Capturing the attention and vote of the majority of AICC/TAPPI Corrugated Week attendees, held recently in Indianapolis, Indiana, the “IBS Intelligent Plant Logistics – Seamless Automation” entry by J.S. Machine won the 2018 AICC/Board Converting News/Corrugated Today Innovator of the Year Award.
The system provides seamless automation across all plant equipment designed to achieve maximum efficiencies. It leverages new technology and control systems to experience previously unattainable savings and efficiency to include savings in labor and waste, shorter production cycles and reduction of project running costs.
Second place was awarded to Kruger Packaging for its “Process for Re-Fibering the Corrugated Structure” entry and third place was awarded to EFI for its “A System for Accurately Predicting Order Delivery Dates” entry.
The additional finalists were Arden Software North America for its “Customer-Facing Store Front for Direct Packaging Sales” entry and Amtech for its “A Digital Gateway Connecting the Plants Business System to Its Digital Manufacturing Equipment” entry.
This year’s competition was open to all AICC Associate members and gave companies the opportunity to showcase non-machinery innovations. The non-machinery category is defined as an innovation manufactured by an industry supplier that does not touch the board including, but not limited to; computer systems, software and consulting; linerboards and new substrates; quality and management controls; administrative support; financial services.
From left, Jay Carman, AICC Plant Innovations Chairman; Dan Brunton, Publisher, International Paper Board Industry; Mike Clary, J.S. Machine and Len Prazych, Editor of Board Converting News.
