The Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) and AICC, The Independent Packaging Association, will jointly hold three rigid box operator training seminars during the first quarter of 2018. These programs are possible through the work and support of Al Hoodwin, president of Michigan City Paper Box and AICC chairman, and Laura Brodie, vice president of Burt Rigid Box and PPC executive committee member. The multiday sessions will help students of various experience levels operate and maintain Emmeci rigid box-making equipment more effectively, thoroughly and efficiently. Each course will be presented by Emmeci trainers.
 
Sessions include:

Advanced Troubleshooting & Maintenance: Jan. 30 – Feb. 1, 2018
Advance Paper Box, Los Angeles, Calif. 
Scheduled for the only time of the year when manufacturers can spare their most experienced operators, the advanced course is designed for experts who want to perfect their craft. The session will address equipment troubleshooting at the highest level. It will also give students the opportunity to break down and rebuild machines, diagnose problems based on samples and engage with experienced trainers.
 
Intermediate Troubleshooting: Feb. 27 – March 1, 2018
Burt Rigid Box Inc., Oneonta, N.Y.
The intermediate training is designed for operators and mechanics who have run rigid box machines for more than six to twelve months and can run basic work without guidance. The students will be trained on live machines, providing them the skills they need to run difficult materials, troubleshoot common causes of stoppages and waste, and set up a machine more efficiently and effectively. They’ll also learn how to perform intermediate maintenance on commonly-problematic parts. 
 
Operator’s Training: March 13-16, 2018
Emmeci USA, East Providence, R.I.
Designed for beginning operators who have run machines for at least six months and are ready to go to the next level, the beginner course will show students how to set up a job from start to finish. They’ll learn how to use a squaring tool, how to make wooden frames and how to adjust forms, fingers, and other basic components of the machines. The session should give those operators who frequently need help from more experienced coworkers the tools and confidence to set up and run jobs on their own. 
 
To supplement the training on Emmeci equipment, each course will include a session on gluing taught by a representative from LD Davis. The Operator’s Training will also feature a lesson on paperboard taught by Newman Paperboard.
 
“I’m thrilled by the breadth and depth of the 2018 rigid box courses,” said Steve Young, AICC president. “The material is extensive, and I’m proud we’re able to offer this valuable training to our member companies.”
 
“Technical training is a crucial aspect of membership in PPC and AICC alike,” said Ben Markens, PPC president. “The associations bring members together to learn best practices, and the entire industry is better off as a result.”
 
To register for the training sessions, members can contact their respective associations. Nonmembers may contact either association for registration information. PPC: www.paperbox.org and AICC: www.aiccbox.org.