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Worzalla’s Annual “Worzallapalooza” Tradition Celebrates Associates

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The annual event includes daily prize drawings, giveaways, and catered lunch


Stevens Point, Wisconsin (August 9, 2023) – Worzalla, an employee-owned company specializing in printing high-quality children’s books, movie tie-in books and cookbooks, hosted “Worzallapalooza,” its fourth annual month-long event employee appreciation celebration. Throughout the month there were daily cash prize drawings, catered lunch for all, and grand prizes, including grill packages and gift card packages to support local businesses.

Girl smiling holding up winning certificate

“Worzallapalooza has become a tradition that we look forward to every year,” said Brianne Petruzalek, Worzalla Vice President of Human Resources. “We believe it’s important to celebrate and recognize the hard work our associates do and Worzallapalooza is a fun way to do that while also supporting community businesses through our prize offerings.”

Every associate received an ice cream celebration, Worzalla apparel, and an appreciation lunch catered by Canteen Dining. In addition, winners were drawn each day throughout the month for $25 to $500 cash prizes. Three grand prize packages were awarded to Worzalla associates, including Joe Basinski, Tim Pask, and Landon Elgersma.

“As exciting as it is to share with a team member they’ve won, it’s just as exciting to involve team members in the daily drawing,” added Petruzalek. “Team members see us walking around with our drawing bucket filled with names and eagerly volunteer to pick the daily winner.”

Worzalla currently has several open positions for supervisor, operators, and entry-level roles. Worzalla associates help support printing titles from some of the country’s largest book publishers, including Disney Books, Abrams, Simon and Schuster, Hachette, Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, and others. Worzalla is best known for being the domestic manufacturer of the popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Those interested in learning about a career at Worzalla can visit Worzalla.com.

About Worzalla

Worzalla is an employee-owned printing company headquartered in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Founded in 1892, Worzalla has over 130 years of experience in creating high-quality custom products for its customers. Worzalla specializes in the production of cookbooks, children’s and lifestyle books, and is dedicated to exceeding expectations for quality, service, and delivery. From small to large publishers, Worzalla is the printer the industry turns to for manufacturing high profile projects and award-winning books. With numerous industry awards for safety and workplace culture, Worzalla is consistently ranked as one of the top places to work in central Wisconsin. For more information, visit www.worzalla.com.

Media Contacts:
Erica Fetherston
10 to 1 Public Relations
erica@10to1pr.com
480-676-9141
Brianne Petruzalek
Worzalla
Vice President of Human Resources
715-254-9717

PAC: 5 Ways Automated Trim and Waste Removal Can Help  Improve Manufacturing Safety

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In manufacturing plants, safety is a top priority, and companies are continually looking for ways to improve safety and reduce accidents. One area where safety can be improved is with the use of pneumatic trim and matrix removal systems. These systems offer several advantages over traditional manual methods, including improved safety. Here are five ways a pneumatic trim and matrix removal system can improve safety on a manufacturing floor.

1 – No manual removal of matrix rolls

List of the 5 ways to improve safety

Manual removal of matrix rolls is a time-consuming and hazardous process that requires workers to use sharp tools to cut and remove the matrix material and lift heavy rolls from over-head heights. This process can be dangerous, as it exposes workers to heavy lifting, sharp blades and flying debris.

2 – Reduce noise

Noise is another significant safety hazard in manufacturing plants, as it can cause hearing damage and interfere with communication between workers. Pneumatic trim and matrix removal systems equipped with silencers are designed to operate quietly, reducing the overall noise level on the factory floor. This can help to prevent hearing damage and improve communication, making the work place safer for all.

3 – Reduce dust

Dust is a common hazard in manufacturing plants, as it can cause respiratory problems and other health issues. Pneumatic trim and matrix removal systems are designed to capture and remove dust, reducing the risk of respiratory problems and other health issues. This makes the workplace safer and healthier for everyone.

4 – Remove tripping hazards

Tripping hazards are a common cause of accidents in manufacturing plants, and they can be difficult to eliminate. Pneumatic trim and matrix removal systems are designed to occupy unusable space overhead, freeing up aisles and reducing tripping hazards. By removing tripping hazards, companies can reduce the risk of accidents and make the workplace safer for all.

5 – Free up aisles for safe movement of people and equipment

The movement of people and equipment on the factory floor is a significant safety concern, as collisions can cause serious injuries. By using a pneumatic trim and matrix removal system, companies can free up aisles and create safe zones for the movement of people and equipment. This makes the workplace safer and more efficient, reducing the risk of accidents and improving productivity.


Learn more at: www.PrecisionAirConvey.com
For additional information, contact Eric Keebler at
EKeebler@AirConvey.com or 314-226-8298

Converting In Wisconsin Update

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Marty Oaks

It is said that Wisconsin has over 200 Converters and Northeastern Wisconsin is called the Converter Corridor of the USA. Based upon the NIACS Report 3222, Wisconsin has 387 companies listed as Converters. Based upon a report from WhatTheyThink, the Converting Industry saw a net decrease in converting companies of 22% since 2010. However, we have witnessed that Wisconsin is bucking the national trend especially since 2022 due to Covid and the Amazon effect!

To better understand Converting, the Green Bay Innovation Group is developing a comprehensive database on the 5P and Converting Industries. We will further define the Converting Industry as specific categories. Based upon past reports, converting has been lumped into one category that does not accurately describe the companies involved in converting. The information will help our industry leaders to better determine where to focus their efforts to continue to grow and expand their companies.

We will break out as follows: Labels, Printing Paper, Specialty Paper, Tissue, Wipes, Tape, Corrugated, Board, Stationary, Packaging, and other industries that use Paper Converting Capabilities. Over the next year, we will focus on film, plastic, coating converting industries which have outstanding growth opportunities! In the past reports, the Converting Industry has close to 15,000 employees in Wisconsin plus manufacturers that manufacture equipment for Worldwide customers estimated at 5,000. As the USA shifted manufacturing overseas, it will have a major impact on Wisconsin. With near shoring, Wisconsin should benefit from it.

We need to recognize that Wisconsin has to upgrade our current pulp and paper manufacturing plus add new paper and pulp equipment to support the 5P and Converting Industries.

UW Madison Tour of Pixelle Specialty Solutions and Green Bay Packaging

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The Green Bay Innovation Group and the University of Madison want to thank Pixelle Specialty Solutions and Green Bay Packaging for providing a tour and an open discussion on power requirements for Assistant Professor Ben Lindley from the College of Engineering and Kieran Furlong CEO of REALTA FUSION. UW Madison is working with Realta Fusion, a spin off from UW Madison start-up company developing fusion power for high volume users like the Paper Industry. Fusion power is a low carbon energy source, with cheap and abundant fuel with very little environmental impact. The project is funded by UW Madison as part of a ‘discovery to product’ grant to help bridge the gap between science and innovation in the University and real-world impact. Kieran Furlong, the Company’s CEO is working to create the “lowest capital, least complex path” to fusion energy production.

Five people touring UW Madison
Seven people touring UW Madison
Four people in the offices at Green Bay Packaging
Four people touring Green Bay Packaging facility

The Goal of the Green Bay Innovation Group is for our industry partners to gain access to cutting-edge research at our universities by increasing revenue, new product development and innovation with better communications between Industry and Universities! UW Madison is one of the 10 largest research institutions in the country, allocating more than $1 Billion annually to groundbreaking inquiry.

Steven’s Point Tour

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Spectra team with Marty Oaks

Stevens Point has a long history becoming a lumbering center with lots of ties to Conservation legacy, from the giant iconic Sand Country Bench on display in the Stevens Point Sculpture Park to the nation’s first conservation educational major created in 1946 and formed into the College of Natural Resources in 1970 at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. Today, UW Stevens Point is a premier College of Natural Resources with Paper Science and Engineering. Sentry Insurance is based out of Stevens Point and the most recent Sentry Tournament of Champions announces record $694,705 raised for charity in 2023.

Stevens Point is located on the Wisconsin River with a long history of Forestry, Paper, and Pulp Manufacturing. At one time, the Wisconsin River Paper Industry had the largest number of Paper and Pulp mills in the world producing writing, printing, and text & cover papers. Today, most of these companies are gone and the remaining companies are focusing on Packaging and Specialty Paper grades.

However, Stevens Point has a wide variety of companies dependent on the paper industry that evolved from paper manufacturing!

  • Pixelle Specialty Solutions has an extensive portfolio of coated, uncoated, kraft and a comprehensive line of specialty papers for a wide base of customers.
  • Spectra Print is one of Wisconsin largest commercial printers with extensive capabilities servicing a nationwide customer base.
  • Neenah Paper/Mativ produces text, cover, board and packaging papers servicing customers nationwide.
  • Ox Industries is the largest independently owned vertically integrated producer of paperboard, paper tube, specialty paper and packaging products.
  • DigiCopy, headquarters out of Stevens Point, has facilities across Wisconsin with full-service printing, bindery, wide format, mailing and other capabilities.
  • Worzalla is one of the leading printers in the USA of award-winning books through innovative print solutions for more than a century. They are a 100% employee-owned company.
  • JHL Digital Direct specialists in ALL areas of direct mail production servicing a nationwide base of customers
  • Badger Plastics & Supply is a full-line distributor of mechanical and industrial plastics.
  • Badger Plastics and Supply outside of building
    Badger Plastics & Supply
  • Digicopy outside of building
    DigiCOPY
  • JHL Digital Direct outside building
    JHL Digital Direct
  • MATIV outside building
    MATIV
  • OX Industries outside building
    Ox Industries
  • Pixelle Specialty Solutions outside building
    Pixelle Specialty Solutions
  • Spectra Print sign
    Spectra Print
  • UW Steven's Point
    UW Steven’s Point
  • Worzalla outside building
    Worzalla

Enercon webinar: Best Practices for Extrusion Coating Surface Treating

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Enercon Industries logo

Menomonee Falls, WI – High-quality extrusion coating on paper, film, metallized film and aluminous foil substrates requires enhanced surface energy.

Enercon’s free webinar takes place on Thursday, September 7th at 10AM CDT and takes the guesswork out of determining which surface treating technologies provide the best results. Discover how to leverage corona, flame and ozone technologies to maximize extrusion coating bonding results and efficiencies. Topics Include:

  • Which type of corona treaters are ideal for extrusion coating
  • Tips for web handling for surface treatment
  • Understanding when to consider flame treatment
  • Discovering how ozone treatment increases bond strength at high speeds

To learn more about the webinar or to register, please click here.

Enercon Industries Corporation, headquartered in Menomonee Falls, WI, is a major manufacturer of equipment for the plastics, converting and packaging industries. The company supplies custom built corona and atmospheric plasma treating systems, as well as induction cap sealing systems.

Enercon webinar: How to Properly Conduct Dyne Tests & What Your Results Really Mean

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Enercon Industries logo

Menomonee Falls, WI – Corona treaters are used to increase a film’s surface energy to enable wettability & promote the adhesion of inks, coatings and adhesives. This change in surface energy is most commonly measured in dynes. And that’s where problems for extruders and converters begin:

  • Poorly executed dyne tests produce unreliable results.
  • Assumptions about dyne levels lead to erroneous conclusions.

The free webinar takes place on Thursday, August 24th at 10AM CDT and is presented by Enercon to discuss corona treating, dyne testing and adhesion. Key Topics Include:

  • Dyne test methods & best practices
  • How to properly use your dyne data
  • Material & coating variables that affect adhesion
  • When to blame the corona treater for adhesion failure

To learn more about the webinar or to register, please click here.

Enercon Industries Corporation, headquartered in Menomonee Falls, WI, is a major manufacturer of equipment for the plastics, converting and packaging industries. The company supplies custom built corona and atmospheric plasma treating systems, as well as induction cap sealing systems.

GBIG NEWS | 84 Stories and Links on the Internet 08/09/2023

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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 84 Stories and Links on the Internet below.

GBIG News Banner

Featured Stories

Events

Wisconsin

Education

China

Paper Excellence

Paper

Wrightstown

Member

Benefits of a Pneumatic Conveyance System

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With the right tools in place, warehouses can operate with optimal productivity and efficiency while ensuring the safety of employees. By utilizing Precision Airconvey technology, warehouses can streamline the process of removing production waste from the press and conveying it to the compactor. Not only does this make the workplace safer, but it also increases productivity exponentially.

These engineered pneumatic systems are suitable for a range of industries, including converting, paper, print, label, and battery production, where waste removal is a critical part of the production process. Unlike manual methods, PAC’s hands-free, continuously running systems incorporate advanced technology to whisk away trim, matrix, and other types of production waste. And because the production presses/machinery can continue to run during the waste removal process, production output is significantly improved.

Implementing a PAC system in your facility can yield significant benefits such as a reduction in manual operations, decreased operational costs, optimization of the flow of goods, and other benefits such as:

Three images of factory
  • A safer workplace environment, potentially saving your staff from injuries and you from costly litigation. A recent survey identified overexertion as the most disabling workplace accident in the United States in 2021, followed by falls and being struck by objects. With a PAC system, employees can avoid having to lift and move heavy items, thus reducing the risk of injury.
  • Boosted employee satisfaction. Labor-intensive and repetitive tasks, such as lifting heavy items, can cause frustration, low morale, and a loss of motivation among employees. By automating such tasks, employees can focus on more meaningful work, which can help reduce their stress levels and improve overall job satisfaction.
  • Increased productivity and efficiency in your facility. With the freedom afforded by a PAC system, employees can work more efficiently and effectively, freeing up time for other tasks.
  • Financial savings. PAC guarantees a 12-month return on investment for its engineered systems, but many clients realize returns much sooner. Our ROIs are measured in months, not years, ensuring that you see significant financial benefits from your investment in a PAC system.

At PAC, we take pneumatic conveying systems to the next level using industry expertise and precise engineering. Our solutions boost accuracy and productivity, improve employee safety and reduce space requirements.

Learn more at: www.PrecisionAirConvey.com
For additional information, contact Eric Keebler at EKeebler@AirConvey.com or 314-226-8298

Calling All Industry Leaders: Attend a Kick-off of the Children’s Museum Industrial Exhibit

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The Children’s Museum of Green Bay, is looking for corporate sponsorships in their expansion of their exhibits. The new proposed exhibit would feature Green Bay’s thriving industrial sector, the pulp, paper, packaging, print, & plastic industries; the pillars of our community.

Children's Museum News release

It’s crucial that we educate the youngest members of our community, in a fun and interactive way, about the significant role these industries play in shaping our lives.

Women in the 5P and Green Bay Innovation Group will host a kick-off event, “A Night at the Museum: The Future of Manufacturing,” at the Children’s Museum, 1230 Bay Beach Road, at 5:00 pm Thursday, Sept. 21. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Registration is on the GBIG event page or follow the link below.
A Night At the Museum : The Future of: Thu, Sep 21, 2023 (eventgroove.com)

Please contact Heather Heil for more information regarding this sponsorship opportunity. hheil@gbchildrensmuseum.org | (920) 432-4397

Green Bay Innovation Group

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