Technical workshop to discuss emerging technologies, when to invest

On August 24–25, the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) will host Digital, Drupa, & Driving Growth, a technical and production forum.Taking place at PPC’s headquarters in Springfield, Mass., the workshop aims to bring attendees up to speed on the new technologies currently shaping the paperboard industry, and also help them to identify the right time to invest.

Headlining the two-day workshop is Kevin Karstedt, CEO of Karstedt Partners, LLC, and noted expert in digital printing and converting technology. Karstedtlast addressed PPC at the association’s 2014 Fall Meeting in Atlanta. During thetechnical workshop, he will brief attendees on updates in short run printing that have emerged over the intervening years, and also provide insights on the current course of digital printing technology, taking into account updates from Drupa 2016.

To help attendees more fully understand the industry’s most recent technological advancements, the workshop will also include sessions in which PPC supplier members will recap new technologies and processes they exhibited at Drupa. The workshop is therefore ideal for packaging executives who missed Drupa as well as plant managers and other employees who work on the shop floor.

Supplementing the technology review, the event will also give attendees insights into if and when they should invest in new equipment. The workshop will feature two panel discussions: one with carton converters who have already adopted digital technologies and another with converters who made purchases at Drupa 2016. During these sessions, converters will be able to participate in open dialogue that will generate advice and best practices for all.

Finally, PPC president Ben Markens will review the main tenets of capital expense justification so attendees can explain to others in their organizations why new technological capabilities would be an investment.

“This forum will not only provide converters a clear understanding of wheretechnology is going, but also an idea of when to bring new advancements intotheir own plants,” said Markens. “With this latest educational offering, PPC is deepening our commitment to educating and advancing the entire community of folding carton manufacturers.”

Drupa, Digital, & Driving Growth is open to both PPC members and non-members alike. For more information, visit paperbox.org/drupa2016.