Read the January 28th, 2025 Green Bay Innovation Group Newsletter here.
January 28th, 2026 Newsletter
Month: January 2026
GBIG NEWS | 82 Stories and Links on the Internet 1/28/2026
GBIG News
Get links to the latest news, events, stories, and interviews from our 5P news members. Our goal is to remind the decision-makers in Wisconsin of the importance of our industry both historically, and more importantly, into the future.
Read the latest 82 Stories and Links on the Internet below.
Featured Stories
- Cornerstone Business Services Marks 25 Years
- Lauterbach Group Wisconsin based company undergoes digital transformation
- Golden Eagle rides flexible packaging growth
- The Hidden Cost of Sales and Marketing Mismanagement
- Cascades celebrate company’s growth in Eau Claire with a $6 million dollar investment
- Global study reveals widespread burning of plastic for heating and cooking
- Tissue paper market size and forecast 2025 – 2033 growing at 5.78% cagr
- An Appleton school prepares students for skilled trades is not easy
- UW Madison named Top Institution for developing future leaders
- 2026 pulp, paper, and forest products predictions
- Curt G. Joa, Inc. Announces acquisition of Cellulose Solutions
- Ashley Furniture deploying machine developed by UW Stout student engineers
- Dwindling markets affecting the logging industry but loggers look for new products
- Eau Claire officials report pfas removal should be up and running by next summer
- UW Stout gets $2M federal grant to expand workforce training programs.
- Butterfly Equity acquires ePac which was founded in Wisconsin
- Front line innovations unlocks new possibilities across Georgia-Pacific
- Milwaukee Journal features Op-Ed by plastics CEO
- Royle Printing was named a finalist in the Wisconsin Manufacturer of the year awards
- Wausau Coated Promotes Adam Frey Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing
- How the USA became a Science Superpower house and rapidly losing it!
- Bedford Paper De Pere celebrates eight years without a lost time incident
- Wisconsin assembly hearing signals movement on Long delayed pfas legislation
- Gov. Evers confident of dealing with Republicans on pfas investment
- Recovered Paper Monthly
Packaging
- Corrugated flexibles driving $22 billion digital Print for packaging market
- Paperboard packaging market projected to witness a growth in USA $296.77 billion by 2029
- Minnesota seeks public input on packaging recycling
- Edible packaging film to dissolve in hot water while food cooks
- Coca-Cola advances cardboard drinks packaging
- A guide to friendly packaging
- Green Packaging Market set for growth at 4.96% cagr
- Paper Packaging Market Trends and Summary
- Will congress EPR in Packaging
- Paper and paperboard packaging market growing at 4.7 cagr
- On the Go Food Packaging Market Transformation Report Driven by Sustainability
- Babybel announces major change to Iconic Packaging
Paper
- United States tissue market size forecast 2025 – 2033 growth 5.3 % cagr
- Absorbent paper market projections 2025 – 2028 at 5.65% cagr
- Oxygen Barrier Paper Wraps Market
- Pulp and Paper Market 20025 – 2032 shows steady growth driven by Packaging and Sustainability
- Global paper market expected to grow 1 – 2% cagr
Plastic
- Scientists invent ‘perfect plastic’ that produces zero microplastics from plant cellulose
- The plastic crises is accelerating and this company is turning it into a opportunity
- Plant based plastic based plastic dissolved in seawater within hours
- Plastic market growth driven by packaging with strong cagr 5%
- MSU developes easier to recycle multilayer plastics
- United States plastic market size and forecast 2025 – 2033
Members
WI5P: 2025 Year in Review: A Year of Growth, Learning, and Leadership
As we reflect on 2025, one thing is clear: Women in the 5P Industries (Wi5P) continued to strengthen its role as a catalyst for connection, learning, and leadership across Wisconsin’s paper, pulp, printing, plastics, and packaging sectors. This year was defined by intentional growth—of skills, networks, confidence, and community.
Empowering Through Education
Education remained a cornerstone of Wi5P’s mission in 2025. Our webinar series delivered timely,
practical insights designed to meet women where they are—no matter their career stage.
- In May, attendees were encouraged to reflect and recalibrate during Navigating Your Journey, led by executive coach Vicki Updike, who shared lessons on purpose, self-awareness, and owning one’s unique career path
- In August, Wi5P explored emerging technology with GenAI Decoded: A Beginner’s Guide to Using AI Like a Pro, featuring Josh Huliar. This session demystified AI and provided tangible tools for everyday professional use—highlighting how women can confidently leverage technology to enhance productivity and decision-making
- Closing out the year, November’s webinar Utilizing Behavioral Science to Build Stronger Teams, led by Brian Van de Water, focused on understanding human behavior to improve hiring, communication, and team dynamics—reinforcing that strong organizations are built on people, not just processes
Together, these sessions reflected a thoughtful progression: from personal growth, to technological confidence, to organizational leadership.
Beyond education, Wi5P continued to keep members informed on the broader forces shaping the 5P industries. Throughout the year, newsletters highlighted relevant industry news—from sustainability and packaging innovation to the evolving role of women in leadership and the growing use of AI in workplace communication. These insights helped members stay informed, competitive, and future- focused.
Community and Connection
At its core, Wi5P is about people. In 2025, the organization continued to foster meaningful connections through member spotlights, event recaps, and collaborations with the Green Bay Innovation Group (GBIG). These efforts reinforced the importance of community—creating spaces where women can learn from one another, share experiences, and grow together.
Looking Ahead – As we turn the page to 2026, the momentum from 2025 sets a strong foundation. The themes that defined this year—intentional growth, practical learning, innovation, and connection—will continue to guide Wi5P’s programming and purpose.
Thank you to our speakers, partners, volunteers, and members who made 2025 such a meaningful year. Together, we are not only shaping careers—we are strengthening the future of the 5P industries.
Titletown Manufacturing Brings Long-Standing OEM Assembly Capabilities Into the Spotlight
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Titletown Manufacturing, known regionally for its precision CNC machining services, is drawing renewed attention for a capability it has quietly offered for years: full inhouse OEM machine assembly. While the company has long supported customers with complete mechanical build-outs, the service is now becoming a central differentiator as OEMs seek more integrated production partners.
“People are often surprised when they find out we build full assemblies,” said Cassie Diedrick, Director of Business Development at Titletown Manufacturing. “It’s something the company has done behind the scenes for years. As our OEM customers faced tighter deadlines and workforce shortages, they leaned on us more heavily to take on full machine builds—not just the parts.”
A Quiet Capability Now in High Demand
OEMs have increasingly turned to Titletown Manufacturing as pressures mount around talent shortages, aging internal equipment, and the rising complexity of new product development. For many, outsourcing entire assemblies—not just individual components—has become essential for maintaining production schedules.
Titletown Manufacturing has supplied those solutions for years, handling:
- Complete mechanical assemblies
- Component integration
- Functional test runs before shipment
- Precision CNC-machined parts
- Assistance with reverse engineering for legacy equipment
These assemblies leave the floor ready to drop into a customer’s production line .The consistency and quality control maintained by machining and assembling under one roof is something OEMs can appreciate.
High-Tolerance Machining Paired With Integrated Assembly
Although the company’s assembly services aren’t new, they’ve gained fresh visibility thanks to years of investment in equipment, software, and facility improvements. These upgrades support tighter tolerances, faster setup times, and better quality oversight—critical factors for OEMs looking to consolidate suppliers.
Maintaining machining, assembly, and testing under one roof also allows Titletown Manufacturing to deliver:
- Shorter lead times
- Improved repeatability
- Reduced vendor handoffs
- Higher reliability in scheduling and output
This vertically integrated approach has become especially appealing to OEMs struggling to manage labor shortages within their own facilities.
A Trusted Partner for OEM Production
As more customers discover the full breadth of Titletown Manufacturing’s capabilities, the company is emerging as a goto resource for OEMs seeking dependable, scalable production support. Its combination of precision machining, engineering insight, and complete assemblies offers manufacturers a streamlined path from component concept to finished product.
About Titletown Manufacturing, LLC
Titletown Manufacturing, LLC, is a trusted metal machining and fabrication shop with over 60 years of experience in CNC machining, welding, grinding, assembly and reverse engineering for a wide range of industrial customers throughout the region. The company employs more than 30 people at its facility at 817 Marquis Way in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
For more information on Titletown Manufacturing or to request a quote, please contact Cassie Diedrick at cassie@titletownmfg.com or go to https://www.titletownmanufacturing.com/ 920-435-9074
TTO BMA: Recovered Paper Monthly (RPM)
Stay ahead of industry trends with the monthly report and video recap by TTO MBA. TTO BMA publishes Recovered Paper Monthly, a pulp and paper net-price indices for benchmark grades in major markets like China, Europe, and North America based on actual open market transactions.
Update of the Flexible Packaging Industry and Industry Trends
Wisconsin is a worldwide leader in the Flexible Packaging Industry with Innovation, production, and
employing over 20,000 people in the industry. Wisconsin has fifty-eight company headquarters and
about seventy-five locations for both international and domestic firms. The Great Lakes States is the
dominant region in the USA in Flexible Packaging Production. In addition, the State of Wisconsin has
over three hundred Converting Companies with the densest national footprint for flexible packaging
converting!
The Flexible Packaging Industry is a $151 billion force in the US economy supporting 400,000 American jobs across every state and 528 sectors of the economy. The dominant and high growth areas are Food and Healthcare plus household consumer goods driven by the demand for lightweight, efficient packaging. Flexible Packaging is one of the fastest growing and most sustainable packaging segments in the USA with an estimated 8.2% CAGR through 2035.
Flexible Packaging is a means of packaging products using non-rigid materials which allow for more economical and customized options. Wisconsin’s Bemis Company originally developed flexible packaging to address the growing demand for innovative packaging solutions; this company later joined Amcor.
Flexible packaging refers to packaging materials that can easily change shape when filled, making them suitable for a wide range of products and sizes. These packages provide the necessary protective barriers to comply with FDA and all other packaging standards, while also offering an affordable pricing structure.
Flexible packaging refers to items such as bags, pouches, liners, wraps, and roll stock made
from materials like paper, plastic, film, aluminum foil, or combinations of these. Flexible Packaging is
ideal for food, beverages, personal care, and the pharmaceutical industries with about 90% of flexible
packaging used for these products. The total global packaging market is approaching $1 trillion annually.
Key Wisconsin Companies include:
Hoffman Planning, Design, and Construction: Bemis Healthcare Packaging
Bemis Company, Inc. selected Hoffman to provide planning, design, and construction management services for its $25 million facility expansion project in Oshkosh. The 160,000 sq. ft. project involved renovating two existing facilities on the Bemis Healthcare Packaging Oshkosh campus and constructing a 107,000 sq. ft. warehouse addition that combines the buildings into one.
The facility addition provides Bemis with increased warehouse space and feature a high-bay storage and racking system to hold raw goods and finished product. New offices were added to the existing warehouse as well as employee locker rooms and a state-of-the-art employee training center.
Highlights of the project’s design include the addition of a tour corridor that runs throughout all three facilities and allows clients to view the package manufacturing process, a more efficient lighting plan for the entire facility, and significant performance improvements to the clean rooms (that ensure a sterile environment during the production process), which help reduce energy costs.
The project doubled the size of Bemis’ healthcare packaging operations in Oshkosh and provides Bemis with a high-performance facility that will help them remain leaders in the global healthcare packaging market.
Contract Converting Executive Leadership Appointments
Contract Converting LLC’s Board of Directors has announced a strategic change in its Executive Leadership team, appointing Robert J. Saari as CEO reporting to the Chairman of the Board effective January 1, 2026. Saari has served as the President for the company prior to his new appointment. He will also continue to sit on the Board of Directors for the company and will oversee the Executive Team and the company’s path forward. Saari brings an extensive leadership skillset from past managerial and executive roles throughout the converting industry. During that time, he has led and managed manufacturing and sales/marketing functions with various companies, including Contract Converting, LLC, until his appointment as President in 2020.
In addition, the Board of Directors has selected Franklin W. Forseth as the new President/COO reporting to the CEO effective January 1, 2026. Forseth has served as the VP of Sales for the company until his recent appointment. He will join the Board of Directors starting in 2026. He will have the responsibly of driving performance in all operations of the organization, along with overseeing and managing the leadership team to achieve continued sustainable growth moving forward. Forseth has extensive knowledge in a wide range of functions at Contract Converting, LLC including sales, Human resources, purchasing, P&L responsibility, product/project development, and more recently manufacturing/maintenance leadership.
Saari added, “The value that Frank brings to Contract Converting, LLC, in his new role, is his leadership qualities and broad knowledge of the converting industry as a whole. He is very versed at matching our core competencies with the needs of the industry we work in, along with pursuing new adventures in our specific space.”
Paez Packaging celebrates Domino N610i, their first digital press
Paez Packaging, a full-service label and packaging solutions provider based in Riverside, California, has installed the Domino N610i digital UV inkjet label press, marking a major step forward in the company’s ongoing commitment to quality, efficiency, and innovation.
Family-owned and operated by twin brothers Luis and Mario Paez, Paez Packaging has built a reputation for excellence in serving customers across multiple industries with premium pressure-sensitive labels and packaging solutions. The installation of the Domino N610i represents a pivotal moment in the company’sevolution as it embraces digital technology to enhance speed, flexibility, and customer responsiveness.
A Trusted Partner for Premium Labels
Founded over ten years ago, Paez Packaging provides high-quality pressure-sensitive labels for a wide range of applications and industries, including pharmaceutical, cosmetics, agricultural, alcohol, wine, and beer.
“We’ve been proudly serving customers for more than a decade, offering high-quality pressure- sensitive labels and packaging solutions across multiple industries,” said Luis Paez, CEO of Paez Packaging. “Our focus has always been on delivering exceptional quality, reliability, and service while helping our customers elevate their brands through great packaging.”
The company produces labels in a variety of materials, finishes, and quantities, tailored to meet each customer’s specific requirements… from compliance labeling to product branding and promotional packaging.
“Our customers operate in competitive markets where packaging plays a critical role in brand perception,” explained Mario Paez, Vice President of Paez Packaging. “They expect premium quality, fast turnaround times, and flexibility. We pride ourselves on meeting those expectations every time.”
Leadership and Values
As CEO, Luis Paez oversees company leadership, growth strategy, and business development, while Mario Paez, as Vice President, focuses on overall strategy, production, and customer relationships. Together, they’ve cultivated a company culture centered on partnership, precision, and service.
“We go above and beyond to make sure our customers get exactly what they need, when they need it,” said Luis. “Our commitment to quality control and communication sets us apart in the marketplace. At the end of the day, we care deeply about our customers’ success. We treat every project as a partnership and strive to help brands look their best through dependable, high-quality label solutions delivered with exceptional service.”
Why Digital? A Strategic Investment for Growth
“The Domino N610i is our first digital press,” said Luis. “We recognized the need to invest in digital technology to improve turnaround times, achieve even higher print quality, and expand into new markets. Digital printing gives us greater flexibility to handle shorter runs, variable data, and faster response to our customers’ evolving needs.”
Discovering Domino
When exploring options, the Paez brothers conducted extensive research and compared several digital press manufacturers.
“We learned about Domino through industry research and recommendations from other converters,” said Mario. “Domino’s strong reputation for reliability, proven technology, excellent print quality, and strong support team quickly caught our attention. The N610i offers the right combination of speed, consistency, and color performance… along with the confidence of partnering with a company that truly understands the label market.”
New Opportunities
The installation of the Domino N610i has opened up a new world of possibilities for Paez Packaging.
“We’re excited to expand our capabilities, offer more creative label solutions, and serve our customers faster than ever,” said Mario. “The N610i allows us to take on new types of jobs, enter new markets, and provide an even higher level of service and quality.”
With digital technology, Paez Packaging anticipates significant changes in the types of jobs it runs.
“We expect to see more short-run, high-quality jobs, as well as labels that require multiple SKUs, variable data, or unique designs,” added Mario. “This will allow us to serve new types of customers and industries more efficiently.”
Production and Business Advantages
From an operational perspective, the Domino N610i delivers measurable efficiency gains.
“The N610i will give us faster turnaround times, reduced setup and make-ready time, and greater flexibility in production,” explained Luis. “It will also allow us to increase capacity and improve overall efficiency, helping us meet tight deadlines while maintaining our high-quality standards.”
On the business side, the investment has positioned Paez Packaging for sustained growth.
“We expect to grow our customer base, increase sales, and enter new markets that demand short-run, premium-quality labels,” said Luis. “The Domino N610i positions Paez Packaging for future growth by allowing us to offer faster service, more customization, and unmatched quality — all while strengthening our reputation for reliability and innovation.”
The company’s cost justification process was thorough, evaluating efficiency gains, production capacity, and new business potential.
“When evaluating the investment, we looked closely at our production efficiency, customer demands, and the types of jobs we were turning away due to longer lead times or smaller quantities,” said Luis. “The Domino N610i provided a clear return on investment through reduced setup costs, faster turnaround, and the ability to take on more short-run and variable-data jobs. It also opened the door to new business opportunities and markets that simply weren’t feasible with traditional flexo equipment.”
Training, Service, and Partnership
Throughout installation and startup, Paez Packaging was impressed by Domino’s professionalism and support.
“Our experience with Domino has been excellent,” said Luis. “From the very first conversation through installation and support, Domino has been responsive, professional, and genuinely committed to our success.”
Mario echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the value of Domino’s training team.
“The training and support from Domino have been outstanding,” he said. “Their technicians and trainers were thorough, patient, and very knowledgeable. They took the time to ensure our team understood not just how to run the press, but how to maximize its potential. The ongoing service and technical support have been equally impressive — we’d rate it a 10 out of 10.”
The Domino Difference
The brothers describe the Domino Difference as the company’s combination of technology, reliability, and partnership.
“Absolutely, there’s a Domino Difference,” said Mario. “It’s their combination of technology, reliability, and outstanding customer support. They don’t just sell equipment — they build partnerships. That level of trust and collaboration has made all the difference for us.”
A Future Focused on Innovation
As Paez Packaging looks ahead, the company sees Domino as a key driver of continued success.
“Moving forward, we see Domino playing a major role in our growth,” said Mario. “The N610i allows us to serve existing customers more efficiently while also reaching new markets that demand shorter runs and faster delivery. As we continue to expand, Domino’s technology gives us the flexibility and confidence to take on more complex, high-value work that helps our customers and our business grow together.”
“We’re very proud to take this next step with Domino,” added Luis. “The N610i represents a big milestone for Paez Packaging — it’s helping us continue to deliver the quality, service, and speed our customers have come to expect, while positioning us for even greater success in the future.”
About Paez Packaging
Founded in Riverside, California, Paez Packaging is a family-owned label and packaging company specializing in high-quality pressure-sensitive labels for a wide range of industries. With a focus on quality, service, and innovation, the company partners with customers to help their brands stand out through superior label & packaging solutions. For more information on Paez Packaging, please visit paezpackaging.com
About Domino
Domino is a leading manufacturer and distributor of digital printing and product identification solutions. Celebrating its 47 th 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 over 120 countries, and over 3,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Domino digital printing, please visit dominodigitalprinting.com
The Key Advantages of Infrared ElectricalInspection for Proactive Maintenance
Electrical systems rarely fail without warning. Components begin to heat unevenly, connections loosen, and loads shift long before any visible symptoms appear. An infrared electrical inspection enables maintenance teams to detect these early indicators and intervene before small issues grow into costly failures. Thermal imaging has become a core tool for strengthening reliability and reducing operational risk.
Thermal Imaging Methodology for Electrical Systems
Infrared technology converts surface temperatures into visible images. When a component shows abnormal heat, it often signals resistance, imbalance, or deteriorating insulation. These conditions may not be obvious during a standard electrical inspection, yet they can lead to outages, damaged equipment, or unsafe operating conditions. Because infrared imaging is noncontact and performed while equipment remains energized, facilities can gain meaningful insight without interrupting production.
Advantages of Electrical Infrared Inspections
Infrared imaging is most effective when it is tied to specific maintenance outcomes rather than treated as a standalone test. In practice, facilities rely on it for several key advantages:
- Early Detection. Loose terminations, overloaded circuits, relay issues, worn motor components, and failing breakers often display characteristic heat patterns long before failure occurs. Detecting anomalies at this stage allows teams to schedule repairs during planned downtime rather than reacting to unplanned outages.
- Workplace Safety. Electrical faults can escalate rapidly, especially when resistance builds inside enclosed equipment. Hot spots can indicate the early stages of insulation breakdown or mechanical wear that could lead to arcing or equipment damage. By pinpointing areas of concern, infrared electrical inspection services help organizations reduce exposure to hazardous conditions while ensuring that corrective actions are taken before safety risks increase.
- Energy Efficiency. Unbalanced loads and poorly performing components often draw excess power. Identifying these issues through imaging allows facilities to correct inefficiencies and optimize system performance. Over time, this can reduce energy consumption and extend the service life of key electrical assets.
- Load Imbalance and Component Degradation Analysis. Infrared scans reveal patterns that point to underlying electrical imbalances rather than isolated hot spots. Uneven temperature distribution across bus bars or breaker poles often indicates phase imbalance, deteriorated contact surfaces, or spring-mechanism fatigue within switching devices. Identifying these conditions helps verify whether load distribution, torque settings, or protective device calibration need adjustment. Thermal trends can also indicate when components are nearing the end of their mechanical or thermal life, allowing replacements to be planned rather than relying on time-based maintenance intervals.
- Compliance & Documentation. Many maintenance programs and facility standards recommend periodic imaging as part of a broader reliability strategy. Thermal reports provide clear visual records that track equipment conditions over time. When combined with other testing methods, the data helps create a comprehensive view of system health and informs long-term planning decisions.
Condition-Based Maintenance Through Infrared Analysis
When performed by trained specialists, such as the Quad Plus NETA-accredited engineers who hold Level I & II Thermography certifications, infrared imaging provides a practical and reliable way to enhance electrical maintenance programs. It gives teams the information needed to make targeted repairs, reduce downtime, and improve overall system integrity. Facilities gain a proactive approach that strengthens reliability across daily operations.
To learn more about how infrared electrical inspection can support your reliability goals, connect with Adam Kahler at akahler@quadplus.com or (815) 210-9885
