The Metal Pack Pod

Introducing Larry Churchwell, President of DRT Holdings. Larry has held a number of senior management positions across the packaging sector, including as Global Marketing Manager for the Beverage Segment at Valspar, and Marketing and Portfolio Leader for its Equipment and Automation Division at Sealed Air Corporation. DRT Holdings is the pioneer in the development of the easy-open beverage and food packaging sector and has become a major supplier of easy-open systems, parts and tooling. Today, DRT consists of three divisions operating ten facilities in the US and Germany that employ over 600 people and serves a diverse range of markets. During this episode, Larry outlines the exciting new developments at DRT following acquisition, what sets DRT apart in the metal packaging sphere and he introduces its new strategic partnership with Meadow, which promises to bring true innovation into the personal care market.

In this latest episode of The Metal Pack Pod, we welcome Robert Nagtzaam onto the show!Robert speaks with us about Intralox's newly formed Consumer Packaged Goods team and the direction it's heading in, the origins of Intralox and its innovative technology and how Intralox has prepared for Metpack 2023.Before leading Intralox’s newly formed Global Consumer Packaged Goods team, Robert headed the Intralox Global Canmaking team for 6 years.Robert holds double bachelor’s and double master’s degrees in both International Business as well as in Law & Finance. He completed his studies at Tilburg University in the Netherlands.

In this episode of The Metal Pack Pod we are joined by Christina Kleinpaß, Head of Project Metpack and Oliver P. Kuhrt, CEO of Messe Essen, as we discuss the return of Metpack on 2-6 May after a 3 year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Oliver P. Kuhrt has been CEO of Messe Essen since January 2014. The proven marketing and trade fair expert previously held various executive positions at the Cologne exhibition centre for over ten years and can look back on many years of management experience in the international tourism and luxury hospitality industry.Christina Kleinpaß, a qualified advertising manager, has been part of the Messe Essen team since 1986. Initially, she worked as a project assistant for various trade and public fairs. From 1994, she was in charge of international B2B trade fairs as a project officer, including METPACK since 2010. In 2015, Christina Kleinpaß finally took over the project management of the world's leading trade fair. She has a great deal of industry know-how and is excellently networked within the metal packaging sector.

For this episode of The Metal Pack Pod, we welcome Luc Brantjes, Tata Steel’s packaging division director of sales, who is also APEAL’s new President.Elected unanimously by the Board and General Assembly of APEAL, Luc succeeds Viliam Gašpar of U.S. Steel Košice. His role as the 13th President of APEAL has been effective as of 1 January 2023During the episode, we discuss Luc’s ambitions for the role, and the challenges ahead for the association and the steel industry as a whole.

Joining the podcast is the Global Beverage Segment Manager for PPG Packaging Coatings, Dr. Robyn McMillan. Robyn brings a unique perspective to the packaging coatings business. Joining PPG in 1988 and working as a polymer research chemist for the first half of her career, she brings that scientific expertise to her current role, where she is responsible for growth, strategic planning, and brand owner outreach for the global beverage coatings segment. During the episode, we discuss the rapid evolution and innovation surrounding 2-piece beverage cans, and dive into Robyn’s thoughts on trends surrounding the metal packaging landscape.

We welcome Ben Grant, Managing Director of INX International Company in Europe, to the show. Recently we were fortunate to visit INX’s headquarters in the UK, where we were treated to a site visit and learnt about the company’s market leading innovations in the inks sector. During the conversation Ben informs the metal packager on the key trends in the inks market, and what it means to be a part of INX International Ink Co. (Europe) on its 30th anniversary! Whilst producing this episode, INX UK was recently awarded a silver medal for a Sustainability assessment conducted by EcoVadis. Founded in 2007, EcoVadis has become the world’s largest and most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings. This medal's recipients are recognised as among the top 25% of suppliers rated by the organisation.On 1 December, INX UK also won International Company of the Year Award at the recent Insider International Trade Awards 2022 - congratulations to the team!

In this latest podcast, we have industry experts Mark Smyth and Simon Jennings, discuss the latest pertinent issues within the industry. During the episode we discuss the Ball plant closures in the US, the advent of digital printing technology and more! Joining the show is regular guest Mark Smyth. Mark established his company MS Can Solutions in 2019, which is an independent packaging consultancy based in France. Prior to MS Can Solutions, his most recent position was with Ardagh Group as business development and marketing intelligence director, for metal and glass packaging. He is the author of The Future of Metal Packaging and Coatings to 2027, published March 2022. Our other guest is Simon Jennings of Nomis Consultancy. For 16 years he was employed by Rexam, where he was responsible for over 50 acquisitions, disposals and joint ventures. Since then he has been chairman of Pakistan Aluminium Beverage Company, chairman of GZI Industries and a non-executive director of Hulamin in South Africa.

We welcome Chris McKenzie, chief operations officer and chief marketing officer for SLAC International. During the conversation Chris shares his views on the latest industry developments including whether the aggressive growth we have seen in the beverage can sector is sustainable, and the on-going challenges to do with inflation and supply chain issues globally. Chris also shares some more information about the company’s innovations, including the advent of its Digital Mini Line technology, which is taking advantage of the growing trend in digital printing.

Scott Breen from Can Manufacturers Institute updates our listeners on The Global Aluminium Can Sustainability Summit. This event brought together more than 100 leaders from organisations globally across the aluminium beverage can value chain to operationalise the decarbonisation of aluminium produced for can sheet and generate transparent information on recycling and circularity.

Joining the podcast today is popular industry figure, Jack Knight. Jack is certainly a larger than life character, popular with the industry for his zest for life and the inks market. During the episode, we track Jack’s heritage within the industry and his take on some of the pertinent industry topics surrounding us at present.

We welcome Amy Ericson, PPG Senior Vice President, Packaging Coatings.Prior to joining PPG in 2018, Ericson was the president of SUEZ Chemical Monitoring and Solutions after SUEZ acquired General Electric’s Water Services Company in 2017, where she served as president. While at General Electric, Ericson helped lead the organization’s water purification efforts while managing the growth and profitability for the $1.2 billion business composed of over 2,700 employees.In her current role, Ericson is continuing her passion for mission-driven work with PPG in its efforts to “Protect and Beautify the World.”In today’s episode we talk to Amy about the issues of the day including supply chain challenges, employing good people, and women in metal packaging.We hope you enjoy the episode…

Joining us for this episode is Mark Williams, managing director of Greenbank Technology. Greenbank is one of the market leaders in the design, development and manufacture of “Two Piece Can Making Equipment – and specifically can ovens, washers and dryers” with over 650 installations in 45 countries. In this episode Mark has an exclusive for us, as we learn of an exciting new industry announcement.

Joining us is Mark Smyth, author of research company Smithers’ new report on the future of metal packaging and coatings. In the podcast, Mark explains the findings of Smithers’ recent report the Future of Metal Packaging and Coatings to 2027. A friend of the show, having been a guest in 2021, we discuss the latest findings from the report and examine the key variables involved as we move forward into the post pandemic can making world.

Joining the pod is Marc Hoche - Vice President/General Manager, CarnaudMetalbox Engineering.Marc is a mechanical engineer by trade, after serving 10 years in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, he then went on to work in heavy industry, most notably for Caterpillar and Cummins. After gaining a Business degree and an MBA, Marc then switched industries in 2013, where he began his career at CarnaudMetalbox Engineering as Head of Sales. He led the global sales and aftermarket teams for seven years before moving into his current role in Jan 2021.In the podcast, Marc spoke at length with Alex Fordham about the company's capacity expansion on both sides of the Atlantic, the explosive growth of the metal packaging industry, and the current challenges with supply chain issues.

Joining The Metal Pack Pod are 2 special guests as we discuss another recently launched podcast – Amazing Aluminium, a podcast dedicated to engaging children in the importance of aluminium recycling. The podcast has been produced by the Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation, and Fun Kids, a leading producer of audio and video content, online visual resources and experiential activities, reaching over 2,000,000 children and parents each month across the UK. During the episode we discuss the importance of engaging the next generation, and how the industry can benefit with new and innovative ways of promoting the industry.

In this episode, Michelle Garza from Anderson & Vreeland discuss the technology and industry practices behind photopolymer plates used in metal decorating for can making.The conversation covers plate-making processes (CTP and DLE), the importance of prepress, plate care, storage, and cleaning best practices. Industry trends, such as the growth of canned beverages and the need for skilled workers, are explored. The episode highlights the value of proper plate handling to maximise lifespan and sustainability.

In this podcast episode, we speak with Ajeeth Enjenti from Trivium Packaging about the company's latest developments and the metal packaging industry's landscape.We delve into Trivium's commitment to sustainability, market trends, and challenges like inflation and tariffs. Ajeeth highlights increasing consumer awareness of sustainability, the stability of the food can market, and Trivium's growth strategies, particularly in Asia and Africa. The discussion also covers the impact of global supply chain complexities and the role of technology in industry integration.  The episode underscores Trivium's dedication to sustainability and its proactive approach to market challenges.

Recently our MD Alex Fordham appeared in the IMDPA's new podcast, 'Two cans and a string'. The episode dives into the evolution of industry coverage, the growing importance of engaging with different media consumption behaviours and how to best reach audiences. From the challenges of staying unbiased in a tight-knit industry to the opportunities that come with digital publishing, this conversation uncovers what’s really happening behind the headlines. Whether you're a supplier, decorator, or brand manager, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to better understand how media can shape, elevate, and even disrupt the world of metal packaging.Grab your headphones and join host Samuel Courtney for an insightful discussion on the power of press, purpose-driven content, and why every can—and every company—has a story worth telling.With thanks towww.metaldecorators.org

In this podcast episode, Jason Galley, Director and Chief Executive, of MPMA UK, delve into the current state of the UK metal packaging industry, focusing on significant challenges and changes such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), deposit return schemes,and tariffs. We discuss the industry's resilience, the complexities of packaging reforms, and the necessity for effective communication and collaboration with government bodies to ensure sustainability. The conversation also touches on broader themes of sustainability, consumer behaviour, and the economic implications of current policies, highlighting the importance of raising awareness and advocating for the benefits of metal packaging.

In this podcast episode, we delve into the latest advancements in the metal packaging industry, spotlighting Koenig & Bauer's new digital printing line, the MetJet One.We welcome back popular guest Damian Pollok, Head of Product and Application at Koenig & Bauer! Pollok discuses the transition to digital printing, emphasising the machine's high-quality output and customer acceptance challenges. They address staffing difficulties, highlighting efforts to attract young talent and the role of automation in easing operational burdens. The episode also covers positive customer feedback, recent innovations, and a promising market outlook, underscoring the importance of adapting to evolving industry needs.