PPC Caps 2017 with Growing Membership and More Data

With 2017 quickly coming to a close, the Paperboard Packaging Council (paperbox.org; PPC) has reported increased membership, more data programming and several successful events over the past year.

The North American association for the converters of paperboard packaging and their suppliers, PPC welcomed 17 new member companies during 2017. The new converters included Abox Packaging, ACG-EcoPack, Autajon Packaging, Challenge Printing, El Paso Paperbox, FC Meyer Packaging, Friesens Packaging, Ibratec Artes Graficas and Nosco Inc. New suppliers included Esko, Eukalin, INX International Ink, Sappi North America and Scodix Ltd.

PPC also introduced a new membership category for rigid box suppliers in 2017. Emmeci USA, LD Davis Industries and Newman & Co. joined under this new category.

In addition to increasing membership, PPC expanded its data program—a benchmarking tool that allows members to measure their own performance against current industry standards. The 2017 portfolio of data reports saw expanded versions of the Performance Report for Management and the Rigid Box Operational Metrics Survey as well as a brand-new Fringe Benefits Survey.

Other PPC programs supported members and the industry over the past 12 months. 129 outstanding folding cartons and rigid boxes vied for top awards and industry recognition at PPC’s 2017 Carton Competition. By participating in TICCIT, PPC’s educational outreach program, member companies donated nearly 16,000 tree saplings to elementary students across the country. Furthermore, as part of PPC’s University Outreach Program, the association donated 300 Ideas & Innovation folding carton design handbooks to university students.

“PPC’s 2017 programming has helped member companies to make a difference in the industry and their communities,” says Ben Markens, PPC president. “We’ve also worked hard to bring those members together to network and solve problems collectively.”

PPC’s membership came together during two conferences in 2017. Spring Meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina featured networking, committee meetings and speaker topics ranging from change management to sustainability and digital marketing. At Fall Meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona, members learned about leadership, cyber security and accountability. Fall Meeting attendees also celebrated the winners of the annual Carton Competition.

In 2017, industry newcomers gathered to learn the basics of boxmaking during two sessions of Folding Carton Bootcamp. At a Financial Executives and Human Resources forum in Cleveland, Ohio, members received crucial updates around healthcare and labor law. They also toured the facilities of PPC members BOXit Corp. and Tap Packaging Solutions.

Throughout the year, PPC opened dialogue with members digitally via e-newsletter, legislative updates and alerts. The association penned a number of blogs, engaging members with titles such as “4 Surprising Ways to Boost Design Creativity,” “Trending Now in Paperboard Packaging Design,” and “Banish Horrible Meetings for Good.”

“I am proud of our 2017 accomplishments,” says Markens. “In all we do, we strive to bring value to our members and raise the status of the paperboard packaging industry—and I’m looking forward to continuing that work into the next year.”