Guest: Stephanie Neil, Editor in Chief, OEM Magazine

Wondering how the packaging and processing OEM community is acclimating during the pandemic? Stephanie Neil, Editor in Chief of OEM Magazine, returns to the podcast, this time on the other side of the microphone, and discusses how OEMs can push through or even get ahead during an economic recession. Her background as a long time contributor to Automation World also helps her identify control systems and technologies impacting today's machine builders.

Guest: Matt Reynolds, Editor, Packaging World

Year after year, IoPP, the Institute of Packaging Professionals, reports salary data and trends in the packaging industry gathered through their Salary Survey. In order to understand the findings, especially after the uncertainty of the first half of 2020, Matt Reynolds, editor, Packaging World, joins the podcast to break down the details on employment status, educational factors, future career prospects and more.

Guest: Keren Sookne, Director of Editorial Content, Healthcare Packaging

With many rapid changes going on in the healthcare sector these days, Keren Sookne, director of editorial content for Healthcare Packaging makes her podcast debut to bring a targeted perspective on what has been happening so far in 2020 in healthcare packaging and the life sciences industries. Apropos of the times, the discussion features an in depth look at the many ways COVID-19 has dominated the space with PPE shortages, testing, the potential for a vaccine, risks of counterfeiting and much more.

Guests: Patty Andersen Vice President, Human Resources & Training, Delkor Systems and Vice Chairperson at PMMI and Jeff Thorstad, Automation Robotics Engineering Technologies Program, Hennepin Technical College

As one of the industries that remained in operation during the past four months, packaging and processing companies are seeing not only an increase in production, but also in the need for skilled workers. Unfortunately, the demand for trained labor comes during a time period when manufacturers were already having a hard time filling positions on their operations teams.  Join Delkor Systems' Patty Andersen and Hennepin Technical College's Jeff Thorstad, in this UnPACKed with PMMI podcast episode to hear guidance on solving the puzzle of bridging the skills gap.

Guest: Josh Becker, Senior Manager, Packaging Systems, The Hershey Company

As someone who has been on the road during the COVID-19 pandemic, Josh Becker, senior manager, packaging systems, The Hershey Company, joins the UnPACKed with PMMI podcast to share the customer perspective on how Hershey has been handling visits from suppliers, training and service issues during this time. As an essential business that remained open though out the pandemic, Becker also offers some best practices Hershey has learned throughout the past three months.

Guest: Laura Thompson, Vice President, Trade Shows, PMMI

Nothing brings our industry together like PACK EXPO International and Healthcare Packaging EXPO. In this episode of UnPACKED with PMMI Laura Thompson, VP, Trade Shows at PMMI provides an update on the status of November’s show, and why it is more important than ever for exhibitors and attendees to take advantage of the connections and opportunity it provides.

Guest: Matt Neuberger, President and CEO, Neuberger & Company

Matt Neuberger, President and CEO of Neuberger & Company, shares his insights on adapting to meet customer needs while maintaining empathy during a time when many salespeople aren’t even sure what the right time is to reach out to customers. Hear tips on revamping professional selling virtually in order to reach customers flexibly during these changing times.

Guest: Nancy Cobb, Owner, Organizational Development Consultant, Partners in Possibilities

During this time, typical industry training has had to adapt to fit new safety guidelines. In this UnPACKed with PMMI podcast episode, Nancy Cobb, President and owner of Partners in Possibilities, Inc. and PMMI Certified Training Instructor explains what is happening now in training and how members and their customers can expect to experience trainings as they prepare for states and countries to slowly emerge from the pandemic.

Guest: Jim Keith, Vice President, Amcor

As states in the U.S. and countries overseas begin to slowly reopen, Amcor continues to deal with the constantly evolving state of worldwide business. Amcor’s Vice President Jim Keith who leads global strategies related to health, safety and environmental affairs for the company’s 35,000+ global employees, joins UnPACKed with PMMI to offer best practices for strategically opening business at home and abroad. 

Guest: Jorge Izquierdo, Vice President of Market Development, PMMI

From the earliest days of the pandemic, PMMI’s Vice President of Market Development, Jorge Izquierdo and his team have kept tabs on the industry with weekly pulse surveys, monthly purchasing indexes and most recently, provided guidance on the economic future via webinars. PMMI’s data reveals that while times may be challenging at the moment, the situation is manageable for your business and the future holds promise for the packaging and processing industry. Join Jorge to hear the latest on the State of the Industry during COVID-19.