Breaking Down Boxes AICC, The Independent Packaging Association

Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.
In this episode, we talk with Kim Nelson, President & CEO of Royal Containers.
Rather than pursuing a career in law as she had planned, Nelson returned home when her father, the founder of Royal Containers called. It was supposed to be temporary, but she turned it into her career and found her passion in trying to build and grow what her father had created.
Founder Ross Nelson, after a rough start causing the family to lose everything, built Royal into a strong company. Several years after the next generation came into the business a decision had to be made about the company's direction. Kim Nelson looked at the company as a business, and if it were run as a successful business could benefit the family. Her father agreed and knew the company had to grow, but others in the family thought differently. Kim honestly shares the challenges her family faced during this transition.
Kim Nelson | President & CEO
Since joining Royal Containers in 1992, Kim Nelson has been on a journey dedicated to the company’s long-term success. After the transfer of management from founder Ross Nelson to the next generation in 2009, Kim has been able to lean, not only an extensive understanding of sales, service and production in corrugated packaging but also a Bachelor of Business Administration (Honors) degree earned from Brock University.
Since taking on the role of President & CEO, Kim has led the future of Royal Containers in part by becoming positioned as Chairman of the Board and shareholder at Tencorr Packaging and Greenpac Mill. She also led the acquisition of C & B Display Packaging in 2019.
Kim’s service as President of The Independent Packaging Association (AICC) Canada and Chairman of AICC International is formally recognized in a 2018 induction into AICC’s Industry Hall of Fame. She is currently the Overseas Director and Business Advisor with the association.
Kim leads by example as an international Triathlon competitor and CrossFit Games athlete. Her teammates call her audacious and authentic, but Kim credits planning and training for her placement on leaderboards and as a 19-time Ironman finisher.
Kim chooses to live, work, play and raise her family not far from where she herself grew up, north of Toronto. As a mother of three, her family brings Kim her greatest happiness.
Connect with Royal Containers
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Linkedin
YouTube
Royalcontainers.com
Resources
Holly Green, The Human Factor
In the next episode hear from Gary Brewer, Package Crafters & Creative Packaging.
New episodes drop the first Monday of every month. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!
This podcast is brought to you by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association. Learn more at www.AICCbox.org. When you invest and engage, AICC delivers success.
Breaking Down Boxes is sponsored by Ox Box, offering strength...

Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.
In this episode we talk with Chad Wagner, President of Peachtree Packaging, in Lawrenceville, GA.
Wager was recruited by the founder of Peachtree Packaging when we was working after school as a golf caddy. After graduating high school Wagner joined the air force and then studied at UGA, where in his junior year the Peachtree’s founder asked him to come back after he graduated. Working throughout the plant, and excelling in sales Wagner, with several partners, eventually bought Peachtree Packaging.
Wagner said, “the company is continuing to learn and evolve and spend capital to add assets for what we want to do and increase our capabilities. We care about investing in our people and attracting the best talent. We are constantly asking how we can push the company forward with better service and solutions to bring value to the marketplace and help as many people as we can.”
Throughout his story you hear the value of his work ethic and how his belief in what Peachtree could be gained him friends in the company and helped the company grow.
Connect
Peachtree's Facebook page
@ptreepackaging on Twitter
Peachtree on YouTube
Peachtree's TIkTok
Peachtree's LinkedIn
Peachtree's Website
In the next episode we sit down with Kim Nelson of Royal Containers.
New episodes drop the first Monday of every month. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!
This podcast is brought to you by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association. Learn more at www.AICCbox.org. When you invest and engage, AICC delivers success.
Breaking Down Boxes is sponsored by Ox Box, offering strength you can depend on.

Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.
In this episode we talk with Dave Callif, Chairmain & CEO, and Rob Callif, President of BCM Inks.
The father/son team share how skills from the fashion industry and P&G translate into corrugated, succession planning, and the challenges of being a start-up.
Listeners can hear how their practical, rather than emotional, choices led to a smooth transition and maintained harmony when there are children in and out of the company.
CEO/Chairman

David founded BCM Inks in the United States in 1988, adding to a successful packaging industry career that has spanned nearly 40 years. A graduate of The Ohio State University, David began his professional vocation with The Procter & Gamble Company in 1972.

He has contributed to the industry through participation on numerous boards, including serving as the AICC Associates chairman and co-chair of the AICC Sustainability Committee. David has been a speaker on various industry topics at Clemson University, Fox Valley Technical College, ACCCSA, FFTA, FPPA, PIRA and AICC.

David recently was recognized by Clemson University, receiving the Bill Treadaway Award for outstanding contributions to graphic arts education. David also was honored by the national news program “Eye on America” for his and BCM Ink’s contribution to sustainable technology for a healthy environment.
President
As BCM Inks’ second-generation owner, Rob is involved in operating and growing the business with the same integrity and philosophies his father incorporated when founding the Cincinnati-based company. With more than two decades of experience working at BCM Inks, Rob provides sales and technical service to clients as well as oversees daily functions of the enterprise.
Prior to joining BCM, Rob was regional sales manager and financial administrator for two start-up Internet companies. Rob is a graduate of the University of Florida, where he earned a BSBA degree in finance.
Rob also is an author, having been published in numerous books and magazines including “Sustainable Graphic Design,” “Corrugated Today” and “Ink World.” In addition, Rob is a popular speaker who has educated audiences at AICC, ACCCSA, FPPA and Fox Valley Technical College.
Connect
BCM Ink's Website
BCM on LinkedIn
Rob on LinkedIn
Dave on LinkedIn
New episodes drop the first Monday of every month. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!
This podcast is brought to you by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association. Learn more at www.AICCbox.org. When you invest and engage, AICC delivers success.
Breaking Down Boxes is sponsored by Ox Box, offering strength you can depend on.

Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.
In this episode we talk with Michael Lafave, Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Kruger Packaging L.P. and Charles Malo, President And Chief Operating Officer, Cascades Containerboard Packaging during a special episode of Breaking Down Boxes recorded during the recent AICC Canada/ Canadian Corrugated Case Association (CCCA) Tabletop Conference in Toronto.
Listeners can get in the minds of these two titans of the industry as they discuss inflation, living company culture, sustainability, and employee retention during this episode.
Both guests share stories about how their families have influenced their leadership styles. They also outline the top three things that keep them up at night. 
MICHAEL LAFAVE
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
KRUGER PACKAGING L.P .
Michael Lafave is the senior vice president and chief operating officer of the Kruger Packaging Group since 2015. As such, he oversees the operations of five production sites in Québec, Ontario and the United States. He also heads the Kruger Recycling Division. A graduate of McGill University, Michael began his career in international sales by working for a forest products export agency for nine years before joining Kruger in 1999. Before his current role at Kruger, Michael held various positions within the company such as Vice President, Sales Administration for the Paper Division; Vice President, Newsprint Sales; Senior Vice President, Supply Management and Senior Vice President, Containerboard & Packaging and Recycling. Michael is chair of the International Corrugated Case Association (ICCA) and acted as chair of the Canadian Corrugated and Containerboard Association (CCCA) from May 2015 until May 2017.
CHARLES MALO
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
CASCADES CONTAINERBOARD PACKAGING
After earning a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree from the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Charles Malo began his career as a controller at Etcan, a division of cascades, in 1990. He joined Cascades Containerboard Packaging when it was created in 1997 and worked his way up the ranks. Over the years, he became Director of Administration, Regional General Manager, Operations, for Central Canada, and Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer in the corrugated cardboard business line.
In 2008, he also took over management of the folding carton division, becoming Vice- President and Chief Operating Officer, Packaging. In April 2015, he was named Chief Operating Officer, overseeing not only transformation operations, but also the production of containerboard. He became President and Chief Operating Officer in January 2016. This appointment makes him the third president of Cascades Containerboard Packaging, succeeding Alain Memaire and Marc-André Dépin. Like his predecessors, he embraces Cascades’ values and believes that everyone should work in a safe and secure environment. He continues to pursue the business objectives established in conjunction with the various management teams to ensure the growth of Cascades Containerboard Packaging and Cascades. Mr. Malo is well-known in the industry for his knowledge and leadership. He is an active member of boards of directors for various associations, companies and non-profit organizations. For example, he currently sits on the board of the Fondation Hôpital Pierre-Boucher.
The next episode will feature Rob and Dave Callif of BCM Inks. Our next episode will be on a holiday schedule and drop Monday, January 9th.
Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!
Breaking Down Boxes is sponsored by Ox Box. Ox Box is strength you can depend on.
This podcast is brought to you by AICC, The...

Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.
In this episode we talk with Jana Harris.
Jana has come a long way from being the child rollerskating around the boxplant founded by her parents. Always with an entrepreneurial spirit, she started a business at the age of 29, only to be forced to fire her partner a year later. Later, her compassion and education lead her to a four-year stint in healthcare. Then four years later, she and her sister, Janice Cox, now CFO of the family companies, were brought into Harris Packaging by their father after he had to replace a once-trusted employee.  
While Jana’s path might not have been direct, with the support of family and strong teams, her companies have seen double-digit growth over the last 10 years. Now, Harris Packaging is the largest sheet plant in Texas, and American Carton is a thriving folding carton plant.
Jana also shares her passion for education about and for the industry by sharing her experience working closely with UTA and a new project with a STEM high school.
Jana Harris is a second-generation owner and CEO of her family’s manufacturing business, Harris Packaging and American Carton. She is the current AICC Chairman and is the 3rd woman to Chair for AICC. She serves on the President’s Advisory Board at her local university, the University of Texas at Arlington and is very active with their Packaging Program as well as with the College of Business. Jana and her husband Zachary Campbell became partners in a wine label out of Sonoma CA called Sanglier Cellars as well as recently becoming silent partners in a scratch Italian restaurant, Tre Mogli, which is in their hometown. In addition to the love she has for boxes and wine and great food, her interests include family, travel, buying new manufacturing equipment and educating college and high school students about the packaging industry.
American Carton Website
Facebook
LinkedIn
Harris Packaging Website
Facebook
LinkedIn
New episodes drop the first Monday of every month. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!
This podcast is brought to you by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association. Learn more at www.AICCbox.org.
Breaking Down Boxes is sponsored by Ox Box, offering strength you can depend on.

Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.
Gene Marino, President, Akers Packaging Service Group and AICC Past Board Chair, and Joe Morelli, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Huston Patterson Printers & Lewisburg Printing Company and AICC Past Associate Board Chair, speak with Guy Ockerlund and his son Eric of Ox Box on Breaking Down Boxes.
At the age of 26 Guy had to decide if he was going to fight to keep the family business going or follow the rest of the family and move on in a different direction. He left his home and wife out west and spent a month at the company to discover a business with a sterling reputation and loyal customers and was determined to carry on the legacy.
We also hear from Eric about his own experience of returning home to work at Ox Box, and the path he is taking to learn the business.
Resources
Watch the eco-board case study video.
Ox's Website
@oxboxusa on Twitter
Ox on YouTube
Visit Guy on LinkedIn
Visit Eric on LinkedIn
In the next episode we hear from AICC Board Chair, Jana Harris of Harris Packaging & American Carton Co.
New episodes drop the first Monday of every month. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!
This podcast is brought to you by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association. Learn more at www.AICCbox.org.