Corrugated Week 2018 Survey

AICC, The Independent Packaging Association, and the Technical Association for Pulp and Paper (TAPPI) welcomed over 1700 attendees and 180 exhibitors during Corrugated Week, September 24-27, in Indianapolis, Ind. Corrugated Week, hosted every four years, offered an incredible opportunity for members to participate in a week of workshops and sessions and be on the cutting edge of industry trends, innovations, and new products and services.

 

The education began on Monday, September 24 with two optional pre-conference seminars:

• Bonding Process Variables for the Corrugator, led by Jon Porter, JPorter Consultants. Participants learned to increase their working knowledge of the Corrugator bonding process, maximize their runability across all board combinations, and improve board quality.

• Productive Machine Measurement: Benchmarking & Buy-in, led by Dr Scott Ellis. Working Well, LLC. The course began with the premise that what you measure is what you get. This course provided the tools and understanding to measure the right things and to communicate them for peak team member engagement. Methods of building buy-in were demonstrated with multiple process improvement tools and key production performance measures were practiced. Participants also worked with a machine crew on real time set up reduction process.

 

Keynote presentations offered inspiration and new ideas to attendees:

• Jim Porter, President, Business Development & Latin America, WestRock, offered an update on the industry and how recent innovations will impact its future.
• Jim Craig, Olympic Gold Medalist, brought his Olympic spirit to Indianapolis to share his experience on leadership and how to succeed.

 

Workshops included:

• Two Digital Print Panels: The first panel, moderated by Peter Snyder, Harper/Love, brought together digital printing experts to discuss the impact this technology is having on the industry overall.

o   Panelists included:

• • • Larry D’Amico, Durst
    • Liz Logue, EFI
    • Sean Moloney, SUN Automation
    • David Murphy, HP
    • Dennis Van Ijzerloo, Barberan

During the second panel, Jeff Wettersten, President, Karstedt Partners  opened the session by giving an update on digital printing for all activities related to packaging and shared the results of a recent study done by the Specialty Graphics Imaging Association (SGIA) on digital adoption across all packaging segments. He  then moderated a panel of boxmaker members that are currently using or exploring the use of digital printing in their company.

o   Panelists included:

• Stephanie Shelton, Custom Packaging
• Rick Darling, Custom Packaging
• Jeff Putt, DeLine Box
• John Ballentine, Tango Press
• Brad Albright, ColorHub

• Automation/Robotics/Material Handling: Moderated by Eric Sextonson, Ducker-Ringwood, this session brought together panelists to make presentations related to changes and developments in the areas of automation, robotics and material handling.
  • Panelists included:
    • Brian Foley, Automatän
    • Doug Vandergriff, WSA USA
    • Ronald Schuszler, Ducker-Ringwood
    • Dave Ahrendt, Alliance Machine Systems International
    • Paul Gilliam, Systec Conveyors, an Inspire Automation Company
• Two Days of ERP Software Solutions: During the first panel ERP solution providers presented their latest disruptive technology.
  • Panelists included:
    • Jay Farr, Advanzware
    • Cosmo DeNicola, Amtech
    • Jim Silianoff, Arden Software
    • Aleks Zlatic, EFI
    • Dana Disney, Kiwiplan

The second day gave time to ERP users to meet with their suppliers, as a group, to discuss issues, hear suggestions, and allow users to learn from each other.

• Material Handling/Safety Panel: This panel, moderated by Chris Harris, WPR Services, began with several short presentations on the main safety concerns in box plants today followed by several fork lift companies and safety solution providers who shared insights and solutions.
  • Panelists included:
    • David K. Martin, International Paper
    • Leo Karris, Packaging Corporation of America
    • Jimmy Helms, Syntech
    • Gil Combs, Keytroller, a Division of ID Systems
    • Barry Morse, Hyster
• Trends and Best Practices for Finding & Keeping the Best People in Your Company: Gene Marks, The Marks Group, offered tools and tips to recruit and retain the best people.  He then moderated a panel discussion with converter and supplier members to learn their best practices.
  • Panelists included:
    • Blake Steward, Pacific Southwest Container
    • Daniel Brettschneider, CST Systems, Inc.
    • Bill Nolan, Standard Printing Company
• Strategic Planning, Forecast for the Future: Presenters: Adam Josephson, CFA KeyBanc Capital Markets; Mitchell E. Klingher, CPA, Klingher Nadler LLP; and Randy Banks, Sharp International shared the key economic and market forces that  shape the industry, as well as strategies for box makers to maximize their futures.
• What’s New, presented on the show floor, exhibitors were given the opportunity to present their latest innovations.
  • Presenters included:
    • Bobst North America Inc – BOBST Premium Gap Control for Flexo-Folder-Gluers
    • Automatan – Automatan AutoJet VP
    • MACARBOX – High Speed Single Pass Digital Cutting and Creasing for Corrugated Board
    • Michelman – Michelman’s New OPV for the Digital Preprint Corrugated Market
    • HP – HP PAGEWIDE C500
    • Canon – Canon’s Corrugated Solution to the Short Run Conundrum
    • BHS Corrugated – BHS Corrugated – SP-S/M/L Splicer Family
    • SUN Automation Group – New Patent Pending Replaceable Feed Roll Covers
    • CST Systems, Inc – Evolution Starch-Off
    • Thacker Industrial – Thacker Industrial Digital Register
    • Hocker North America – New Core Shredder – 120 Cores/Hr
    • Kadant Johnson – New Delivery Systems for Steam Showers
    • Lachenmeier – Incorporating Ring Wrapping Technology for Greater Box Plant Efficiencies
    • emtec Electronic GmbH – EST – emtec Surface and Sizing Tester
    • Graphenea – Graphene Starch Adhesive Enhancer
    • Automated Conveyor Systems, Inc – ACS Specialized Solution: Corner Pad Inserter
    • Signode Industrial Group – High Speed Bundlers Increase Throughput, Reliability & Consistency
    • Hitek Equipment – BCM Automated Storage Systems
    • Valco Melton – PrintChek – 100% Inline Full Sheet Inspection for your Flexo or Rotary Die-Cutter
    • AMC Managing Complexity GmbH – RhineSIM – Plant Simulation in Daily Production Planning
    • WPR Services – Alternative Approach to Plant Machine and Area Process Information Gathering
    • and Information Pushing
    • Erhardt+Leimer – Workflow Solutions for Digital Preprint in Corrugated Operations
    • EFI – EFI Nozomi C18000 and the ERP Workflow Ecosystem: Addressing the Future of Efficient,
    • Corrugated Packaging
    • Kiwiplan – Visual Enterprise Resource Planning by Kiwiplan

 

AICC Emerging Leaders and TAPPI Young Professionals were treated to a special scavenger hunt on the show floor, an exclusive networking event, and a presentation and conversation with Tonya Kowa-Morelli, President and Joe Morelli, VP, Sales and Marketing, Huston Patterson Printers who discussed their strategies and struggles in “Navigating the Challenges of

Balancing Family Business, Business Leadership, and Home Life.”

 

Joe and Tonya shared their successes and challenges with a transparency and honesty that moved the audience. “Tonya and Joe delivered a powerful presentation on work/life balance that resonated with all, during the Emerging Leaders’ training session in Indianapolis. The way they have been able to navigate through the challenges of life while also advancing their careers is beyond impressive and is extremely inspiring! Tonya also had a strong message regarding females in business. This really hit home for me as many of the challenges she has faced, and still faces today, are ones I have also experienced in my career,” said Lexy Eickelman, Corporate Marketing Manager, Jamestown Container Companies.

 

During the closing general session, the winners in the AICC/ Board Converting News/Corrugated Today 2018 Innovator of the Year Award in the non-machinery category were announced.

 

1^st place was awarded to JS Machine North America for their “Intelligent Plant Logistics System”, 2^ndplace was awarded to Kruger Packaging for their “Process for Re-Fibering the Corrugated Structure” entry and 3^rd place was awarded to EFI for their “A System for Accurately Predicting Order Delivery Dates” entry.

 

The additional finalists were Arden Software North America for their “Customer-Facing Store Front for Direct Packaging Sales” entry and Amtech for their “A Digital Gateway Connecting the Plants Business System to Its Digital Manufacturing Equipment” entry.

 

Next the AICC board elections and “changing of the guard” took place as Al Hoodwin, Michigan City Paperbox Co., the 2017-2018 Chairman, handed over the reins to Joseph M. Palmeri, Jamestown Container Co. the 2018-2019 AICC Chairman.

 

Kim Nelson, Royal Containers Ltd. was then inducted into the AICC/RISI Hall of Fame. Since its inception in 1981, AICC and RISI (and Paperboard Packaging Magazine) have joined together to present the Hall of Fame Award. This award goes annually to an individual who has contributed greatly to the benefit and welfare of independent converters in the packaging industry over the years.

 

Also during the closing general session Daniel Brunton, Managing Director, Brunton Business Publications Limited offered a heartfelt tribute to Tom Vilardi, of NV publications, who passed away earlier this summer.

 

Throughout the week special networking events were offered to attendees, that included a new member and first-time attendee reception, the opening night reception that featured mini-basketball hoops, ping pong, and other games, a gala at the Dallara Indycar Factory, and an AICC Great Lakes Region reception.

 

The Gala, sponsored by Alliance Machine Systems and AG Stacker, allowed attendees the chance to ride in a racecar, drive a simulator, learn the history of the Indy car, and take the pit-stop challenge.

 

The AICC Great Lakes Reception, held at the Rathskeller Restaurant and Bar, was open to all, and sponsored by Litho Press. The “Oktoberfest” themed event brought members from around the country to network and mingle.

 

“The Great Lakes reception at the Rathskeller in Indianapolis, a German beer garden, was a wonderful event.  AICC and TAPPI members took a well-earned respite from the exhibition hall, education and general sessions.  The camaraderie at the event was reflective of that which we enjoy industry-wide.  Many thanks to Litho Press of Indianapolis for sponsoring the event,” said Mike D’Angelo, AICC Vice President.

 

Thursday morning, 75 attendees toured three boxplants:

• Litho Press, serving the industry since 1953. This tour showed four offset printing presses, the VETEK KX3 Pro Digital Printing Press, and two Kongsberg ESKO Cutting Tables.

• Flutes, Inc (Schwarz Partners). Established in 1998, Flutes is a specialty sheet feeder operating a 98” MWU corrugator and two 65” Bobst Asitrade Laminators.

• Capitol City Container Corp., offered visitors a look at their new Solarco Short Run Box Machine.

 

Finn MacDonald, VP Operations, Independent II, said “Rich Purcell’s vision at Cap-City Container to invest in the Solarco Boxmaker is truly unique. I believe he said that the new Solarco is replacing one of the oldest Printer/Slotters in the industry — and this delivers so much new value to his Customers and to our Region. Jeff Jensen and his team at S&G have provided incredible sales support to Cap-City and really created an excellent boxmaking experience on this tour.”

 

AICC’s next National Meeting is the 2019 Spring Meeting, Sales Managers Forum & Annual Independents’ Cup Charity Golf Tournament, April 1-3, being held at the Trump Doral Resort in Miami, Fl. Registration will open in December 2018. Learn more at www.aiccbox.org/calendar.

 

AICC and TAPPI are grateful to the support we received from our members. Meeting sponsors included:

 

Platinum Sponsor

ARC International

 

Gold Sponsors

EFI

SUN Automation

Mitsubishi

 

Meeting Sponsors

ADI / PDM Trade Group

Advanced Equipment Sales

AG Stacker

Air Systems Design, Inc.

Alliance Machine Systems

ARC International

Baumer hhs

BHS

BOBST

Board Converting News

BW Papersystems

CEL Chemical

Corrugated Today

EFI

EMBA

FOSBER

Geo. M. Martin Company

Global Box Machine

Harmax Rollcon

JB Machinery

Kiwiplan

Lachenmeier/Muller LCS

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Rochester Midland Corporation

Signode

Stafford Corrugated Products Inc.

Sun Automation

TAPPI Journal

Valco Melton

Young Shin/Stock

 

 

Golf Sponsors:

ADI / PDM Trade Group

Alliance Machine Systems

AG Stacker

ARC International

BHS

BOBST

BW Papersystems

CEL Chemical

EFI

Flexi-Lox

FOSBER

HAIRE Group

Harmax Rollcon

Harperlove

JB Machinery

Kiwiplan

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Signode

Sun Automation