Colbert Packaging hosted the August meeting of the Independent Carton Group (ICG) at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The venue was selected in part for its proximity to Colbert’s headquarters and offset folding carton plant in Lake Forest, Illinois, and the company’s new flexographic printing facility in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
During the general membership meeting WestRock CEO Steve Voorhees gave a presentation on the value of paperboard packaging as a branding vehicle. He spoke of his admiration for family-run businesses like many of those in the ICG, and of WestRock’s continued commitment to ICG members. Voorhees was joined at the meeting by WestRock Senior Vice President of sales for North American paperboard Kevin Sullivan and Sales Manager Roberto Balaguer.
Rickard Österlindh, President, Iggesund Americas, thanked the ICG for the opportunity to be a supplier to its members. Iggesund is the ICG’s newest supplier. Österlindh and Regional Sales Manager Paul Weibel introduced the group to Iggesund’s Invercote brand.
Clearwater Paper’s Richard Dreshfield, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and Randy Stewart, Director of Converting Solutions, led a discussion about their onsite services aimed at helping carton manufacturers optimize operations and drive innovation. Dreshfield and Stewart were joined by Sales Director Robbin Rodgers and Sales Manager Amy Redden.
ICG members will return to Wisconsin later this year for a meeting hosted by one of the newest additions to the group, Wausau Container. In 2018, members will come together to celebrate the ICG’s 35th anniversary, with one of its founding members, Zumbiel Packaging of Hebron, Kentucky, hosting; then visit first-time meeting host Jones Packaging in London, Ontario; and finally, finish the commemorative year at Accurate Box in Paterson, New Jersey.
WestRock CEO Steve Voorhees (center) with Jay Willie and Kim Pearce of the Independent Carton Group.
