Professional Development

In this issue of BoxScore, you are reading about machinery, technology, and services that could help your plant become more efficient. Remember that your people have opportunities to become more efficient, too.

AICC is helping members take their operations to the next level with the Continuous Improvement (CI) Webinar Series—a four-part educational program designed to give independent packaging companies the tools and mindset to build a lasting culture of lean and operational excellence.

Led by Sándor Wolkensperg, vice president of operations at Royal Containers, the series combines real-world packaging industry experience with proven CI methods to help plants increase productivity, reduce waste, and engage their teams in meaningful improvement.

Recordings of the first two webinars—Building a Lean Culture That Lasts and Eliminating Waste, Maximizing Flow, Lean Tools—are now available at www.AICCbox.org/webinars. These sessions introduced the foundational principles of lean manufacturing, explored practical tools such as 5S and SMED, and demonstrated how leadership and culture drive sustainable change.

The series continues in 2026 with two upcoming webinars.

Continuous Improvement: From Theory to Plant Floor

Thursday, March 12 | 2:00 p.m. ET

Building on the concepts introduced earlier in the series, this session bridges lean theory to practical application in corrugated operations. Through real-world industry case studies, participants will see how lean projects deliver tangible benefits.

Learning highlights:

• Review corrugated-specific lean projects that improved throughput, reduced defects, and shortened lead times.
• Apply root cause analysis tools such as “5 Whys” and Fishbone diagrams to quality issues.
• Learn how to engage teams in kaizen events to foster a culture of collaborative problem-solving.
• Translate lean tools into day-to-day plant practices for measurable improvements.

Continuous Improvement: Driving Long-Term Success

Thursday, May 14 | 2:00 p.m. ET

The final session focuses on sustaining and expanding continuous improvement efforts across an organization. Attendees will learn how to measure what matters, build effective governance structures, and ensure that CI becomes an integral part of their company’s DNA.

Learning highlights:

• Identify key operational KPIs for corrugated converting (OEE, downtime, waste percentage, throughput, on-time delivery).
• Use visual management systems and Gemba walks to sustain improvements.
• Create CI governance structures for leadership accountability.
• Expand CI efforts beyond single projects into enterprisewide initiatives, including supplier and customer collaboration.

This series guides participants from lean fundamentals to full-scale application and measurement of success through key performance indicators (KPIs).

AICC members can register for the remaining webinars at www.AICCbox.org/calendar.

Sidebar: Continuous Improvement Group

Take every opportunity to boost productivity while growing your team’s capabilities. AICC’s Continuous Improvement Group connects managers across departments to share best practices, build leadership and problem-solving skills, and foster a culture of operational excellence. Open to all AICC member companies.

Learn more at www.AICCbox.org/pathways.