WHERE: Miron Construction 1471 McMahon Dr. Neenah, WI 54956
SCHEDULE:
Check-in: 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Speakers – 8:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Lunch – 12: 00 – 1:00 p.m
Networking – 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
SPEAKERS:
PAPER CONVERTING MACHINE COMPANY – Rodney Pennings
PROCON – Kelly Helein
PIXELLE SPECIALTY SOLUTIONS – Dave Magda
HOFFMASTER – Mark Hunter
Charter Next Generation – John Garnett
Miron Construction – Dan Goyermac and Blake Titus
Cargill – Dave Garlie
The Wisconsin Converting Industry has the of the largest concentrations of Converters & Packaging Companies in the United States. Our speakers represent varies companies in converting, coating, laminating, film, flexo printing, packaging, paper, food and water.
The Topics Include:
Sustainability
New emerging technologies
Robotics Automation and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)
Seaway Printing is thrilled to announce the promotion of Chad Obermann to the role of Vice President of Business Development. Chad joined our team as the Director of Business Development and has played a pivotal role in driving the continuous growth of our company. With a 25-year history in the printing industry, Obermann boasts an exceptional track record of cultivating relationships and providing innovative solutions to support the print needs of our clients.
As the VP of Business Development, Chad will oversee all Revenue and Market Development initiatives, ensuring they are aligned with our long-term business objectives. His commitment to excellence makes him the ideal candidate to lead our business development efforts into the future.
SCOTT SHERWOOD: CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Seaway Printing proudly announces the promotion of Scott Sherwood to the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO). Scott joined Seaway Printing as the Continuous Improvement Manager, where he played a pivotal role in identifying opportunities and implementing a Lean Manufacturing System.
scott.sherwood@seawayprinting.com
With nearly 26 years of leadership experience, Sherwood’s expertise and dedication have been invaluable to our organization.
In his new role as COO, Scott assumes responsibility for overseeing operations, including Production, Scheduling, Maintenance, and Human Resources. His strategic vision and proven track record make him a natural fit to lead our company forward.
Wisconsin and the Midwest were represented at the early February Tissue World Show in Miami. However, the rest of the world was more well-represented. Several exhibitors with international headquarters had significant U.S. divisions too.
Like the rest of the current paper industry, tissue mills have virtually no local or regional U.S. ownership. GBIG research projects tissue-towel growth at 2.3% CAGR to 2028, while Freedonia research has a 6.66% CAGR in the away-from-home tissue segment during the same period. Freedonia attributes more than a third of global tissue consumption to away-from-home markets like restaurant and commercial users.
With a total of about 125 exhibitors, Wisconsin represented a range of companies that supply tissue or support the industry. Some of these I visited in Miami included these companies (with key locations):
Adhesives Research Inc, Glen Rock PA.: For splicing and converting applications.
Alwin Manufacturing, Green Bay WI: Producer of towel, tissue & napkin dispensers.
American Roller, Union Grove WI: Engineered services & industrial rollers.
C. G. Bretting Manufacturing, Ashland WI: Paper converting equipment supplier.
Convermat, Great Neck NY: Supplier of parent rolls of tissue.
IMA TMC, Italy: Tissue machinery company; packaging & handling tissue.
Infinity, Green Bay WI: Machine & engineering, for automated tissue packaging.
Paper Converting Machine Company, Green Bay WI: global equipment manufacturer.
Optima Packaging, Green Bay WI: From single machines, to complex turnkey systems.
Precision Roll Solutions & GB Embossing, Green Bay WI: Full-service capabilities.
Sellars Nonwovens, Milwaukee: Flushable, dispersible materials for cloths, towels etc.
SGS-IPS Testing, Appleton WI: Inspection, testing & certification support services.
Trebor, Inc. Matawan NJ: World’s largest independent marketer of parent tissue rolls.
WEKO, Germany: Systems for customized additives including softeners, lotion, extracts.
The conference sessions focused on current issues, the state of the industry, and “unveiling the future.”
2024 “is a year of election campaigning,” says Dr. Antonia Colibasanu, “It will be a milestone for power structures and global trade pathways. Even if more stability prevails, the bill will come due on the post pandemic recover, social cost of warfare, and society’s green transition…. The flows of trade and investment likely to stabilize during 2024….”
From stumps to rolls, understanding and navigating supply chain volatility with its dynamics in supply and demand, regulations, interest in alternate markets, imbalances—are aspects facing the tissue industry.
Envisioning carbon-free tissue production: The tissue-making process is one of the most energy-intensive papermaking processes, accounting for only 9% of global paper production tons, but 14% of total…yearly carbon emissions on the machine, per the conference agenda. Low carbon drying equipment and tissue machine projects are in demonstration stages.
Wisconsin still has stellar resources, from pulp to tissue mills, to finished tissue products via the converting industry. Locally, we do have tissue manufacturing like St. Paper, LLC., in Oconto Falls, WI, which is headquartered in Virginia. Geogia Pacific in Green Bay and Proctor and Gamble in Green Bay are tissue giants making paper towels, and toilet paper.
BiOrgin tissue mill in Lady Smith, WI, is one of the only tissue manufacturers with full spectrum color matching and is also known for its eco-friendly specialty tissue products.
Kimberly Clark in Marinette, WI, is part of the K-C packaged products division with its tissue-based “shop towels.”
In Wisconsin, the power shift to international ownership affects each of the issues outlined above. However, these issues affect the industry globally too. Hopefully, local managers and outside owners can come together to solve problems, invest for the future, and realize growth goals.
APPLETON, WI – VPI, Inc. announced yesterday the sale of their 100,000-square foot Roemer Road production facility, located at 2730 N. Roemer Rd. Appleton, to a local mechanical contractor, August Winter & Sons, Inc., as the final step in streamlining their production operations into one facility. This process started with a 2023 purchase of 150,000 square feet of space on their existing Kensington property to take full control of that campus.
Roemer Production Facility
“While VPI has grown and evolved over the years, so has our real estate portfolio. At the end of 2022, we owned or leased nine properties. It was at that point that we established a strategic initiative to streamline our real estate holdings to align with our business needs – both now and into the future. We laid out a vision that included two core real estate hubs, one for production, and one for our many community programs, while maintaining our downtown Appleton Community Outreach Center. The sale of our Roemer production facility and consolidation to our Kensington campus gives us our production hub,” said Tim Riebau, VPI, Inc. president and CEO.
VPI now owns and operates a single 400,000-square foot production and warehouse facility in Appleton and will include the build out of additional IPA/clean room space to support their customers who have this specific need.
“The sale might seem like a contraction, but we are actually gaining 45,000 square feet of incremental space when it’s all said and done,” said Riebau.
“While the sale of our Roemer facility is an exciting move for VPI and our business overall, it was made even more special that we were able to sell the building to August Winter & Sons, Inc. Our two organizations have been stalwarts of the community for more than 60 years, and as luck would have it, they were looking to buy at the same time we were looking to sell,” Riebau added.
Reception area inside Roemer Production facility. Portia Norris, VPI’s Administrative Assistant, sits at front desk.
“Our main facility, which is located less than a quarter mile down the road from VPI’s Roemer Road facility, has been bursting at the seams for the last three plus years. Over that time, our leadership team reviewed many options for expansion, none of which felt quite right. After meeting Tim and walking through the facility, our entire leadership team knew this was the opportunity we had been waiting for. The size and location are perfect for us,” said Travis Glennon, August Winter & Sons, Inc. controller.
“Our current facility consists of 64,000 square feet between office, production and warehouse. Adding this 100,000 square foot facility fills all our immediate needs and provides room for growth for years to come. We will move our entire sheet metal production, which includes ductwork, tank and other custom fabrication, along with our tool room and shipping and receiving department, to the new facility. Our current shop space will be converted into 100 percent pipe fabrication,” said Travis.
VPI’s mission is to promote the dignity and worth of individuals who have disabilities or are disadvantaged and to assist them in developing their optimum level of social, vocational, and economic independence in the community.
VPI, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization provides a variety of community programs and services – including education, early intervention, employment, mental health, and social and recreational services, and packaging solutions to the Fox Cities and surrounding areas. By providing efficient contract packaging and production services to private industry with an integrated workforce, VPI has been able to deliver community programing and services to support the changing needs of community members with disabilities or disadvantages.
August Winter & Sons, Inc.’s mission is to be recognized as the best mechanical contractor as determined by customer satisfaction. We treat our customers and fellow employees in a manner in which we would like to be treated. We will maintain steady growth in our industry to ensure the long term future of the company.
For more information or interview inquiries, please contact:
Allie Lucht Marketing & Development Manager alucht@vpiwi.org (920) 749-5859
The Green Bay Innovation Group has put together an outstanding group of speakers on PFAS, and in conjunction with regional business law firm Amundsen Davis, we are inviting you to attend on March 20 TH at Butte des Morts Country Club in Appleton. The cost is: $50.00 including a buffet lunch and you can register by going online to: www.greenbayinnovationgroup.com/events – PFAS in Food Packaging. Check in starts 8:00 a.m., speakers at 9:00 a.m. and the program concludes at 2:00 p.m.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Tom Lee – Partner at Bryan, Cave, Leighton Paisner LLP – PFAS in food packaging: State-By-State Regulations – Read Full Bio
Martin Shafer PhD. Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene and Water
Dr. Marissa Jablonski – PhD. – Executive Director Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin
Kevin Nelson – Senior Fellow at Amcor
Brad Hartong – Application Development Specialist at Priment
Betsy Metzger – Product Development Manager at Glenroy, Inc.
Questions, please contact: Marty Ochs Founder of Green Bay Innovation Group martinpochs@gmail.com
Shannon Daniels Marketing Manager Amundsen Davis SDaniels@AmundsenDavisLaw.om
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 96 Stories and Links on the Internet below.
FEBRUARY 29, 2024 n-tech – Microsoft’s Included Security online seminar FREE Thursday 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Contact Joe LeMere at: jlemere@ntech.io or 920-664-1005 cell phone or office 920-425-7163 or click link to register.
MARCH 20, 2024 PFAS in Food Packaging: State-by State Regulations with KEYNOTE speaker Tom Lee from Bryan, Cave, Leighton, Pasner LLLP. In addition, we have speakers from the flexible packaging industry, paper packaging, Universities, and the food products sector. Place: Butte des Morts Country Club in Appleton Cost: $50.00 To register, go to www.greenbayinnovationgroup.com/events. Schedule: Check in starts at 8:00 a.m. with speakers at 9:00 a.m. and the program concludes at 1:30 p.m. and includes lunch.
APRIL 13, 2024 – SATURDAY Paper Play: Join the Children’s Museum of Green Bay and Handmade Papermakers of Green Bay and Beyond on Saturday, April 13th to explore the process of hand-dipped papermaking! From start to finish, the participants will shred material, create a pulp bath, and experiment with decorative additives. We will be using recycled materials to create paper sheets that can be used for bookmarks, cards, and other arts or crafts. A wonderful day to bring your children to this event and enjoy the Museum! 9:00AM – 10AM: The Green Bay Innovation Group, Women of 5P Industries and Members. 10:00AM – 12:00 A.M.: General Admission Cost: $8.00
APRIL 17, 2024 Converting, Coating & Sustainability ALL DAY EVENT with six outstanding Industry Speakers for an ALL-DAY event. Miron Construction 1471 McMahon Dr. Neenah, WI 54956 Check-In time starts at 7:30 a.m. and the program end’s at 4:30 p.m. Cost: $50.00 Registration: Go to www.greenbayinnovationgroup.com/events and sign up.
JUNE 13, 2024 Swing Big with GBIG Golf Outing at Mid Valle Golf Course. We have opportunities to sponsor a hole and the event is to raise funds for scholarships and support our communities. To register, go to: www.greenbayinnovationgroup.com/events Swing Big and register online.
MAY 21, 2024 The Wrightstown Tour – FREE 1:00 p.m.: Retroflex, Inc. 1:45 p.m.: Print Pro, Inc. 2:30 p.m.: Alliance Construction, Inc. 3:45 p.m.: Zeta Group Engineering 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. Royal St. Patrick’s Golf Course networking event
In 1856, German immigrant Louis Prang opens a small lithographic business near Boston and America’s greeting card industry begins. By 1866, Prang perfected the color lithographic process. In 1875, Prag introduces a complete line of Christmas cards in America. American Greetings started as a one-horse-cart operation in 1906 in Cleveland, Ohio. American Greeting has led the way with the creation and manufacturer of innovative social expression products including cards, gift warp, invitations, envelopes becoming one of the largest companies in the industry worldwide. American Greetings annual revenue is approximately $1.6 Billion with 27,500 employees. In 1910, Hallmark began with a teenager from Nebraska with a little more than a dream. Today, Hallmark Card’s revenue is $5 Billon in 2022 with 30,000 employees.
The estimated revenue generated by greeting card publishers in the United States from 2007-2021 $2.93 Billion per statista. The Greeting Card market is estimated to be worth US$ 7508.8 million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of US$ 6530.4 million with a CAGR of -2.3% with the key players including American Greeting and Hallmark who hold 85% market share.
As we look at the greeting card industry, the Wisconsin Paper Industry was a major supplier of paper for the Greeting Card Industry. The Wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois, and Minnesota Printing Industry were major suppliers to the Greeting Card industry employing thousands with Billions in Annual Revenue. After the World Trade Organization approved China’s entry in 2001 as a member, we witnessed the movement of the production of greeting cards to China. Over 20 years, the American Printing companies have become minor players in the production of Greeting Cards and all the supporting products associated with it. Wisconsin was once a major supplier of envelopes, and we are down to one major envelope manufacturer based in Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Commercial Printing Industry is one of the largest in the United States. Our industry and other great lakes printing companies have made major investments in equipment and technology to be able to supply the Greeting Card industry with the product instead of sending it overseas to China and Asia. With the current geopolitical environment, the Greeting Card industry is in jeopardy and is at the mercy of China suppliers. They should recognize the importance of Manufacturing their product in the United States or face the financial consequences.
Wisconsin has a major concentration of Publication, Catalog and Book printers. The U.S. print publishing industry generated a total revenue of $75.61 billion. US Book Publishing revenues in 2022 were $28 billion. About twelve billion catalogs are mailed annually in the United States with robust growth potential. The Direct Mail Advertising market annual revenue will reach $77 billion dollars with a projected increase of 3.1% CAGR annually. The Paper production for these type of paper products is no longer being manufactured in Wisconsin and our Printing Industry will purchase paper from other states and foreign suppliers! Paper Manufacturing was built in Wisconsin! Unfortunately, we have a Paper Mill sitting idle in Wisconsin Rapids, other Paper Mills in Michigan that are converting paper machines away from Printing Paper hurting the Wisconsin Printing Industry. The other paper mills have Paper Machines that are from 50 to 100 years old.
We have seen the prices for paper up 30 percent and the paper mills will shut down their paper machines unless they get the asking price for their paper products. The result will be more imported paper at the expense of the USA printing industry and our consumers! While we do see a decline at an estimated – 1.9% CAGR in the printing industry, we still have a large base of customers dependent on Paper! We are seeing substantial growth in the packaging and label sectors!
PUBLICATION AND CATALOG PRINTERS
Seaway Printing
Quad Graphics – second largest printer in North America
Waldan Paper Services, LLC 167 W. 28th Ave Oshkosh, WI 54902
February 2, 2024
PRESS RELEASE:
Let us help you make an impression on your next commercial wallcovering project!
Impressions is a NEW product and design service for customizable commercial wallcoverings, brought to you by a leading local manufacturer of wallcovering solutions. Waldan Paper Services, LLC has 40 years of providing wallcovering to the manufactured housing market and is expanding to commercial products with customizable, durable, and environmentally sustainable commercial wallcovering.
We’re calling on design and architectural firms to help with creative murals, accents, and branded walls for new project builds and/or renovations. We’re targeting the hospitality market, i.e., restaurants, hospitals, hotels, public venues, office spaces, etc., as not only do these structures need durable wallcovering, but we believe customized wallcovering will create lasting experiences & Impressions for the clientele.
We offer Type I, II, & III commercial wallcovering materials in sustainable “PVC-free” non-woven substrates, which are sourced domestically in the USA. These come in a variety of options for installation, including glue/adhesive applied, and water-activated backing.
Waldan Impressions provides value in design, while utilizing sustainable materials and benefiting from manufacturer direct pricing. We believe an introduction to our sales and in-house design team would be appropriate to help collaborate on future projects. We would love to send you some samples and additional information. Sincerely,
Bringing Green Bay Companies Together. Green Bay Innovation Group is committed to building an authentic networking experience where innovation can thrive.
