Manufacturer and Supplier Partnerships in the Age of AI

I see the Big Associate Issue as a celebration of AICC’s supplier members and their strong partnerships that exist with AICC’s boxmaking members. We thank suppliers for being a vital, vibrant, and welcome part of the AICC community. Let’s take a look at where those partnerships are going. In an industry defined by consolidation and rapid technological change, AICC members depend on the strength and reliability of their supplier partners. These relationships are vital in the support of uptime, product quality, and innovation. As supply chains evolve in an era of tariffs, the rise of AI is set to redefine how manufacturers and suppliers collaborate, share information, and build resilience into their mutual business models. Boxmakers have long relied on suppliers for raw material, equipment, expertise, flexibility, and responsiveness. The pandemic-era disruptions underscored how fragile interdependencies can be—and how critical it is to be a part of transparent, collaborative partnerships. We have seen a move from transactional relationships to strategic collaboration to synchronize operations, manage inventory levels, and forecast demand. This shift is well underway and has made supply chain visibility and agility top priorities. I see AI emerging as a catalyst for the next phase of this evolution. Predictive analytics identify risks in the supply chain before they escalate—whether from shifting market conditions, transportation bottlenecks, or performance issues. Machine learning algorithms process vast datasets to anticipate demand changes and recommend sourcing adjustments in real time. For boxmakers, this means fewer disruptions and more informed decision-making; for suppliers, it opens the door to data-driven innovation and more efficient resource management. Because of the great, long-standing relationships that exist between AICC converters and suppliers, the integration of AI will only strengthen that trust between partners. Smart factories equipped with sensors and AI-driven quality controls can share performance data directly with manufacturers, creating greater transparency and accountability. Over time, these connected ecosystems could give rise to autonomous supply networks capable of self-optimizing around cost, speed, and sustainability objectives. Everything I read on this topic indicates that the future of manufacturing partnerships will be defined not merely by efficiency, but by intelligence and adaptability. Those who invest in AI-enabled collaboration will gain a decisive competitive edge—building networks that are not only smarter, but stronger, more responsive, and more resilient in the face of all the uncertainties that can come in your direction. AICC will do its part. See the preceding pages for those that will make it happen with you!

Michael D’Angelo AICC President