Location

Breakout Session

Digital Print Panel Discussion

Our digital session is focused on converters/printers, and their experiences in producing digital print for corrugated. We will have a lively panel discussion touching on successes and challenges. Come and participate in the Q&A and learn through real life experiences, across a range of actual printer solutions. Digital for corrugated is important, and continues to grow. Learn more about how a digital solution can help add to your success.

Moderator: Jim Wegemer, INX International Ink Co. and Steve Woodard, ARC International

Panelist:

• The Box Maker, Brett Kirkpatrick - HP PageWide single pass
• Deline Box, Jeff Putt - Barberan single pass
• Hummingbird (GP), Robert Saey - Roll to Roll preprint-HP single pass
• Independence II, Finn MacDonald - Domino single pass
• Whitebird, George Perreira - EFI single pass

Supply Chain Disruption Panel Discussion

Panelists will discuss supply chain woes and how to turn them in to whoas by education audience n on the problems they are facing and how navigate through disruptions.

Moderator: Mike Kohler, Kohler Coating

Panelist:

• Brian St. Pierre, Ingredion
• Benjamin Findlay, Machine Compare
• Mark McNay, SMC Packaging
• Andrew Akers, Akers Packaging Service Group

“Simpler, Better, Faster – Doing More with Less”

Moderator (both days): Mike Shaefer, Tavens Container

Panelists (both days):

Gary Brewer, Package Crafters

Bryan Rabb, CL Rabb

Ed Nusslein, McLean Packaging

Pat Szany, American Corrugated Machine

Doug Watkins, Hampton Industrial Services

Frank Reynolds, SUN Automation

Roy Thacker, Thacker Industrial Services

“Lessons from the Past”

Boxmaker panelists will set the scene with stories of the challenges they’ve faced, the changes that have become permanent, those that were temporary, and the lessons learned over the past few years. 

Topics to be discussed will include:

• Supply chain issues
• Containerboard
• Hiring and retention (pay and fringe benefit increases)
• Picking and balancing the right team that can exist remotely as well as in the office/plant environment (employees working from home vs. those positions that cannot work from home)
• Equipment
• Safety Protocols

Supplier panelists will tell stories of what they’ve seen in various plants that have left an impression on them.  What did they do to proactively help their customers through the challenges of the past few years up to today?  

Topics to be discussed will include:

• What were your takeaways from seeing what your customers did to adapt over the last two years?
• Did you see an increase in purchasing thresholds to minimize in-plant visits?
• How has that influenced any solutions that you are bringing to the marketplace?
• How did you manage volatility in pricing and freight costs?What practices did you implement to help manage the volatility going forward?

Location

Breakout Session

Artificial Intelligence/Robotics & Automation Round Table

This panel will continue to educate members of TAPPI and AICC on the advancements of these technologies and how businesses can adopt these technologies at scale and ensure the implementation is done and safely and effectively.

Moderator: Chris Harris, WPR Services

Panelist:

• Peter Dobell, OMP
• Brian Foley, Bobst
• Mikko Talonen, Valmet
• Mark Rand, Kongsberg Systems

“Let’s Talk About People"

Moderator: Joe Morelli, Huston Patterson Printers/Lewisburg Printers

Panelists:

Roy Oberg, Oberg & Associates

John Kelley, Dusobox

Michael Klear, Corrugated Solutions

Michelle Geissler, Green Bay Packaging

This interactive session will discuss best practices for employee recruitment, retention and the transfer of knowledge within the plant.  

Topics to be discussed include:

• How to remain or become attractive to potential new employees that want a work/life balance
• How to create a culture that fits the younger generations beliefs, lifestyle and support of the community
• Best practices for retaining current employees at different job levels within the plant and discussion what to do when you get a “bad hire”
• How are you promoting your company differently now vs. five years to attract the younger generation of employees
• Handling the transfer of knowledge from the previous generation to the new employees

“Simpler, Better, Faster – Doing More with Less” Day 2

 Moderator (both days): Mike Shaefer, Tavens Container

Panelists (both days):

Gary Brewer, Package Crafters

Bryan Rabb, CL Rabb

Ed Nusslein, McLean Packaging

Pat Szany, American Corrugated Machine

Doug Watkins, Hampton Industrial Services

Frank Reynolds, SUN Automation

Roy Thacker, Thacker Industrial Services