Breaking Down Boxes

Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.

In this episode we talk with Matt Davis.

Matt Davis has corrugated dust in his veins. His grandfather owned and operated successful box plants in Iowa during the 1930s – 60s. His dad, Jim Davis, worked over 30 years with Deline Box before starting Packaging Express with Matt in Colorado Springs, CO, in 1998. This adventure began over a family breakfast when Jim asked his family if anyone wanted to be part of a sheet plant he was considering starting. Matt was already scheduled to spend a year teaching in Ecuador, but told his dad when he got back he was in. From then on they built a company based on speed for customers and making employees feel like family.

About Matt Davis, President, Packaging Express

Matt Davis comes from a proud family of corrugated box makers.  His grandfather, TJ McLaughlin, owned and operated successful box plants in Iowa during the 1930’s – 1960’s.  Matt’s Dad, Jim Davis, worked over 30 years with Deline Box before starting Packaging Express in Colorado Springs, CO in 1998.  Matt’s brother Pete (Deline Box), Uncle Jack Mclaughlin (CorrChoice) and cousin Jim McLaughlin (WSA-USA) are all in the box business.  Matt has just recently hired his younger cousin Andrew Bell at Packaging Express, representing the fourth generation of corrugated manufacturing in the family.  Today Matt owns and operates Packaging Express with the same passion and pride that his Father and Grandfather had for quality corrugated packaging!

Packaging Express is one of the premier sheet plants in Colorado, located in Colorado Springs at the foot of Pike’s Peak.  In the last 2 years Packaging Express grew out of their original 45,000 sq ft plant and moved to their current 94,000 sq ft plant. Packaging Express has recently added two new machines to their plant to meet the increasing demand in the Rocky Mountain Region – a Baysek Die Cutter and an Emba 175 box maker.  Packaging Express is also proud to have a dedicated and talented team of 25 employees with an average tenure of 9+ years.

Matt and his wife Maggie have two daughters, Catherine and Mary Elizabeth.  Matt is strong in his Faith and loves spending time with family and friends.  He enjoys golf, skiing and all sporting events.

Connect with Matt & Packaging Express

Matt on Linkedin

Packaging Express

• Linkedin
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Facebook

Resources

CEO Advisory Groups

In the next episode, hear from Matt and Kevin Auburn, a father-son duo at SMC Packaging Group.

New episodes drop the first Monday of every month. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!

This podcast is brought to you by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association. Learn more at www.AICCbox.org. When you invest and engage, AICC delivers success.

Breaking Down Boxes is sponsored by Ox Box, offering strength you can depend on.

Breaking Down Boxes is taking a break in August. We will be back in September with more great conversations.

In the meantime, you can hear a sneak peek of this week's AICC Update, AICC's 5-minute weekly podcast that keeps members up to date on benefits and upcoming events. Subscribe to AICC Update and make the most of your company's membership.

In This episode:

• Packaging Industry Trends, Free Webinar, Aug. 10
• Workforce Sticky Situations- Prevention Before Investigation, Free Webinar, Sept. 26
• Todd's Question & AICC Experts
• All Upcoming Events

Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.

In this episode, we are talking with Steve Young, AICC Ambassador at Large.

Young has had a birds-eye view of the industry for decades thanks to his storied career at AICC. In this episode, he shares a fascinating history of AICC and the circumstances within the industry that led to its creation.

Succession plans rarely go off without some bumps in the road. Young discusses the succession process, which elevated him to the head of AICC, and eventually led to his brief departure from AICC in the mid-90s.

Looking to the future, he also shares his thoughts on where he thinks the industry is headed.

Steve Young

Ambassador at Large

AICC, The Independent Packaging Association

Steve Young has more than 46 years’ experience in trade association management and nonprofit governance. A 1976 graduate of the University of Toledo, he began his career as a legislative correspondent and researcher on Capitol Hill in Washington, then moved on to be a lobbyist for the National Small Business Association and Small Business Legislative Council.

The past 40 years he has been with AICC, The Independent Packaging Association, first as administrative director, executive vice president and then president. In this role he oversaw the Association’s strategic direction and all facets of its operations, including member recruitment and services; convention and trade show management, government affairs; Board of Director relations and governance.

During his tenure he also served as treasurer of the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation, a 501c3 educational foundation focusing on curriculum development in packaging engineering in major universities in the US and Canada. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Council of Manufacturing Associations.

He is active in community and ecclesial activities and is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George. He is a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Front Royal, Va., and the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria, Va.

Connect with Steve

Email

Linkedin

www.AICCbox.org

In the Next Episode

In the next episode hear from father/ son duo Keven and Matt Ausburn, SMC Packaging Group.

New episodes drop the first Monday of every month. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!

This podcast is brought to you by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association. Learn more at www.AICCbox.org. When you invest and engage, AICC delivers success.

Breaking Down Boxes is sponsored by Ox Box, offering strength you can depend on. See how the Ox Box Eco-Shield Weatherproof Triple-wall Boxes Aid Rescue Mission on South Pole.

Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.

In this episode, we talk with Charlie Hodges, President and Chief Operating Officer for Hood Container Corporation.

Hodges has nearly 50 years in the industry and has held roles at many major companies, but he found his home at Hood Container. Inspired by a high school teacher’s passion for chemistry, Hodges went to Georgia Tech to become a chemical engineer. After graduation, he followed in his father’s footsteps and began working at Union Camp Corp., where he was given his first real taste of the pulp and paper industry.

In this episode, he shares his concerns about workforce development, how leadership expectations have changed, and what it means to truly build a company culture and hold everyone accountable to it.

About Charles E. Hodges

President and Chief Operating Officer

Hood Container Corporation

After earning his degree in Chemical Engineering from Georgia Tech, Charlie went on to hold titles such as President & CEO of Port Townsend Family of Companies (Port Townsend, WA) and Senior Vice President for Georgia Pacific Corporation (Atlanta, GA) before joining Hood Container when the company was formed in 2012.

Charlie currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Fibre Box Association and American Forest and Paper Association. Additionally, he has served on the Board of Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industries (TAPPI) as well as being elected a TAPPI Fellow in 2008. In April 2022, Charlie was presented with The International Corrugated Packaging Foundation’s Circle of Distinguished Leaders award. 

Connect

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn (Hood)

LinkedIn (Charlie)

In the next episode hear the history of the industry from Steve Young, AICC.

New episodes drop the first Monday of every month. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!

This podcast is brought to you by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association. Learn more at www.AICCbox.org. When you invest and engage, AICC delivers success.

Breaking Down Boxes is sponsored by Ox Box, offering strength you can depend on.

Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.

In this episode we talk with John Burgess, President, Pamarco.

After earning a chemistry degree, John Burgess saw a tough economy and decided to go abroad for a career. He landed in Bahrain, was told plans had changed, and was shipped off to Abu Dhabi.

After five years of pouring concrete into oil wells, Burgess decided to find a different path. With his family now in the US, he decided that he would be home.

Moving to a country he barely knew; Burgess joined his father and brother at Pamarco. With a brief detour from the company notwithstanding, that is where he created a career that would last him a lifetime.

Working his way through the company and building his leadership style as he saw success Burgess eventually earned the role of President.

About John Burgess

President, Flexo Division

John started his career at Pamarco as a Technical Sales Representative in the Northeast in 1987 before becoming Plant Manager of the Dallas and California facilities from 1988-1992. After a brief stint away, he returned to Pamarco as Plant Manager of the Roselle, NJ facility before being promoted to VP Manufacturing and then GM of the Gravure and Emboss Divisions. John was promoted to President of the Flexo Division in 2011. Prior to joining Pamarco, he worked with Halliburton Services for five years in the oilfields of Abu Dhabi and Oman in various roles, ending as Field Chemist in 1987.

John’s education was in the UK, graduating from Turton High School in 1978 and being awarded a diploma in Chemistry from Sheffield Hallam University in 1981, prior to immigrating to the United States.

John resides in New Jersey with his wife and two children, where he spends his spare time as an avid golfer.

Connect

LinkedIn

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

On the web: US and UK

Resources

See all free online courses, including Optimizing the Flexographic Printing Process.

In the next episode, hear from Charlie Hodges, Hood Container.

New episodes drop the first Monday of every month. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!

This podcast is brought to you by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association. Learn more at www.AICCbox.org. When you invest and engage, AICC delivers success.

Breaking Down Boxes is sponsored by Ox Box, offering strength you can depend on.

Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.

In this episode we talk with Gary Brewer, President, Package Crafters, Inc. and Creative Packaging, Inc.

Brewer saw his path. The company he was working for was paying for his graduate degree. He and the son of the company President would take over the company from their fathers someday.

Then life took a turn. Brewer and his father were let go. After a fruitless six-month job search Brewer called his dad and the outcome of that call ended up being Package Crafters.

Brewer put everything he had on the line to start the company which is now in its 20th year. Acquiring Package Crafters in 2015 brought in new opportunities and challenges, especially when trying to lead from hundreds of miles away.

About Gary

After getting his degrees in chemical engineering and pulp and paper science at North Carolina State in 1992, Brewer began his career as a Process Engineer at St. Joe Paper Company in Port St. Joe. Fla. He then joined the largest independent corrugated converter in North Carolina. 

During that time Brewer completed an MBA at Wake Forest University and, shortly thereafter in 2003, he and his father founded Package Crafters in High Point, NC, leading with the promise of a three-day lead time to his new customers. In 2015, he extended his geographic footprint by acquiring Creative Packaging in Savannah, GA.

He has served on the AICC's board of directors in various roles over the last eight years and is currently Vice Chairman with plans to assume the Chairmanship in 2025.

Resources

AICC CEO Advisory Group

All AICC Groups

Connect

Gary on LinkedIn

Creative Packaging on LinkedIn

Package Crafters on LinkedIn

http://www.packagecrafters.com/

https://www.creativepkg.com/

Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!

The next episode will drop on May 9, a little later than usual, so we can bring you the latest conversations from the AICC Spring Meeting.

This podcast is brought to you by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association. Learn more at www.AICCbox.org. When you invest and engage, AICC delivers success.

Breaking Down Boxes is sponsored by Ox Box, offering strength you can depend on.

Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.

In this episode, we talk with Kim Nelson, President & CEO of Royal Containers.

Rather than pursuing a career in law as she had planned, Nelson returned home when her father, the founder of Royal Containers called. It was supposed to be temporary, but she turned it into her career and found her passion in trying to build and grow what her father had created.

Founder Ross Nelson, after a rough start causing the family to lose everything, built Royal into a strong company. Several years after the next generation came into the business a decision had to be made about the company's direction. Kim Nelson looked at the company as a business, and if it were run as a successful business could benefit the family. Her father agreed and knew the company had to grow, but others in the family thought differently. Kim honestly shares the challenges her family faced during this transition.

Kim Nelson | President & CEO

Since joining Royal Containers in 1992, Kim Nelson has been on a journey dedicated to the company’s long-term success. After the transfer of management from founder Ross Nelson to the next generation in 2009, Kim has been able to lean, not only an extensive understanding of sales, service and production in corrugated packaging but also a Bachelor of Business Administration (Honors) degree earned from Brock University.

Since taking on the role of President & CEO, Kim has led the future of Royal Containers in part by becoming positioned as Chairman of the Board and shareholder at Tencorr Packaging and Greenpac Mill. She also led the acquisition of C & B Display Packaging in 2019.

Kim’s service as President of The Independent Packaging Association (AICC) Canada and Chairman of AICC International is formally recognized in a 2018 induction into AICC’s Industry Hall of Fame. She is currently the Overseas Director and Business Advisor with the association.

Kim leads by example as an international Triathlon competitor and CrossFit Games athlete. Her teammates call her audacious and authentic, but Kim credits planning and training for her placement on leaderboards and as a 19-time Ironman finisher.

Kim chooses to live, work, play and raise her family not far from where she herself grew up, north of Toronto. As a mother of three, her family brings Kim her greatest happiness.

Connect with Royal Containers

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Linkedin

YouTube

Royalcontainers.com

Resources

Holly Green, The Human Factor

In the next episode hear from Gary Brewer, Package Crafters & Creative Packaging.

New episodes drop the first Monday of every month. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!

This podcast is brought to you by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association. Learn more at www.AICCbox.org. When you invest and engage, AICC delivers success.

Breaking Down Boxes is sponsored by Ox Box, offering strength you can depend on.

Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.

In this episode we talk with Chad Wagner, President of Peachtree Packaging, in Lawrenceville, GA.

Wager was recruited by the founder of Peachtree Packaging when we was working after school as a golf caddy. After graduating high school Wagner joined the air force and then studied at UGA, where in his junior year the Peachtree’s founder asked him to come back after he graduated. Working throughout the plant, and excelling in sales Wagner, with several partners, eventually bought Peachtree Packaging.

Wagner said, “the company is continuing to learn and evolve and spend capital to add assets for what we want to do and increase our capabilities. We care about investing in our people and attracting the best talent. We are constantly asking how we can push the company forward with better service and solutions to bring value to the marketplace and help as many people as we can.”

Throughout his story you hear the value of his work ethic and how his belief in what Peachtree could be gained him friends in the company and helped the company grow.

Connect

Peachtree's Facebook page

@ptreepackaging on X

Peachtree on YouTube

Peachtree's TIkTok

Peachtree's LinkedIn

Peachtree's Website

In the next episode we sit down with Kim Nelson of Royal Containers.

New episodes drop the first Monday of every month. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!

This podcast is brought to you by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association. Learn more at www.AICCbox.org. When you invest and engage, AICC delivers success.

Breaking Down Boxes is sponsored by Ox Box, offering strength you can depend on.

Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.

In this episode we talk with Dave Callif, Chairmain & CEO, and Rob Callif, President of BCM Inks.

The father/son team share how skills from the fashion industry and P&G translate into corrugated, succession planning, and the challenges of being a start-up.

Listeners can hear how their practical, rather than emotional, choices led to a smooth transition and maintained harmony when there are children in and out of the company.

CEO/Chairman

President

Connect

BCM Ink's Website

BCM on LinkedIn

Rob on LinkedIn

Dave on LinkedIn

New episodes drop the first Monday of every month. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!

This podcast is brought to you by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association. Learn more at www.AICCbox.org. When you invest and engage, AICC delivers success.

Breaking Down Boxes is sponsored by Ox Box, offering strength you can depend on.

Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.

In this episode we talk with Michael Lafave, Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Kruger Packaging L.P. and Charles Malo, President And Chief Operating Officer, Cascades Containerboard Packaging during a special episode of Breaking Down Boxes recorded during the recent AICC Canada/ Canadian Corrugated Case Association (CCCA) Tabletop Conference in Toronto.

Listeners can get in the minds of these two titans of the industry as they discuss inflation, living company culture, sustainability, and employee retention during this episode.

Both guests share stories about how their families have influenced their leadership styles. They also outline the top three things that keep them up at night. 

MICHAEL LAFAVE

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

KRUGER PACKAGING L.P .

Michael Lafave is the senior vice president and chief operating officer of the Kruger Packaging Group since 2015. As such, he oversees the operations of five production sites in Québec, Ontario and the United States. He also heads the Kruger Recycling Division. A graduate of McGill University, Michael began his career in international sales by working for a forest products export agency for nine years before joining Kruger in 1999. Before his current role at Kruger, Michael held various positions within the company such as Vice President, Sales Administration for the Paper Division; Vice President, Newsprint Sales; Senior Vice President, Supply Management and Senior Vice President, Containerboard & Packaging and Recycling. Michael is chair of the International Corrugated Case Association (ICCA) and acted as chair of the Canadian Corrugated and Containerboard Association (CCCA) from May 2015 until May 2017.

CHARLES MALO

PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

CASCADES CONTAINERBOARD PACKAGING

After earning a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree from the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Charles Malo began his career as a controller at Etcan, a division of cascades, in 1990. He joined Cascades Containerboard Packaging when it was created in 1997 and worked his way up the ranks. Over the years, he became Director of Administration, Regional General Manager, Operations, for Central Canada, and Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer in the corrugated cardboard business line.

In 2008, he also took over management of the folding carton division, becoming Vice- President and Chief Operating Officer, Packaging. In April 2015, he was named Chief Operating Officer, overseeing not only transformation operations, but also the production of containerboard. He became President and Chief Operating Officer in January 2016. This appointment makes him the third president of Cascades Containerboard Packaging, succeeding Alain Memaire and Marc-André Dépin. Like his predecessors, he embraces Cascades’ values and believes that everyone should work in a safe and secure environment. He continues to pursue the business objectives established in conjunction with the various management teams to ensure the growth of Cascades Containerboard Packaging and Cascades. Mr. Malo is well-known in the industry for his knowledge and leadership. He is an active member of boards of directors for various associations, companies and non-profit organizations. For example, he currently sits on the board of the Fondation Hôpital Pierre-Boucher.

The next episode will feature Rob and Dave Callif of BCM Inks. Our next episode will be on a holiday schedule and drop Monday, January 9th.

Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!

Breaking Down Boxes is sponsored by Ox Box. Ox Box is strength you can depend on.

This podcast is brought to you by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association. Learn more at www.AICCbox.org.