Siemens awards A.G. Stacker for automation achievements in corrugated manufacturing

Strategic partnership drives digital integration

The transition from heavy mechanical engineering to software-driven mechatronics in the corrugated industry requires robust technological alliances. In mid-2026, A.G. Stacker underscored this operational reality by hosting delegations from Siemens and WESCO International at its headquarters and manufacturing facility in Weyers Cave, Virginia. The summit centered around collaborative strategies for advancing industrial automation, culminating in Siemens presenting A.G. Stacker with an "OEM of Excellence" plaque to honor the manufacturer's sustained commitment to innovating corrugated production solutions.

The executive visit featured a comprehensive tour of the Virginia manufacturing plant, where the visiting group observed several advanced material handling systems in active assembly and production. Discussions between the teams extended far beyond basic hardware, focusing heavily on machine controls, sophisticated electrical integration, and the future deployment of Human-Machine Interface (HMI) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) technologies.

For machinery builders navigating the current 2026 market landscape, the seamless integration of Industry 4.0 and the emerging principles of Industry 5.0—where human intelligence works in tandem with advanced robotics and cognitive computing—has become a strict prerequisite. Siemens plays a foundational role in this ecosystem, providing the automation architecture and drives that power A.G. Stacker's high-throughput equipment platforms.

Digital twins accelerate virtual commissioning

The recognition from Siemens is backed by a deeply rooted, multi-year technical collaboration. A.G. Stacker has fundamentally modernized its design and manufacturing philosophy by deeply integrating Siemens' digital twin technology. This strategic shift enables the engineering team to visualize, test, and optimize mechanical, electrical, and automation components in a fully simulated environment long before physical fabrication begins.

By heavily leveraging virtual commissioning, the equipment manufacturer has successfully condensed the time and capital investment traditionally required for physical prototyping. But the value of these digital assets extends well beyond the research and development phase. A.G. Stacker actively deploys digital twins for pre-installation operator training, simulation testing, and enhanced remote diagnostics.

• Operator Onboarding: End-users can train staff on virtual replicas of the machinery before the actual equipment arrives at the box plant.
• Reduced Downtime: Remote service capabilities allow engineers to troubleshoot automation systems virtually, minimizing catastrophic production halts.
• Optimized Design: Mechatronic simulation catches integration errors early in the machine building process.

Joe Wunder, President of A.G. Stacker, emphasized during the event that strong partnerships with global technology leaders are vital for ensuring long-term customer success. The active participation of WESCO International—a global leader in electrical distribution and supply chain solutions—further highlighted the complex, collaborative ecosystem required to build modern corrugated machinery. In an era where component availability can dictate lead times, resilient supply chains for advanced industrial electronics are just as critical as the software architecture that runs them.

The evolving operational landscape

For the global packaging, converting, and printing sectors, this recognition carries significant practical implications. Today's corrugated converters face immense pressure to increase throughput while managing a severe shortage of skilled technical labor. Consequently, they demand equipment that not only runs reliably at high speeds but is also highly intuitive, self-monitoring, and capable of seamless integration into broader plant-wide manufacturing execution systems (MES).

By transforming traditional material handling machinery into intelligent, data-generating nodes on the production floor, forward-thinking OEMs are directly helping box plants mitigate the impact of high workforce turnover. The recognition of A.G. Stacker with an OEM of Excellence award highlights a broader industry trend: the automation sector's clear validation of the corrugated industry's growing technological sophistication.

Recognizing OEMs for their digital integration sets a strong precedent, proving that true efficiency in the modern corrugated sector relies just as much on software partnerships as it does on heavy iron. As digital twin technology and advanced SCADA systems become standard operational practice, how will the role of the traditional machine operator evolve on the plant floor over the next five years? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai