Podcasts about WestRock

The Green Impact Report Quick take: Packaging and sustainability expert Tom shares how AI and smart technology are transforming recycling and landfill diversion efforts in stadiums, universities, and corporate buildings – creating a more engaging path to sustainability for the next generation. Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion  Thomas (Tom) Grinnan is a Global executive and consultant who thrives in new markets, leveraging 25+ years in the Pharmaceutical, Life Science & Packaging industries. With a strong background in sustainable packaging innovation, he's now leading DC1 as CEO, where they develop AI-powered solutions to drive recycling and reduce landfill waste. At DC1, Tom is focusing on landfill diversion through innovative technology that makes recycling more accessible, measurable, and engaging for users while providing valuable sustainability metrics for organizations. Tom began his career in strategic planning after studying French and biology at the University of Virginia. His multilingual skills (fluent in French with knowledge of Spanish, Japanese, and German) helped him develop a niche in cross-border market expansion. Throughout his career, Tom has grown businesses by 15%+ annually through strategic innovation and mentoring. Prior to joining DC1 in March 2024, he worked with major corporations like Midwest, Faco, Westrock, and Silgan, where he gained firsthand experience in sustainable manufacturing practices that reuse resources and minimize environmental impact.

In this episode, Dawn Tiura discusses the upcoming SIG Global Executive Summit in Nashville with Jim Gruwell of Smurfit Westrock and Pramod Sethumadhavan of GEP.  They give a sneak peek into their general session, Fragmented to Future-Proof: How Smurfit Westrock Engineered a High-Impact Procurement Transformation, which focuses on the transformation of procurement at Smurfit Westrock. Together they explore the evolving role of procurement, the challenges faced in shifting mindsets from transactional to strategic approaches, and the integration of digital tools to enhance efficiency. The conversation highlights the importance of trust, communication, and a long-term vision in achieving successful procurement transformation.

This week, Inside Business host Ciarán Hancock is joined by Tony Smurfit, president and CEO of Smurfit WestRock, the biggest paper and packaging group in the world.Last month he was chosen as Irish Times business person of the year for successfully concluding a combination of Smurfit Kappa Group with American company WestRock in a $24 billion deal. The Dublin-based company is now the leading player in its sector.Grandson of the company's original founding father Jefferson Smurfit, and son of Michael Smurfit who grew the company to become Ireland's first multinational, Tony has led the business since 2015.During this episode Tony discusses the impact of the WestRock deal on the group over the past nine months, the threat posed by Donald Trump's tariffs, the special challenges of working for a company where your name is above the door, and his plan to make Smurfit WestRock the best company in the world.Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Inside Business host Ciarán Hancock is joined by Tony Smurfit, president and CEO of Smurfit WestRock, the biggest paper and packaging group in the world.Last month he was chosen as Irish Times business person of the year for successfully concluding a combination of Smurfit Kappa Group with American company WestRock in a $24 billion deal. The Dublin-based company is now the leading player in its sector.Grandson of the company's original founding father Jefferson Smurfit, and son of Michael Smurfit who grew the company to become Ireland's first multinational, Tony has led the business since 2015.During this episode Tony discusses the impact of the WestRock deal on the group over the past nine months, the threat posed by Donald Trump's tariffs, the special challenges of working for a company where your name is above the door, and his plan to make Smurfit WestRock the best company in the world.Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been 6 months since the packaging giant Smurfit Westrock formally delisted from the Dublin Stock exchange. In that time, shares in the newly merged entity have soared 40% vindicating the decision to quit in many ways. The company, which is still headquartered in Dublin, posted a 4th quarter net income of $146m though it expects to earn an EBITDA of over $1.1bn.Though it's set to be an interesting time for Smurfit in the US as that nation rows back on its recycling and DEI positions. Joe discusses all with Ken Bowles the Chief Financial officer with Smurfit Westrock.

CLICK HERE to Take Part in Our Global Treasury Survey - are you're getting paid enough? Find out with our confidential Global Treasury Salary Survey, it takes 30 seconds to join, and with updates every 6 months and insights from over 1,200 treasury professionals worldwide, you'll always have the most accurate and up-to-date salary data at your fingertips.---Join us for this week's special episode of the Treasury Career Corner podcast recorded LIVE at our Dublin event as three amazing Treasurers share their career advice and insights into the profession. The guests for this episode are:Erin Cole - Group Treasurer at Tate & LylePaul Hussey - Group Treasurer at QatarEnergy Emer Murnane - Group Treasurer at Smurtfit WestrockThe episode features a panel discussion with three Treasurers who talk about their treasury careers, progression, and the future of treasury. They discuss the importance of mentorship, work ethic, and exposure to different treasury roles. They also touch on the value of education and qualifications in treasury, the role of technology and AI in treasury, and the importance of communication and networking in building a successful treasury career.For more information on the Treasury Career Corner LIVE event please visit this linkKey Takeaways: Insights into the treasury careers of the panellists and their journeys to success.Discussion on the importance of mentorship, work ethic, and exposure to different treasury roles.Insights into the value of education and qualifications in treasury.Discussion on the role of technology and AI in treasury and its impact on treasury careers.Tips on communication, networking, and building a successful treasury career.If you'd like to get in touch with Erin, you can connect with her via her LinkedIn ProfileIf you'd like to get in touch with Paul, you can connect with him via his LinkedIn ProfileIf you'd like to get in touch with Emer, you can connect with her via her LinkedIn ProfileAre you interested in pursuing a career within Treasury?Whether you've recently graduated,...

In this episode of Product & Packaging Powerhouse, host Megan Young Gamble along with guests John Dwyer and Maurizio Carano discuss the evolving landscape of packaging, focusing on essential functions like product protection, aesthetics, sustainability, and traceability. They explore connected packaging, serialization for anti-counterfeiting, and technological advancements to enhance the supply chain and circular economy. The conversation also highlights regulatory impacts, particularly the differences between US and European standards, and the challenges faced by industries. The episode concludes with personal anecdotes from the guests, emphasizing the need for technological solutions to modern packaging challenges.Affiliate & Other Links: [Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie” [link] https://glc.ck.page/thestarterpackagingprojectmanager Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-session[Powerhouse Guest John and Maurizio LINKS]John Dwyer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpdywer/ Read about the Smart Tag Case Study here: https://www.westrock.com/-/media/pdf/sustainability/smarttag-recyclability-report-pdf.pdf?sc_lang=en Maurizio Carano LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maurizio-carano-105397b5/Episode Quotes:The common denominator to solve supply chain problems, to help eliminate theft and fraud, is to give each product its own unique identifier that can be traced all the way back to the point of origin.If the packaging is not right, the product will not make it to the shelf. That's the basics.Packaging needs to actually do more than just protect the product. It's about connecting with the environment, consumers, and the supply chain.Traceability has been primarily focused on the supply chain, but now it's being used for anti-theft, anti-diversion, and anti-counterfeiting.Having better visibility and traceability in your supply chain is the only way to mitigate risk and avoid costly recalls.Connected packaging is the next big thing, and it's here. The terrain wasn't fertile before, but now it's growing.There's a treasure of data that can be uncovered at a recycling facility to help our customers meet their ESG goals measurably.

On this week's show: Power at Work podcast host Seth Haris talks to Labor Secretary Julie Su about empowering workers and The State of Labor 2024…then, on Work Week Radio, Amazon workers in San Francisco demand recognition…The Building Bridges podcast talks with Rachel Ybarra from Starbucks Workers United…Next, David Van Pevenage, who worked at a WestRock paper mill in Washington state until it was shuttered, and Steel Workers Legislative Director Roy Houseman on fair trade, on Solidarity Works: A Podcast From The United Steelworkers…What matters most to senior flight attendants? We find out on the

Last month, members of the United Steelworkers union from across the U.S. traveled to the nation's capital in Washington, D.C., to talk to their elected officials about the importance of reauthorizing Trade Adjustment Assistance. This program, which expired in 2022, provides training and educational opportunities for workers who lost their jobs due to foreign countries like China circumventing trade rules. In today's episode, we're talking with David Van Pevenage, who was part of the D.C. coalition and who worked at a WestRock paper mill in Washington state until it was shuttered due to unfair trade. We'll also hear from USW Legislative Director Roy Houseman, who was fortunate enough to benefit from TAA years ago, about why this program is so vital to American workers and their communities. Music in this episode by BlueDot Sessions.

In this video, we'll perform an ULTA stock analysis and figure out what Ulta Beauty looks like based on the numbers. Is Ulta stock a buy now?

In this video, we'll perform a NKE stock analysis and figure out what Nike looks like based on the numbers. Is Nike stock a buy now?

Join us as we dive nose-first into the pungent history of Tacoma, Washington's infamous "Tacoma Aroma." From industrial stink to urban renaissance, we explore how this city turned its malodorous reputation around. Key Points: 1. Origins of the Tacoma Aroma in the late 1800s 2. Industrial culprits: pulp mills, refineries, and rendering plants 3. The phrase "Tacoma Aroma" enters common vernacular 4. Environmental regulations and cleanup efforts from the 1950s onward 5. Memorable incidents and headlines about the smell 6. The role of Commencement Bay in the city's odor issues 7. Key players in the fight against air pollution 8. The transformation of Tacoma's image and environment Fun Facts: - The Tacoma Aroma inspired creative real estate slogans - Bruce Springsteen was once rumored to have fled the city due to the smell - The Asarco smokestack inspired Frank Herbert's landscapes in "Dune" Timeline Highlights: - 1955: Tacoma implements air pollution control ordinance - 1970: St. Regis Paper Company agrees to new air pollution standards - 1990: Puget Sound By-Products upgrades odor control system - 1993: Demolition of the Asarco copper smelter smokestack - 1997: Major odor control project at Simpson Kraft pulp mill - 2023: Closure of WestRock corrugated packaging mill Tacoma Today: - 19 breweries - 6 museums - University of Washington campus - 3 theaters in the performing arts center - Transformation of former Superfund sites into upscale communities Closing Thought: From industrial stench to urban gem, Tacoma's journey showcases the power of environmental regulation, community action, and urban renewal in transforming a city's identity and livability. Join our Patreon!! https://patreon.com/RainyDayRabbitHolesPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink See more and buy merch at www.rainydayrabbitholes.com Check out Tis Just A Bit Of Craic! https://shows.acast.com/tis-just-a-bit-of-craic "Stay tuned for our next episode, where we'll explore another hidden gem of the Pacific Northwest!"

In this episode, we are joined by three chief strategy officers who are also responsible for sustainability in their organizations. Alpa Sutaria of WestRock, Paula Kovarsky of Raizen, and Maisie Ganzler of Bon Apetit Management Company.In this episode, we explore why companies might choose to make sustainability a core responsibility of their strategy officers. We'll discuss the benefits of integrating sustainability into the strategic framework and examine the challenges that come with this responsibility. Our expert guests share insights on overcoming these hurdles, offering practical advice and innovative solutions. Some of the key questions we address include: When and why should sustainability be a strategic priority for companies? What are the main challenges faced by strategy officers when incorporating sustainability into their plans? How can companies effectively balance short-term financial goals with long-term sustainability objectives? Where should a Chief Strategy Officer start if their organization is considering making sustainability a part of their role? Join us as we uncover the strategies and mindsets of organizations where sustainability is not just a buzzword, but a vital component of success.  Learn more about Outthinker's community of chief strategy officers - https://outthinkernetwork.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/outthinker-networks

Produced by JetbooksIn Series 7, Episode #051 of the Irish Business Builders podcast, host Conor Kearney interviews Sir Michael Smurfit. Sir Michael recounts his journey from joining his father's cardboard box company at 16 to transforming it into Ireland's first multinational corporation, Smurfit Westrock. Highlighting key moments and tough decisions, Sir Michael shares valuable insights on integrity, intuition in business, and the importance of understanding operations from the ground up.CONNECT WITH CONOR:LinkedInSupport mental health awareness with Brent Pope's “Elephant in the Room” initiative. Join the movement to de-stigmatise mental health conversations in the workplace and beyond. Adopt an elephant sculpture and show your commitment to creating a supportive environment for everyone. Visit www.elephantintheroom.ie to learn more and get involved.

888: The rapid pace of technological change, particularly with the advent of AI tools, has drastically decreased the average half-life of skills to less than five years, necessitating a focus on continuous learning at every level. In this episode of Technovation, we feature a panel from our May 2024 Metis Strategy Digital Symposium, where Liberty Mutual Global CIO Monica Caldas and WestRock CIDO Amir Kazmi speak with Metis Strategy Partner and East Coast Lead Alex Kraus about future-oriented storytelling, talent upskilling, and innovation processes. Discover how Liberty Mutual leverages its ecosystem of partners to develop the 'Skills to Fuel our Future' strategy, maturing employee skills in data, software, and AI, and how Amir at WestRock emphasizes purpose-driven innovation and a growth mindset. Both executives also share their thoughts on executive storytelling, cultural nuances in approaching different personas, and the importance of metrics for evaluating performance and progress.

888: The rapid pace of technological change, particularly with the advent of AI tools, has drastically decreased the average half-life of skills to less than five years, necessitating a focus on continuous learning at every level. In this episode of Technovation, we feature a panel from our May 2024 Metis Strategy Digital Symposium, where Liberty Mutual Global CIO Monica Caldas and WestRock CIDO Amir Kazmi speak with Metis Strategy Partner and East Coast Lead Alex Kraus about future-oriented storytelling, talent upskilling, and innovation processes. Discover how Liberty Mutual leverages its ecosystem of partners to develop the 'Skills to Fuel our Future' strategy, maturing employee skills in data, software, and AI, and how Amir at WestRock emphasizes purpose-driven innovation and a growth mindset. Both executives also share their thoughts on executive storytelling, cultural nuances in approaching different personas, and the importance of metrics for evaluating performance and progress.

Get caught up on the latest news from around the pulp and paper world in our weekly program, including updates from Suzano, Smurfit Kappa, WestRock, Kruger, Kimberly-Clark, Lenzing, Saica, SCA, Mayr-Melnhof Holz, Klabin and more.  Available on iTunes Listen live at 6 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 7 July 2024, or anytime afterward.

Get caught up on the latest news from around the pulp and paper world in our weekly program, including updates from International Paper, Suzano, Smurfit Kappa, WestRock, DS Smith, McKinley, Graphic Packaging, Glatfelter, Ennis, Södra, JD Irving and more.  Available on iTunes Listen live at 6 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 30 June 2024, or anytime afterward.

Get caught up on the latest news from around the pulp and paper world in our weekly program, including updates from Clearwater Paper, WestRock, Smurfit Kappa, DS Smith, International Paper, Södra, Conifex Timber, Canfor and more.  Available on iTunes Listen live at 6 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 23 June 2024, or anytime afterward.

Get caught up on the latest news from around the pulp and paper world in our weekly program, including updates from WestRock, Smurfit Kappa, Conifex, Kimberly-Clark, Suzano, Lenzing, Pixelle, Metsä and more.  Available on iTunes Listen live at 6 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 16 June 2024, or anytime afterward.

Jay Leedy probably had a bunch of options open to him when he decided he'd done his job with Sony's pro display team, and it might have surprised some of his industry friends when he signed on with a much smaller company, New York-based Videri, as its Senior VP for Strategic Alliances. It didn't surprise me, because Videri has been on a bit of a tear in the last few months, hiring well-connected and respected senior people away from other companies active in digital signage. That came out of a $20 million fundraising round announced late last year. I did a podcast about a year ago with Videri CEO Wes Nicol, so I didn't want to spend too much time talking again about Videri's product and services. We get into that and what attracted Leedy, but what I was really interested in hearing about was his point of view on the CMS software market. His prior role with Sony was building up the digital signage software ecosystem, which involved talking to and looking at scores of different companies. He eventually onboarded some 90 in his three-plus years there, about 70 of them CMS software firms. So Leedy has a pretty unique perspective on what's out there, and how companies differentiate themselves in what remains a very crowded CMS software market. Subscribe from wherever you pick up new podcasts. TRANSCRIPT Jay Leedy, thank you for joining me. You've had some big changes in the last few weeks.  Jay Leedy: Thank you. I have. Thanks for having me, Dave. It's great to hear your voice.  Yeah, you don't want to see me.  Jay Leedy: It's been a couple of months since I saw you last at ISE, but yeah, some changes that were on the horizon at ISE kind of came to fruition over the last several months, and I'm happy to say I'm in my fourth week, almost complete with my fourth week here at Videri. Wow, you're almost past probation. Are you going to make it?  Jay Leedy: They haven't kicked me out yet. My wife told me that the paycheck showed up in our bank account yesterday. Yay!  Things are rocking. I knew you when you were with Convergent and Diversified then you went over to Sony. Am I missing anything there? Jay Leedy: I think that's the extent of my career in this space. I got introduced to integrations prior to moving to Convergent through a company that had point-of-purchase display manufacturing as their core and had a division that focused on, what we called Intelligent Loss Prevention. We were basically importing a lot of technology solutions to solve theft prevention in retail and that's how I got exposed to systems integration, and when I saw digital signage as a part of that, I naturally gravitated toward that. I saw there was going to be a big growth arc and fortunately, I've been right so far.  We can get into what you were doing with Sony because I'm intrigued by the role you had and the unique perspective that was offered, but I'm curious because when you started thinking, okay, I've done my job here with Sony and what's my next thing? What compelled you to go to Videri, I suspect you had a number of options.  Jay Leedy: Yeah, it's a good question. The little background that I just gave you is in part why Videri was really appealing to me. You're right. I had really broad exposure to the market across a number of technologies, not just digital signage, and was considering options outside of digital signage, to be perfectly honest, but the reason that Videri was compelling for me was a couple of reasons.  One is the, very strong push they were making into the market with some clear funding and a product offering that was differentiated in displays that were very thin and lightweight looking and appealed to the sensibilities of retailers and designers and the folks that I really like engaging with on the creative side of our business, combined with software that really makes it easy to make these things pop and, deliver what we call orchestration of content across multiple canvases of displays to unify those.  But there were some other things that went into that as well. I met Rob Avery, who had recently joined the company from Scala, at your event at ISE. I'd already met Wes Nicol, the CEO, about a year prior, and then Steven Jenkins, who I'd worked with at Diversified, had recently joined as the CRO along with Nathan Jones, who I'd also worked with as a Managing Director for North America. So there are already some pieces in place, and when I met Rob and we chatted briefly about his point of view on where we are versus where he wanted to take the software on the roadmap, that really clicked with me. Then we announced Jeff Griffin coming in as a retail technology guru and a guy who was at the genesis of what we called Walmart TV. So it wasn't even digital signage when he was involved with that deployment. So he's had a long history of selling into that market, and really the last piece to fall into place for me was, we secured, Tom Ross from NowSignage and I think he must eat energy bars constantly. He has the most energy and passion for the channel of any guy that I've met in this industry, and I've met a lot. All of those things coming together was really a big part of making that decision for me. Yeah, it's interesting. I've told the story a few times of couple of years ago at DSC in Vegas, some company called Videri had reached out to me and said, could you come to our suite at ARIA and have a look at our pots and pans? And I said, I'm super busy, and so on, and they bugged me and on the last day in the afternoon, I was dead tired, but I said, okay, fine, because I was staying next door and I didn't know a damn thing about them and met them, walked this endless hallway to get to their suite and they showed me these flat panel displays.  I thought, oh, dear God, I've walked all this way to see some skinny displays, but then they started to explain what they're up to, the business model and how they were working with a very large Austrian energy drink brand that they're not allowed to officially talk about, and I thought, now I get it, and over those, intervening two years, the company has really grown in terms of marketplace visibility and everything else and they have a somewhat unique, not entirely unique, but somewhat unique product.  Jay Leedy: Yeah, I agree. In fact, I was registered to go to that same event but couldn't get there because I was super busy that week. I also didn't have a relationship with them yet. So I didn't yet feel obligated, but I didn't see their product until Digital Signage Week, or maybe it was NRF, one of the two where they had a hospitality event at their offices in New York and I made my way there and I was as compelled as you were because of what they were doing but also where they were saying they were going. And you're right. The visibility for Videri has been exponential. I think as contemporaries in our sphere of the industry have gotten more visibility to their hardware and a better understanding of whether software can cause the entire industry to really lean in and that's been the case. I think when I announced that I was leaving Sony combined with two days later announcing that I was joining Videri, I never had as much web traffic on my LinkedIn as those two days. I think it was something on the order of 15,000 impressions between the two posts and that tells me that there's a lot of people who were really intrigued about what this new company is and as I've gotten deeper into the organization and started to really look around at the core architecture of our software, which is an Android-based SoC. So all of our displays run Android 12, which offers a lot of opportunity for third-party solutions to run alongside ours, or in some cases, in place of our software with our firmware being the glue that binds the delivery of that software, and I think there's a lot of opportunities in that regard as well, right?  My goal will really be to build out an ecosystem and a partner strategy very similar to what I was doing at Sony and fortunately, I have a lot of existing relationships that I was already working with that can parlay right into that, that are all dialed into that Android approach, but I think Android, in particular, was compelling for me because it has become a de facto standard in many respects and in a lot of cases with retailers, because of the security components to it, and our particular flavor of Android is locked down, which is really appealing. all the stars really aligned there.  It's interesting because Android, if you asked people out five years ago, they would probably say no, not going anywhere near that. Jay Leedy: I know when I was Diversified, it was an absolute non-starter, but the market's changed, and fortunately the strength of Android and the security protocols have changed, and I think it's you and I've talked about a little bit, right? The impression and kind of point of view on Android Deployed in enterprise environments has changed as well. I think largely because of the broad use of MDMs or device management solutions and familiarity with those tools, with IT admins having a level of comfort with those. At the end of the day, displays for digital signage are IOT devices that have to be managed and locked down in a similar fashion. So something that's familiar just resonates with those decision makers.  You mentioned a couple of minutes ago third party suppliers or providers.  Are you saying, and you can correct me if I'm getting this wrong, that if I'm another CMS software company, I could, in theory, drive Videri displays? Jay Leedy: Absolutely, and we've already tested a handful of them. I think we've got about five so far. We've also tested some lift-and-learn solutions that are quasi-CMS but would also be able to run in concert with our CMS.  That'd be like Glass Media stuff? Jay Leedy: It's more like Sign Metrics. We're on ARC over at Pick‘n'Watch. He's got a really interesting solution that's all Bluetooth and UDP-based. We're also looking at wireless solutions for audience measurement, the likes of Blue Zoo or Movia Media.  Some of the CMS platforms that we've tested, run the gamut of the kind of those that are known more heavily in the space, like Spp Space and Corbett, and then others that are maybe lesser known like Play Signage or one of the newer ones that, as you mentioned earlier, the idea of a hobby business that's not yet full bore or fully funded or has a sales and marketing team behind it, what have you… There's a company called AbleSign that's got some pretty capable products. Largely a lot of these are available as progressive web app options where the device management capabilities of their full-featured apps are stripped out and therefore don't present a conflict with some of the remote capabilities that are the device management capabilities that we bring to bear. But, in the longer term, we'll also test scenarios where maybe a full-featured solution could be used or what we see more as a trend; why I was looking maybe outside of digital signage, in other technology providers, is that, especially in North America, and I think that this will cascade to other markets is that enterprise clients, in particular, have a point of view on device management. So, it was really important when I was at Sony to be compatible with whatever infrastructure decisions had been made upstream so that we could just say yes to projects and be specified regardless of what the requirements were. To some extent, that's a consideration with Videri's approach as well. It's interesting, with this idea that you can work with other CMS software companies. I'm trying to envision that phone call or that meeting on their end, wouldn't they be saying that you have a software that competes with our software?  Jay Leedy: Yeah, but I think we also have a really attractive line of hardware, right? The kind of customer that will gravitate towards our hardware may, in some cases, already have an investment and an existing state of software that they don't want to deviate from. So it may make sense for us to offer our hardware with some recurring fees for the support and device management components while also being able to enable content management on a familiar platform that is more broadly used across their estate. Those are scenarios that we're gaming out.  What drew my attention in the tippet area is how the square displays in particular were something that could replace old beverage brands' neon or plastic backlit signs in bars and restaurants. It was something that was dynamic, the quick ROI that would come out of that, but I've seen Videri in particular marketing, multi-screen video cone matrix. I think there's another word you guys use.  Jay Leedy: We call it an orchestration, but yeah, it'd be a mosaic or a configuration of multi-canvas screens that, in some cases, we're seeing incorporated with other visual merchandising elements or other artwork elements in hospitality applications, for example. You might like static, traditional artwork and imagery interspersed with dynamic elements that are part of Videri. The entire wall can very easily be mapped, and content pushed and split across the displays so that it makes sense visually without a lot of hardware to deliver that, and I think that's really a unique element of our software.  Yeah, and I like the ability to mix and match squares and rectangles display canvases and I know Samsung had a square product years ago, and it came and went because they like to sell hundreds of thousands, not thousands of units, but it came back with this and because manufacturers in Asia are now able to natively manufacture square things instead of cutting a rectangle and turning it into a square, redoing the electronics and costing a lot of money.  Jay Leedy: Yeah, the run rate on our square product versus the other ones is probably not as high, to be fair, but those unique shapes and, I think, more specifically, smaller form factors, the lighter weight, the bezels are only probably about three quarters of an inch thick. The fact that they're low-voltage offers a lot of flexibility. We've got a shop fitter or a point-of-purchase display manufacturer in Germany that's developed a unique bracket that allows these displays to be moved around in their modular system. The entire system is powered with low voltage.  It's a company called Visplay, and they've done some really interesting stuff. These powered, essentially track systems or grids have ports, and the brackets are designed to automatically pick up power as soon as they do. Once they hit the Wi-Fi, they just start playing content again. So it gives the retailer or the shop fitter a lot of modularity, and they don't have to get a technician on-site to make these changes. It's something that they can do with store staff and that's really appealing as well.  That's interesting. I've been doing a lot of reading and paying a lot of attention to the whole retail media networks landscape of late because it's obviously got a lot of traction, even though much of the spending now is not in the store but billboards and online, but it's going that way and I've said and heard from people that it's not going to be a second wave of stores, putting big ass LCD displays on every available surface like it maybe was in the 2010s when athletic wear retailers, in particular, were doing that.  It's going to have to be smaller displays and interesting displays that fit into the design and are designed from the start or ones that don't get in the way of merchandising. Jay Leedy: Yeah, exactly. I think we've seen that in various gestations over the last several years, especially in consumer packaged goods, brands will incorporate digital elements as part of a turnkey fixture package. It's one of the things I was working on with Diversified prior to the pandemic, and unfortunately, the pandemic killed the momentum on a project that was really promising for us. But it was in partnership with Westrock, and the idea was that, as Diversified, we would be the integrator and managed service provider to support design, build, and ultimately manage and service these things once deployed. Westrock designed the fixture and also what they called kit packing. So they brought in inventory from their partner at the time, GlaxoSmithKline. They fully merchandised a display fitted with graphics and then added our digital elements with an LTE modem cradle point. As soon as the store personnel received it, which they wielded into place, they didn't have to have a technician. Essentially, they had a turnkey solution that, as soon as it was plugged in, called home and had a range of content that would be played based on a number of parameters. There was an integrated camera.  So, I think there's a really appealing turnkey solution that doesn't have to rely on the retailer's data infrastructure, which is usually fairly constrained. This gives the brands a lot more freedom for placement but a lot more control over execution as well as the ability to, as you rightly said, put digital in places where you wouldn't expect it, and that's a hallmark of our approach, right? These smaller screens are unique form factors that are less obtrusive and don't detract from the merchandising but actually can complement it, and you're right, I think retail media networks will manifest in that way so that it's not an afterthought. It's not a screen that's hanging from the ceilings left in front of the end cap, but it's actually integrated into the end cap or into the merchandising fixture or what have you. So it really does the job of carrying the brand message, and I think there's a lot of appeal there, especially in lifestyle brands. Especially for a product where, through our orchestration, we could draw attention to an entire category or shop within a store rather than just having individual merchandising fixtures, each with its own message. The adoption barrier that I've encountered when I've talked to brands about this, what you were just describing is they like it, but they only need it for six weeks or four weeks or some defined campaign term, and even though they may be a big CPG brand with all kinds of products they're so siloed that you couldn't just say, “This shampoo digital fixture could be a body lotion fixture for round two, and you could share it across different ones.” They'd say, “Yeah, but that would never happen.”  Jay Leedy: Yeah, that was actually the concept of the one that we were working on with Westrock and GlaxoSmithKline. So the idea was that it'd be a seasonal product that was focused on at the time, Flonase and Claritin, and then once the season for allergies was over, they would pivot to another product that was better suited to the next season. That was exactly the concept. I think you're right. There is a seasonality to these activities, but the beauty of digital is that you can effectively reskin these things and repurpose them. So long as you have an intelligent design and the rest of the fixture to accommodate a range of products, and basically send in another kit of graphics and merchandise to correspond with that in partnership with a kit packer like Westrock. You can clarify your role with Sony, which you were there for two or three years, I think. But what I found intriguing now that you're not there is that your gig was basically developing partnerships for Sony to use its smart displays. When you started, there were, I think, one or two, maybe, and by the time you left, I think you were past 80 different partners.  So you had this unique perspective of talking to a whole bunch of CMS software companies about what they had and analyzing whether there was a fit, and I'm just curious, having seen all these different ones and now somewhat detached from them, what your impression? Are they all the same, which is, I think what most people would think?  Jay Leedy: Yeah, I was there for three and a half years, and you're right. When I came on, there was exactly one product that had gone through any kind of formal due diligence or QA, and so my program was really about building out that ecosystem with some formalities and processes, and I was fortunate enough to talk to and onboard roughly 90 different technologies that were, I'd say maybe 70% of those were digital signage and the rest were spread between unified communications or AV over IP as a software-defined solution. We also had a range of telemetry and UCC solutions as well. I think I had exposure to roughly 140 companies or so. On the CMS front, I know Invidus recently did a report that you commented on in your blog as well, and you're not wrong, for the most part, a lot of CMS platforms, at their core, do the same thing. The difference is how they do it. For me, the flexibility in their architecture, as I mentioned earlier, the idea of progressive web apps that decouple some of the real differentiation early in the market, that was an all-in-one solution with device management, has kind of evolved to the point where customers want flexibility and deciding and decoupling that device management from CMS but there's also, I think, the extent to which these companies have invested in APIs and manage those APIs and other data connectors and understand interoperability sets them apart.  I think for me, with Videri and our clear focus on retail and creative agencies and optimizing and enabling workflows that would be API dependent, as well as a cloud-based SaaS that has the flexibility to be able to grow and evolve, in that direction, that was what was appealing for me. It's not to say that Videri was the only one with all those marks ticked in their offering, but as we talked about earlier, had some other organizational considerations that really were the determining factor for me coming over here. Without naming names or anything, did you see companies that were clearly more advanced versus ones that were maybe building on something that they've had for many years, and they're just incrementally bolting new capability onto an existing software stack?  Jay Leedy: Yeah, absolutely. I think it's true for any company in the tech space that, at some point, you have to acknowledge that your technical debt load is too much and completely re-architect the solution. We've seen that happen with a number of companies in our space. There are a number of others that continue to struggle with that technical debt and architecture that just doesn't lend itself to meeting the expectations of the market.  Were you recommending the key things that, whether you're a solutions partner or an end user, they should look for if they want to be future-proofed and really modern?  Jay Leedy: First and foremost, these days, it's an API-first strategy. We need to ensure that There's a robust enough set of APIs to enable baseline telemetry and interoperability with a number of other API-first solutions. I think about, in particular, what's happening with digital transformation in large consultancies like Accenture, EY, and Deloitte. A lot of those hinge on moving from on-premise to cloud-based solutions for a range of business applications.  If anybody listening to this podcast is using Office 365, for example, there are a number of third-party solutions that plug into those, obviously with a fee involved. However, to enable that, you have to have the right architecture, and digital signage isn't that different.  We talk a little bit in this industry about headless and the idea of headless means, I think, escapes some people. I think the idea of no or low code development also, I think, escapes some people, but both of those are similar in that they enable. A much lower cost of entry to get a lot more functionality because the architecture is built in such a way that it can just essentially plug in like a Lego, and you can create building blocks that are predefined, versus having to have a linear development approach that can be really cost intensive. Yeah, I was on a call yesterday, and it was interesting. They were talking very much about that. From my perspective, if you have a solution that has a distinct login and you have to do everything digital signage through that login, with no real hooks into anything else, that's a big challenge, particularly for larger organizations that want to use one tool set.  It's going to push out to whatever the endpoint is and whatever that endpoint is communicating. Jay Leedy: Yeah, and also just thinking about all the different ways content can be generated now. There's been a lot of buzz around generative AI, but the rules for content and distribution largely have been in most of these CMS platforms for a long time. But a means of automating those rules and creating if this, then that scenario or ingesting data that can then drive outcomes and content. that's not necessarily core to a lot of those platforms, or leveraging API calls directly from digital asset management tools and leveraging all of the metadata tagging logic that is built into those, and pulling those directly into the content strategy also necessarily isn't native to a lot of CMS platforms. So I think those are all kinds of key things to consider when making a selection or at least knowing, if it's possible downstream, should your company mature to the point where they want to leverage those types of tools.  If people want to catch up with you and talk about what you're doing with Videri, I know they can find you online, obviously, but you'll be at Infocomm?  Jay Leedy: I will be at Infocomm and the Digital Signage Federation mixer in Tampa in about two weeks. Either way, I'd love to see you and continue the conversation.  All right, Jay. It's great to catch up.  Jay Leedy: Great to see you as well, Dave.

For our April episode, co-hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby were live at the Spring 2024 Supply Chain Forum speaking with Peter Anderson, chief supply chain officer for WestRock, and Jeff DiLullo, chief region leader for Philips North America.Both Anderson and DiLullo are senior industry leaders and members of the GSCI Advisory Board. Together with our hosts, they discuss all aspects of sustainability in the supply chain, including carbon footprint, scope emissions, regulatory practices and their influence, technological innovations, and more. The episode was recorded live at the Marriott Knoxville Downtown on April 10, 2024. Watch the video of the episode. Related links: U.S. economy adds 303,000 jobs in March, unemployment down to 3.8% Inventory expansion, more efficient us of warehousing and transportation drive economic activity in logistics sector Inflation remains a concern as March consumer prices come in above expectations Manufacturing activity contracts in February following 2.5 years of growth Sustainability at WestRock Sustainability at Philips Professor Alex Scott talks sustainable logistics and future-proofing supply chains on the Sustainable Supply Chain podcast Become a Supply Chain Forum member Subscribe to GSCI's monthly newsletter Read the latest news and insights from GSCI 

Best ESG ETFs, Carbon Capture Stocks, More… Includes SRI ETFs, sustainable carbon capture stocks, analysis on Enphase or Plug Power?   By Ron Robins, MBA Transcript & Links, Episode 128, April 19, 2024 Hello, Ron Robins here. So, welcome to this podcast episode 128 titled “Best ESG ETFs, Carbon Capture Stocks, More…” It's presented by Investing for the Soul. Investingforthesoul.com is your site for vital global ethical and sustainable investing mentoring, news, commentary, information, and resources. Now, remember that you can find a full transcript, and links to content – including stock symbols and bonus material – on this episode's podcast page located at investingforthesoul.com/podcasts. Also, a reminder. I do not evaluate any of the stocks or funds mentioned in these podcasts, nor do I receive any compensation from anyone covered in these podcasts. Furthermore, I will reveal to you any personal investments I have in the investments mentioned herein. Additionally, quotes about individual companies are brief. Please go to this podcast's webpage for links to the actual articles for more company and stock information. Also, some companies might be covered more than once and there are also 4 article links below that time didn't allow me to review them here. ------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Best ESG ETFs, Carbon Capture Stocks, More… It's been a while since I included an article focusing on ESG ETFs, so here's one from a good publication that just appeared on aol.com. It's titled Best ESG ETFs: Top funds for socially responsible investing. It's by Brian Baker at The Banker. Here are some quotes from the article. “1) Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV) The Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF tries to match the performance of the FTSE U.S. All Cap Choice Index and screens for certain ESG criteria. Certain companies in the following industries are excluded from the fund: adult entertainment, alcohol, fossil fuels, gambling, nuclear power, tobacco and weapons. 5-year return (annualized): 14.6 percent Expense ratio: 0.09 percent 2) iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) The iShares Global Clean Energy ETF seeks to track the performance of an index of global stocks from the clean energy sector. These companies produce energy from renewable sources such as solar and wind. 5-year return (annualized): 8.0 percent Expense ratio: 0.41 percent 3) iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF (SUSL) The iShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF gives investors exposure to large- and mid-cap stocks that score highly on ESG issues relative to their sector peers. The fund avoids holding companies with low ESG ratings or severe controversies. 3-year return (annualized): 11.5 percent Expense ratio: 0.10 percent 4) Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF (NULV) The Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF uses a passive approach to invest in large-cap companies with value characteristics that also meet certain ESG criteria. 5-year return (annualized): 7.9 percent Expense ratio: 0.26 percent 5) SPDR S&P 500 Fossil Fuel Reserves Free ETF (SPYX) The SPDR S&P 500 Fossil Fuel Reserves Free ETF gives investors focused on climate change exposure to the S&P 500 while eliminating companies that own fossil fuel reserves. It's a great choice if you're looking for fairly traditional investment exposure with a slight focus on climate change. 5-year return (annualized): 14.4 percent Expense ratio: 0.20 percent 6) iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF (SDG) The iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF seeks to track the performance of an index made up of companies that derive the majority of their revenue from products and services that address at least one of the world's major social and environmental challenges as defined by the United Nations. 5-year return (annualized): 7.1 percent Expense ratio: 0.49 percent 7) iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) The iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF tracks the results of an index of U.S. companies with ESG features that show a similar risk and return profile as the overall MSCI USA Index. The fund includes large- and mid-cap U.S. stocks, and those looking for exposure to high-performing stocks with an ESG-bent may find what they're looking for here. 5-year return (annualized): 14.2 percent Expense ratio: 0.15 percent” End quotes. ------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Best ESG ETFs, Carbon Capture Stocks, More… Now carbon capture has been gaining increasing attention as a means to reduce CO2. Hence, this article might interest many of you. It's titled TOP 5 CARBON CAPTURE STOCKS FOR SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENT. It's by the Ritz Herald and found on their site at ritzherald.com. Here are some quotes from the article commenting on some of the leading companies in this sector. “Carbon capture technology has emerged as a promising avenue for mitigating the impact of greenhouse gasses on the environment… Research shows that the carbon capture market is predicted to hit $7.7 billion by 2025, further emphasizing the potential for growth in this sector. With governments worldwide implementing stricter regulations on emissions and offering incentives for carbon capture initiatives, the market is ripe for investment… The top five carbon capture stocks identified herein not only offer potential returns for investors but also contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future for generations to come. 1) Dotz is a leading nanotechnology company traded on the ASX [Australian Securities Exchange], is at the forefront of innovation with its carbon-based nanotechnologies… Dotz's primary focus is on DotzEarth, a revolutionary CO2 capture carbon-based sorbent technology designed for industrial decarbonization, which addresses two major environmental challenges – 1) industrial carbon emissions and 2) plastic pollution. 2) Aker Carbon Capture is a specialized enterprise dedicated to carbon capture, offering an array of solutions, services, and technologies tailored for various industries. These encompass sectors such as cement, bioenergy, waste-to-energy, gas-to-power, and blue hydrogen… Its distinctive post-combustion capture technology is the culmination of an extensive eight-year research and development endeavor known as SOLVit. Throughout this program, numerous solvent mixtures were meticulously tested and compared to refine the innovation. The resulting plants boast several key advantages, including minimal energy demands, a highly durable solvent, and outstanding performance in health, safety, security, and environment (HSSE) metrics. 3) FuelCell Energy delivers efficient, affordable, and environmentally friendly solutions for energy supply, recovery, and storage… These systems cater to utilities, industrial entities, and large municipal power users, offering a diverse range of solutions including utility-scale power generation, on-site power, carbon capture, local hydrogen production for transportation and industry, and long-duration energy storage… 4) Equinor is a global energy enterprise dedicated to fostering lasting value creation in a future characterized by low-carbon initiatives… As a key player on the Norwegian continental shelf and with substantial international operations, Equinor is deeply involved in the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas resources, alongside expanding interests in wind and solar power. 5) Delta CleanTech has been at the forefront of delivering state-of-the-art technology for pre/post-combustion CO2 capture from industrial sources since 2004… Central to Delta's portfolio is its CO2 capture system, known as Low-Cost Design or LCDesign®. This innovative system is designed to significantly reduce various key parameters, including CAPEX & OPEX (CO2 Cost), emissions, effluent, waste, chemical, and water consumption, as well as plant size and labor requirements.” End quotes. ------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Best ESG ETFs, Carbon Capture Stocks, More… The next article appeared on the renowned Morningstar.com site. It's titled 2 Sustainable Index Stocks With Room to Grow and is by Muskaan Hemrajani and Leslie P. Norton. Here's a little of what they said about their picks. “WestRock and Carnival surged in 2023 but still look cheap today… That's our conclusion after perusing the Morningstar US Sustainability Index, which seeks to reduce ESG risk while tracking the Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap Index… 1) WestRock WRK  Morningstar Rating: 3 Stars Fair Value: $55.00 ESG Risk Rating: Medium Price (as of April 8, 2024): $49.25 WestRock manufactures corrugated packaging and consumer packaging products, such as folding cartons and paperboard. It accounts for roughly 20% of the North American containerboard market and is the second-largest producer. The company has returned nearly 60% in the past year… Spencer Liberman, Morningstar equity analyst, writes: ‘WestRock is exposed to some environmental, social, and governance risks, including carbon emissions from the firm's operation and sizable water usage for production. However, we don't believe these risks could result in material value destruction.' 2) Carnival CCL Morningstar Rating: 5 Stars Fair Value: $27.50 ESG Risk Rating: Medium Price (as of April 8, 2024): $15.66 Carnival is trading at a 45% discount. Carnival is the largest global cruise company, with 92 ships in service at the end of fiscal 2023. Carnival's brands attracted nearly 13 million guests in 2019, prior to covid-19, a level it has reached again in 2023… Writes Jamie Katz, equity analyst at Morningstar, in a report. ‘Carnival's first-quarter performance suggests continuing demand momentum. Net yields were up 18%, helped by an 11% increase in occupancy, along with ticket and onboard gains.'” End quotes. ------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Best ESG ETFs, Carbon Capture Stocks, More… Many of you are likely invested in the stocks covered in this next article titled Enphase Energy vs. Plug Power: Which Alternative Energy Stock Does Wall Street Like Best? It's by Ebube Jones at Barcharts and found on theglobeandmail.com site. Now some quotes from the article. “The Case for Enphase Energy Stock (ENPH) With a market cap of $16 billion, Enphase Energy is a big name in the solar energy game. They're all about making solar power more efficient and user-friendly, offering tech like microinverters and energy storage systems to both homeowners and business customers… At current levels… Enphase stock is priced at a discount… Out of 34 analysts… Enphase has landed a ‘moderate buy' rating overall… The average target price is pegged at $125.38, suggesting a potential 4.4% upside from here.  The Case for Plug Power Stock (PLUG) Plug Power is making waves in the hydrogen and fuel cell tech scene, focusing on creating hydrogen fuel cell systems that could replace the usual batteries in electric-powered equipment and vehicles. They've got a lineup of tech that includes fuel cells, hydrogen fueling stations, and even their own green hydrogen production.  Wall Street's take on Plug Power is a cautious ‘hold.' The average target price for PLUG is $5.30, about 79% north of current levels.  The Verdict: Enphase Edges Out Plug Power Enphase Energy seems to be the Wall Street favorite of these two clean energy stocks… Plug Power, on the other hand, is stuck at a ‘hold,' and has yet to turn a profit… But, keep an eye on Plug Power too - if they can get those hydrogen plants up and running and start turning a profit, they could be a serious contender in the longer haul.” End quotes. ------------------------------------------------------------- 5. Best ESG ETFs, Carbon Capture Stocks, More… I'm going to end with this article titled Al Gore's Hedge Fund Loves This $445 Billion Stock. It's by the Motley Fool and seen on theglobeandmail.com. “Al Gore, the former U.S. vice president, co-founded Generation Investment Management in 2004. Today, the firm manages nearly $50 billion, all of which is directed to investments that the firm believes won't destroy the planet… Where is Al Gore's investment firm putting money to work today? One of its biggest investments -- a stake worth roughly $560 million -- is in a company nearly everyone knows well: Mastercard (NYSE: MA)… During the past two decades, Mastercard stock has risen more than 10,000% in value… Gore's firm has owned Mastercard stock since the second quarter of 2022. Don't be surprised to still see it in the portfolio many years down the road.” End quotes. ------------------------------------------------------------- Other Honorable Mentions – not in any order 1) Title: How First Solar Crushed Its Solar Energy Rivals on finance.yahoo.com. By Travis Hoium, The Motley Fool. 2) Title: 4 Alternative Energy Stocks to Buy Buoyed by Solid Investments on finance.yahoo.com. By Aparajita Dutta. 3) Title: 3 Renewable Energy Stocks to Ride the Mega Trend Higher on investorplace.com. By Terel Miles. 4) Title: Wall Street Favorites: 3 Renewable Energy Stocks With Strong Buy Ratings for April 2024 on investorplace.com. By Faizan Farooque. ------------------------------------------------------------- Ending Comment Well, these are my top news stories with their stock and fund tips -- for this podcast titled: “Best ESG ETFs, Carbon Capture Stocks, More…” Now, please be sure to click the like and subscribe buttons on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you download or listen to this podcast. That helps bring these podcasts to others like you. And please click the share buttons to share this podcast with your friends and family. Let's promote ethical and sustainable investing as a force for hope and prosperity in these deeply troubled times! Contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for listening. I'll talk to you next on May 3rd. Bye for now.   © 2024 Ron Robins, Investing for the Soul

Get caught up on the latest news from around the pulp and paper world in our weekly program, including updates from Georgia-Pacific, WestRock, Smurfit Kappa, International Paper, DS Smith, Mondi, West Fraser, Sonoco, Paper Excellence, Metsä, Canfor and more.  Available on iTunes Listen live at 6 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 14 April 2024, or anytime afterward. nipimpressions.com

Find Chris on LinkedInWestRock SustainabilityGet the dopest Packaging shirts at www.packagingfashion.comBook a demo with SpecrightBook a demo with Trayak (LCA's on demand!)SmartSolve has water soluble label and paper materials. Learn more!The Scrapp App is going to revolutionize home and corporate recycling. Download for your device today!Meyers Sustainable Packaging Guide eBookLabl - NEWEST sponsor and much more to come! eCommerce companies NEED to see what they're doing.About the Guest(s):Chris Davidson is the Vice President of Sustainability at WestRock, one of the world's leading packaging companies. With a career deeply rooted in the forest products and packaging industry, Davidson has climbed the ranks from a forester managing land resources to spearheading sustainability directives at a global level. In his current role, he expands on WestRock's commitments to sustainability, with a significant focus on innovating alternatives to plastic packaging and reducing the company's carbon footprint.Episode Summary:Welcome to an engaging episode of the People of Packaging podcast featuring the knowledgeable Chris Davidson, VP of Sustainability at Westrock. Your host, Adam Peek, navigates a riveting discussion around the evolution of paper-based packaging solutions and the industry's push towards eco-friendly alternatives. Davidson and Peek touch upon the company's innovative strides in replacing single-use plastics and their recent achievements in carbon emission reductions.In the course of the podcast, Davidson elaborates on WestRock's sustainability pillars centered on serving communities, prioritizing the planet, and creating innovative solutions for customers. Highlights of WestRock's portfolio, such as CanCollar®, a paperboard solution replacing plastic rings, and EverGrow™, a sustainable alternative for produce containers, reinforce the company's dedication to green initiatives. The conversation underscores the adaptability of the packaging industry during the pandemic, demonstrating heightened consumer awareness and corporate responsibility towards sustainable practices.Key Takeaways:* Chris Davidson discusses the shift in operations and focus on sustainability for WestRock during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting an increase in e-commerce and paper packaging demand.* WestRock's innovation in sustainable packaging includes CanCollar®, an eco-friendly substitute for plastic can rings, and EverGrow™ for produce, strengthening the company's eco-conscious portfolio.* Consumer familiarity with recycling paper products helps drive the adoption of paper-based packaging solutions, showcasing the practical and environmental benefits.* Davidson emphasizes WestRock's ongoing commitment to decarbonization, including the partnership with Éngie through virtual power purchase agreements to reduce scope 2 emissions.* The podcast reveals the potential for further innovations with WestRock's adaptable packaging machinery and automation solutions that enhance operational efficiency.Notable Quotes:* "The way you described it, you know, it's true. You know, paper cannot do everything. Plastic has its place and is much better than paper in some situations."* "…and then others who are just like, well, I don't really understand this whole recycling. Probably I should just throw it away. But as you said, if it's a can, if it's paper, most people go, yeah, this is going to be recycled. I'll put it in."* "We're happy to work with folks. We've done many, I guess you could call them sort of Kaizen kind of events where we've brought in folks and we've talked about an issue, a problem that they're having, and we're able to help them…"Resources:Tune in to the full episode to hear the comprehensive discussion on the strides being made in the packaging industry towards sustainability, and stay up to date with the People of Packaging podcast for more insightful conversations. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.packagingisawesome.com/subscribe

Get caught up on the latest news from around the pulp and paper world in our weekly program, including updates from DS Smith, WestRock, Domtar, Pixelle, Mohawk, Imperial Dade, Suzano, Metsä and more.  Available on iTunes Listen live at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, 3 March 2024, or anytime afterward. nipimpressions.com

When late International President Tom Conway took the helm of the USW in July 2019, he made a promise that his administration would work to reduce or eliminate tiered wage and benefit systems in union contracts. Many USW locals have heeded late President Conway's call and made great strides in eliminating these tiered systems in recent years. Today we're talking with USW Vice president Luis Mendoza about how members in the paper sector have done just that, including workers at WestRock, America's second-largest packaging company. We're also talking with Chris Frydenger, who works at a brass foundry in Illinois, about how his local was able to beat back a two-tier system implemented in 2016.

Get caught up on the latest news from around the pulp and paper world in our weekly program, including updates from WestRock, Paper Excellence, GPI, UPM, Canfor and more.  Available on iTunes Listen live at 6 p.m. EST Sunday, 21 January 2024, or anytime afterward. globalpapermoney.com   nipimpressions.com

Morrilton, Conway County road crews still contending with snowy streets; UACCM still has some 60th anniversary celebrations to come; Westrock facility construction updates; new program offers adult high school diplomas; we talk with Dale Gifford of Conway County Regional Water about a critical water shortage.

In a special episode of The Economics of Everyday Things, host Zachary Crockett explains what millennials do to show they care, how corrugated cardboard keeps your food warm, and why every city has a billboard for a guy who calls himself “The Hammer.” SOURCES:Jason Abraham, managing partner of Hupy & Abraham.Nora Engstrom, professor at Stanford Law School.Kyle Hebenstreit, C.E.O. of Practice Made Perfect.Patrick Kivits, president of corrugated packaging at WestRock.Mia Mercado, writer and former editor at Hallmark.Eric Nelson, green business program manager for Johnson County, Kansas.Scott Wiener, founder of Scott's Pizza Tours.George White, president of Up With Paper and former president of the American Greeting Card Association. RESOURCES:34th Louie Awards - Finalists & Winners, (2022-2023)."Personal Injury Settlement Amounts Examples (2024 Guide)," by Jeffrey Johnson (Forbes Advisor, 2022)."Who Is the Fastest Pizza Box Folder?! World Pizza Games 2021," video by The Laughing Lion (2021)."Season's (and Other...) Greetings," by Maria Ricapito (Marie Claire, 2020)."Scott's Pizza Chronicles: A Brief History of the Pizza Box," by Scott Wiener (Serious Eats, 2018)."Apple Patented a Pizza Box, for Pizzas," by Jacob Kastrenakes (The Verge, 2017)."Hallmark Greeting Cards Have Adjusted to the Digital Revolution," by Trent Gillies (CNBC, 2017)."We Eat 100 Acres of Pizza a Day in the U.S.," by Lenny Bernstein (The Washington Post, 2015)."Low Ball: An Insider's Look at How Some Insurers Can Manipulate Computerized Systems to Broadly Underpay Injury Claims," by Mark Romano and J. Robert Hunter (Consumer Federation of America, 2012)."A Century of Change in Personal Injury Law," by Stephen D. Sugarman (UC Berkeley Public Law Research Paper, 2000).Pizza Tiger, by Thomas Monaghan (1986).Bates v. State Bar of Arizona, in the Supreme Court of Arizona (1977).

Get caught up on the latest news from around the pulp and paper world in our weekly program, including updates from Smurfit Kappa, WestRock, Weyerhaeuser, Georgia-Pacific and more.  Available on iTunes Listen live at 6 p.m. EST on Sunday, 31 Dec 2023, or anytime afterward. globalpapermoney.com   nipimpressions.com

Get caught up on the latest news from around the pulp and paper world in our weekly program, including updates from Georgia-Pacific, WestRock, West Fraser, International Paper, Pratt Industries, UFP, Mondi and more.  Available on iTunes Listen live at 6 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 24 September 2023, or anytime afterward. globalpapermoney.com   nipimpressions.com

Get caught up on the latest news from around the pulp and paper world in our weekly program, including updates from WestRock, Smurfit Kappa, Pratt Industries, Sofidel, Pixelle, Georgia-Pacific, Billerud, Canfor and more.  Available on iTunes Listen live at 6 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 17 September 2023, or anytime afterward. globalpapermoney.com   nipimpressions.com

With operations peppered across Virginia, WestRock is in merger talks with Ireland's Smurfit Kappa that could create a paper and packaging company worth twenty billion dollars. Roben Farzad, host of Public Radio's Full Disclosure, and Craig Wright talk about history, future, and big business of paper in The Commonwealth.

Get caught up on the latest news from around the pulp and paper world in our weekly program, including updates from WestRock, Smurfit Kappa, Pratt Industries, International Paper, Domtar, SCA, West Fraser Timber and more.  Available on iTunes Listen live at 6 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 10 September 2023, or anytime afterward. globalpapermoney.com   nipimpressions.com

Get caught up on the latest news from around the pulp and paper world in our weekly program, including updates from WestRock, Western Pulp, ArborGen, Paper Excellence, Ahlstrom, 3M, PCA, Nippon Dynawave, Glatfelter, UPM and more.  Available on iTunes Listen live at 6 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 20 August 2023, or anytime afterward. globalpapermoney.com   nipimpressions.com

In this video, we'll perform an EPD stock analysis and figure out what Enterprise Products Partners Company looks like based on the numbers. We'll also try to figure out what a reasonable fair intrinsic value is for WestRock. And answer is Enterprise Products Partners one of the best stocks to buy at the current price? Find out in the video above! Global Value's Enterprise Products Partners stock analysis. TIKR is the website I use for all financial data in my videos. Join me and thousands of investors worldwide by using TIKR to supercharge your investment analysis. All funds from referrals directly support the channel to improve video quality! Referral link - https://www.tikr.com/globalvalue Check out Seeking Alpha Premium and score a 14-day free trial. Plus all funds from affiliate referrals go directly towards supporting the channel! Affiliate link - https://www.sahg6dtr.com/H4BHRJ/R74QP/ If you'd like to try Sharesight, please use my referral link to support the channel! https://www.sharesight.com/globalvalue (remember you get 4 months free if you sign up for an annual subscription!) Discover new investing resources and directly support the channel by shopping my Amazon storefront! All commissions are reinvested to improve the quality of videos! https://www.amazon.com/shop/globalvalue #EnterpriseProductsPartners #EPD #EPDstock #EnterpriseProductsPartnersstock #stockmarket #dividend #stocks #investing #valueinvesting #dividendstocks #investor #valueinvestor #stockanalysis #dividend #dividends #dividendstocks2023 #energystocks #oilstocks #oilandgas #oil #ngl (Recorded July 17, 2023) ❖ MUSIC ❖ ♪ "Lift" Artist: Andy Hu License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 ➢ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode ➢ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQCuf...

In this video, we'll perform a WRK stock analysis and figure out what WestRock Company looks like based on the numbers. We'll also try to figure out what a reasonable fair intrinsic value is for WestRock. And answer is WestRock one of the best stocks to buy at the current price? Find out in the video above! Global Value's WestRock stock analysis. TIKR is the website I use for all financial data in my videos. Join me and thousands of investors worldwide by using TIKR to supercharge your investment analysis. All funds from referrals directly support the channel to improve video quality! Referral link - https://www.tikr.com/globalvalue Check out Seeking Alpha Premium and score a 14-day free trial. Plus all funds from affiliate referrals go directly towards supporting the channel! Affiliate link - https://www.sahg6dtr.com/H4BHRJ/R74QP/ If you'd like to try Sharesight, please use my referral link to support the channel! https://www.sharesight.com/globalvalue (remember you get 4 months free if you sign up for an annual subscription!) Discover new investing resources and directly support the channel by shopping my Amazon storefront! All commissions are reinvested to improve the quality of videos! https://www.amazon.com/shop/globalvalue WestRock ($WRK) | WestRock Stock Fundamental Analysis | WestRock Stock Dividend Analysis | WestRock Dividend Analysis | $WRK Dividend Analysis | WestRock Fair Value | WRK Intrinsic Value | WRK Fair Value | WestRock Intrinsic Value | WestRock Discounted Cash Flow Model | WestRock DCF Analysis | WRK Discounted Cash Flow Analysis | WRK DCF Model #WestRock #WRK #WRKstock #WestRockstock #WestRockcompany #stockmarket #dividend #stocks #investing #valueinvesting #dividendstocks #dividendkings #investor #valueinvestor #stockanalysis #dividend #dividends #dividendstocks2023 (Recorded July 9, 2023) ❖ MUSIC ❖ ♪ "Lift" Artist: Andy Hu License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 ➢ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode ➢ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQCuf...

Get caught up on the latest news from around the pulp and paper world in our weekly program, including updates from Paper Excellence, Sustana, WestRock, Mativ, Resolute, Essity, DS Smith, UPM, Suzano and more.  Available on iTunes Listen live at 6 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 6 August 2023, or anytime afterward. globalpapermoney.com   nipimpressions.com

Get caught up on the latest news from around the pulp and paper world in our weekly program, including updates from Paper Excellence, Pactiv Evergreen, WestRock, DS Smith, Ahlstrom, UPM, Sappi, Mercer International, Essity and more.  Available on iTunes Listen live at 6 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 30 July 2023, or anytime afterward. globalpapermoney.com   nipimpressions.com

On this episode we are joined by Kevin Hudson, Senior Vice President of Forest Resources & Recycle Fiber at WestRock, to discuss their process of developing paper and packaging solutions. Kevin guides us through sourcing, manufacturing, converting and even recovering of the WestRock's fiber products and we learn how important the circular economy is the world of paper and packaging. WestRock (NYSE: WRK) is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions, with more than 50,000 teammates in the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Their integrated packaging capabilities offer end-to-end solutions to help customers address their greatest challenges and Circular Economy is huge part of WestRock's operations and strategy.

Recorded June 2nd 2023   The hard tech corridor extends from Indianapolis to Lafayette and is expected to spur of wave of investment in everything from advanced manufacturing to life sciences.  At the center of it all is the 4,000 acre LEAP District in Lebanon which has already won a multi-billion dollar commitment from Eli Lilly.  As a VC investor, startup mentor and ecosystem builder in the hard tech space, Nida is the perfect guest to bring us up to speed on this huge development in the Hoosier state! Nida's Book Recommendations:  Burn Rate by Andy Dunn Being Mortal by Atul Gawande When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi Hard Tech Links: Forbes: Hard Tech Corridor in the Heartland Indiana Chamber: Indiana Poised to Become Home to Hard Tech Corridor Karmic Partners Twitter LinkedIn Connect with Nida: LinkedIn Twitter 2023 IBJ Forty Under 40 Pack Away Hunger Donations Guest Bios Nida has been in Indiana since 2021 and is CEO of karmic partners, a consultancy that works with innovation districts, startups, and corporate innovation groups. Karmic hopes to help with ecosystem building in the midwest by helping to connect these groups to the resources they need. Most recently, she's worked in venture capital and set up an early-stage hardtech accelerator. Prior, Nida has also worked in strategy and innovation for companies like Georgia Pacific and Westrock. Her work has included managing P&L of product lines globally, leading engineering and operations teams to launch products for large multinationals, some of which are in upwards of 50+ countries.  Nida serves on multiple nonprofit boards including Pack Away Hunger and Immigrant Welcome Center (Treasurer). She also mentors for Techstars and Gener8tor, and is on the Technical Advisory Committee for NextCycle. Who are the hosts? Austin Crites, CFA: Austin is a past-president and current committee member of CFA Society Indianapolis. Professionally, he is the Chief Investment Officer at Aurora Financial Strategies where he manages US-focused, all-cap, style-agnostic equity strategies as the core of client portfolios. Austin is a 2008 graduate of Marian University in Indianapolis where he is now an adjunct professor in the Byrum School of Business. Matt Henry, CFA: Matt is a Senior Investment Officer at STAR Wealth Management. He is also a Past President and a director of CFA Society Indianapolis. When he's not managing porfolios, Matt teaches Finance 300 at Ball State University. He enjoys air conditioning, wi-fi, and the conveniences of indoor living.    

Morrilton man killed in weekend auto accident; hundreds of new jobs coming to Conway with Westrock expansion; former KVOM jock appears on new Dolly Parton album; LEARNS act delayed; police warn of phone scam; results from Morrilton Country Club 4-Ball.

Today's episode is a conversation with Peter Anderson, the Chief Supply Chain Office of WestRock, one of the largest paper and packaging companies globally. Our guest host is Angel Mendez, 30-year supply chain veteran, who sits on the Peloton board of directors and the Zero100 board. Together they discuss a strategic breakdown of how WestRock is making its supply chain more sustainable, applying digital technology, sharing more data, and rethinking supply chain education and leadership.

On today's show: 1. MUSC makes arrest in shooting; puts up metal detectors for extra security Thursday - https://abcnews4.com/news/local/musc-makes-arrest-in-shooting-puts-up-metal-detectors-for-extra-security-thursday-wciv-abc-news-4-charleston-county-medical-university-of-south-carolina-parking-garage 2. Alex Murdaugh changes his story on Satterfield's death in alleged insurance fraud lawsuit - https://abcnews4.com/newsletter-daily/alex-murdaugh-changes-his-story-on-satterfields-death-in-alleged-insurance-fraud-lawsuit-gloria-estate-dog-trip-fall-accident-colleton-county-housekeeper-nautilus-company-double-murder-maggie-paul-wciv 3. SC's 1st Four Seasons confirmed to replace Charleston budget motel - https://www.postandcourier.com/business/scs-1st-four-seasons-confirmed-to-replace-charleston-budget-motel/article_552dcb88-e83d-11ed-8909-77f57e9d418e.html 4. WestRock to shut down North Charleston paper mill - https://www.live5news.com/2023/05/02/westrock-shut-down-north-charleston-paper-mill/ This episode's music is by Tyler Boone (tylerboonemusic.com). The episode was produced by LMC Soundsystem.

Happy Holidays to all, especially workers fighting for a better world! We start this week's episode discussing the recent end of the largest strike of the year at UC as workers have ratified a new contract. Next we discuss a recent Reuters investigation that uncovered rampant use of child labor in auto manufacturing in Alabama. The lockout of workers at the WestRock paper mill (also in Alabama) has continued for months now with no end in sight, as local politicians have openly sided with the company. Nurses struck again last week across the UK, and were joined by ambulance drivers despite the use of the army as scabs. Trader Joe's workers have filed for a third union election in Louisville and are already facing union busting. NY workers including the ALU have forced the passage of a bill to make Amazon reveal the quotas they use to fire workers. Elon Musk is being sued for illegally firing workers yet again, this time at Tesla for daring to criticize him. Last month a university in Florida decided to stop recognizing their faculty union, and in a twist justified it by quoting the Bible. Finally, we've got a quick check-in with the Starbucks Workers United movement which notched its first win in Nevada this past week. Join the discord: discord.gg/tDvmNzX  Follow the pod at instagram.com/workstoppage, @WorkStoppagePod on Twitter,  John @facebookvillain, and Lina @solidaritybee

US futures are indicating a higher open as of 4:15 ET. European equity markets have started in the negative territory, following lower Asian trade. The US CPI data is in focus. Markets are already in risk-off mode, following a few sell-offs this year in the wake of hotter-than-expected inflation prints. The data comes as Fed officials increasingly give support for slowing the pace of tightening.Companies Mentioned: CBRE Group, Sonoco Products, Westrock, Amazon

On a day when Shopify and Comcast gave shareholders reasons for hope, Meta Platforms slid to its lowest level since 2016. (0:21) Andy Cross discusses: - Meta's worrisome R&D spending metric - Low expectations helping to fuel Shopify's rise - Comcast beating tough quarterly comps, thanks in part to the Minions (13:41)  Ricky Mulvey talks with Scott Ford, CEO of WestRock, a "brand behind the brands" coffee business serving up 20 million cups a day. Companies discussed: META, SHOP, CMCSA, WEST Host: Chris Hill Guest: Andy Cross, Scott Ford Producer: Ricky Mulvey Engineers: Dan Boyd, Rick Engdahl

Read the full transcript and show notes of this interview here: https://therealnews.com/"On the morning of Oct. 1... almost 500 union members from three United Steel Workers (USW) locals at WestRock's Mahrt Mill paper mill in Cottonton, Alabama, voted to reject a second contract offer from the company," Jacob Morrison recently reported for The Real News Network. "The refusal to ratify WestRock's 'last, best, and final' offer came as a result of the company insisting on removing contract language pertaining to what the workers there call 'penalties' for long hours. Members resoundingly rejected this contract, even though it included an unheard-of $28,000 ratification bonus—increased from an already staggering offer of $20,000, which workers already rejected on Sept. 21." Workers at WestRock's Mahrt Mill paper mill have been locked out by the company since early October and say they can't be bought off with bonuses for signing a contract that will ensure they have even less time for life outside of work. In this special guest-hosted episode, Morrison speaks with Mahrt Mill workers from the picket line about the lockout and their fight to get their lives back.Help us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer: Donate: https://therealnews.com/donate-podSign up for our newsletter: https://therealnews.com/newsletter-podLike us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/therealnewsFollow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/therealnews

"On the morning of Oct. 1... almost 500 union members from three United Steel Workers (USW) locals at WestRock's Mahrt Mill paper mill in Cottonton, Alabama, voted to reject a second contract offer from the company," Jacob Morrison recently reported for The Real News Network. "The refusal to ratify WestRock's 'last, best, and final' offer came as a result of the company insisting on removing contract language pertaining to what the workers there call 'penalties' for long hours. Members resoundingly rejected this contract, even though it included an unheard-of $28,000 ratification bonus—increased from an already staggering offer of $20,000, which workers already rejected on Sept. 21." Workers at WestRock's Mahrt Mill paper mill have been locked out by the company since early October and say they can't be bought off with bonuses for signing a contract that will ensure they have even less time for life outside of work. In this special guest-hosted episode, Morrison speaks with Mahrt Mill workers from the picket line about the lockout and their fight to get their lives back.  Additional links/info below... Jacob's Twitter page MAHRT USW LOCAL 0971 Facebook page The Valley Labor Report Twitter page, YouTube channel, and Patreon  Jacob Morrison, The Real News Network, "Alabama Paper Mill Workers Want Their Lives Back—And They're Giving Up $30,000 to Get It" Permanent links below... Working People Patreon page Leave us a voicemail and we might play it on the show! Labor Radio / Podcast Network website, Facebook page, and Twitter page In These Times website, Facebook page, and Twitter page The Real News Network website, YouTube channel, podcast feeds, Facebook page, and Twitter page Featured Music (all songs sourced from the Free Music Archive: freemusicarchive.org) Jules Taylor, "Working People Theme Song Jules Taylor - all other musical selections, available at soundcloud.com/lousy