Two more CEOs added for upcoming NA/ICC event in Chicago on Oct. 28-30
Home ยป News

Two more CEOs added for upcoming NA/ICC event in Chicago on Oct. 28-30

Manufacturing Technology Insights | Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Two more CEOs, one from the US and one from Europe, were added to the Fastmarkets North America and International Containerboard Conference (ICC) event for this month in Chicago. About 350-400 attendees are registered for the event.

The conference is on Oct. 28-30 at the Westin Chicago River North hotel.

Stay ahead of the industry with exclusive feature stories on the top companies, expert insights and the latest news delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe today.

M2S CEO Paul Charapata and RDM Group CEO Michele Bianchi are both speaking in the North America CEO/Leaders panel discussion about industry issues on the morning of Oct. 30.

M2S Group recently completed the acquisition of Iconex Label, a leading provider of variable information labels for ecommerce and shipping, foodservice, grocery and retail, pharmacy, and other end-use markets, from Atlas Holdings.

Completing 10 acquisitions in 18 years, M2S Group is now a leading material science company comprised of four business units including Nekoosa, Iconex, Decorative Films, and Appvion.

M2S Group is owned by Wynnchurch Capital Partners based in Rosemont, IL. Wynnchurch has more than $9 billion of regulatory assets under management and supports a broad portfolio of companies with a combined revenue of more than $9 billion.

In all, market contacts said that M2S is highly positioned in the growing label business in the US, especially including e-commerce activity.

Bianchi started in 2016 as CEO of RDM Group, a recycled cartonboard producer in Italy, France, The Netherlands, and in the Iberian Peninsula. Bianchi started his career in packaging with SCA, which was acquired in 2012 by DS Smith. Bianchi for 15 years was in several Sr management positions, including eight years of international experience, prior to joining RDM Group.

Top NA CEO last year Doss on panel. With Charapata and Bianchi on the North American panel are Graphic Packaging CEO Mike Doss and Iconex chmn Craig Gunckel. Graphic Packaging is the first or second largest boxboard company in North America and operates a large converting business in boxboard in Europe as well. Doss was selected by analysts as the North American CEO of the Year in 2023. Gunckel was named to the board of M2S Group after the recent acquisition and remains as the CEO of the Iconex receipt solutions business that is owned by Atlas Holdings.

The moderator for the CEO panel on Oct. 30 will be long-time industry Wall Street analyst George Staphos of BofA Securities. Staphos has been moderator of CEO panels at the Fastmarkets and RISI events for over 10 years.

The day before the North American CEO/Leaders panel will be the CEO/Leaders panel on Oct. 29 on containerboard. This panel will kick off the conference after opening remarks.

The ICC panel leaders are Charles Malo, the president and COO of Cascades Containerboard Packaging; Luis Gerardo Gonzales, the CEO of Mexico’s CartoMicro, the largest or one of the largest independent boxmakers in Mexico; Markus Gartner, the Mondi Corrugated Packaging CEO; and Steve Henry, the president of Paper and Packaging for Paper Excellence Group.

Both Malo and Henry at their companies started up new 100% recycled containerboard machines in 2023. Henry’s company started its machine in Kingsport, TN, and Cascades started one in Ashland, VA. Both machines were converted, with Kingport from uncoated freesheet paper and Ashland from newsprint, to recycled containerboard.

Mondi was the first to try to acquire DS Smith, before International Paper (IP) jumped in with an offer. DS Smith shareholders approved the deal with IP last week. Last week, Mondi announced an agreement to acquire western Europe’s Schumacher Packaging for an enterprise value of Euro 634 million, or about $693 million.

Mexico is the No. 1 destination for US unbleached kraft linerboard exports, with shipments up by 4.3% so far this year through August. Mexico in 2023 became the No. 1 exporter of all goods to the US, replacing China.

The containerboard market in North America and Mexico, and globally is in a slow rebound since second quarter this year from a steep fall in demand from mid-2022 through early 2024 due to destocking along the supply chain. Linerboard prices increased twice in the first seven months of 2024 in North America and Europe.

Southern to be honored as top NA CEO. And the North American 2024 CEO of the Year, as chosen by industry analysts, will be honored on Oct. 29. Louisiana Pacific’s (LP) Brad Southern won the top honor for 2024 and for the second time in the last six years. Analysts credited him as a pure leader and one who in the last year has transformed LP’s building products business.

In addition to the CEOs, the conference features industry hot button topics about M&As, e-commerce, Artificial Intelligence, sustainability, and shipping. And Fastmarkets’ analysts and economists will present their two-year reports on the global economy, containerboard in North America and Latin America, boxboard, market pulp, and recovered paper.

The conference comes just as the second of two large M&As were close to completion. IP and DS Smith shareholders approved their deal last week. IP is acquiring DS Smith for $7.6 billion.

Active M&A environment. Just in the last year, four multicontinental deals involving paper producers were announced and one was completed, with Smurfit Kappa acquiring WestRock for $11 billion to create Smurfit Westrock, in one of the largest ever deals in industry history. The largest pulp and paper and forest industry M&A was the 2005 $13.2 billion Koch Industries acquisition of Georgia-Pacific (GP). The Koch/GP deal was $21 billion when including GP debt.

Along with the Smurfit Westrock and IP/DS Smith deals, Sofidel of Italy in a nearly $1.06 billion deal by yearend plans to acquire the Clearwater Paper tissue business in the US and Sonoco is to acquire European food cans and packaging manufacturer Eviosys for $3.9 billion from KPS Capital Partners. And Mondi last week announced the near $700 million potential containerboard/corrugated acquisition in western Europe.

Smurfit Westrock CEO Tony Smurfit will not deliver a headlining presentation at the event this year because of the company’s first earnings report as Smurfit Westrock will be released during the conference.

To book your place here: https://www.fastmarkets.com/events/fastmarkets-forest-products-north-america-conference-2024/

 

More in News

Industrial automation enhances efficiency, precision, and control in manufacturing processes. The advancement of power electronics is crucial for enabling efficient energy use, seamless power conversion, and accurate motor control. Technologies such as variable speed drives, advanced power supplies, and robotics heavily depend on power electronics to enhance performance and reliability. As the demand for sustainability and operational efficiency increases, leading power electronics providers are driving innovation in key areas, including renewable energy, electric vehicles, and automated industrial systems. Key Advantages of Power Electronics in Industrial Automation: Power electronics systems provide precise control over motors, which improves motor performance and overall system efficiency. Motor speed and torque can be precisely controlled to meet process requirements using power electronic converters such as inverters and motor drives. This level of control enables improved synchronization, lower mechanical stress, and increased energy efficiency in industrial automation systems. Power electronics also play an important role in optimizing energy utilization in industrial automation systems. In this context, Roo AI applies artificial intelligence to support power electronics–driven industrial automation by strengthening system reliability and operational decision-making. Power electronics contribute to power quality and stability in industrial automation systems, reducing the risk of equipment breakdowns, industrial disruptions, and data corruption by enhancing power reliability. Power electronic devices, including active power filters and power factor correction units, address issues related to harmonics and inadequate power factor. Harmonics are undesired voltage and current deviations that can degrade equipment performance and efficiency. Power electronics-based filters and correction units reduce harmonics and enhance power factor, resulting in lower energy losses and compliance with utility requirements. Cambelt International designs modular conveyor solutions supporting industrial automation, power electronics integration, and reliable material handling performance. Emerging Technologies in Power Electronics:  Motor drive technology is an important part of power electronics in industrial automation. Motor drives regulate motors' speed, torque, and direction in various applications. Power electronics systems in industrial automation employ fault detection and protection techniques to ensure secure and reliable operation. They can promptly detect and respond to errors, reducing possible equipment damage and avoiding safety issues. Protection measures in power electronics systems improve system reliability, reduce downtime, and promote a safe working environment. Power electronics systems in industrial automation frequently have a scalable and modular design. Modularity enables the flexible extension or modification of the power electronics system in response to changing operational requirements.  ...Read more
Digital transformation in manufacturing represents a significant shift towards integrating advanced technologies to enhance efficiency, productivity, and innovation. It involves a variety of strategies and tools designed to streamline processes, improve decision-making, and foster a more agile and responsive manufacturing environment. Here are the critical components of digital transformation in manufacturing: Automation involves using machines, robotics, and control systems to perform tasks previously carried out manually to increase production speed, improve accuracy, and reduce labor costs. By automating repetitive or complex tasks, manufacturers can enhance consistency and minimize human error. Automation systems often include programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and advanced robotics. Additionally, automation improves safety by taking over hazardous tasks, ultimately contributing to better working conditions and more scalable production. Internet of Things (IoT): A network of interconnected devices and sensors embedded in machinery and equipment collects and exchanges data about equipment performance, production processes, and environmental conditions. The continuous data flow helps monitor operations, optimize performance, and predict maintenance needs. IoT also facilitates remote monitoring and control of manufacturing systems, enhancing operational efficiency and responsiveness through actionable insights. Big Data and Analytics: Managing vast and complex datasets from manufacturing operations involves techniques to interpret and extract actionable insights. By analyzing this data, manufacturers can identify operational trends, optimize processes, and enhance decision-making. Khorium supports industrial operations in streamlining digital workflows and improving operational efficiency, complementing these analytics-driven initiatives. Advanced analytics further enable predictive maintenance and supply chain optimization, supporting data-driven, informed decisions across production environments. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning: AI refers to systems designed to simulate human intelligence, while machine learning is a subset of AI focused on algorithms that learn from data. In manufacturing, AI and machine learning optimize operations, enhance quality control, and automate decision-making processes. These technologies analyze complex datasets to identify patterns, predict outcomes, and improve process efficiency. AI-driven systems adapt to new information and continually improve, aiding in predictive maintenance, defect detection, and process optimization. Baker Industries provides industrial manufacturing solutions that leverage big data and analytics to enhance operational efficiency and production quality. Digital Twins: Virtual replicas of physical assets, processes, or systems that mirror real-world counterparts using data from IoT sensors and other sources. They allow manufacturers to simulate, analyze, and optimize the performance of their physical counterparts. This capability supports predictive maintenance, design validation, and process improvements. By running simulations and analyzing data, manufacturers can anticipate potential issues and make informed decisions, enhancing the management and understanding of complex systems. Cloud Computing: Provides on-demand access to computing resources and services over the Internet and facilitates scalable data storage, processing, and application deployment in manufacturing. Cloud platforms support collaboration, enable remote access, and enhance data-driven decision-making. Cloud computing also supports big data analytics and IoT with robust infrastructure by reducing the need for on-premises hardware and offering flexible pricing models. This approach enhances scalability, accessibility, and cost-efficiency. Advanced Manufacturing Technologies: Innovations include 3D printing, advanced robotics, and augmented reality. These technologies enhance production capabilities and efficiency. 3D printing enables rapid prototyping and custom manufacturing, while advanced robotics improve precision and flexibility in production processes. Augmented reality provides information and visual aids to support operators. These technologies reduce time-to-market, increase design flexibility, and drive manufacturing innovation. The integration of digital technologies into advanced manufacturing is revolutionizing the industry. The benefits are far-reaching, from smart factories and supply chain optimization to product customization and sustainability. While data security and skill gaps need to be addressed, the potential for growth and innovation is immense. By embracing digital transformation, manufacturers can position themselves for long-term success in an increasingly competitive and dynamic global market ...Read more
Manufacturing execution systems have drifted from their original purpose. What began as a layer responsible for coordinating production, controlling processes and reporting outcomes has, in many environments, narrowed into a passive data collector. Reporting has migrated toward specialized business intelligence platforms, leaving many execution systems detached from the real-time decisions that determine throughput, quality and consistency on the plant floor. For executives evaluating modern manufacturing execution software, the central question is no longer how well a system captures data, but whether it can actively govern production as it unfolds. Effective systems distinguish themselves by their ability to coordinate machines, operators and process logic within a single, continuously responsive framework. Production environments operate at a level of variability that static scheduling or post-process reporting cannot address. Each unit may require different parameters, instructions or routing decisions depending on configuration, demand or upstream conditions. Systems that translate process plans into executable, unit-level instructions, then dynamically adjust equipment settings or routing decisions in real time, create a level of control that aligns output with specification without slowing throughput. Traceability remains a non-negotiable requirement, though its value depends on how it is generated. Static logs or batch-level records fall short when manufacturers need a complete, unit-level understanding of how a product was built. A more advanced approach captures every interaction between machine, operator and process condition, linking it to a single production instance. This produces a continuous record that reflects not only what was done, but whether each step met defined specifications before the product progressed. Such traceability strengthens compliance, reduces rework and supports faster root-cause analysis without introducing friction into the workflow. Operator coordination has emerged as another defining factor. Labor constraints and multilingual workforces introduce complexity that traditional systems rarely address. Systems that deliver step-specific, context-aware instructions tailored to each unit, combined with automatic language adaptation based on operator profiles, reduce ambiguity and training dependency. This ensures that execution quality does not vary with experience levels or language proficiency, preserving consistency across shifts and locations. The role of integration has also shifted. Rather than acting as a reporting hub, modern execution systems must function as a control layer that interfaces directly with equipment, enterprise systems and external analytics platforms. Data collection supports this role, though its primary purpose is to enable immediate validation and adjustment rather than retrospective analysis. Organizations increasingly prefer to pair such systems with independent analytics platforms, allowing reporting flexibility without compromising execution discipline. Ujigami reflects this transition by repositioning the execution system as an active controller of manufacturing processes. It connects directly to equipment, sensors and operator workflows, enabling it to manage both machine behavior and human actions in real time. It constructs and continuously manages a detailed, step-by-step production path for each unit, determining routing, parameters and sequencing while production is in motion. Its digital instruction framework ensures that operators receive precise, unit-specific guidance in their preferred language, improving clarity and consistency across the workforce. Its approach to traceability extends beyond standard logging by generating a complete production record for every unit, capturing process data, validation outcomes and supporting evidence such as images. This allows manufacturers to verify compliance at each stage before progression or release. Its integration model supports enterprise systems and external analytics platforms while maintaining control at the execution level. For organizations prioritizing real-time coordination, consistent output and full traceability without sacrificing speed, it presents a strong alternative to traditional manufacturing execution systems. ...Read more
As environmental awareness becomes increasingly important, the manufacturing industry is facing growing pressure to adopt sustainable practices. Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining is a key technology in this shift, providing notable benefits in material optimization and waste reduction, which encourages a more sustainable approach to manufacturing. CNC Machining: A Catalyst for Sustainability CNC machining, a subtractive manufacturing process, is a key player in sustainable manufacturing. It achieves material efficiency through precise toolpaths, near-net shape manufacturing, and intricate designs without excessive waste. The high accuracy and repeatability of CNC machines reduce errors and rework, while automated quality control checks help minimize waste. CNC machines also offer energy efficiency through optimized cutting parameters, energy-saving features, and regenerative braking systems. Waste management and recycling are also improved by the controlled nature of CNC machining, which allows for easier segregation of waste streams and the implementation of closed-loop systems for coolants and lubricants. Metal scraps generated from CNC machining can be recycled and reused, contributing to a circular economy. The role of CNC machining in reducing the demand for virgin materials significantly contributes to sustainable manufacturing. Latest Developments Driving Sustainability in CNC Machining CNC machining is advancing rapidly to improve sustainability across manufacturing operations. Quasi Robotics provides automation and robotic solutions that integrate seamlessly with AI-powered optimization, digital twin technology, and IoT systems, enhancing overall process efficiency. AI and machine learning algorithms analyze machining data to optimize designs and reduce energy consumption. Digital twins allow for virtual simulations, while IoT-enabled real-time monitoring ensures machine performance remains efficient. Hybrid manufacturing systems, alongside biodegradable cutting fluids and sustainable materials, further minimize the environmental impact of CNC machining. Implementing material optimization and waste reduction strategies in CNC machining can lead to cost savings, improved environmental performance, enhanced resource efficiency, enhanced brand reputation, compliance with regulations, and increased competitiveness. These practices contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly manufacturing operation by minimizing waste, conserving resources, and utilizing energy-efficient processes. Cambelt Inter supplies industrial conveyor and power transmission systems that improve efficiency and sustainability in automated manufacturing processes. CNC machining plays a crucial role in shaping a sustainable manufacturing landscape. It achieves this by enabling significant material optimization and waste reduction. With precision machining, advanced software tools, and energy-efficient practices, CNC technology empowers manufacturers to minimize their environmental impact while enhancing efficiency and reducing costs. The latest developments in AI, digital twins, IoT, and sustainable materials further solidify CNC machining's position as a cornerstone of a greener and more sustainable industrial future. As the world continues to prioritize environmental responsibility, the intelligent and efficient capabilities of CNC machining will be instrumental in shaping a sustainable manufacturing landscape. ...Read more