Paper Shipping Sack Manufacturers’ Association (PSSMA) Bestows Richard E. Storat Industry Excellence Award to James Patrick Smith, Louisiana Plastic Industries (LPI)

The Paper Shipping Sack Manufacturers’ Association (PSSMA) held their 2025 Annual meeting October 21-24, 2025, at the Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast, Florida. Over 130 PSSMA members and guests participated in this well attended event.

The PSSMA’s 2025 Annual Richard E. Storat Industry Excellence Award, representing the PSSMA’s highest honor, was announced and presented on October 23, 2025, to long-time Associate member James Patrick Smith of Louisiana Plastic Industries (LPI). Mr. Smith humbly accepted the award, expressing his total surprise and utmost respect for the previous recipients and for Richard Storat, the award’s namesake who had served as President and Treasurer of the PSSMA from 2003 to 2016.

The PSSMA’s Chairman Clint Sells of The Robinette Company announced the award, congratulating Mr. Smith for his well-deserved achievement and noting the importance of plastic film producers in the paper packaging industry.  John Mark Wilhite, President of LPI thanked Mr. Smith for his many years of dedicated support and expressed his sincere gratitude for being so dependable and more like family than an employee. Board Member, former chairman of the association and 2024 excellence award recipient Carlos A. Garcia of Endpak Packaging noted Pat’s long history of involvement with the PSSMA and continued promotion of the PSSMA’s Associate Membership program.

Contact the PSSMA for photos of the event or additional information.