supplier...

For over 40 years, Corrugated Gear and Services has served the corrugated industry with not only quality replacement parts, but unmatched excellence in the rebuilding and upgrading of machinery from roll stands all the way up to complete Flexo Folder Gluers from most manufacturers. With specifications for well over a half million parts, an in-house manufacturing/fabrication facility, and a fully capable ReBuild center, Corrugated

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Gear and Services is the name you can count on.

Providing the best service available is what keeps the GEAR turning, and we take pride in doing so every day.

100 Anderson Rd. Alpharetta, GA 30004 770-475-8929 www.corrugatedgear.com

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

SERVICES

GAPCO Good to the Core Strapping Solutions “With 6 National locations in the USA, GAPCO provides its customers with the fastest lead times. Contact us TODAY for your FREE sample coils.”

Patented Dust Free Strapping www.GAP-CO.com

Bobby Atkinson III Packaging Specialist b3@gap-co.com 404-388-6690 GAP-CO http://www.gap-co.com

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SERVICES

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Green Markets, A Bloomberg Company Corrugated Market News For Box Plants,

By Box Plants Sheet plants across the US have desired an alternative to FastMarkets RISI for many years. That Alternative is here in “The Box Report”. Each month we publish market insights that are confidentially gathered from box plants of all sizes. We ask participants for their sentiments about upcoming demand, track lead times for sheets and finished boxes, and provide a price index based on 32ECT. We report what we hear from the street.

CORRUGATED SHEET PRICING, MARKET SENTIMENTS, NEWS, AND MORE FOR BOX PROS.

The Green Markets Box Report uncovers the latest sheet price movements, market demand direction, and insight from inside the box industry. The Box Report gives you access to time-sensitive market intelligence including:

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• Corrugated Prices & Market Assessments • “The Box Buyers Corner” • Market Trends • Macro Indicators Each subscription includes access to the month-end Box Report and mid-month Box Market Trends report. The Trends report covers market moving ideas like: • E-Commerce • Sustainability • Digital Printing • New Innovations • Logistics • Software “Your report has more live info and what is actually occurring vs. tracking to a sort of indices. What are people saying for sheets ... what a liner is per ton ... is all important information for me to know.

The Box report commentary is great.”

—VP of Packaging

“[The Box Report] is tangible, easy to read, and what the industry needs to know.”

—GM at Sheet Feeder

Ryan has over 10 years of corrugated packaging industry experience with sheet plants.

Ryan Fox Corrugated Market Analyst rfox93@bloomberg.net 609-279-3849

For over 12 years, Lisa has provided sales leadership to multiple commodities in our portfolio.

Lisa Robel Director of Sales lrobel2@bloomberg.net 603-357-8181

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

SERVICES

JHF Capital, LLC Alternative Funding/Financing Specialist JHF Capital was founded by John Forrey, formerly the President of Specialty Industries and a member of the AICC Executive Board as recently as 2018.

Subsequent to the sale of Specialty, John was not ready to retire and decided to utilize his strong financial background to start his own company.

Recently, John was recognized as the Rookie of the Year award recipient at the National Alliance of Commercial Loan Brokers (NACLB) award ceremony in Las Vegas.

Having worked in the packaging manufacturing world for the better part of his career, John realized how much access to capital can be a struggle for many businesses. As such, JHF Capital brands itself as an alternative funding/ financing specialist for small and mid-size businesses to traditional bank lending institutions.

Types of funding options provided by JHF Capital include: Accounts Receivable and Asset Based Lines of Credit,

Equipment Leasing, Inventory Financing, Unsecured Business Lines of Credit, SBA Loans, Commercial Real Estate Financing, Purchase Order Financing and Large Project Financing.

Additionally, JHF Capital has relationships to help businesses reduce expenses in both the Merchant Services and Telecommunications cost centers.

Google “Entrepreneurs in Finance with Kris Roglieri” to see a recent Podcast with John discussing the JHF Capital business.

I look forward to reconnecting with old friends and colleagues of the AICC.

Please feel free to contact me for help or advice when having any challenges with your primary bank lending institution.

John Forrey Owner jforrey@jhfcapital.net 302-386-9994

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SERVICES

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KPI Incorporated World Class Customer Service KPI Incorporated (Indianapolis, IN) – A United States market representative of high-quality engineered products and services. KPI differentiates itself with extraordinary customer service, engineering support and planning, factory relocation project management, and forward communication. KPI offers warehouse storage and factory trained technicians to “service what it sells” to the corrugated box industry.

Below is a list of its partners.

BRICQ Corrugator Belts (Montbron, France) – Established in 70 countries Worldwide, BRICQ specializes in corrugator belts for all OEM corrugators. Depending on customer equipment type and board mix, BRICQ offers three different belt options to fit your needs: Power™ – Heavy Duty Woven (9mm) as well as its Needled Felt – Four™ (8.6mm) and its Lightweight Solution (5.5mm) Speed™. Its Siliconized Track™ offers superior tack for board control. Stock parent rolls are stored in Indianapolis and cut to length for emergency service. Seams can be integral flap or traditional flocked.

KPI offers drum lagging and belt repair through its field service team.

JKSP AirBond (Warrington, Cheshire, UK) – AirBond is a modern solution to improve board quality and deliver long term value on the corrugator. AirBond is an upgrade to a conventional double backer heat transfer system and has been

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engineered to increase the production speed of flat, well-bonded, dry sheets on the corrugator. Its advantages over traditional heat transfer systems is lowered energy/maintenance cost and reducing waste off the corrugator and through converting equipment. The modular and lightweight formed aluminum frames can be fitted to any OEM corrugator and installed over a weekend shutdown.

PIC Precision Industrial (Washington, USA) – is a Nationwide leader in corrugated equipment construction projects.

With over 30 years’ experience, PIC has built its reputation as a full-service industrial contractor for larger projects and when time matters most. PIC offers a single source provider for concrete foundations, full line corrugator installations, factory relocations, and green field construction projects. The PIC field team manages a variety of projects ranging from caustic to concrete services and from corrugator to converting equipment rigging.

Equipment is mobilized out of its Pacific Northwest location or its Midwest hub.

Vokore Machine Knives (Remscheid, Germany) – Since 1961, Vokore machine knives have been seen on corrugating equipment all over the World. Until recently, these slotting heads and razor slitting knives have been unavailable in the United States. Vokore quality comes from the higher density steel it uses as its base

metal. The knives are considered precision for their tolerances and offer longer life run time between changes. KPI stocks inventory in Indianapolis for select OEM equipment.

Visit www.kpiincorporated.com to view the KPI complete product and service offering or call us directly at 317-288-0470.

Michael Harris President mharris@kpiincorporated. com 317-288-0470

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

SERVICES

Miller Valentine Construction

I

n today’s ever-changing environment, flexibility is key. At Miller Valentine Construction, we partner with you to understand your current needs as well as develop a plan for tackling the challenges of tomorrow. From individual building layouts to campus planning, we have experience constructing highly productive environments for our clients’ needs.

As global industrial packaging companies expand their manufacturing, warehouse, and distribution footprints to meet demand and locate closer to their consumers, Miller Valentine has provided expertise in constructing and/or renovating over 6,500,000 square feet of space for many clients in the packaging industry.

Our preconstruction services allow us to anticipate and manage challenges from the very beginning and create a plan that’s designed to mitigate the inherent

risk factors that can impact the project’s timing, budget, quality, and safety.

Superior project execution takes careful planning, focus on details, and diligent follow-up on the hundreds of moving parts that make a project successful.

Our teams work together to ensure all aspects of a project are executed with certainty despite the risks and complexities involved.

At Miller Valentine Construction, we understand that no two projects and

customers are the same. We work to create a unique customer care plan for each client, based upon their needs and preferences.

NOW LET’S GET TO WORK! PROJECT SPOTLIGHT: PRATT INDUSTRIES • 704,000 SF Facility • 24,500 SF Office • 56 Docks • Rail dock with canopy structure

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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SERVICES

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

People’s Capital and Leasing Corp Are You Positioned to Fully Leverage Today’s Market Opportunities?

Where will your business be in five years?

The growth forecast for the corrugated packaging industry is strong due to a number of drivers that include: • Explosive growth in e-commerce, from direct ship-to-buyer to buy online/pickup in store • Rising need for sustainably produced, biodegradable shipping and storage materials • Increasing demand for packaging that helps businesses stand out in a crowded, highly competitive marketplace.

All of these represent tremendous opportunities. But realizing them will mean meeting the challenges that come along with them, such as: • Economical production at scale • Thinner yet stronger packaging • Customized, retail-ready printing with high impact and at a competitive cost Succeeding in this environment will require an unprecedented level of innovation and agility, driven in large part by advanced production technologies and people who can get the most from them. But how will manufacturers get equipped and train their teams to stay on the cutting edge without driving their financial position to the bleeding edge?

At People’s Capital and Leasing Corp, we believe a strong financial partner with real expertise in the corrugated packaging industry will be key to positioning manufacturers for rapid growth without compromising budgets, cash flows, and operational flexibility.

With a packaging team that has worked with the industry for more than 80

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years, People’s Capital and Leasing Corp deeply understands not only the current challenges and opportunities in the corrugated packaging marketplace but also the context and history that inform a strategic path forward.

What will that path look like?

Affordably acquiring the needed technology, keeping it up to date, and ensuring that teams can fully utilize it will require the kind of financing strategy we’ve developed for the industry—one that includes elements like these: • The flexibility to choose from loans, leases, and SBA agreements as the situation warrants, along with expert insight on the relative merits of each option in a given scenario • 100% financing for equipment to relieve the upfront cash burden of equipment acquisitions and position businesses for maximum flexibility as opportunities arise and evolve • Customizable terms that include options like progress payment financing, competitive fi xed or floating rates, synthetic leases, operating leases, and other alternatives that give manufacturers a best-fit solution to their needs now and the agility to modify their solution as business needs dictate • Local decision-making from a financial partner that holds transactions in its own portfolio • Asset-secured lending that doesn’t require businesses to secure acquisitions with blanket liens or real estate Is your business positioned to fully leverage the opportunities presented by an evolving marketplace? As a lender committed to facilitating growth in the corrugated packaging industry and a member of AICC for more than 20 years, People’s Capital and Leasing Corp is

here with industry experience, finance resources, and strategic insight to help you drive exceptional results now and in the years to come. To start a discussion, contact us today.

Tom Davies, SVP Bridgeport, CT 203-232-6018 Tom.davies@peoples.com Tony Castellanos, VP Overland Park, KS 913-484-4444 Tony.Castellanos@peoples.com Tom Emery, VP Atlanta, GA 678-576-8166 Thomas.emery@peoples.com Jeff Morrison, VP Bridgeport, CT 203-339-1006 Jeffrey.morrison@peoples.com

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

SERVICES

Precision Industrial Contractors

A

t PIC, our team of professionals has helped many clients design and install complex industrial corrugation processes.

PIC is recognized as a preferred turnkey corrugator and converting construction company. We work closely with our customers to expedite and complete projects according to their specifications.

Our construction services include layout, pre-planning, foundation design, civil/concrete, structure fabrication, steel erection, process piping and complete plant relocation and implementation. We

also provide corrugator and machinery profiles and precision optical alignment with capabilities up to ½ arc second.

We collaborate with our customers to expedite and complete projects safely, on time, on budget and with as little disruption to our customers’ production as possible.

For more information, contact us or visit our website.

Eric Simensen President eric.simensen@ picateam.com 360-225-7955 Other information: www.picateam.com

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SERVICES

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Printers 401k® Spotlight on Retirement Plan Performance There is a lot to keep track of when sponsoring a retirement plan, especially when it comes to fiduciary responsibilities and regulations. It is vital to ensure you are fulfilling your fiduciary obligations to maximize participant retirement readiness and to lower fiduciary risk and plan expense, but doing so can be confusing and time-consuming.

As part of our spotlight services, we are typically able to provide companies with: 1. Better employee communication and education 2. Lower stated fees 3. Covered Fiduciary responsibilities – Printers 401k® Retirement Plan Experts accept Fiduciary responsibility 4. Better investment lineups

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We offer a complimentary side-by-side comparison to assist you in identifying strengths and weaknesses with your retirement plan. Th is service helps cut through the complexity of retirement plan operations, plainly shows you how your plan is performing, and reveals the total costs you and your participants are paying for your retirement plan.

The Printers401k® Program provides a complete solution to retirement plan management. Contact Joe Trybula CFP®, CPFA®, today at 800-307-0376 or joe@printers401k.com to receive your complimentary side-by-side comparison.

Joe Trybula, CFP®, AIF®, is the Vice President of Diversified Financial Advisors, LLC and a Registered Investment Adviser with more than 20 years of experience of providing professional management of corporate retirement programs.

Joe Trybula CFP®, AIF® joe@printers401k.com 800-307-0376

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

SERVICES

Pro Services, Inc. Decrease Downtime and Improve Reliability with a Fully-Outsourced Maintenance Program from Pro Services Since 1987, Pro Services has provided world-class Skilled Trades and Production Maintenance Services to manufacturing partners across the country.

Our Pro FMT (Full-Service Maintenance Teams) division provides full-service maintenance support programs to our industrial-manufacturing clients, allowing them to focus on their core competencies, leaving the maintenance details to the PROS. Pro Services offers fully outsourced maintenance programs to our manufacturing clients, allowing them to reduce their downtime and improve reliability and maintenance costs. Our full-program includes maintenance management, maintenance technicians, PM optimization, and complete asset ownership.

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?

• Our People º Our experienced and highly qualified technicians are vetted through our specialized recruiting process, which allows us to provide you with top-tier talent. º We also have multiple CRLs (Certified Reliability Leaders® ) on staff helping maintenance teams change from a reactive to a predictive and preventative environment. These leaders create a system of asset lifecycle management that reduces downtime and associated production costs.

• Performance Guarantees º We provide industry-leading guarantees on performance, decreased downtime, and increased productivity.

• Our Proven Process º Utilizing our FMT process has proven that with our maintenance support, customers can focus on

their core competencies leaving the maintenance details to the PROS. Are you facing obvious challenges like finding talent with the right skills, skilled technicians nearing retirement, and struggling to keep up with industrial and technological advancements? Pro Services has the solution for you! Contact our sales team at info@prosatwork.com to see how our fully outsourced maintenance program can help your company advance into the future. info@prosatwork.com 269-327-2322 www.prosatwork.com

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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SERVICES

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Quality Systems Enhancement

Engage the Experts. Guaranteed Certification for ISO, FSSC, & More.

Quality Systems Enhancement is a leader in consulting, training, and auditing services for packaging companies all over the world. Founded in 1992 by Baskar Kotte, QSE has helped over 800 companies achieve certification for various standards.

While getting certified can seem to be a daunting process especially for smaller organizations, certification for international standards can help companies reduce cost, improve quality, and differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive industry. We are founded on the belief that any company can benefit from and achieve certification in various international standards.

With nearly three decades of experience, our team is filled with experienced consultants with deep roots in the packaging industry. Through the years we’ve developed our proprietary 10-Step Approach™ to certification with which we’ve registered over 800 companies with a 100% success rate the first time through.

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We trust in our process and are the only organization in our industry that offers a guarantee of certification for our clients.

Most certifications take between 6–8 months and our process creates a predictable path for organizations to follow.

“Our process was steady and predictable and followed QSE’s timeline towards our goal of certification. This whole process lasted eight months and culminated with our audit, passed with zero deficiencies and consequent recommendation for certification to ISO 9001. I highly recommend Baskar Kotte and Quality Systems Enhancement, Inc. for any company that is SERIOUS about not only passing, but also living the ISO standard.” —Aero Box Company from Roseville, Michigan One of the foundations of our process is simplification. We believe in one-level documentation systems as opposed to the two, three, or four level structures that may be utilized by others. This means your organization spends less

time maintaining documentation and your employees are more likely to follow it. This helps companies easily maintain certification without having to put in countless man-hours every year to managing their systems.

QSE has helped over 800 companies across North America achieve certification utilizing our unique 10-Step Approach™ to management system consulting.

Schedule a consultation and learn how we can help you achieve your goals as quickly, simply and easily as possible.

Baskar Kotte Founder info@enhancequality.com 770-518-9967

Reach our team by emailing us at info@enhancequality.com or calling 770-518-9967. We are available Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

SERVICES

Working Well Intentional Culture During Backlog Bedlam Working Well provides resources and guidance for building a productive and stable workforce. If you have plenty of willing and capable employees then move on, this article is not for you. However, if you would like to explore further keep reading and learn about methods that work, even during backlog bedlam.

INVESTIGATE

A low-risk way to check out the strategy is to read two volumes in the Intentional Culture series. They are practical guides to building willingness and capability in team members.

Changed People Change Process was written with the awesome P2 team, and the newest book Dammit, Learning Judgment Through Experience are practical guides to involvement of team members in the improvement experience that build buy-in and know-how.

These books tell you both why and how to use the many planning, problem-solving, and project management techniques they describe.

DABBLE

All the learning company tools described in the books are available for purchase.

You may choose a single tool to begin engaging a crew in problem-solving or you may equip the training room with an array of tools. Durable dry erase versions of all the tools are available to help you make these activities second nature, a part of the way you get things done every day.

As faculty of AICC’s Packaging School, Scott has contributed many leadership and process improvement resources that are part of the organization’s membership benefit and available to all employees.

WADE IN

Working Well exists to train, coach, and build resources for leading, teaming, and working well. Dr. Scott Ellis is available

to assess the strengths and challenges in your culture, provide you with an action plan, and coach key leaders to guide the transition.

Books, articles, and process improvement tools are available at Workingwell.bz and AICC members are eligible for discounts by entering the code AICC.

Scott Ellis, Ed.D., delivers training, coaching, and resources that develop the ability to eliminate obstacles and sustain more eff ective and profitable results. He recently published Dammit, Learning Judgment Through Experience. His books are available on Amazon. Scott can be reached at 425-985-8508 or scott@workingwell.bz.

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SOFTWARE AND ELECTRONICS

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Kiwiplan Invest In Your Future Greetings AICC Members and Associate partners! As we continue engaging the challenges from Covid 19, our industry has had an absolute boom in business.

This has rejuvenated the pre-pandemic CapEx and OpEx enthusiasm to fund new construction, plant upgrades, new machinery purchases and ERP/MRP software upgrades to optimize these enterprise advancements.

Together, we have undergone a transition, altering business operations forever. Some of your workforce spent a segment of time working remotely or you already position resources this way and further expanded this capability. During last year our customers aggressively forged ahead with projects and we achieved many 100% remote installations and upgrades to support them. Less travel and expenses + less flights = an accompanying reduction in carbon footprint and reduced overall costs.

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How can you enable this approach?

This requires: • Strong local teams that can thrive in this environment.

• A strong communications capability.

• Kiwiplan’s robust software and a full engagement strategy.

• Utilize provided web-courses prior to the installation.

• Ensure your staff commitment to fully participate in user training and implementation stages.

Kiwiplan provides a Business and Manufacturing Execution System that can expand and maximize your facility investments scaled to your needs. A remote or onsite implementation hybrid is a standard approach as well. Kiwiplan is a fully integrated ERP/MRP. Our pursuit is to continually provide automation tools across all facets of corrugated, converter, litho-lamination and pre-print

operations. Industry 4.0 intelligent connectivity with your machines and devices provides seamless data accuracy.

Our mission is to support consistent staff performance and ensuing cost-savings.

Our goal is to provide decision makers with real-time actionable events and increased revenue.

In 2022, Kiwiplan marks 40 years of service to the paperboard and packing industries. Our company stability and brand are our identity. Th is will remain in force so a Kiwiplan systems implementation is a life partnership. Contact us to explore a long-term solution for your business.

Dana Disney National Account Manager dana.disney@kiwiplan.com Kiwiplan Inc. 513-265-8807

People | Knowledge | Software | Services

Invest in your future with The most robust industry-specific platform that grows with you

I

Front Office • Enterprise Sales Processing • Costing and Pricing • Messaging and Portals

Business Intelligence • Data Warehouse • Dashboards and Analysis Tools

Manufacturing • Corrugator Scheduling • Automated Scheduling Corrugator and Converting • Production Control and Shop Floor • Quality Management • Intelligent Machinery Connectivity • Productivity/Performance Displays • WIP and FGS Load Tags

Inventory and Logistics • Supply Chain Management • Roll Stock Management and Sourcing • WIP and FGS Tracking • Material Management • Procurement and Inventory Control • Truck/Transport Scheduling Find us on

visit www.kiwiplan.com

SOFTWARE AND ELECTRONICS

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

Amtech Software INTELLIGENT. AUTOMATED. PRODUCTIVE. SECURE. Amtech’s EnCore ERP with Integrated Scheduling & Production Monitoring Suite is the industry’s most advanced and informative ERP System and Automation Solution on the market.

Built on enhanced security technologies you can ensure that your business has closed potential cyber-security gaps while providing your business with the latest intelligence and data available on the market. Addressing multi-lingual needs, Amtech can meet the demands of single plants to multi-national, integrated operations.

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE – ACTIONABLE VISUAL ANALY TICS.

A complete business intelligence solution built into EnCore, real-time data is pulled through to meaningful and actionable dashboards and analytics.

With many canned dashboards to choose from and the ability to easily customize dashboards, your team will stay ahead of today’s performance instead of operating days and weeks behind.

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CORRUGATOR SCHEDULING – INTELLIGENT, AUTOMATED SCHEDULING.

Solutions Scheduling for Corrugators provides plant schedulers with the tools necessary to efficiently trim all paper grades through built-in intelligence. You will achieve better, more cost-effective runs that minimize wet end changes, converting backlog, WIP, and congestion on the plant floor.

CONVERTING SCHEDULING – INCREASE THROUGHPUT.

Amtech’s Advanced Converting Scheduling is an automated and integrated plant planning system that utilizes intelligent algorithms for automated scheduling. It sorts order operations at machine centers assuring total balance and optimization of your operational workload, which simplifies day-to-day tasks of your scheduler, and ensures better performance.

PRODUCTION MONITORING – MANAGE & MOTIVATE IN REAL-TIME.

Amtech’s Production Monitoring Solution (ScoreKeeper) delivers real-time digital signage, built on the latest secure technology and equipment, with data analytics allowing managers to manage inside and outside the plant. Data points such as set-up times, run times, downtimes, shown on fresh digital signage helps to keep crews motivated. Live and historical timeline comparisons help management to stay ahead of problems and become proactive with production management.

Contact us to set up a time to talk!

Darren Artillio President dartillio@ amtechsoftware.com 215-639-9540

THE BIG ASSOCIATE ISSUE

SOFTWARE AND ELECTRONICS

Arden Software Arden Software witnesses significant growth from Automation and Acquisition.

Arden Software is a leading software company specializing in CAD and CAM software for the packaging industry.

Founded in 1988, we are an international leader in the development of structural design and workflow management systems, and our Impact software is used all over the world.

For more than 30 years, we have supplied design and manufacturing applications to the worldwide packaging sector, and drawing upon our 50-year background in die-making, we have created software that works perfectly for those who work in the industry.

While the pandemic has slowed travel Arden has seen significant growth both through acquisition and the need for more automation alike.

This past year Arden Software acquired Cimex Corp. Cimex develops CimPACK Software, which, like Impact, is a leading name in the print, packaging and die-making sectors. Making Arden Software one of the largest suppliers for packaging design and automation software with over 18,000 stations installed.

Jim Silianoff, President of Arden Software North America, said: “Much like Arden, Cimex is a global supplier of CAD and CAM software in the packaging sector, so we’re excited to bring their skills and expertise into the Arden Group.

“This partnership will bring together some of the best minds in the industry to develop a new era of software tools and innovative solutions for our customers.

“The breadth of knowledge and experience within Cimex, combined with the development power of Arden, will ensure we’re uniquely positioned to deliver highly automated, efficient and

innovative solutions to our existing and new customers.

“Our industry remains a highly collaborative and increasingly technical environment.

Whether it’s new technologies for die-making and manufacturing, workflow automation, ecommerce, packaging design or collaboration, this acquisition will solidify our position as a technology innovator in the packaging industry, building on the strong relationships that both companies have with their customers.”

A more decentralized workforce has meant an increase in the demand for WEBcnx, Arden’s workflow automation tool that integrates with Impact. The WEBcnx solution which can manage the entire design lifecycle from design request to becoming an order is an easy to use web based system. This has given many work at home users along with sales teams complete access to the design workflow process that has actually streamlined communication, reduced errors, provided easy access to realtime data, even on mobile platforms and in all cases developed closer relationships with their customers.

Arden Software has also strengthened relationships with our partners. We have and continue to work with Bobst to streamline and automate the die making process. A new version of an integration plugin for TOPs software. Our work with Print Now has been implanted in a number of leading web to package companies and is state of the art. We are also very proud of our new integration with Kiwiplan. Once again demonstrating that Arden’s integration capabilities are unmatched.

For the coming year Arden will be releasing Impact

2022 which will have a new parametrics engine that will redefine how packaging is designed. This has been in development for years and the culmination of that development will be released in V2022 of Impact CAD. The new parametric engine brings a level of AI to structural design that will set the standard going forward.

We really look to getting on the road in the new normal and seeing all of our customers once again. Visit www.arden software.com to find out more about our range of software solutions for packaging.

Jim Silianoff President and CEO – Arden Software North America jsilianoff@ ardensoftware.com Jim joined Arden Software more than a decade ago and heads up our Arden Software USA division. He has a wealth of knowledge of the packaging sector, having previously founded packaging design software manufacturer Dimensional Impressions, before joining forces with Arden Software in 2008. Jim is based in our American office in Park City, Utah, delivering Arden’s innovative packaging software solutions to our customers on the other side of the Atlantic.

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Packaging Possibilities. A New Era. A New Xperience AICCBOX.ORG/XPERIENCE

PACKAGING XPERIENCE.

Tuesday-Thursday, March 1-3, 2022 | Kansas City, MO Early Bird Rate Ends Wednesday, January 12, 2022

THREE DAYS OF POSSIBILITIES

SPEAKER

LES PICKERING

SPEAKER

SPEAKER

CHRIS HEUSCH

MARK ROBERTS

ABOUT XPERIENCE

Xperience life from your customers’ perspective. For months, supply chain issues and labor shortages have impacted your ability to do your job and meet your customers’ needs. Their patience is wearing thin. This Xperience will show you how to maximize your machines and fine-tune your processes to put your company at the head of the pack.

FINDING POSSIBLITIES WITHIN Xperience Hot Topics

• Maintenance In Packaging - From Three Countries • Customer Statistics, Preparing Your Company for Better Service to Your Customers and Potential Customers • Flexo-Digital-Hybrid Printing Solutions The Commercial Advantage • Challenges with Today's Current Issues • How to Become/Maintain First Class

SEE EXCELLENCE IN ACTION Get a Comprehensive Look Inside Two AICC Member Plants • Arrowhead Containers, Inc. SMC Packaging Group • Lawrence Paper Company

New & Returning Members

Welcome, New Members!

ST. PETE PAPER COMPANY TOM GOMEZ President 2324 20th St. E. Palmetto, FL 34221 941-776-4194 www.stpetepaper.com

The Measure of Quality.

PATENTED OPENCHANNEL ENGRAVING PROVEN FASTER & EASIER CLEAN-UP

COMBINATION SOLID AND SCREEN PRINTING

NEXT-GEN ANILOX ROLLS

CORROSION & SCORE RESISTANCE

UPGRADED SOLID, LINE & CMYK PRINTABILITY

CUSTOM OR CONVENTIONAL ENGRAVINGS

CONVENTIONAL ANILOX ENGRAVINGS

GUIDEWHEEL ABHISHEK PANIGRAHI Chief of Staff 26 Carisbrook Dr. Orinda, CA 94563 925-683-7646 www.guidewheel.com

MIAMI VALLEY PACKAGING SOLUTIONS, INC. JAMES W. WILLIAMS President 150 Janney Dr. Dayton, OH 45404 937-224-1800 www.mvpsohio.com

Apex anilox rolls let you print your best on corrugated.

Don’t let your anilox rolls hold you back from finer screens, stronger solids, & sharper lines.

Treat your customers to higher print quality with GTT and UltraCell anilox engravings.

Let legendary Apex precision & durability reduce problems & boost your profits.

GTTCORR “L”

SOLIDS & SCREENS ON ONE INK STATION

Full solid and 65 LPI screen with one print plate on white-coated B-flute using GTTCORR Conventional 250 LPI Anilox Engraving

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ACHIEVE YOUR FINEST DETAIL

GTTCORRanilox (far right) helps you print finer screens, stronger solids, and sharper edges.

Get on board with higher print quality & contact us for your next anilox quote.

Get on board with Apex

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apexinternational.com/industry/corrugated

AICC BoxScore 3.25x8.25.indd 1

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Headline BYLINE

Member Recognition

Recognizing Your Company’s Success

A

ICC is accepting submissions to the Member Milestone Program. This is an annual opportunity to celebrate member companies, both boxmaker and Associate, that are celebrating significant anniversaries, such as 40, 50, 60, 70, 75, 80, 90, and 100 (or more!) years of continual operation.

Members in good standing that wish to be included in this recognition should be celebrating an anniversary in 2022 and should provide a two- to three-minute video presentation featuring the history of their company and describing their growth.

The members that submit qualifying videos by the deadline will be recognized during the closing general session of the 2022 Spring Meeting, which will be held at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort, in Palm Desert, California, April 6–8. The video compilation of all qualifying companies

will be shown, and then the member representatives will be called on stage to receive a recognition plaque.

AICC will also recognize the milestone members in a variety of ways, including in a post-meeting news release,

in BoxScore, on AICC’s social media accounts, and on the AICC website, following the meeting.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, February 11. Full details and specifications can be found at www.aiccbox.org/milestone.

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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AICCBOX.ORG/MEETING

Early Bird & Hotel Deadline: Monday, March 14, 2022

AICC 2022 SPRING MEETING

& 8th Annual Independents’ Cup Charity Golf Tournament Wednesday–Friday, April 6–8, 2022 JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort

| Palm Desert, California

FEATURING KEYNOTE

KEYNOTE

SEAN MCDERMOTT

CAPTAIN RICHARD PHILLIPS

“Channeling Human Energy to Transform Your Company”

“Steering Your Ship Through Rough Waters: Lessons on Leadership”

Founder and Certified EOS® Implementer, The Traction Group

Real Life Inspiration for the Movie “Captain Phillips” & Author

KEYNOTE WORKSHOPS ⊲ Leadership, Management & Accountability ⊲ The Talk: How to think about your business as a system

SUPPLIER INNOVATIONS WORKSHOPS ⊲ Machinery & Non-Machinery Innovations for the Corrugated, Folding Carton and Rigid Box Industry

FOCUS SESSION ON HOT INDUSTRY TOPICS ⊲ Supply Chain Issues; Retailers, Pressures and Opportunities for Manufacturers & Retainers ⊲ Trucking & Transportation Update ⊲ Economic Growth 2022—Covid, The Economy, Inflation & Mid-Term Tactics, Strategies & Actions to Increase Profitability

ENCORR SHEETS LLC. PLANT TOUR ⊲ Encorr Sheets, located in Ontario, CA, is a manufacturer of corrugated packaging and is home to one of only a few 132-inch BHS corrugators in the United States.

8TH ANNUAL INDEPENDENTS’ CUP ⊲ Join us for our Annual Charity Golf Tournament to benefit the Foundation for Packaging Education on JW Marriott’s two championship courses, designed by Ted Robinson, Sr., the “King of Waterscapes.”

WORKING WITH A

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Finding success despite supply chain shortages

BY ROBERT BITTNER

D

ue to the far-reaching and ongoing impact of COVID-19, 2021 was the year of the broken global supply chain.

“For decades, we’ve had this beautiful supply chain flow making it possible to practice just-in-time forecasting with our clients and fulfillment that can land products within hours of when they get used in a facility,” says Greg Tucker, owner and CEO of Bay Cities. “That’s all thrown out the window now. Paper shortages have led to extended lead times, late deliveries, missed deliveries. This is running rampant with Bay Cities, and I’m certain it’s running rampant with all of our independent brethren due to capacity constraints, paper shortages, and supply chain issues.”

“At Wasatch Container, we work with corrugated, foam, and wood, all of which have had supply issues over the past year,” notes Jerry Frisch, founder and president.

“The result was tight allocation, which allowed us to receive only about half the raw material supply that we used the previous year.”

Lead times that would have been a week or two back in 2019 have stretched out to six weeks. At the same time, Frisch points out, the corrugated business has been even busier than usual, which has put additional strain on an already disrupted infrastructure.

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Proactive Partnerships Managing the supplier-manufacturer relationship is vital for a boxmaker’s success. Yet the current shortages have led some manufacturers to panic, scrambling for new suppliers in an attempt to get back to “business as usual” as quickly as possible.

Kevin Ausburn, chairman and CEO of SMC Packaging, believes that approach may be short-sighted. “There have been instances over the years where we could probably have sourced things differently,” he acknowledges, “but there’s real value associated with having dedicated, loyal suppliers with you in times like we’re in right now.”

Ausburn points out that SMC’s longstanding supplier relationships— partnerships stretching back more than 20 years—mean they know how the company operates and what they

“There have been instances over the years where we could probably have sourced things differently, but there’s real value associated with having dedicated, loyal suppliers with you in times like we’re in right now.”

—Kevin Ausburn, chairman and CEO, SMC Packaging need. For instance, even though the company has been affected by shortages like everyone else, Ausburn credits their supplier relationships for the company’s

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apexinternational.com/industry/corrugated

AICC BoxScore 3.25x4.25.indd 1

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ability to maintain a certain level of inventory on the floor. Although the situation is not perfect, he says, “We’re probably at about 75% of where we would like to be with the inventory on the floor.” There have been very few instances in which the company has completely run out of a grade.

SMC’s situation highlights the importance of nurturing supplier relationships just as they manage their customer accounts, Ausburn believes. “I think sometimes that gets lost in the day-to-day activity. One point that has come out of these shortages, and everything associated with COVID-19, is how important it is that we take care of our suppliers. In times like this, our suppliers are going to want to deal with the people who pay their bills promptly, who place their orders with sufficient time, who are easy to work with and aren’t overly demanding.”

In addition, Tucker says, “You have to communicate. Go beyond email. Pick up the damn phone and call whoever you need to call, so you can make sure that something is or is not happening. You have to have that direct conversation with people, that constant communication, so you understand whether what you’re doing is actually working.”

Without frequent communication, parties can fall into assumptions that may not be accurate. “I think the times that we’ve gotten a little pinched on supplies are probably because we’ve taken for granted some of the order patterns that we have with the mills,” Ausburn points out. “We assume something is happening on their end and then discover there’s been a miscommunication somewhere along the line, or there’s a new customer service person at the mill who doesn’t quite understand what our needs are.

Next thing you know, we’re completely out of a grade, and it’s going to be another week before they get in and run that. So we’re trying to do a better job of communicating with the mills on a regular basis. We’ve got scheduled phone calls throughout the week where we send information on what we show

on the floor, what we have on order, and what we’re expecting—making sure the mills are producing what we need when we need it.”

The Waiting Game Supply chain failures have affected boxmaking equipment production— and repair—as well, weakening boxmakers’ ability to deliver their own products on time and on budget.

“There’s a steel shortage,” Tucker says, “but there are also other shortages across the board: It’s copper, wiring, electronics. All of the electronics that are going into the corrugated boxmaking equipment set require microchips.

Well, you can’t get them. And then there’s the whole people issue; we can’t get wiring harnesses because manufacturers can’t get people to

weld them. We can’t get people to assemble these machines.”

The result: Bay Cities is experiencing delays on four major pieces of equipment.

“One was supposed to be in this past summer; we may see that at the beginning of this year. One was supposed to be in at the end of 2021; I don’t think we’ll see that until August,” Tucker says.

Although SMC did not have any big equipment orders in 2021, the company is looking ahead to possible equipment purchases this year. “Normally, we would expect fulfillment within six to nine months or so,” Ausburn says.

“We’re hearing from manufacturers that their lead times have stretched out a lot longer. Now, it’s more like 12 to 18 months.”

“It seems like every supplier is saying orders won’t be filled for 12 to 18 months,” adds Frisch, “with one supplier

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

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“Communication is the big C word that can make a huge difference. That’s what’s going to set the independent apart from the larger companies that are just swamped and trying to get their heads above water.”

—Greg Tucker, owner and CEO, Bay Cities

being out over two years. I think all the machine suppliers are selling more units now than ever, but there are just a lot of disruptions in the supply chain.”

All About Communication With across-the-board interruptions at almost every point in the production and fulfillment process, boxmakers are finding it virtually impossible to deliver the level of service they and their customers have come to expect.

“We simply aren’t doing a great job right now when it comes to delivering customer service,” Tucker says. “I don’t think anyone is. But rather than just accept that, I think we can stand out by working to communicate better and better. Because of the current situation, our outward marketing really has to be more toward returning to ultimate customer service.”

The key, he says, is communication.

“Communication is the big C word that can make a huge difference. That’s what’s going to set the independent apart from the larger companies that are just swamped and trying to get their heads above water. Yes, we’re trying to get our head above water, too—but let’s do it smarter, with the customer in

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mind. It’s the most valuable thing we can do for the future.”

“There have been points—particularly this past September—when our lead times have stretched out,” Ausburn says. “So we’ve been communicating pretty regularly with our sales reps and customers, letting them know when our converting capacity is getting close to being tapped out. That has led a lot of people to change their order patterns, so they’re ordering out a lot further and maybe in different quantities than they have in the past, just to reserve their space in our converting lineup and manage their own inventories.”

Finally, Tucker says, it has never been more important to communicate internally. “I’m sure we’re not alone in having a bunch of people that have been mentally wrecked over the last year and a half,” he says. “The mental health of our employees is hugely important, and I don’t think enough people are talking about that. Again, it comes down to communication: Talk to them. Check in with them. Let them know that help is available when they need it.”

Planning for Post-COVID With so many ongoing challenges yet to be resolved, it may be difficult to

look too far into the future. But the way boxmakers respond to today’s shortages and hurdles will pave the path to future success.

For example, despite a worker shortage, Wasatch Container has been focused on building a stronger team. “Within the last year, we’ve hired roughly 15 new employees,” Frisch says, noting that that represents about a quarter of the company’s total workforce. “And, even though entry-level positions are a bit of a revolving door,

we’ve been able to retain most people we’ve brought on.”

One reason for the company’s success is a personalized onboarding program that promotes relationships within the team even as it imparts practical knowledge.

Along with a detailed training and safety program, the company makes sure each new hire has a one-on-one lunch with a company owner during the first month of employment.

According to Frisch, “that’s been very, very effective on both sides. I get to know

them; they get to know me. They get to hear about our culture and understand who we are and what we’re doing. And I learn about them—what their family is all about, what led them to us.” The ultimate goal? “We’re trying to get a deeper bench on all our equipment,” Frisch explains, “which is helping us with our scheduling, employee development, and retention.”

No one knows when the global supply chain will begin to look like its preCOVID self. Yet workplace strategies

that focus on what can be done now— improved communication, constant outreach, equipping for the future—will help to strengthen a company’s foundation both for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.

Robert Bittner is a Michigan-based freelance journalist and a frequent BoxScore contributor.

BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

127

The Associate Advantage

Supply Chain, Labor Challenges Continue to Consume Attention

BY GREG JONES GREG JONES SUN AUTOMATION GROUP VICE CHAIRMAN GREG.JONES@SUNAUTOMATION.COM

JOE MORELLI HUSTON PATTERSON PRINTERS CHAIRMAN JMORELLI@HUSTONPATTERSON.COM

TIM CONNELL A.G. STACKER INC. SECRETARY TCONNELL@AGSTACKER.COM

JOHN BURGESS PAMARCO DIRECTOR JOHN.BURGESS@PAMARCO.COM

PAT SZANY AMERICAN CORRUGATED MACHINE CORP. IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN PSZANY@ACM-CORP.COM

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G

lobal manufacturers, including almost all AICC Associate and general member companies, are feeling unprecedented pressure as we crawl into a post-pandemic world. Components shortages and surging raw material prices have created a feeding frenzy as we battle global supply chain lockdowns. Furthermore, supply shortages are threatening to cut off economic recovery in many regions of the world, and when coupled with labor and logistics shortages, the challenges appear to be piling up with no end in sight.

Fortunately, demand for corrugated remains strong, and global recovery is beginning to exceed pre-pandemic status. Good news is on the horizon, too, as borders reopen. Manufacturing operations and retailers in Western economies have emerged from lockdowns and are ready to resume imports. In early October, there were almost 500 large container ships waiting to dock outside ports in Asia, Europe, and North America. However, OEMs that have successfully shipped containers to

The Associate Advantage

North America are being blocked at sea and delayed by weeks, waiting to be allowed entry. In some instances, these delays are made worse by some ports not having enough labor to unload ships and move products to the next leg of their journey. As a result, ocean freight rates have increased two to five times from 18 months ago, creating an actual bidding war to secure shipping container spots.

OEMs in Asia are certainly feeling the brunt of the downturn more than those in Europe and North America due to COVID-19 restrictions. Seeking goods from regions still in lockdown is virtually impossible. Additionally, while some can export machinery, they are unable to send technicians to perform installs. As a result, several OEMs have had to turn to

videoconferencing to remotely walk box plant customers through installs. Others are relying on domestic partners to install equipment on their behalf.

With labor shortages likely to continue, mitigating these issues is ever more challenging. According to the U.S. Labor Department, just last August, more than 4.3 million workers voluntarily walked off their jobs. And at the time of this writing, strikes were occurring at both Kellogg’s and John Deere by employees feeling they have the upper hand in negotiations and demanding more of their employers.

Many employers have also expressed great difficulty fi nding qualified and willing applicants to fi ll the growing void caused by the upended labor market. State officials also have been

unsuccessful in attempting to limit additional U.S. federal benefits over the summer, and the current White House administration has done little to mitigate these challenges.

Given all this, we must leverage the hand we have been dealt. It will require a steadfast approach, but the opportunities are there. I recommend building up inventory and creating emergency plans, identifying potential new suppliers, conducting a supply chain vulnerability audit, and partnering with companies that have logistics expertise. Any of these strategies will help you have a successful, healthy, and prosperous 2022!

Greg Jones is executive vice president at SUN Automation Group and is vice chairman of AICC’s Associate board.

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BOXSCORE www.aiccbox.org

129

Foundation for Packaging Education

The Foundation for Packaging Education Thanks AICC Associate Members for Their Pledges

S

ince this edition of BoxScore is the Big Associates Issue, the Foundation for Packaging Education wants to take the opportunity to recognize several AICC Associate member companies for investing in the Foundation (as of November 2021).

You’ve read in these pages what AICC Associate members have to offer in terms of technology, expertise, services, innovation, leadership, and the future. They are valued and trusted partners in your business.

The 16 companies listed at right have importantly gone a step further— they have invested in the future of their customers, their industry, and themselves. Their pledges will ensure, along with those of 25 AICC general members (as of November 2021), that the number and scope of AICC’s employee-focused education programs continue to grow today and well into the future.

At a time when AICC members’ box plants and employees are working at full capacity and so many positions remain unfi lled, workforce development has never been more critical. Th at is the need of our industry and the mission of the foundation. It is a call that has been answered by these industry leaders.

They support the vision that created the Foundation for Packaging Education.

We thank them for their vision and their pledges, and we hope that you will join them.

Visit www.packaginged.org to learn more.

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BOXSCORE January/February 2022

SUN AUTOMATION BCM INKS L.D. DAVIS ADDUCO COMMUNICATIONS JB MACHINERY KOLBUS HAIRE MACHINERY EQUIPMENT FINANCE CORP. PAMARCO/ABSOLUTE ATHENA SWC A.G. STACKER AMERICAN CORRUGATED MACHINE TOROSIAN TECHNICAL SERVICES GRIFFIN COMMUNICATIONS N.V. PUBLICATIONS GEO. M. MARTIN

Thank You, Education Investors These companies are making a significant contribution to the online education available to all AICC members.

For more information, contact Mike D’Angelo, President, 703.535.1386 or mdangelo@aiccbox.org.

International Corrugated Packaging Foundation I N T E R N AT I O N A L

PACKAGING

CORRUGATED

F O U N D AT I O N

Begin Recruiting 2022 ICPF Student Interns and 2022 Graduates Now!

T

his past year, over 1,000 packaging engineering, sales, business, packaging and graphic design, chemical engineering, supply chain management, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, and related upcoming graduates and students demonstrated interest in corrugated packaging careers by posting their resumés in ICPF’s Resumé Bank, by applying for ICPF Corporate Partner student internships and entry-level openings through ICPF’s Career Portal, by participating in ICPF’s Student/ Executive Dialogue Dinner, by participating in ICPF’s annual Teleconference on the

Business of Corrugated Packaging and the Careers, and by joining ICPF’s interactive Careers in Corrugated Packaging social network.

These initiatives, which included participation by dozens of ICPF Corporate Partners, led to record recruiting in 2021, exceeding the annual average of 120 student interns and graduates recruited through ICPF resources by 25%.

It appears that the 2022 recruiting cycle will be even more active, with over 250 students already posting resumés on ICPF’s Career Portal in anticipation of applying to 2022 openings.

Now is the time for ICPF Corporate Partners to post summer internships and openings for upcoming 2022 graduates on ICPF’s Career Portal. For those firms seeking applicants for current entry-level openings, there are December 2021 graduates still available as well.

Don’t postpone. ICPF’s Career Portal is simple and fast. If your firm is an ICPF Corporate Partner, your HR team can post student internships and entry-level openings for new graduates for free by visiting ICPF’s Career Portal at www. careersincorrugated.org or by emailing info@icpfbox.org for more information.

Join ICPF’s Teleconference on the Business of Corrugated Packaging and the Careers That Reaches Over 500 Students

O

n Thursday, February 24 (2 p.m.–3:30 p.m. EST), ICPF will conduct its annual Teleconference on the Business of Corrugated Packaging and the Careers. Over 500 students from 15–20 universities will be participating this year by Zoom. ICPF invites company executives in production, sales, and operations, whose

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fi rms are ICPF Corporate Partners and have or will be posting 2022 openings on ICPF’s Career Portal for upcoming graduates and student internship candidates, to join us. Th is year’s Teleconference will begin with a general overview of the industry, followed by breakout room sessions where students who are interested in careers

in production, sales, and operations will be paired with corresponding executives and managers to ask questions about the corrugated packaging business and its career opportunities. If your fi rm is interested in learning more about participating in the ICPF’s Teleconference, email rfl aherty@icpfbox.org.

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See all advertising opportunities at www.AICCbox.org/MediaKit.

Ad Reps Patrick Moore | 703.535.1394 | pmoore@AICCbox.org Taryn Pyle | 703.535.1391 | tpyle@aiccbox.org

International Corrugated Packaging Foundation I N T E R N AT I O N A L

PACKAGING

CORRUGATED

F O U N D AT I O N

Acme Corrugated Box Joins ICPF Corporate Partners, Making $50,000 Pledge

A

cme Corrugated Box Co. Inc. has become the most recent ICPF Corporate Partner by pledging $50,000 to support the foundation’s educational mission.

“Acme Corrugated Box has been well aware of ICPF’s work with universities and students across the country for a long time,” says Acme President Bob Cohen.

“Our operations have been in contact with ICPF for numerous years, and we look forward to using ICPF resources to assist us in recruiting students and new graduates who will serve as Acme’s managers and executives in the future.”

ICPF Vice Chair Tim Bergwall, president of paper packaging and land management of Greif Inc., welcomed Acme as a new ICPF

Corporate Partner, thanking Cohen for the company’s pledge: “We appreciate this pledge from Acme Corrugated Box. Acme’s support further enables ICPF’s educational work and its everexpanding outreach to universities and students on behalf of the corrugated packaging and displays industry.”

In 1918, Acme Corrugated Box founder Edward J. Cohen packed his horse-drawn wagon with scrap paper and traveled through Philadelphia’s dusty streets in search of customers.

He found plenty and soon added reclaimed corrugated boxes to satisfy the diverse needs of the bustling city.

From this determined start, Acme Corrugated Box has grown to inhabit a 250,000-square-foot facility adjacent

to Pennsylvania’s busiest thoroughfare.

Acme is an innovative, competitive, growth-oriented enterprise that has been part of the business community for over 100 years. Its history is marked by continuous improvement, with an eye toward meeting the challenges of the future. As a leading “real-time” box manufacturer in the Mid-Atlantic region, Acme recognizes the important role its employees play in the company’s success. “We strive to provide employees with the most favorable working conditions possible and to invest in the most modern equipment available. We believe our success is based on allowing each employee to reach his or her potential.”

For more information visit www.acmebox. com or www.careersincorrugated.org.

Thank You for Making ICPF’s Holiday Weekend in New York Fundraiser a Success!

I

CPF wishes to thank the 2021 registrants and sponsors for making ICPF’s 2021 Holiday Weekend in New York another sell-out. Established in 2007, the 13 annual New York events have combined for a net return of over $1.6 million to support ICPF in working with universities and students.

The December 10–12 event sponsors included BW Papersystems, Fosber America, Greif Inc., Kiwiplan, Pratt Industries, and the WestRock Corp. Corporate registrants and fi nancial supporters included Akers Packaging Service, Arden Software,

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Balemaster, Bobst North America, Buckeye Corrugated Inc., BW Papersystems, EAM-Mosca, EFI, Fosber America, Green Bay Packaging, Goepfert Maschinen, Greif Inc., GT Hall Investments LLC, Hood Container Corp., Kiwiplan, Kruger, Pratt Industries, Schwarz Partners, Signode, Smurfit Kappa, Sumter Packaging, Testing Machines Inc., WestRock Corp., AICC, and the Fibre Box Association (FBA).

We also wish to thank Smurfit Kappa for promotional designs and materials, as well as AICC, FBA, Board

Converting News, Container-Board.com, Corrugated Today, NV Publications, PPI Publications, and RISI for providing promotional assistance in publications throughout the year. Mark your calendars for ICPF’s next Holiday Weekend in New York, which is scheduled for December 9–11, 2022.

Richard Flaherty is president of the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation.

Do You Support Industy Education & Growth?

Support the Foundation for Packaging Education. www.PackagingEd.org/Donate

AD Name of Ad

The Final Score

A Big Associate

I

ncredibly, this is the fifth Big Associate Issue of BoxScore. This showcase of AICC supplier members is an annual reminder of the value that they bring to boxmakers, the industry, and your Association. I always use the phrase “trusted partners” when it comes to AICC Associate members. I see that trust on display virtually every day. The close bond among members is one of the things that makes AICC special.

Our great industry is great because of the many talented individuals it has and how generous they are with their gifts.

We lost one of those great ones on October 28. On that day, my friend Richard Grey passed away after a long illness. Many of you may recognize that name. Dick had worked for several companies in the industry: Federal Paper Board, Bobst, Enkel, Stevens International, Hycorr, and Langston. Upon leaving the industry, Dick purchased and grew a successful manufacturing company in western North Carolina.

I know for a fact that Dick Grey touched many lives. Dick was my first mentor and my most treasured. Working closely with him led me to become nonformulaic, agile with my expectations, fearless, trusting in others, and to have fun in everything.

Two weeks after graduating from college, as a newly hired sales administrator at what was then Bobst Inc. in Roseland, New Jersey, I began to work with Dick preparing proposals, writing contracts, and providing excellent customer service. I learned the business of rotogravure printing from Dick. Because “there’s nothing to learn in the office,” I traveled with Dick to exotic locations such as St. Albans, Vermont; Warsaw, Indiana; Clinton, South Carolina; Rogersville, Tennessee; Murphysboro, Illinois; Brownwood, Texas; and many places in between. I spent time in printing plants, met with company owners and press operators, and watched an excellent salesman ply his craft.

One day, Dick came into my office and asked me to follow him. We went to the office of the president of Bobst. “Mike is wasting his time as a sales administrator. Let’s give him a sales territory. He’s ready,” Dick said. The reply: “Bobst has never had a salesman that young.”

“So what?”

At the age of 24, I was on my way. There was no formal training program. Sitting in the office with Dick, occasionally traveling together (after ceding some of the country to me, Dick had his own territory to cover). Industry association meetings and trade shows.

On-the-job training. Building a network of lifelong friends and growing responsibilities as Bobst added products and markets.

At the time, I didn’t know that Dick was mentoring me. I didn’t know what mentoring was. But looking back, it was amazing, because I was learning from a friend and respected colleague. Steven Spielberg has said of mentoring, “The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your image but giving them the opportunity to create themselves.”

I got married to the wonderful Susan, and we built our first home in the town where Dick lived. He was the fire chief of the volunteer department in town. He and the department would come down and practice in our home as it was being framed and built. I started calling him “Chief,” although I never did accept his many invitations to join the department. Great pancake breakfast fundraisers!

Dick shared his style and expertise with many colleagues, several of whom, like me, remain active in the industry. Many are AICC Associate members. All of us appreciate experiences, and we place the customer (or the member) at the center of what we do.

If you are actively mentoring someone, thank you for sharing of yourself. It really does make a difference. If you are passively mentoring someone by creating opportunities for them and involving them, thank you for having a vision for others.

Benjamin Franklin is credited with writing, “Tell me, and I forget. Teach me, and I remember. Involve me, and I learn.”

There is probably no better example of this than AICC members and AICC itself. Mentoring, sharing, experiencing. It is all about involvement.

Thank you, Chief!

Michael D’Angelo AICC President

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