Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.
In this episode we talk with Michael Lafave, Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Kruger Packaging L.P. and Charles Malo, President And Chief Operating Officer, Cascades Containerboard Packaging during a special episode of Breaking Down Boxes recorded during the recent AICC Canada/ Canadian Corrugated Case Association (CCCA) Tabletop Conference in Toronto.
Listeners can get in the minds of these two titans of the industry as they discuss inflation, living company culture, sustainability, and employee retention during this episode.
Both guests share stories about how their families have influenced their leadership styles. They also outline the top three things that keep them up at night.
MICHAEL LAFAVE
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
KRUGER PACKAGING L.P .
Michael Lafave is the senior vice president and chief operating officer of the Kruger Packaging Group since 2015. As such, he oversees the operations of five production sites in Québec, Ontario and the United States. He also heads the Kruger Recycling Division. A graduate of McGill University, Michael began his career in international sales by working for a forest products export agency for nine years before joining Kruger in 1999. Before his current role at Kruger, Michael held various positions within the company such as Vice President, Sales Administration for the Paper Division; Vice President, Newsprint Sales; Senior Vice President, Supply Management and Senior Vice President, Containerboard & Packaging and Recycling. Michael is chair of the International Corrugated Case Association (ICCA) and acted as chair of the Canadian Corrugated and Containerboard Association (CCCA) from May 2015 until May 2017.
CHARLES MALO
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
CASCADES CONTAINERBOARD PACKAGING
After earning a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree from the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Charles Malo began his career as a controller at Etcan, a division of cascades, in 1990. He joined Cascades Containerboard Packaging when it was created in 1997 and worked his way up the ranks. Over the years, he became Director of Administration, Regional General Manager, Operations, for Central Canada, and Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer in the corrugated cardboard business line.
In 2008, he also took over management of the folding carton division, becoming Vice- President and Chief Operating Officer, Packaging. In April 2015, he was named Chief Operating Officer, overseeing not only transformation operations, but also the production of containerboard. He became President and Chief Operating Officer in January 2016. This appointment makes him the third president of Cascades Containerboard Packaging, succeeding Alain Memaire and Marc-André Dépin. Like his predecessors, he embraces Cascades’ values and believes that everyone should work in a safe and secure environment. He continues to pursue the business objectives established in conjunction with the various management teams to ensure the growth of Cascades Containerboard Packaging and Cascades. Mr. Malo is well-known in the industry for his knowledge and leadership. He is an active member of boards of directors for various associations, companies and non-profit organizations. For example, he currently sits on the board of the Fondation Hôpital Pierre-Boucher.
The next episode will feature Rob and Dave Callif of BCM Inks. Our next episode will be on a holiday schedule and drop Monday, January 9th.
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Breaking Down Boxes is sponsored by Ox Box. Ox Box is strength you can depend on.
This podcast is brought to you by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association. Learn more at www.AICCbox.org.
