Walking into the Savannah Convention Center last month felt different than any other trade show we’ve attended. CorrExpo 2025 brought together over 1,500 corrugated packaging professionals from 15 countries, and we went in thinking we understood our place in the market.
We left knowing our American made industrial shredders had applications we hadn’t fully explored. Box manufacturers and corrugated converters shared challenges that sounded surprisingly familiar. They talked about mountains of cardboard trim piling up and paper core waste from production runs creating bottlenecks.
Some discussed the struggle of managing mixed waste streams that included pallets, packaging materials, and production scraps all at once. That’s when it clicked.
Unexpected Connections Across Industries
Perhaps the most valuable part of attending the show was establishing new relationships with other vendors in the corrugated space. There were several baler manufacturers present as well as air systems suppliers. Each of these companies sees the need for single-shaft primary shredders in the clients they serve.
By forging new partnerships, Cresswood is able to spread our brand recognition and show how we can further add value in recycling applications. For every baler out there, there is an opportunity to enhance that operation with a primary shredder. By integrating a shredder upstream, clients can create higher bale density, thereby increasing the profitability of shipping recycled products via truck.
Cresswood’s line of horizontal paper core recycling shredders also gives companies a solution for scrap that is notoriously difficult to deal with. By shredding the cores, this paper product can be mixed with bulk paper waste. This solves the problem of labor and storage costs with scrap cores, while increasing the total recycled product the company generates.
These operations need wood recycling shredders and pallet recycling shredders just as much as traditional operations do. We heard about plant managers struggling with paper recycling shredders that weren’t designed for their materials.
Converters asked about using our plastic recycling pre-shredders to handle stretch wrap and banding materials from raw material deliveries. Discussions centered around paper core recycling shredders for the heavy-duty cardboard tubes used in corrugated production.
The versatility of our world class industrial grinders became apparent through conversations we never expected to have.
Real Solutions for Complex Waste Streams
What struck us most about CorrExpo was how the corrugated industry is dealing with unique pressures right now. E-commerce growth means more boxes being produced than ever before. Sustainability requirements from major retailers are pushing converters to find better ways to handle waste.
Labor shortages are forcing companies to do more with smaller crews. Sustainability directors are wrestling with diverting more waste from landfills. Achieving ambitious environmental goals means finding better ways to process multiple waste streams.
Many facilities are tired of coordinating with different equipment suppliers and service providers. The idea of working with one manufacturer who understands complete waste management situations resonates strongly. These facilities need wood waste recycling shredders, comprehensive recycling solutions, and equipment that can adapt as needs change.
Why American Manufacturing Matters
The feedback we received about our American manufacturing approach was particularly gratifying. Attendees specifically mentioned the peace of mind that comes from working with US-based equipment makers.
Parts availability matters when something breaks down. Technical support in your time zone matters when production is on the line. Being able to visit a manufacturing facility and meet the people building your equipment matters more than saving a few dollars upfront.
Conversations touched on the growing importance of equipment that can handle adjacent materials without requiring completely new machines. Whether a facility needs pallet recycling shredders for shipping materials or paper core recycling shredders for production waste, flexibility is becoming a must-have.
Let’s Start a Conversation
Our experience at CorrExpo in Savannah expanded our understanding of who benefits from industrial shredding and grinding solutions. The corrugated packaging industry faces complex waste management challenges that align perfectly with what our American made industrial shredders and world class industrial grinders do best.
Whether you’re dealing with production trim, shipping materials, or mixed waste streams, the right processing equipment can transform costly disposal into valuable resources. Ready to explore what industrial shredding equipment could do for your operation?
Fill out our contact form to start a conversation about your specific waste streams, processing goals, and operational requirements. We’ll work together to design a solution that makes sense for your facility.
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