DS Smith wins multiple medals in 2021 Box Manufacturing Olympics

DS Smith's printing and converting teams take home five awards, including two Gold.

DS Smith North America won 5 awards at the inaugural 2021 Box Manufacturing Olympics, part of the annual SuperCorrExpo®, held August 8-12 in Orlando, Florida.

TAPPI’s (Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry) CorrPak® Competition and AICC’s (The Independent Packaging Association) Package Design Competition joined forces to become the 2021 Box Manufacturing Olympics. The competition was open to all TAPPI and AICC members from around the globe who produce corrugated, rigid box and folding cartons, as well as their suppliers. Packaging schools and universities were also invited to participate.

DS Smith’s designs competed with an unprecedented 173 entries from 33 companies, and took home the following awards:

  • Gold Award
    • DS Smith: Parts Box – Black on Kraft, Direct Printing on Combined Brown Board – Line Work (13 entries)
    • DS Smith: Dog Food Box – Black on Kraft, Preprinted Linerboard - Built Color Images: Process or Modified Process Color, Cartoon Art or Computer Art (9 entries)
  • Silver Awards
    • DS Smith: Confection 7ct Tray, Category P-5A: Flexo Print on Combined Board - Line Work (15 entries)
    • DS Smith: Dog Burger Box, Category P-7C: Preprinted Linerboard - Process Color or Modified Process (3 entries)
  • Bronze Award
    • DS Smith: Open Touch Pillow Box, Category 6: Best Application of Spot or Full Label – with or without Direct Print Digital or Flexo (12 entries)

“DS Smith is known for outstanding print and converting quality, and it’s great to see our team medaling at such a prestigious event,” said Mark Ushpol, managing director of the North America Packaging Division for DS Smith.  “Not only are these wins for our talented production teams, they’re wins for our customers as well, as consistantly excellent quality and innovation strengthens brand awareness and increases sales.”

DS Smith has pledged to manufacture 100% reusable or recyclable packaging by 2025, and to use 100% recycled or chain of custody certified papers by 2020, and by extension this enables  customers to add measurable sustainability products to their portfolio and their customers.

Since 1981, AICC has been proud to recognize, showcase and reward those independents who have met and exceeded their customers’ expectations of their packaging designs and displays in its packaging design competition.

About the AICC

Founded in 1974, The Independent Packaging Association represents and protects the business interests of its members in the independent sector of the corrugated, folding carton, and rigid box industries. AICC is the largest organization of corporate members in corrugated and paperboard and works for industry growth via numerous coalitions.