The most innovative, inspiring and sustainable players in the corrugated industry were honoured with prestigious prizes on October 10 at the end of the 23rd FEFCO Technical Seminar in Rome.
FEFCO, the European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers, issued nine awards at the end of the three-day event.
The most prestigious FEFCO prize was for the Best Innovation on Advanced Technology Award, and this year, it went to BHS Corrugated Regional Sales Director Thomas Murr, for the development of the Jetliner Monochrome digital, one-colour, printer integrated with the corrugator.
The Best Presentation Award, out of some 60 six-minute spotlights delivered during the Rome seminar, was won by Aurélie Gasiglia, Bobst Lyon’s Product Manager, for her inspiring presentation on unlocking the converting potential of Bobst machinery.
The Best Innovation on Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Award went to Bosch’s Marketing Director Daniel Gosse, for developing green steam boilers for the corrugated board industry, significantly reducing CO2 emissions.
And the most Inspiring FEFCO New Member Award went to factory360’s Managing Director Markus Meister, for the development of hardware and software to create a 3D twin of factories.
FEFCO also announced five Lifetime Achievement Awards:
- John Bird, CEO of JB Machinery, for his 55 years in the printing and packaging industry. He is the holder of numerous patents and technologies that have transformed flexographic direct print on corrugated board since the first fully equipped IR and UV-based seven-colour, rotary die cutter in 1998.
- Torben Christiansen, founder and owner of BCM, who started the company in 1976 and revolutionised the corrugated industry with his innovative storage solutions. By introducing automated systems for storing cutting dies and printing plates, as well as tooling logistics, he significantly improved storage efficiency and capacity.
- Alfons Gnan, Head of R&D of BHS Corrugated, who transformed corrugating technology through decades of innovation and dedication. His impact on corrugator efficiency, productivity and autonomy made him a passionate frontrunner in the global corrugated industry.
- Robert Baviera, President of Baviera Steam Systems, a company he founded 44 years ago, which has become a reference for steam systems for corrugators. His work has had a global impact on heat transfer, energy efficiency and the carbon footprint of the sector, playing a significant role in many of the key evolutions and developments of corrugators and the corrugated board industry.
- Karl F. Göpfert, CEO of Göpfert Maschinen, who has been in the corrugated industry since 1969, when he was 22. His leadership has been characterised by a passion for corrugated board, a drive for excellence, and well-recognised corrugated board converters like the Short Run Boxmaker, the 5.5-metre Jumbo or the RDC Evolution with direct drive, which have become standards in the industry today.
FEFCO Director General Eleni Despotou, said the awards showed how the corrugated industry keeps innovating. “As an industry, we are forever adapting to make products that are robust, sustainable and fit for purpose.”
Marc Van Damme, VPK chair of the Operations and Innovations Committee, stressed that “These awards demonstrate that we are continuously improving, as we make corrugated production ever more efficient, design more creative and products more sustainable,” he said.
Photo/FEFCO
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