29 episodes

Breaking Down Boxes, brought to you by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association, gives you the story behind the boxes. Gene Marino, Akers Packaging & AICC Board Chair, and Joe Morelli, Huston Patterson Printers & AICC Associate Board Chair, interview significant players in the independent packaging industry. Entrepreneurs share their trials and triumphs in authentic conversations filled with knowledge and laughter.

New episodes drop the first Monday of every month. The first episode will be available March 7 with a bonus episode available soon!

Visit us at https://www.AICCbox.org to learn how we help our members succeed.

Breaking Down Boxes AICC, The Independent Packaging Association

    • Business
    • 5.0 • 21 Ratings

Breaking Down Boxes, brought to you by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association, gives you the story behind the boxes. Gene Marino, Akers Packaging & AICC Board Chair, and Joe Morelli, Huston Patterson Printers & AICC Associate Board Chair, interview significant players in the independent packaging industry. Entrepreneurs share their trials and triumphs in authentic conversations filled with knowledge and laughter.

New episodes drop the first Monday of every month. The first episode will be available March 7 with a bonus episode available soon!

Visit us at https://www.AICCbox.org to learn how we help our members succeed.

    Going Forward- Part 1

    Going Forward- Part 1

    Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.
    In this episode we talk with Richard Brown, President & Co-owner of The BoxMaker.
    Part 1 of Going Forward delves into key aspects of Richard's career in the packaging industry that led him to The BoxMaker, offering valuable insights for listeners.
    Richard's journey in the packaging world began at 14 years old, working in his father's distribution company. This hands-on experience and hard-working attitude led to his transformative climb from the warehouse floor to the executive boardroom. His story serves as a testament to the profound impact of practical experience in shaping a successful career in the packaging sector.
    The human side of leadership takes center stage as the episode sheds light on the delicate balance between career and family. Richard discusses the significant role family considerations played in his decision-making process, emphasizing transparent communication and the thoughtful evaluation of family dynamics as crucial elements in navigating career choices.
    About Richard
    Richard Brown has been with The BoxMaker since 2003. Prior to his current role, he served as the Corrugated Sales Manager, Vice President, and General Manager. Richard’s career in packaging began with a summer warehouse job as a teen. He quickly worked his way up to delivery driver, a series of office roles, and then outside sales where he developed and sold custom packages for 13 years. His first leadership role was in product management at Tenneco. In 1999 he accepted a promotion to lead a branch office of Landsberg Ororoa in the Seattle area. Richard enjoys actively participating in AICC and Vistage.
    As a packaging professional, Richard enjoys seeing how things are made, and he maintains a keen interest in client projects as they are produced. He believes being involved in all parts of the process is an excellent way to learn from an array of people and companies.
    Richard focuses on ensuring The BoxMaker has the right talent, equipment, and culture in place to serve clients effectively and develop true partnerships. He values treating everyone with respect, living in the moment, and making a positive impact. Richard says, “The impact I have on my coworkers’ lives will be my scorecard as a leader.”
    Richard enjoys being outdoors to appreciate the beauty and fresh air of the Pacific Northwest while hiking and fly fishing. He looks forward to spending time in Northwest Arkansas where we recently expanded. He loves spending time with his grandchildren and supporting his local community.
    Seattle Business Magazine recognized Richard as Executive of the Year 2020 in its Washington Manufacturing Awards.
    Connect with Richard & The BoxMaker
    XInstagramLinkedIn
    Resources
    AICC CEO Advisory Group
    Coming Up
    In the next episode, Going Forward Part II will cover Richard's time at The BoxMaker. The episode delves into Richard's leadership philosophy and innovative strategy to keep his company on the cutting edge.
    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 a href="www.AICCbox.org" rel="noopener...

    • 1 hr 2 min
    Be Somewhere First

    Be Somewhere First

    Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.
    In this episode, we talk with Jim Haglund, Chairman, and Mike Haglund, CEO & Owner, of Central Package & Display.
    Their entertaining stories about their early days and the honesty with which they speak about the decision to bring in an outside president to run the company are inspiring and informative. This conversation shows their mutual respect for each other and offers an outstanding example of working within family dynamics.
    About Jim and Mike
    Jim Haglund always had a job. He eventually landed at a distributor, where he got to know independent box makers. One of their suppliers was a sheet plant named Central Container Corp. After an encounter with one of the original owners, Jim proposed buying his half of the company. The company had a different succession plan, but the owner sold his 50% to Jim anyway because he knew Jim would succeed.
    Mike Haglund started at Central mowing the lawn and opening mail when he was ten years old. He continued to work summers there throughout college. After graduating college, Mike built a successful career, which included running a scrap yard and purchasing two packaging supply companies. Eventually, his father wanted to acquire his companies and fold them and him into Central, and Mike was ready to return to the family business.
    Connect
    Central Package & Display: Linkedin | website
    Mike Haglund
    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.

    • 57 min
    From a Horse and Wagon

    From a Horse and Wagon

    Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.
    In this episode we talk with Bob Cohen, President, Acme Corrugated Box.
    Bob Cohen’s family went from selling rags to selling used boxes to creating an innovative manufacturing company. With humility, Cohen shares his company’s story of growth and how he and his wife chose to give back to the community that supported them.
    Spurred on by the tight market in the 1970s, Cohen went from being a distributor to a converter, starting with a used letterpress. Following his instincts, Cohen continued to grow the company and eventually brought his three sons into the family company.
    About Bob
    My name is Burton (Bob) R. Cohen, and I have been involved with my family business since 1969 after a short stint in the Army Reserves. I graduated from Central High School in Philadelphia and Penn State University, majoring in History (Bachelor of Arts). When I joined the company, we had five employees. We distributed corrugated packaging in the local market, and we generated annual revenues of about two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. In 1973, we purchased the first converting equipment, allowing us to produce corrugated packaging ourselves. Our start was primitive, but somehow, we survived in a market with better-equipped and more seasoned competitors. In 1980, the company moved from Philadelphia to the Bensalem area (a Philadelphia suburb). There, we occupied a 60,000 square feet facility, which allowed us to expand our manufacturing capability and add a larger workforce. We prospered there until the early 2000s and in 2001, we were given the opportunity to further integrate our manufacturing operation with the addition of corrugating capacity (2 Narrow Width Agnati Corrugators). This equipment acquisition necessitated our move to our present location in Hatboro. The new building has 234,000 square feet of manufacturing space. Looking around, we initially felt, “How will we ever fill this space!” We filled it a lot quicker than expected.
    We had seen steady growth since the major recession of 2009, essentially increasing the sales volume by 75% by 2016. We continued to add converting lines as our business grew. Between 2016 and 2019, we had increased sales by 57%. We also added four additional converting lines in that same timeframe prior to the Pandemic. As our volume increased, it became apparent that we needed far more space and more converting lines. With a focus on our clients and their growing demands, we investigated how an expansion could be executed while the economy was in the throes of the Pandemic. Believing there is no going backward in business, we took the plunge. The plans drawn up would make us the most progressive and best-equipped independent converter in the Northeast region. So, in November of 2020, we began construction. We added 80,000 square feet (with heights of 40’”& 60’ to accommodate roll stock and the WIP system) and numerous new machinery including a 110” Fosber 1500 ft/min three stage corrugator, a Warak high rack WIP system developed in Europe, A Warak roll delivery system, full conveyorization of the entire facility (WSA & Ducker), a new waste and starch system, a dust collection system, the movement of entire departments within the facility and the addition of two new converting lines. The project was complete in April of 2023. At present, we employ 250 staff members, and presently our revenues are almost 2 times as great as our 2016 revenue had been.
    Our Management Team includes our General Manager, Jeremy Cohen, with 23 years of converting and industrial engineering experience, our Vice President of Finance, David Platt, 34+ years of corporate financial reporting responsibility, our Human Resources Manager- Heidi Morrison, 37+ years in Employee Relations, Operations Manager, Joseph Hodges, 26+ years of production...

    • 50 min
    Be Engaged Be Engaging

    Be Engaged Be Engaging

    Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.
    In this episode we talk with Cassi Malone, Director of Customer Experience, Corrugated Supplies Company and Josh Sobel, Account Manager, Jamestown Container Companies.
    Both having served as AICC Emerging Leader (EL) Delegates, the volunteer leaders of the Program, Josh and Cassi can offer a different perspective on leadership, the industry, and how to motivate younger employees.
    They share their EL experiences as well as their industry origin stories. Sobel, an EL graduate, discusses how the EL Program has grown, what it is like to leave a family company, and trying to find his own path. Malone, a current EL, found her way into the industry by taking a leap after a chance encounter.
    About Cassi
    Cassi Malone, Director of Customer Experience, Corrugated Supplies Company
    Cassi Malone is the Director of Customer Experience for Corrugated Supplies Company (CSC). Initially starting as a Customer Service Representative within the company 10 years ago, she has worked hard to learn as much about CSC, their customers, and the industry as possible.
    In her current role, Cassi oversees the service and planning operations for CSC’s 9 sheet feeder operations across the country. She has a passion for learning and teaching, and is always looking to absorb as much knowledge as she can from those around her. Her passion for learning led her to AICC’s Emerging Leaders group 7 years ago, where she became a member and started to immerse herself in the paper and packaging industry with other young professionals. As she came to know and love the program, she eventually took on the role as an Emerging Leaders Delegate from 2019-2022 on the AICC Board of Directors so she could help shape the program for future ELs.
    Cassi graduated with an MBA from Robert Morris University in 2011, and she also continued to serve as an adjunct faculty member for over 6 years at her alma mater. Cassi is a firm believer in mentorship, communication, and building relationships. Her goal is to help others find their way, just like so many have and continue to support her along the way. Outside of work, Cassi can be found in her most favorite role of all – Mom, as her and her husband try to keep up with their two sassy, energetic little girls!
    About Josh
    Josh Sobel, Account Manager, Jamestown Container Companies
    After graduating from The Ohio State University in 2003 with a degree in Political Science Josh decided to return home to join his grandfather’s box business, Sobel Corrugated Containers, as a customer service representative. Throughout his 10 years with the company he worked in multiple roles for the business including plant scheduling, sales, and VP of sales. In 2012 he joined Jamestown Container’s Macedonia division as an account manager, and has worked in that role since.
    He has been on the AICC board of directors two separate times, first as an Emerging Leaders delegate and currently as the Great Lakes Regional Director.
    Resources
    AICC Emerging Leaders
    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.

    • 42 min
    Wild West

    Wild West

    Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.
    In this episode we talk with Jeff Quinn, CEO & Owner, Keith Umlauf, COO & Owner, and Mike Mulroe, President of Haire Group.
    After decades of working together the four horsemen go down to two and Jeff Quinn and Keith Umlauf knew they needed to bring in a skilled leader to complement their skills. Enter Mike Mulroe.
    With humor and humility, they candidly talk through their history, the transition, and lessons learned. They also discuss their decision and process to keep the culture while moving Haire Group from a lifestyle company to a performance-based company.
    About Jeff Quinn | CEO & Owner
    Starting as a summer intern in 1983, Jeff has worked hard to make moves within Haire Group and obtain the current Chief Executive Officer title that he has now. Jeff has an extensive knowledge of not only the machines Haire Group sells but also the industry itself, and together with Keith Umlauf, has been a driver of Haire’s remarkable growth. Jeff has an unwavering dedication in directing the company towards its primary goals and objectives for expansion, whether that be in team members or product lines. Jeff is a current member and past chair of the TAPPI CPC Council.
    About Keith Umlauf | COO & Owner
    What began as an inventory management role in 1989 turned into an incredible career path in the corrugated industry with Haire Group. Keith worked his way up through all levels of the organization, and has an in-depth understanding of the organization and industry as a whole. Keith provides Haire Group with leadership, management, and vision to help grow the company. Over the years, he has served on the AICC Associate Board as a member and Chairman.
    About Mike Mulroe | President
    As President at Haire Group, Mike and his management team run the day-to-day operations of the business with overall responsibility for the company’s operating performance. Though a relative newcomer to the industry, he joined Haire in early 2021 with a vast amount of operations, quality improvement and leadership experience, most recently as Vice President of Operations for one of the nation’s top academic medical centers.
    In addition to leading day-to-day operations, Mike oversees the company’s ongoing strategic growth and is the leader in communicating and implementing the mission, vision and overall direction for the company.
    Connect
    Jeff on LinkedIn
    Keith on LinkedIn
    Mike on LinkedIn
    Haire Group
    www.hairegroup.comFacebookLinkedIn
    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,

    • 1 hr 9 min
    What It’s All About

    What It’s All About

    In this episode we talk with Kevin Ausburn, Chairman & CEO, and Matt Ausburn, CFO, of SMC Packaging Group.
    While SMC faced a tough start, like all box plants, Kevin Ausburn’s father and his business partner, Chuck Bachus, worked through it. After becoming a CPA, Kevin worked in Kansas City for several years before feeling the pull of a family business. His son Matt followed a similar path, earning a CPA and gaining experience outside of the SMC before the prospect of new projects also pulled him in.
    About Kevin Ausburn
    Chairman & CEO
    Kevin started as a janitor in the Summers at Southern Missouri Container, founded by his father and Chuck Bachus, as he was working through school. After earning his MBA in Accounting, he worked as a public accountant for several years before joining the family business in 1982 as the comptroller. Since then, through organic growth and acquisition he has helped SMC become a sizeable multi-plant company while maintaining a family-focused company culture.
    Kevin is actively involved with his community and as an AICC member.
    About Matt Aubsurn
    CFO
    Summers in high school and college were spent in the pre-press department for Matt. WAfter graduating college in 2008, he moved to Kansas City and worked as an auditor, and soon thereafter received my CPA certification. He never felt pressured to join the family business, but in 2011 he came back to work in operations in SMC's Kansas City sheet plant. He jumped into implementing new plant scheduling software and he hasn't looked back. In mid-2013, he and his family moved to Springfield to support the continued growth of SMC, as part of the accounting team.
    Connect
    SMC Packaging Group
    LinkedinFaceBookInsta
    Matt
    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.

    • 51 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
21 Ratings

21 Ratings

Sandrao Ox ,

Great!

Love learning about the companies and the people behind them. Very entertaining!

guy ox ,

Great show

Fabulous way to get to know other members through their stories. Gene and Joe are outstanding.

Derek Volk ,

Very enjoyable and educational

As a third generation sheet plant owner, I’ve been in the box business my whole life. The podcast Breaking Down Boxes is both enjoyable and educational. Listening to the interviews with leaders in our industry sharing their stories, insights and how they overcame setbacks is a fantastic learning tool. Thank you for doing this show.

Derek Volk
Volk Packaging Corporation
Biddeford, Maine

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