In the winter issue of OEM magazine, we highlight the award-winning projects and people that made 2022 so memorable for the packaging and processing community.
The first recognition goes to PMMI for the production of PACK EXPO International in October. The exhibit aisles were packed with attendees and there were some major milestones, like the debut of the Emerging Brands Summit, and a record-breaking audience at the Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network (PPWLN) breakfast. About 1,000 people came to hear PPWLN keynote speaker Dawn Hudson, former CEO of Pepsi N.A. and former CMO for the NFL. Read the interview with Hudson or listen to the full UnPACKed podcast.
 | Podcast: Hear from Dawn Hudson, former CEO of Pepsi N.A. and former CMO of the NFL, who, as a woman leader in male-dominated industries, changed the rules of the game. |
Also in this issue, we spotlight the 2022 Emerging Leaders On the Rise winners. The awards recognize 10 young professionals who have demonstrated leadership potential in packaging and processing. We’ve provided a quick introduction to each winner in the print pages of OEM, with full interviews of each individual available in the Workforce Development section of the OEM website. Another PPWLN achievement is the introduction of the “Voices of Women in Packaging and Processing” digital resource done in collaboration with the OpX Leadership Network. This tool outlines five core characteristics that will help women navigate a career in manufacturing. Click here to download the full document.
As part of this “Best of 2022” issue, we also introduce you to the PMMI 2022 Technology Excellence Awards winners and the winners of the ProFood World Sustainable Excellence in Manufacturing awards.
In addition to these accolades, we thought it would be nice to recognize an OEM that represents the greatest achievement of all: The American dream. PDC was founded in 1968 by Anatole Konstantin, who immigrated to the U.S. after World War II. The maker of shrink sleeve labeling and tamper evident banding has a fascinating history and now, under the leadership of Konstantin’s son, Neal, an exciting new future.
 | Read PDC International: An Immigrant's American Dream |
Lastly, a big thank you to every machine builder out there. You’re all winners in my book!
