Industry Milestones Recognized at 2018 Annual Meeting
COOPERSBURG, PA (November 27, 2018) – The Paper Shipping Sack Manufacturers’ Association (PSSMA) announces the expansion of its regular membership, and for the first time, invites all manufacturers of paper sacks and bags, including special-use single wall, retail grocery bags and quick service retail style bags, to join the association.
The PSSMA’s 2018 Annual Meeting, held in Tampa October 25-28, marked the PSSMA’s 85thanniversary of service to the paper shipping sack industry. PSSMA chairman Mark Ushpol of Mondi Bags USA and Bob Langston of Langston Companies addressed members in attendance with remarks on the organization’s history and progress.
Karla A. Jimenez of Henkel Corporation, PSSMA’s former associate vice chairperson, was recognized with a gift of appreciation for her work leading the successful paper shipping sack industry orientation program “PSSMA Bag Boot Camp” in 2018.
In another historic moment, the PSSMA’s Board of Directors established the Annual Industry Excellence Award to represent the PSSMA’s highest honor by recognizing individuals who have had a distinguished career in the paper shipping sack industry, and who have contributed to PSSMA activities through their involvement. The board voted unanimously to name the award the “Richard E. Storat Industry Excellence Award” and bestowed the first award to Dick Storat of Richard Storat & Associates. Mr. Storat served as president of the PSSMA from 2003 to 2016 and is currently serving as treasurer and secretary.
Outgoing PSSMA Chairman Ushpol handed the ceremonial gavel over to Carlos A. Garcia of Endpak Packaging, PSSMA’s new chairman, who thanked Mr. Ushpol for his contributions to the industry. Under Mr. Ushpol’s leadership, the PSSMA grew its membership and introduced new initiatives beneficial to the association and the industry — including a more robust safety statistics reporting and analysis program, improvements to meeting content and formats, and establishment of the PSSMA Annual Industry Excellence Award.
PSSMA members also recognized the late Ross Clayton Barrett, former PSSMA chairman and COO/EVP of Hood Packaging Corporation, for his contributions to the association and the industry; the annual PSSMA golf tournament is now named the Ross Barrett Memorial Golf Tournament in his honor. In addition, members raised $3,200 for donation to the Alberta Cancer Foundation in Mr. Barrett’s name.
“As an organization, the PSSMA contributes important resources, networking opportunities and informational campaigns to support the manufacturers of paper shipping sacks – and we will continue to serve the industry and promote the value it provides to users of its products,” said Mr. Garcia.
Paper shipping sacks (also known as multiwall sacks) are a recyclable, renewable, and effective packaging solution for the delivery of thousands of different types of products. For more information about paper shipping sacks, please visit https://www.pssma.org.
– end –
About PSSMA
The Paper Shipping Sack Manufacturers’ Association (PSSMA) is the national trade association of U.S. producers of multiwall shipping sacks. Its mission is to provide its member companies with programs and services which further the industry’s objectives and, in doing so, promote and enhance the welfare of the industry. Currently, PSSMA’s sack-producing members produce approximately 90% of the multiwall shipping sacks made in the U.S. In addition, PSSMA is supported by over 50 domestic and international associate members, suppliers of goods and services to the U.S. multiwall industry.
