SPRINGFIELD, MA - On April 4, 2014, the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) will host a Technical and Production Forum at The Royal Sonesta Hotel in New Orleans, LA. With a focus on good manufacturing practices and food safety standards, the event is geared towards plant managers, technical directors, front-line designers, and salespeople, and will feature presentations by industry thought leaders and a panel of experts from folding carton converters. The Forum will run concurrently with the PPC Spring Meeting at the same venue.

Larry Dworkin, Government Relations Director at the Packaging Association of Canada, will kick off the morning with an explanation of corporate management’s responsibilities under the Global Food Safety Initiative. He will also discuss how this initiative provides good manufacturing practices for plants that do not produce food packaging.

Kris Middleton, Technical Manager of Agri-Food at SAI Global, will next outline how to properly implement food safety systems required for various certifications, including what to expect during a certification audit. He will describe how such audits are conducted and how to prepare for questions about procedures and practices.

To offer a full spectrum of perspectives, member experts in quality control, operations, and technical standards will share their experiences with the group on good manufacturing practices. Member companies include Graphic Packaging International, MeadWestvaco Corporation, American Carton Company, Specialty Finishing, and Indiana Carton Company.

“This year’s Forum will provide participants with a greater understanding of the latest standards and auditing procedures,” said Ben Markens, PPC President. “Attendees will also pick up best practices and tips from industry peers so that when they return home they will be able to make their plants safer places in which to work.”

To register, visit paperbox.org/TP, call (413) 686-9191, or email[email protected].