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Read the latest 92 Stories and Links on the Internet below.
We are thrilled to share some exciting news – at recent International Association of Roll Converters (ARC) Annual Conference in Cleveland, Heat Technologies Inc. was officially named Technology of the Year Finalist in the field of drying and curing for the converting industry.
This award certificate recognizes HTI’s recent breakthrough advancements in the drying and curing of diverse coatings, alongside our proven track record of driving significant operational improvements for converting equipment.
A Milestone at the Industry’s Premier Event
The ARC Annual Conference is widely regarded as the most important event of the year for the global converting industry. This year’s event was a resounding success, bringing together 350 industry leaders and professionals for three days of intense learning, networking, and innovation.
What makes this conference the pinnacle of the converting calendar is its unique, dual-impact format:
A Wealth of Knowledge: Three full days packed with cutting-edge educational presentations covering every operational aspect of the industry.
The Tabletop Expo: A bustling marketplace where converters get a first-hand look at the latest technological breakthroughs and next-generation solutions across various industry segments.
Why This Recognition Matters
In an industry where production efficiency, quality, precision, and energy savings are paramount, HTI’s drying and curing solutions stood out above the rest. By helping converters optimize their coating processes and maximize equipment uptime, we are proud to push the boundaries of what’s possible in web processing.
Receiving this recognition from our peers at the most critical industry event of the year is a testament to our team’s dedication to innovation. We are incredibly grateful to the ARC and to our amazing partners and customers who inspire us to keep transforming the converting landscape.
Thank you to everyone who visited us in Cleveland, and to the ARC for an unforgettable week!
Want to learn more about how our ultrasonic drying and curing technology can optimize your operations? Push this green button below!
Make48 is coming to UW-Stout from July 31-Aug. 2 for the final Regional Playoff event of Season 10. Make48 is a fast-paced invention competition where teams have just 48 hours to come up with an idea, build a working prototype, and pitch it to judges, all based on a real-world challenge from a sponsoring company.
The event will take place at the UW-Stout Fab Lab. A social will be held from 3-5 pm on Saturday, Aug. 1. Meet with the teams and network with others. Drinks and hors d-oeuvres will be served. Registration is required.
MADISON, WI – M3 Insurance has released the 2026 edition of Momentum: An M3 Employee Benefits Trend Report, offering employers a data-driven look at the forces shaping healthcare spend and the strategies gaining traction as organizations prepare for 2027 and beyond.
For more than two decades, M3’s annual employee benefits trend report has helped employers understand the changing benefits landscape. The 2026 Momentum report continues that evolution, moving beyond traditional benchmarking to examine what is driving cost increases, how employers are responding, and where the market is headed.
The report shows employers are spending an average of $17,042 per employee annually on healthcare, with year-over-year increases averaging 7.46%. While that represents moderation from the prior year, costs remain elevated and continue to place pressure on employers and their workforce.
“The employers seeing the best results today aren’t waiting for healthcare costs to improve on their own,” said Brian Meyer, Director of Analytics and Underwriting and Partner at M3. “They’re using data to understand what’s driving spend, challenging traditional assumptions, and building multi-year strategies that position them for long-term success. That’s the momentum we’re seeing in the market.”
Key themes in the 2026 report include:
Employer action to address rising healthcare costs through more intentional, data-backed benefits strategies
Growing use of predictive analytics and data-driven point solutions
Increased focus on high-performance networks, direct contracting, variable copay plans, and advanced care navigation
Continued pressure from pharmacy trend, including specialty drugs, GLP-1 medications, gene therapies, and biosimilars
Rising interest in alternative funding strategies, including captives, as the stop-loss market hardens
M3 is a top insurance broker and risk management firm in America. We’re leaders in the products we represent and the industries we serve. M3’s people are an extension of your team, providing world-class resources to help you manage risk, purchase insurance, and provide employee benefits. And our focus on community builds better places to live and work. For more information on M3, visit www.m3ins.com.
Jeff Novak has served as a Territory Sales Manager with Voorwood since 2015, helping manufacturers identify the right converting machinery solutions to improve productivity, efficiency, and product quality. Originally from the Midwest, Jeff maintains strong family ties to the Rice Lake and Amery, Wisconsin area and is known for his consultative, customer-focused approach to building long-term relationships.
Voorwood is an employee-owned American manufacturer that has proudly served the packaging and converting industries since 1961. From its manufacturing facility in Anderson, California, Voorwood designs, builds, and supports precision converting equipment, including:
Voorwood machinery is used in a wide variety of converting applications involving paper, film, foil, tape, labels, plastic films, flexible packaging, and many other specialty materials. Every machine is engineered with precision and can be customized to meet each customer’s specific production requirements.
Beyond equipment manufacturing, Voorwood provides comprehensive customer support, including application engineering, operator training, replacement parts, technical assistance, and ongoing service to help customers maximize the performance and longevity of their equipment.
With more than 60 years of industry experience, Voorwood has earned a reputation for quality craftsmanship, engineering innovation, and exceptional customer service. The company’s commitment is to deliver reliable converting solutions that help manufacturers increase efficiency, reduce downtime, and produce superior products.
If you’re evaluating new converting equipment or looking to improve your current manufacturing process, contact Jeff Novak at Voorwood to discuss your application and discover a solution tailored to your production needs.
Manufacturers rely on accurate weight measurement to maintain product quality, reduce waste, and improve process control. For years, many facilities used nuclear or radiometric gauging systems to monitor material weight. While these systems provided valuable data, they also created operational challenges that are becoming harder to justify.
Today, ultrasonic weight measurement offers a modern alternative. By eliminating radioactive sources and providing high-resolution measurements, ultrasonic technology helps manufacturers improve reliability while reducing long-term costs.
The Limitations of Legacy Gauging Systems
Traditional gauging systems often use radioactive sources to measure material weight. While effective, these systems come with ongoing responsibilities and expenses.
Common challenges include:
Regulatory compliance and licensing requirements
Special handling and storage procedures
Periodic inspections and documentation
Costs associated with source replacement
Additional safety training for personnel
As equipment ages, maintenance can become more difficult. Replacement parts may be harder to obtain, and older systems may not provide the level of measurement accuracy required by modern manufacturing processes.
For many manufacturers, these limitations have created interest in alternative non-destructive testing methods. These technologies provide the same measurement capabilities without the operational burden of radioactive materials.
Why Ultrasonic Weight Measurement Is Gaining Adoption
Ultrasonic weight measurement uses high-frequency sound waves to determine material weight. Because the technology measures weight without damaging the product, it has become a valuable tool for industrial non-destructive testing applications.
One of the primary advantages of ultrasonic testing is its ability to provide accurate measurements without requiring radioactive sources. This simplifies compliance requirements while improving workplace safety.
Modern ultrasonic weight measurement systems also offer several performance benefits:
High measurement accuracy and repeatability
Continuous real-time monitoring
Greater insight into weight variation across the production line
Reduced maintenance requirements
Faster response to product variations
Faster measurement updates allow operators to identify weight variations sooner. This helps prevent excessive scrap and supports tighter process control.
Many manufacturers are also replacing aging gauges with integrated ultrasonic weight measurement tool platforms that support automated quality control and production optimization.
Operational Benefits Beyond Weight Measurement
The benefits of ultrasonic technology extend beyond measurement accuracy alone. When combined with modern process control strategies and advanced web gauging systems, ultrasonic technology can help manufacturers:
Reduce material waste
Improve product consistency
Detect process variations earlier
Lower maintenance costs
Increase overall equipment reliability
These advantages make ultrasonic measurement an attractive option for facilities upgrading legacy gauging systems. Manufacturers can improve performance without adding regulatory complexity.
As manufacturers continue to reduce regulatory burden while improving process performance, ultrasonic weight measurement is becoming a preferred solution for many weight-monitoring applications.
Future-Proofing Measurement Systems
Many manufacturers are delaying major equipment upgrades due to budget constraints and production demands. However, aging measurement systems can create risks beyond maintenance costs. Obsolete components and limited vendor support can make it difficult to maintain consistent product quality. Upgrading to ultrasonic weight measurement allows facilities to modernize a critical quality control function without a complete process overhaul.
For facilities evaluating aging equipment, the decision often involves more than just replacing a measurement device. It is an opportunity to improve process visibility and support data-driven manufacturing initiatives. These improvements can also help position operations for future production demands.
To learn more about ultrasonic weight measurement and modern gauging technologies, contact Adam Kahler at akahler@quadplus.com or call (815) 210-9885.
Registration is now OPEN for the Fourth Annual Tossing for Inclusion Bag Toss Tournament and Fundraiser!
Join us on Wednesday, August 19, at GameDay Sports Bar in Appleton for an inclusive bag toss tournament and fundraiser that brings our community together in the spirit of fun, connection, and friendly competition.
Whether you’re tossing for the first time or you’re a seasoned pro, this event is all about celebrating inclusion and making an impact. Proceeds from Tossing for Inclusion directly support our community programs, empowering over 2,000 individuals with disabilities and disadvantages throughout the Fox Cities and surrounding areas.
Casual and competitive brackets available
Great for friends, coworkers, families, and teams of all abilities
A meaningful way to support inclusive programs while having fun
Round up your teammate and get in the game—spots are limited!
September 2026 | Contracting and Project Initiation
Overview/Purpose:
Across the United States, numerous wood products manufacturing facilities—including pulp and paper mills—have ceased operations, leaving behind industrial infrastructure, utility connections, transportation assets, and skilled workforce capacity. At the same time, many forest-dependent regions face increasing challenges associated with declining markets for low-value wood fiber, and the need for new economic development opportunities.
The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (“The Endowment”) seeks proposals to evaluate the technical, economic, and community feasibility of repurposing closed wood products manufacturing facilities for bioenergy. Through this project, the Endowment aims to generate high-quality feasibility data that can inform future investment decisions and determine whether industrial site reuse can serve as a scalable model for biomass utilization, renewable energy production, and rural economic revitalization.
Through this Request for Proposals (RFP), the Endowment seeks to support one or two projects that will conduct comprehensive pre-development assessments of closed wood products facilities that can lead to redevelopment as biopower generation or biofuel production facilities.
Project Goal:
The primary goal of this initiative is to determine the feasibility of reusing closed wood products manufacturing sites for biopower generation or biofuel production.
Successful projects will produce analyses that address:
Site-level due diligence findings
Engineering and technical feasibility
Economic and financial viability
Project risks and mitigation strategies
Community and workforce considerations
Infrastructure requirements and constraints
Financing structures and investment readiness
These outcomes will inform both project-specific investment decisions and broader understanding of whether this approach can be replicated across additional sites and regions.
Project and Funding Details:
Eligibility: Eligible applicants include U.S.-based private companies or other organizations with demonstrated experience and a strong track record in energy project development, wood products manufacturing, data center development, or closely related infrastructure projects of similar scale and complexity.
Project Expectations: Selected projects will conduct a comprehensive pre-development assessment equivalent to a Front-End Loading Level 2 (FEL-2) analysis or comparable industry-standard feasibility study.
Projects should provide sufficient technical, economic, and market information to support future investment and development decisions.
The Endowment will work collaboratively with selected projects to establish final scopes of work, milestones, and reporting requirements.
Funding Available: The Endowment is making available up to $500,000 for this initiative.
The Endowment anticipates supporting:
One project of up to $500,000; or
Two projects of approximately $250,000 each
Funding will be provided as a Program Related Investment (PRI) or grant — repayable upon the project proceeding to construction financing or forgiven as a grant if the project does not advance.
Evaluation Criteria: Proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria:
I. Site Control and Access
a. Applicants must demonstrate:
i. Ownership of the site;
ii. Long-term leasehold interest;
iii. Purchase option; or
iv. Written authorization to conduct the proposed analysis.
b. Preference may be given to projects that demonstrate a clear path toward future site redevelopment.
II. Team Capability and Experience
a. Applicants should demonstrate:
i. Relevant project development experience,
ii. Technical expertise related to biomass utilization and energy systems,
iii. Experience with industrial facility redevelopment,
iv. Qualifications of key team members and consultants.
b. Applicants should identify all major project partners and their roles.
III. Financial Readiness and Project Advancement Potential
a. Preference will be given to projects that demonstrate:
i. Existing development efforts,
ii. Funding commitments or matching funds,
iii. Offtake agreements or letters of intent,
iv. Utility engagement,
v. Strategic partnership,
vi. A realistic pathway toward implementation.
IV. Community Alignment
a. Applicants should demonstrate alignment with:
i. Local economic development priorities,
ii. Community redevelopment goals,
iii. Workforce development opportunities,
iv. Regional forest industry strategies,
v. Community willingness, and
vi. Proposals should describe anticipated community benefits, potential impacts to land use and stakeholder engagement plans.
Data Access and Publication Rights
Awardees will be required to:
Provide the Endowment with confidential access to all reports, studies, models, analyses, and supporting materials developed through grant funding,
Participate in periodic project review and site visit meetings,
Provide final electronic copies of all deliverables.
The Endowment reserves the right to synthesize and publish aggregated findings, lessons learned, case studies, and implementation guidance developed through this initiative. The Endowment will work with project teams to ensure that proprietary business information, trade secrets, and other confidential information are appropriately protected.
Future Investment Considerations
Participation in this initiative does not guarantee future funding. However, projects demonstrating strong technical and economic potential may receive priority consideration for future engagement with the Endowment.
Application Instructions:
Proposals must be submitted via Endowment’s online application portal at https://usendowment.my.site.com/grants. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The proposal narrative should not exceed five pages and should focus on the following elements:
Project Description
Provide a concise description of:
The facility and its operating history
Current site conditions and ownership status
The proposed biopower redevelopment concept
Why the site is a strong candidate for development
Site Control and Access
Describe the applicant’s relationship to the site and provide evidence of:
Ownership,
Leasehold interest,
Purchase option, or
Authorization to access and evaluate the facility.
Must disclose any pending or recent litigation related to the site, current or former owners, occupants or any other entity affiliated with the project.
Proposed Approach and Methodology
Describe:
The scope of work to be completed
Key technical, financial, and market questions to be addressed
Proposed consultants or project partners
Major deliverables
Project schedule and milestones
Supporting Information and Data Room Access
Applicants are encouraged to provide access to a secure electronic data room containing supporting information relevant to the proposed site and project. Examples of supporting materials may include:
Site Information
Site maps
Property descriptions
Facility layouts
Existing engineering drawings
Equipment inventories
Utility information
Environmental and Regulatory Information
Environmental reports
Permitting documentation
Previous assessments or studies
Regulatory correspondence
Technical and Development Information
Feasibility studies
Engineering evaluations
Resource assessments
Interconnection studies
Infrastructure assessments
Commercial and Financial Information
Project budgets
Financial analyses
Market studies
Offtake agreements
Letters of intent
Partnership agreements
Funding commitments
Community and Economic Development Information
Community support letters
Economic development plans
Workforce assessments
Stakeholder engagement materials
Applicants may provide either:
A secure data room link; or
Individual electronic files uploaded through the application portal. If using the portal please upload these in the proposal narrative upload field.
The Endowment recognizes that some materials may contain confidential or proprietary information. All information submitted will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law and consistent with the terms of the application process.
Selection Process
Following proposal review, the Endowment may request additional information, interviews, or access to supplemental materials before making final award decisions.
The Endowment reserves the right to conduct follow-up due diligence with applicants and project partners as part of the evaluation process.
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For any portal/application issues please contact subawards@usendowment.org. For proposal technical questions please contact Matt Krumenauer at matt@usendowment.org
To view or complete the application go to the Endowment’s grantee portal and click “Log in” at the top left corner: https://usendowment.my.site.com/grants. If you already have an account on the portal from a previous Endowment project, please use those login credentials.
If you are a new user, please click on “Not a member?” and follow the instructions to create an account. Once logged in, click on the “Opportunities for Funding” tab to view this RFP and apply.
Please use this budget template, also available in the portal. Match is not required for this RFP.
The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
By Andrew Brooks, Water-based Inks and Coatings Product Manager at Sun Chemical
In today’s corrugated packaging industry, plant managers are pressed to deliver faster turnaround times and higher print quality. This challenge leads to a crucial operational decision: Should a plant mix its own inks with an in-house ink kitchen (a system for dispensing and blending base ink components), or continue purchasing finished, pre-mixed inks from ink suppliers? The right answer isn’t just about cost―it impacts labor, workspace, supplier relationships, and the plant’s future growth. To make the best choice, managers need to understand both the visible and hidden factors of each approach.
The In-House Ink Kitchen (Dispensing System)
Pros
Cost Savings: Generally, due to high production volume, buying base ink components and extenders (materials used to make the finished ink) is usually less expensive than purchasing a finished ink, especially for custom colors or small batches. However, for high-volume colors like GCMI 75 Red (a standard red ink commonly used in corrugated packaging), large ink suppliers often achieve greater efficiency and lower costs by producing these in bulk.
Inventory Control: Only the ink quantity that is needed is dispensed, minimizing “dead” inventory (unused ink). Suppliers typically sell inks in minimum quantities (such as 40–45 pounds), which can result in waste if the job requires less. In house dispensing allows for “fit for use lot” sizes―in other words, only enough ink for each job is prepared, which keeps ink waste at a minimum.
Operational Flexibility: If a job runs out of a color during production, or a spill happens, a new batch can quickly be dispensed―reducing costly downtime while waiting for a replacement delivery.
Cons
Capital Expenditure (CAPEX): Setting up an ink kitchen requires an upfront investment and ongoing maintenance. Some plants do not take this into consideration by signing long-term contracts with ink vendors who provide the ink dispenser as part of their service. Pro-tip: Evaluate the merits of the ink and service first, only then consider including the equipment as part of the overall package.
Labor & Expertise: While modern dispensers are user-friendly, the best results come from having a dedicated ink room team. Maintaining consistency in color despite changes in pH, substrate, or anilox wear, for example, requires expertise. Pro-tip: consider the headcount for the dedicated expert support needed, or a backup for when that expert is not available.
Reduced Vendor Consultancy: When a plant mixes their own ink, the “hands-on” engagement with the supplier who is intimately familiar with the daily runs can be lost. This “knowledge fog” may make it harder for vendors to offer productivity advice or training.
Buying Finished Ink (Pre-Mixed)
Pros
Simplicity: For smaller plants or those with low color complexity, buying pre-mixed inks is straightforward. There’s no equipment to maintain and no manufacturing guesswork―just “buy and run.” An ink kitchen can always be added later if needed. Pro-tip: Don’t invest in a dispenser unless you plan to use it.)
Batch Consistency: Most ink kitchen operations are built around producing one pail of finished ink at a time. Maintaining Quality Control (QC) pail-to-pail can be difficult with small in-house batches. Outside vendors mix in larger volumes with established QC standards, generally ensuring higher consistency across a long run.
Space Requirements: Purchasing finished inks frees up valuable floor space, which would otherwise be needed for dispensing equipment, storage, and QC equipment. If an in-house kitchen isn’t located near the pressroom, any productivity gain is lost due to time spent moving ink.
Cons
Premium Pricing: The cost of finished inks normally includes supplier labor, overhead, and shipping costs. Single-pail production, especially when custom color matching is involved, can be inefficient, resulting in higher prices―especially for small orders.
Logistical Risks: A plant production schedule is entirely dependent on the supplier’s delivery window, which can be longer for custom colors. On the other hand, a plant that has the material (bases and vehicle) in-house to mix the finished ink can meet last-minute customer orders, and avoid delays due to supply chain or weather disruptions, not impacting the ability to meet production goals
Other Factors to Consider
Product Mix: If a plant mostly prints jobs using a single color, such as 75% GCMI 90 Black―a standard black ink for shipping boxes, there’s generally little benefit to in-house mixing. But if a plant regularly produces full-color jobs, for example, point-of-purchase displays needing 40–50 different colors monthly, in-house capabilities can be advantageous.
Dispenser Types: There are three major dispenser models in the corrugated industry, each offering different features and sizes. Choosing the right hardware, and features, is essential.
Decision Framework: Practical Checklist for Plant Managers
How many colors do jobs require monthly? If more than 20–30, consider in-house capabilities.
What percentage of jobs use standard inks (like GCMI 90 Black or GCMI 75 Red)? If over 75%, finished inks are likely more efficient.
Is the facility equipped with staff who can manage ink mixing and quality control? If not, finished inks may be easier.
Is there enough floor space near the pressroom for an ink kitchen?
Consider cost of the initial investment and ongoing maintenance for dispensing equipment.
How critical is immediate color adjustment during production? If high, in-house mixing is beneficial.
Are there frequent supplier deliveries delays? If high, in-house mixing is beneficial.
The Bottom Line
There’s no universal answer to the ink kitchen dilemma. Finished inks provide simplicity, minimal overhead, and standard QC―ideal for smaller plants or those with low color diversity. For plants needing quick color changes and high specialty color turnover, an in-house ink kitchen offers cost savings and flexibility. Conduct a pressroom audit to evaluate waste, labor, and color needs before deciding. The choice made will shape the plant’s operations for years to come―so it needs to be approached thoughtfully and objectively.
A free webinar hosted by the Wisconsin Paper Council in partnership with UW–Stevens Point introducing a graduate-level credential designed to upskill today’s manufacturing workforce.
WEBINAR DETAILS:
Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Time: 12:00 pm-1:00 pm (CDT)
Location: Virtual – MS Teams
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
How process control impacts safety, efficiency, and operations
How the 15-credit online certificate is structured for working professionals
Master traditional and advanced process control technologies for modern industrial manufacturing
Learn how to enroll in the Process Control Engineering Graduate Certificate
How this certificate can fit into employer-supported professional development
ABOUT THE CERTIFICATE
The Process Control Engineering Graduate Certificate is a 15-credit, fully online program designed for working professionals. Courses are delivered asynchronously through an online learning platform, allowing students to balance work and study. Most complete the program in 15–18 months, spending about 6–9 hours per week on coursework.
PRESENTERS
John Tatarko, Ph.D. , PE Teaching Professor & Program Lead Process Control Engineering Graduate Certificate, UW–Stevens Point
Roland Gong, Ph.D. Professor and Chair, Department of Paper Science and Chemical Engineering, UW–Stevens Point
WHY IT MATTERS
Built directly in response to industry demand
Prepares students to sit for the Process Control PE Exam
Focused on real-world application, not theory
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Engineers in any discipline
Professionals in paper, manufacturing, and process industries
Bringing Green Bay Companies Together. Green Bay Innovation Group is committed to building an authentic networking experience where innovation can thrive.
