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Information and solutions on this page stretch back to March of 2020 through May 2023, when the Public Health Service Act expired.Read AICC's disclaimer.
Based on current COVID-19 trends, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is planning for the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19, declared under Section 319 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, to expire at the end of the day on May 11, 2023. Read more.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is withdrawing the vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard issued on Nov. 5, 2021. Thismeans that there is no longer
a need to wait for the 6th Circuit’s decision on the merits of the rule as OSHA is not pursuing any appeal. OSHA does say that it is keeping the ETS as a proposed rule and will work on another final rule.
On January 13, 2021, the US Supreme Court granted a stay of enforcement on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) vaccine mandate for employers who employ 100 or more workers. The Court did not decide on the merits of the case challenging the mandate; rather, it concluded that the parties challenging the mandate would likely succeed on the merits of the case and so a stay was appropriate. Accordingly, the government cannot enforce this mandate until the resolution of the pending litigation challenging it, which is currently in the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. You can find more information on the ETS in this December 21, 2021, Compliance Cornerarticle. The stay applies to the employer vaccine mandate, meaning employers do not have to comply with the OSHA ETS, at least for now.
For employers with 100 or more workers, the OSHA ETS litigation could take some time, and it is possible that the Supreme Court will strike down the mandate if a party to the lawsuit appeals the ultimate decision of the Sixth Circuit. However, this stay does not prohibit employers from implementing their own vaccine mandate or testing policies, subject to reasonable accommodation requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act and state law. Employers should consult with employment law counsel if they are considering their own vaccine and testing policies.
Separately, the Supreme Court did not grant another request to stay a vaccine mandate relating to healthcare workers who work for entities that receive funds from Medicare or Medicaid. As a result, that mandate is now in effect. Employers that are healthcare providers should review their obligations under this mandate. See this January 4, 2022, Compliance Cornerarticle for more information.
NFP will continue to monitor any developments on these issues, and will provide more guidance in our Compliance Corner newsletter.
CISA Warns of Increased Cybersecurity Risk for Manufacturing Sector
Last week, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) published a “CISA Insights” report, highlighting increased cyber threats to critical manufacturing sector control systems due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The report points to three operational vulnerabilities that have arisen due to pandemic working conditions: (1) expanded cyber-attack surfaces (i.e. increased use of robotics and remote processes); (2) a lack of qualified personnel to protect highly technical manufacturing systems; and, (3) unauthorized access (both physical and virtual). As the report explains, ransomware “has begun to target systems lacking the inherent security controls required to protect themselves. The result can be catastrophic production loss and downtime as well as lost revenues and penalties for production delays.” CISA recommends that manufacturers develop cybersecurity and operational knowledge within the shop floor environment and invest in training for security analysts to be capable of remote monitoring of manufacturing environments.
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
Where Do Things Stand with OSHA’s Vaccine Rule?
The Small Business Legislative Council (SBLC) reported, in early November, OSHA issued an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) requiring employers with 100 or more employees to take steps to combat the spread COVID-19 including, most importantly, mandating
that all employees either be vaccinated or submit to weekly testing.The release of the ETS was met almost immediately by a flood of lawsuits challenging OSHA’s actions.The course of these cases over the last two months
has left many businesses understandably confused about where things stand and what they should be doing.This is particularly concerning given that OSHA is prepared to begin enforcing the first phase of the ETS on January 10 – the Monday after the Friday on which the Supreme Court will be hearing arguments on the challenges.In
this Alert, we break down where things stand now, how we got there and what businesses should be preparing for going forward.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration intends to give companies additional time to get employees vaccinated or regularly tested. The Labor Department announced on Saturday that it was pushing back the date for businesses with more than 100 employees to comply with its vaccine-or-test mandate. Noncompliance citations regarding testing requirements would not be issued before Feb. 9, so long as an employer is exercising reasonable, good faith efforts to come into compliance with the standard, the department stated.
For federal (sub)contractors - be advised that on 12/7 the injunction that had blocked implementation of EO 14042 (vaccine “mandate”) in just three states was expanded to nationwide. You are now in the same position as nearly every other client reading this email. Three of four COVID-19 vaccine mandates have been temporarily blocked. Click here to read a bit more.
For All - if you are considering imposing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate on your employees absent a federal, state or local requirement to do so, be advised that at least 11 states have restricted a private sector employer’s ability to do so are: AL, AK, FL, IA, KS, MT, ND, TN,TX, UT, WV. Make sure to review your states' regulations.
Wednesday, December 1
Federal Contractor Vaccine Mandate Temporarily Enjoined in Three States:
AICC contributor Christine Walters of FiveL comments on the latest EEOC updates relative to Covid-19 vaccinations and the question of whether Covid testing is compensable to an employee.
With the coronavirus pandemic still raging and the effort to return to business as “new normal,” many employers have implemented or are considering mandatory vaccination policies. While initially reluctant due to the lack of clarity around vaccination
mandates, employers are now emboldened to enact such policies in light of the Biden administration’s sweeping vaccine mandates, as well as the EEOC’s updated guidance on mandatory vaccination policies. As expected, employers are seeking guidance regarding
how to handle requests for exemptions and accommodations, handling non-exempt employees who refuse to get vaccinated, and whether the accommodations sought are creating an undue hardship on their businesses. Read the full article on NFP.
AICC advocacy partner Small Business Legislative Council (SBLC) reports that on October 12, 2021, the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) submitted its draft Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) on private employer
vaccine requirements to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
The ETS is in response to President Biden’s September 9 directive that OSHA develop a standard to require that private employers with 100 or more employees “ensure their
workforce is fully vaccinated or require any workers who remain unvaccinated to produce a negative test result on at least a weekly basis before coming to work.”
OMB’s review is the final step that must occur before OSHA can put the new
standard into effect. The President has directed OMB to expedite its review of ETS. Accordingly, we anticipate that the ETS will be released very soon.
Once the ETS is released, the SBLC will review it and AICC will provide information
for you, our members.
Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace.OSHA updated their guidance on August 13, 2021 in light of the
CDC’s end of July new recommendations for fully vaccinated people.This guidance is intended to help employers and workers not covered by the OSHA’s COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for Healthcare, helping them identify COVID-19
exposure risks to workers who are unvaccinated or otherwise at risk even if they are fully vaccinated (e.g., if they are immunocompromised). Read more.
Canada Will Soon Require All Air Travelers To Be Fully Vaccinated
Canada’s
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra has announced that air travelers and
passengers on interprovincial trains will be required to be vaccinated
against COVID-19 before travel. This upcoming requirement is part of
their plan to assist in social and economic recovery. READ ARTICLE
From the Council of Manufacturing Associations - Delta Variant Threat Increasing Health officials are issuing warnings about the rise of the COVID-19 delta variant and the likelihood that it will become the dominant Coronavirus strain in the US. Vaccines have proven to be effective against the strain. Since nearly all COVID-19 deaths in the United States are now occurring among unvaccinated people, for the unvaccinated, the more contagious variant poses a larger threat. The NAM and The Manufacturing Institute continue to spread the word about vaccine efficacy through our This Is Our Shot project. Its resources include advice on talking to vaccine-hesitant workers and guidelines for putting together vaccination clinics.
Thursday, June 24
Axios Exclusive: New app will help employers verify workers' vaccine status
A tech company is announcing a new health app Thursday that it says will help employers bring their employees back to the office safely by verifying their COVID-19 vaccination status.
Why it matters: The app, or others like it, could be a sign of how employers can enforce vaccination requirements without relying on the honor system or hand-checking CDC vaccine cards.
The big picture: Most employers aren't requiring or planning to require employees to be vaccinated against the coronavirus before entering the workplace, per a recent survey by insurance company Willis Towers Watson.
But among the 28% of respondents that said they are or are considering some kind of vaccine requirement, more than half will require proof.
In addition, some businesses are trying other approaches that make their preferences clear, like giving vaccinated employees certain workplace privileges that fall short of mandates, per the WSJ.
This will be the last regular Packaging Industry COVID-19 update.Now that the long awaited latest OSHA ETS has been issued, AICC will update when pertinent and relevant
information regarding COVID-19 and manufacturers is received.Information and solutions on this page stretch back to March of 2020 and will remain posted for the foreseeable future.
On May 28, 2021 the EEOC updated its webpage on "What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and other EEO Laws." The 21 updates are found in Section K.
Rules and regulations and vary greatly across the country, but when AICC was asked by members what others are doing about masks and visitors, we sent out a short survey to find out. We received 50 responses. Here is what you had to say.
OSHA’s current guidance states that masks are required in the workplace and companies are to not make a distinction between vaccinated and unvaccinated employees.
OSHA is in the process of reviewing and issuing an updated Emergency Temporary Standard.It is not clear how OSHA is going to respond to the latest CDC guidance on the fully vaccinated in the new standard
although they have relied heavily upon the CDC for their guidance in the past. OSHA will either revise their current guidance or issue a new regulation.AICC will share that statement when they do.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released guidance regarding the employer’s obligation to record adverse reactions by employees when they received the COVID-19 vaccine.
AICC Partner FiveL advises that the U.S. Department of Labor has added seven (7) new wage and hour questions and answers related to COVID-19. A few include: DOL Updates COVID-19 FLSA FAQ's - FiveL Company
OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard Moves Ahead.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is finalizing its emergency temporary standard for COVID-19 safety in the workplace. While the specific requirements are not yet known, it may include the establishment of a COVID-19 prevention plan,
which would require manufacturers to conduct hazard assessments, identify measures to limit transmission, adopt absence policies that don’t punish employees for staying home when they’re sick and ensure that COVID-19 policies and procedures are communicated
to all workers, regardless of fluency in English. The standard could be issued in as soon as two weeks—and will take effect immediately. AICC partner the NAM is working with the White House, as well as policymakers and stakeholders, to discuss the
likely impacts on the manufacturing community.
Earlier this month, the IRS issued Notice 2021-25 to implement the provision of the Taxpayer Certainty and
Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020 (signed just before the end of the year) which provides for a
100 percent deduction for qualifying business meal expenses incurred between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2022.
A BRAVE INDEPENDENT WORLD: CUSTOMERS, CREATIVITY, CONFIDENCE AICC 2021 Spring Meeting | April 26-28, 2021 The Omni Amelia Island Resort | Amelia Island, FL www.AICCbox.org/Meeting
A BRAVE INDEPENDENT WORLD: CUSTOMERS, CREATIVITY, CONFIDENCE AICC 2021 Spring Meeting | April 26-28, 2021 The Omni Amelia Island Resort | Amelia Island, FL www.AICCbox.org/Meeting
A BRAVE INDEPENDENT WORLD: CUSTOMERS, CREATIVITY, CONFIDENCE AICC 2021 Spring Meeting | April 26-28, 2021 The Omni Amelia Island Resort | Amelia Island, FL www.AICCbox.org/Meeting
Breaking News!!!Krispy Kreme announced this week they will provide free donuts to any guest who shows a valid COVID-19 vaccination card at all Krispy Kreme stores throughout the US through the remainder of 2021.
As part of the new stimulus bill, the Employee Retention Credit was recently introduced by Congress to reward businesses that kept employees on payroll during the pandemic. This credit provides cash infusion to qualifying businesses.AICC
member the Alliantgroup has put out a one page summary of the benefits.
A BRAVE INDEPENDENT WORLD: CUSTOMERS, CREATIVITY, CONFIDENCE AICC 2021 Spring Meeting | April 26-28, 2021 The Omni Amelia Island Resort | Amelia Island, FL www.AICCbox.org/Meeting
A BRAVE INDEPENDENT WORLD: CUSTOMERS, CREATIVITY, CONFIDENCE AICC 2021 Spring Meeting | April 26-28, 2021 The Omni Amelia Island Resort | Amelia Island, FL www.AICCbox.org/Meeting
A BRAVE INDEPENDENT WORLD: CUSTOMERS, CREATIVITY, CONFIDENCE AICC 2021 Spring Meeting | April 26-28, 2021 The Omni Amelia Island Resort | Amelia Island, FL www.AICCbox.org/Meeting
CDC’s Vaccine Finder helps people find the latest information on COVID-19 vaccine availability at certain providers and pharmacies in some states.In other states, information may be limited while more providers
and pharmacies are added in the coming weeks. COVID-19 Vaccination Locations on VaccineFinder | CDC
EBSA Disaster Relief Notice 2021- 01, Guidance on Continuation of Relief for Employee Benefit Plans and Plan Participants and Beneficiaries Due to the COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Outbreak EBSA Disaster Relief Notice 2021- 01 (dol.gov)
A recent Paychex Small Business Snap Poll revealed that an overwhelming majority of business owners plan to motivate their employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Understanding your options for mandating or encouraging employees could prove helpful. COVID-19 Vaccine: Employer FAQs | Paychex.com
REGISTRATION OPEN
AICC 2021 Spring Meeting | April 26-28, 2021 The Omni Amelia Island Resort | Amelia Island, FL |www.AICCbox.org/meeting
The NAM has produced a public service announcement, I Love Frank that showcases why manufacturers are rolling up their sleeves to get a COVID-19 vaccine: to protect their family, coworkers and the people they love.
AICC 2021 Spring Meeting | April 26-28, 2021 The Omni Amelia Island Resort | Amelia Island, FL |www.AICCbox.org/meeting
Liberty Diversified Industries shared their Covid Protocol Template for all Employees and Visitors during Friday’s Converter Think Tank
Acme Corrugated Box General Manager John Kochie has shared that Acme has installed this device in their breakrooms and other gathering areas in the plant. Cost is approximately $1,500 - $1,800/unit.
Save the Date
AICC 2021 Spring Meeting | April 26-28, 2021 The Omni Amelia Island Resort | Amelia Island, FL |www.AICCbox.org/meeting
Week of January 11, 2021
Acme Corrugated Box General Manager John Kochie has shared that Acme has installed this devicein their breakrooms and other gathering areas in the plant.Cost
is approximately $1,500 - $1,800/unit.
Covid-19 vaccination plans are being administered at the State level.See your State’s plan.
See the NAM letter to the National Governors Association advocating for essential worker priority for vaccines.Microsoft Word - Vaccine Distribution_NGAforJTapproval (nam.org)AICC
is advocating for box plant team personnel and other critical supply chain members, identified as essential workers, to be considered high priority in terms of vaccine distribution.On 12/16 AICC sent a modified letter to members to
serve as a template for communication with your local officials.Download the AICC letter.
With COVID-19 vaccinations on the verge of approval, essential workers in box plants should be considered among priority candidates to receive inoculations.AICC partners are lobbying this issue on your behalf,
but decisions about priority are being made at the State level.AICC recommends that you contact your state representatives and governor’s office to remind them that vaccines, PPE, food and other critical goods get nowhere without the
box.
Please use this CISA guidance to assist you.
Are you considering encouraging your workers to get the vaccine or implementing a vaccination program of your own?R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company, a leading global provider of marketing and business communications
has developed an awareness toolkit for COVID-19 vaccination to enable manufacturers, care providers, and associated companies to best communicate with their teams: COVID-19 Resources from RRD
Save the Date
AICC 2021 Spring Meeting | April 26-28, 2021 The Omni Amelia Island Resort | Amelia Island, FL |www.AICCbox.org/meeting
The CDC modified its definition of “close contact.” You should consider the revised description or definition for your related policies, programs or practices, particularly if you incorporated into those previously any portion of the prior definition.
Earlier this year, the IRS issued guidance trying to prevent a “double tax benefit” by denying deductions for trade and business expenses (e.g., payroll) associated with forgiven PPP loans.AICC is actively
opposing this policy through our affiliation with the SBA and CMA because it undermines the critical liquidity support Congress intended to provide. On November 18, IRS issued additional guidance related to PPP loans and the ability of taxpayers to
deduct associated expenses. Of note, the latest guidance still disallows deductions in cases whereby “the taxpayer reasonably expect[s] to receive forgiveness” but has yet to receive or apply for the loan forgiveness. Read the guidance.
Save the Date
AICC 2021 Spring Meeting | April 26-28, 2021 The Omni Amelia Island Resort | Amelia Island, FL |www.AICCbox.org/meeting
The National Conference of State Legislatures has produced an interactive map that shows the states that are still following their own Covid guidelines, and those states using Federal guidelines.
The minimum loan size for the Main Street Lending Program has been lowered from $250,000 to $100,000 to expand eligibility for the program to a wider range of small businesses. The processing fees for lenders offering Main Street loans below $250,000 have been reduced to incentivize lending to smaller companies in need of capital. Download the latest Main Street Lending FAQs.
Save the Date
AICC 2021 Spring Meeting | April 26-28, 2021 The Omni Amelia Island Resort | Amelia Island, FL |www.AICCbox.org/meeting
OSHA has provided new guidance on when and how employers’ must report employees’ COVID-19 related hospitalizations and deaths.
On November 3, 2020, voters will go to the polls to elect 5,877 state representatives, 11 governors, and 114 statewide ballot measures. We've got all the research and analysis you need right here.
An AICC Leadership Advisory Group met recently, virtually of course.They shared the following Covid-related best practices:
Stoplights installed in bathrooms to regulate the # of people entering the bathroom at one time to keep social distancing in check
Created a quick app for employees to use to survey about Covid symptoms and follow up action required based on specific answers
Rapid testing in place in plant using PCR which has caught a couple of cases
Hired additional people to be able to create ‘back-up’ teams; split up operator and assistant to be on different teams so that if one gets sick the other is available; rotating teams
The Small Business Administration has issued a new loan forgiveness application form for Paycheck Protection Program borrowers that received a loan of $50,000 or less. The new form is designed to make the process easier and only requires attestation that businesses complied with the terms of the program rather than the calculations and documentation required of larger borrowers. You can view the new forgiveness application form here.
The Great Barrington Declaration - As infectious disease epidemiologists and public health scientists we have grave concerns about the damaging physical and mental health impacts of the prevailing COVID-19 policies, and recommend an approach we call Focused Protection.
New FFCRA Regulations Scheduled to Take Effect this Wednesday September 15!!!From AICC partner FiveL Company - Here we go, again? This Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Labor is scheduled to publish revised FFCRA regulations in response to the court’s August 3rd ruling. They will take effect the same day they are published. Here’s the short version. The DOL disagreed with the judge and is sticking with its rule that intermittent EFMLEA leave may only be taken at the mutual agreement of the employee and employer. They distinguish, however, what constitutes intermittent leave when schools offer modified, in-person teaching. The DOL also disagreed with the judge and still holds that an employee is eligible for paid leave only if the employer otherwise would have had work available for the employee. An employee who has been furloughed cannot concurrently be eligible for FFCRA leave. (If you attended the August FMLA webcast, you may recall I thought that was an odd determination by the judge). The DOL agreed with the judge that an employer cannot require FFCRA documentation before it grants the paid leave. It has also modified the definition of employees who are exempt, health care providers. Register for free
for the next Covid Videoconference,
Friday, September 18,11:00 am ETfeaturing guest speaker Christine Walters, J.D., MAS, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, & Independent Consultant, FiveL Company, discussing COVID-19 & FFCRA Updates - What’s Now & What’s Next
.
The pandemic is reshaping the holiday shopping season. The 2020 holiday buying season is expected to be like no other: An avalanche of ecommerce deliveries, merchants running promotions earlier than ever, and tight crowd controls on Black Friday.
With many of manufacturing employees working remotely, please know that the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division issued a Field Assistance Bulletin to help clarify manufacturers’ requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act to compensate employees for the hours in which work is performed while teleworking.
U.S. Department of Labor Announces Guidance for the Lost Wages Assistance Program to Provide Needed Relief to Americans
The U.S. Department of Labor announced the release of guidance to help states implement the Lost Wages
Assistance (LWA) program. LWA is authorized by Presidential Memorandum, and provides claimants in most Unemployment Insurance (UI) programs up to $400 per week additional benefits, starting with weeks of unemployment ending on or after Aug. 1, 2020,
and ending Dec. 27, 2020 at the latest. LWA will be administered by states and territories through a grant agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and with support from the Labor Department.
Read more.
The hasty rollout of the Paycheck Protection Program, initially launched with vague guidance on eligibility, now has many borrowers preparing for
audits and wondering if their loan forgiveness applications will be approved. AICC Insurance partner NFP is offering PPP Loan Repayment Insurance.Perhaps
your carrier is as well.
AICC is a signatory on a coalition letter sent to Congress in support of proposals to allow certain businesses to access a second round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and lower the eligibility standard currently proposed in the Continuing Small Business Recover and Paycheck Protection Program Act from 50 percent revenue decline to 20 percent revenue decline (i.e. allowing businesses that have experienced a revenue decline of 20% or more to access the second round of loans).
AICC Partner FiveL has shared the fact that at least two states have established a (rebuttable) presumption that if certain employees contract COVID-19 it is work related. The two states are Illinois and Connecticut. If you are not self-insured, be sure to talk to your company’s workers’ compensation carrier for any updates and/or recommendations to protocols to be followed.AICC
will investigate further and provide more information as we can.
The CDC has reduced its recommendation for discontinuing home isolation from three days with no fever without the use of any fever-reducing medication to 24 hours, so long as it has also been at least 10 days since the individual’s symptoms first appeared and any symptoms have improved .Members
may need to adjust their internal policies accordingly.
The following categories of travelers may now qualify for national interest exceptions (NIEs) under Presidential Proclamation 9993, which has suspended routine travel from the Schengen Area to the United States:
Investors: Travel in connection with investment or trade in the U.S. economy that generates a substantial economic impact, including investors and treaty-traders on E visas and the senior-level employees who provide strategic direction or expertise essential to the success of the investment, and their dependents.
Economic: Temporary travel that provides a substantial economic benefit to the U.S. economy, including:
Technical experts and specialists to install, service, maintain, or receive training for vessels, machinery and other specialized equipment used by U.S. and foreign firms with a substantial investment in the United States.
Travel is temporary in nature and for a defined period of time.
Earlier this year, at the onset of the pandemic, when states were
ordering shutdowns, many members feared having to cease operations for a
time if there were positive cases in their plants. Customers of some
AICC members asked them about their “contingency” or “business
interruption” plans if they had to close. How would these customers have
their box orders met?
AICC has crafted a template, free to
AICC members, $250 for non-members, that can serve as an agreement
between an AICC member and another boxplant in the event that the member
company cannot complete work due to pandemic, natural disaster, or
other unforeseen, disruptive circumstances. This document, crafted by
AICC legal counsel David Goch of the firm Webster, Chamberlain, &
Bean, is meant to serve as a guide for an AICC member company to
complete customer commitments with the support of another converter in
the event of a business interruption, while also respecting all
applicable fair trade and anti-trust laws.
Friday, July 24, during AICC's bi-weekly videoconference, David Goch and David Lieberman. of Webster,
Chamberlain, and Bean, spoke about the need for a Business
Interruption Agreement and best practices for utilizing such a document. See the PowerPoint.
U.S. Department Of Labor Publishes Additional Guidance on Wage And Hour Rules, Family and Medical Leave As Workplaces Reopen
The U.S. Department of Labor today published additional guidance for workers and employers on how the protections and requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) affect the workplace as workplaces reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic. The guidance from the Department’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD)
includes commonly asked questions and answers that address critical issues in all three laws. Read more.
The Commonwealth of Virginia has enacted State Coronavirus Safety Mandates.Oregon is looking at similar measures and other states are sure to follow. Read more.
AICC Partner Gene Marks shares “The CARE Act’s Best Kept Secret.”
“Not many businesses know that if you close on a Small Business Administration Section 7(a) loan before Sept 27th you get your first 6 months principle and interest payments completely forgiven. That's $33,000 you wouldn't have to pay on a $500,000 loan. You can use the money for equipment, inventory, real estate, buying another business or just working capital.” Gene Marks, CPA, columnist and author.“The
ones with capital right now are the ones who will benefit. The incentives for getting a Section 7(a), thanks to the Cares Act, can help provide that much-needed capital – not for survival, but for future growth.” Gene Marks, CPA.“In
all my years in M&A, I’ve never seen anything like this,” Max Friar, a founding partner of Michigan based Calder Capital, says. “While this is a challenging time for small business owners, this unparalleled action provides quantifiable relief
to small business owners and a great opportunity for those interested in purchasing a small business.
Interested in more secrets/strategies like the one above to generate more cash, click on the image to order Gene’s book out today on Amazon.com.
Several AICC members have expressed concern at the travel restrictions imposed by the Federal Government and the effect on the ability of software and commissioning experts coming to the U.S. from the European manufacturer’s location. U.S. Embassies had been closed during the pandemic and are beginning to reopen. We have noted the below message that was posted by the U.S. Embassy in Austria. We expect other U.S. Embassies in Europe to offer the same service.
National Interest Exceptions
Starting July 15, 2020, Embassy Vienna will resume processing of limited categories of non-immigrant visa applications. At this time, we are prioritizing services for citizens and residents of Austria.
The following categories of travelers may now qualify for national interest exceptions (NIEs) under Presidential Proclamation 9993, which has suspended routine travel from the Schengen Area to the United States:
Investors: Travel in connection with investment or trade in the U.S. economy that generates a substantial economic impact, including investors and treaty-traders on E visas and the senior-level employees who provide strategic direction or expertise essential to the success of the investment, and their dependents.
Economic: Temporary travel that provides a substantial economic benefit to the U.S. economy, including:
Technical experts and specialists to install, service, maintain, or receive training for vessels, machinery and other specialized equipment used by U.S. and foreign firms with a substantial investment in the United States. Travel is temporary in nature and for a defined period of time.
AICC Member Whitebird is manufacturing face shields. If you are looking for shields or if you can help with distribution channels, read more.
Friday, July, 10 AICC hosted a bi-weekly videoconference for the packaging industry. This week featured a presentation, Leverage Data to Drive Revenue During the Pandemic, by Mark Roberts, CEO, OTB Solutions.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston has published a state-by-state listing of lenders participating in the Main Street Lending Program that are currently accepting applications from potential Main Street borrowers. The Boston Fed plans to update the list on a regular basis as additional lenders are approved. You can view the lender listing on the Main Street Lending program website.
This Department of Labor Field Assistance Bulletin (FAB) provides guidance for Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigators regarding when an employee may take leave under the Family First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) to care for his or her child based on the closure of a summer camp, summer enrichment program, or other summer programs for COVID-19 related reasons.
COVID-19 related lawsuits are rolling in: Please take your return to work plans and practices seriously. LOTS of litigation, complaints, and claims are being filed alleging FFCRA and OSHA violations, public nuisance, failure to comply with new paid sick leave requirements, unemployment insurance (fraud), and more. Click here for AICC partner Christine Walters (FiveL) article with links for more information.
AICC Member Guy Ockerlund of OxBox has been working with a local software developer on a device that performs a variety of safety and security measures:
Thermal scanner checks employee as well as visitors and alerts management or supervisors of temperatures out of safe range
Facial recognition alerts management or supervisors of strangers and can be used to unlock doors
Unit is integrated with a time clock feature using facial recognition
OxBox has installed one unit in the shop for plant employees to thermal scan and clock in and out. They will be installing an additional unit at the front door to check temperature, unlock the door for known persons and clock in and out office employees.
Learn more.
AICC held a videoconference on Friday, June 26, for the packaging industry on COVID-19. This week featured a presentation, Owning, Running and Growing Your Business – The Fundamentals Still Apply, by Scott M. Jones, CFP®, CLU, ChFC, Managing Partner, Scott Jones Financial.
AICC partner Sikich LLC has shared an overview on the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan public disclosures of the PPP borrowers. On Friday, June 19, 2020, the Treasury, SBA, and key congressional leaders reached a compromise agreement on PPP borrower disclosure.
AICC partner the NAM has a produced a new ad encouraging Americans to wear face masks as the United States gets back to a new normal and as many return to work.Please
share it with your teams and your community.
The IRS has issued updated FAQs for the employee retention tax credit, the temporary refundable payroll tax credit for eligible employers affected by COVID-19. The updated FAQs relate to the tax credit’s governmental order test and can be found here and here.
SBA and Treasury Announce Enhanced Transparency Regarding the Paycheck Protection Program for entities that have received more than $150,000 in PPP Funds.
On June 17 the SBA has released updated PPP Loan forgiveness forms based on changes made through the PPPFA program earlier this month.AICC partner Sikich LLC has provided background on and quick links to the forms.
The Small Business Administration has released an updated application form for Paycheck Protection Program borrowers seeking loan forgiveness.View the
new form. Read the form instructions. Review the SBA’s rule implementing the changes.
Please note, AICC has begun requiring registration for the free Packaging Industry COVID-19 videoconferences to provide a more secure platform. There is still no charge to attend. The next videoconference will be Friday,
June 26. Register (free).
The Fed has opened the Mainstreet Lending Program for lender registration, so the borrowing component should be following. The program is designed to help credit flow to small and medium-sized businesses that were in sound financial condition before the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, but now need loans to help maintain their operations until they have recovered from, or adapted to, the impacts of the pandemic.
State Plans are OSHA-approved workplace safety and health programs operated by individual states or U.S. territories. There are currently 22 State Plans covering both private sector and state and local government workers. See if your state has additional rules for workplace safety.
AICC provides the above, easy to use state tracker. Sometimes, local jurisdictions set their own rule making, such as Chicago’s Anti-Retaliation Ordinance.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration released a series of frequently asked questions on face coverings, respirators and what employers need to consider as they adapt to operating during this public health crisis.
Friday, June 12, AICC held a videoconference on Friday, June 12, for the packaging industry on COVID-19. This videoconference featured a presentation, Cash is King, with guest speaker Tyler Noesser, Technical Director, alliantgroup, an AICC member company. Tyler can be reached at tylernoesser@alliantgroup.com. The video included information that would only be accurate for a certain amount of time. It is no longer available.
The Federal Reserve Board expands its Main Street Lending Program to allow more small and medium-sized businesses to be able to receive support.You can learn more about the announcement here and access Main Street Lending Program information and documents here.
OSHA COVID-19 Guidance for the Manufacturing Industry Workforce in English and Spanish.
AICC Partner the Small Business Legislative Council has shared a document to assist members in navigating the PPP Flexibility Act of 2020. There are more roads to reach the ultimate goal of loan forgiveness, but businesses will need to be careful to understand their options and select the route that is best for them.
Michael R. Strain, Director of Economic Policy Studies for the American Enterprise Institute, testified before the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship on June 3, 2020 on Covid 19’s Impact on Small Business. His opening statement contains relevant information for AICC members.
As essential businesses potentially seek to bring more of their employees back to work, and with many closed businesses reopening, Paychex has provided a timely article “What to Do if Employees Refuse to Return to Work.”
Who guarantees your workplace is safe? Building health is today a top priority for owners and tenants, but how do we know our offices are safe to re-enter? Find the answers.
The Senate passed legislation (approved by the House last week) that extends the duration of PPP loans to 24 weeks from 8 weeks, giving members more time to use the money and still have the loans forgiven. It also extends the deadline to rehire workers to December 31 to qualify for loan forgiveness. The bill reduces the level of PPP funds that must be used for payroll to 60% from 75%. In addition, the loan pay back time extends from 2 to 5 years if it does not convert to a grant. The application deadline remains June 30, 2020. The bill now goes to the President for signature.
Almost two-thirds of the American workforce were working from home by the end of April, according to Gallup data. As restrictions loosen, businesses are faced with a choice—go back to how things were before or experiment by keeping some elements of their business remote. Whichever, involve your workforce in the decision making.
As businesses re-open, preventing an outbreak in the workplace is everybody’s top priority. Employers will want to do everything possible to ensure everyone’s safety, and one positive step is to mandate workplace testing for COVID-19. But how will this work in practice?
Congress is listening to manufacturers and considering liability protections to protect essential businesses that are doing the right thing and following the best available guidance for operating during the COVID-19 crisis. But they still need to hear directly from manufacturers that this is a priority that requires swift action. You can send your federal lawmakers a message using this tool and urge them to move forward with commonsense and targeted liability protections for manufacturers that have acted in good faith to protect employees while delivering critical products and services.
AICC partner NFP has shared a resource that provides links for the states’ various orders in a chronological way.Click on your state in the grid and it takes you directly to the documents.
Friday, May 29 AICC's bi-weekly Packaging Industry Covid-19 Videoconference featured a presentation, The Economy and Markets in the Time of COVID-19, by G. Scott Clemons, CFA – Partner, Chief Investment Strategist, at Brown Brothers Harriman.
The antitrust statement was begun before we started recording. Download Scott's presentation. Read the chat that accompanied the call and the notes provided by AICC Emerging Leaders, Evan Clary, JS Machine, and Lauren Frisch, Wasatch Container..
For those of you with facilities in Chicago or doing business with customers in Chicago, the city has released a Be Safe Manufacturing Guide to a “cautious” re-opening.
The SBA recently released the PPP Loan Forgiveness Form. If you have received PPP funds and have followed the guidelines for their use, you may be entitled to partial or full forgiveness of the loan.
If your company is looking for ways to contribute to COVID-19 relief efforts, you can connect with NAM partner Good360. They help companies do good by distributing highly needed product donations to people facing challenging life circumstances—all through their global network of vetted nonprofit partners. Please reference AICC and the NAM as your source of referral so we can track the many positive contributions of our members.
AICC has signed onto a NAM letter to Congressional Leadership urging that Legal Safe Harbors be created for Essential Industries such as packaging printers, converters, and their suppliers.
The AICC has signed onto a letter being sent by the NAM to Congressional leadership urging emergency legislative and administrative action to bring improvements to the PPP program.
In two new IRS Notices (2020-29 and 2020-33), issued on May 12, 2020, there are temporary changes to the rules governing Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) through 2020 due to COVID-19, and permanent changes to both FSAs and certain Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) that will begin this year and extend forward into the future.
The Whitehouse has issued an Executive Order instructing Federal Agencies toaddress this economic emergency (brought on by Covid-19) by rescinding, modifying, waiving, or providing exemptions from regulations and other requirements that may inhibit economic recovery.
“Six Ways to Error-Proof Your Plant Floor” is a free webinar presented by Food Engineering. While geared to food processing plants, several of which have been in the news lately, there could be some best practices to be learned from this highly regulated, clean environment, that can bring value to your plant and teams.
At the end of April, the Federal Reserve announced the Main Street Lending Program, which offers $600B in loans to medium and small size businesses. The NAM has provided an FAQs document to assist in your evaluation of this program.
Earlier in May, the IRS updated their FFCRA Fact Sheet, which outlines tax credits to reimburse employers for the costs of providing paid sick leave and paid family and medical leave to employees unable to work because of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
W&H, a manufacturer and installer of C.I. flexo presses for flexible packaging is using mobile offices on installation sites to keep installation employees, and customer employees separated and safe during a project.
OSHA has revised its Enforcement Guidance for Recording Cases of Covid-19. Effective Tuesday May 26, 2020, it provides interim guidance for enforcing the requirements of 29 CFR Part 1904 with respect to the recording of occupational illnesses, specifically cases of COVID-19.
Commercial and publication printer Quad Graphics has graciously shared the Quad Safe at Work Program to the printing industry at large. There is a lot of best practices information here to keep your team and facility safe. AICC thanks Joel Quadracci and Printing Impressions.
The Small Business Legislative Council has created an interpretive document on PPP forgiveness that includes a flow chart to assist you with the required calculation.
AICC is a signatory on this letter to Congressional Leadership from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce seeking improvements to the PPP program as it is currently enacted and interpreted.
On Friday the Treasury released a PPP Loan Forgiveness Application.Of note are the borrower-friendly implementation of statutory
exemptions from loan forgiveness reduction based on rehiring by June 30 and the addition of a new exemption from the loan forgiveness reduction for borrowers who have made a good-faith, written offer to rehire workers that was declined.
Workshare programs available from many states let businesses temporarily reduce the hours of their employees, instead of laying them off during economic downturns. Technically referred to as short time compensation, the goal of workshare programs is to reduce unemployment
AICC held a videoconference on Friday, May 15. Over 100 member companies participated. This week featured a presentation, Beyond The Pandemic: Cash Flow And Strategies For The New Economy, by Gene Marks, CPA, a popular AICC speaker and frequent writer
for The Hill, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Forbes, Inc. Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine and The Guardian. Gene has written 5 books on business management, specifically geared towards small and medium sized companies. His most recent is In God We Trust,
Everyone Else Pays Cash.
The antitrust statement was read before the recording began. Download Gene's updated presentation.Read the chat that accompanied the call and the notes provided by AICC Emerging Leaders, Evan Clary, JS Machine, and Lauren Frisch, Wasatch Container.
The CDC and OSHA have released updated joint guidancespecifically for manufacturing operations.
The NAM has shared a document outlining the best practices for facility safety, put into place by one of their member companies, Click Bond.It can serve as template for you to review and enhance your own practices.
For members with operations, partners or interests in Mexico, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has announced that Mexico will lift restrictions on critical businesses in the coming days. The construction, mining and transportation manufacturing sectors will be added to Mexico’s list of essential activities and allowed to reopen on May 18, and shuttered companies in other sectors will be allowed to reopen on June 1, subject to region-specific conditions. Click here and here for details on the announcement.
The SBA has made an important update in their guidance concerning PPP. In
essence this new guidance offers a “safe harbor” ruling that any borrower who received less than $2M in PPP funds will be deemed to have made the required certification concerning the necessity of the loan request in good faith. Refer to question 46 for this topic.
AICC Partner Sikich LLC offers this analysis for companies over and under the $2M PPP Safe Harbor threshold.
You can use this tool to tell Congress that manufacturers that have stayed on the job and worked to enact safeguards for employees deserve protections against bad-faith coronavirus-related lawsuits. Essential manufacturers should not be punished for doing the right thing. Companies that take action should look for a follow-up from the NAM on how they can get more involved on this critical issue.
AICC advocacy partner the NAM has sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Mnuchin requesting clarifying guidance so that small manufacturers can continue to benefit from the Paycheck Protection Program.
As part of the Federal Reserve’s ongoing efforts to inject capital into the economy through liquidity facilities for businesses impacted by COVID-19, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York has announced that its Secondary Market Corporate Credit Facility will start purchasing exchange-traded funds on May 12. The SMCCF will also begin purchasing eligible corporate bonds in the near future. Read the announcement and FAQs to learn more about how companies can benefit from this program.
With states initiating their reopening plans, AICC partner Sikich LLC has compiled information that you need to consider for your business whether you have never shut down, hoping to reopen shortly or something in between.
AICC Folding Carton Technical Advisor Tom Weber (Ask Tom) has shared a thoughtful article written by Dr. Erin Bromage, “Covid-19 – The Risks. Know Them. Avoid Them”which can be informative as you plan and re-plan your in-plant/in-office Covid strategies.
The Department of Labor and the IRS have jointly issued the extension of certain time frames under ERISA and IRS rules for group health plans, disability and other welfare plans, pension plans, and participants and beneficiaries of these plans during the COVID-19 National Emergency.
As the Government tightens need requirements for PPP to ensure that the funds have gone/are going to qualified companies, AICC Partner Sikich LLC has provided a helpful guide to help you with your evaluation.
The EEOC announced a delay in the collection of EEO 2019 Component-1 data and 2020 EEO 3 and EEO 5 data until 2021.
Euromonitor International has offered a free recording with slides of a webinar they presented on “The Implications of Covid-19 for the Global Economy.”
With so much confusion about PPP funding eligibility, the SBA has released an updated list of FAQs.
The CDC has responded to AICC partner the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) with a broadening of their guidance on specific disinfectants that can be effectively used against Covid-19. Importantly, this includes properly diluted household bleach products.
The IRS has provided guidance regarding the deductibility for Federal income tax purposes of certain otherwise deductible expenses incurred in a taxpayer’s trade or business when the taxpayer receives a loan (covered loan) pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Please read the notice carefully. AICC member Mitch Klingher of Klingher Nadler Associates says, “…the notice serves to deny taxpayers a deduction for expenses that are paid for with PPP loans that are forgiven. In my opinion, this was clearly not Congress’ intent when they said in
the Cares Act that the loan forgiveness would be non-taxable. The only fixes for this are litigation, which will take a very long time, or legislation, which could straighten this out before anyone has to file a tax return. Everyone involved needs to get in touch with their Senators and Congressmen to get this added to whatever the next relief bill that Congress takes up. This will be a significant tax problem for almost every AICC member.”
AICC held a videoconference on Friday, May 1, for the packaging industry on COVID-19. Nearly 200 member companies participated. Adam Josephson of KeyBanc presented an update on the box market and containerboard industry. See Adam's slides. The antitrust statement was read before the recording began.
Read the chat that accompanied the call and the notes provided by AICC Emerging Leaders, Evan Clary, JS Machine, and Lauren Frisch, Wasatch Container.
Please note, thee recording began after the antitrust statement was read.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention yesterday released new reopening guidance that is universally applicable to the broad U.S. population, including manufacturers and other businesses. The CDC webpage and its accompanying printout documents provide a general framework for cleaning and disinfection practices.
The Federal Reserve Board on Thursday announced it is expanding the scope and eligibility for the Main Street Lending Program. The program is designed to help credit flow to small and medium-sized businesses that were in sound financial condition before the pandemic. Read the FAQs about the program.
MA extended the state’s stay at home order through May 18
LA extended the state’s stay at home order through May 15
OH outlined new operational guidance for manufacturers as the state prepares to partially reopen
AICC has joined other Associations and signed a letter to Congress requesting consideration of legislation offering legal safe harbor status for essential
industries. Many AICC members, because they have remained operational during times of remarkable legal uncertainty, can risk becoming the targets of coronavirus-related lawsuits that will ultimately do nothing to reduce the spread of this disease
or address the suffering that Americans have endured because of it. Congress must act to ensure that such misguided litigation does not derail our recovery.
So many AICC members have been producing PPE and other helpful items for hospitals, first responders and their communities. If you have the ability to produce these items but don’t have an outlet for donating them, please consider Good 360 which has been vetted by the National Association of Manufacturers and carries their approval
CO released details about the state’s looser restrictions, which will be in effect for the next 30 days
HI extended the state’s stay at home order through May 31
MI extended the state’s stay at home order through May 15, while allowing for resumed activities including paint sales and lawn and garden centers
IL extended the state’s stay in place order through May 30 — adding new restrictions on production lines and requiring face coverings. In addition, on Monday, manufacturers in IL won a major victory when the state withdrew a burdensome workers’ compensation rule related to COVID
OH outlined new operational guidance for manufacturers in Ohio as the state prepares to partially reopen
MS outlined a phased reopening of some businesses beginning May 4
TX outlined plans to begin reopening some in-person business operations beginning May 1
MN and MS released updated guidance for businesses as they partially lift stay at home orders
AICC launched its second member survey on Covid-19 issues and their effect on operations.There are surveys for both box making members and suppliers.The survey will close later this week.
To participate please click on the appropriate link:
On Friday, nearly 200 participants shared their latest questions and answers on the AICC COVID-19 weekly videoconference. Helpful information was shared in the chat and AICC Emerging Leaders, Evan Clary, JS Machine, and Lauren Frisch, Wasatch Container shared their notes about the event.
The NAM sent a letter to Mexican President Obrador in support of U.S. manufacturers with operations in Mexico.The
letter urges Mexico to consider U.S. CISA infrastructure guidance in its designations of essential business operations. This letter is written in response to a coordinated effort by Mexico, the U.S. and Canada to reopen the automotive sector and support
industries.
Here is an English translation of the press release from Mexico.
You are Essential, so is AICC. Renew Your Company’s Membership
IL extended the state’s stay in place order through May 30 — adding new restrictions on production lines and requiring face coverings.
NC extended its stay in place order through May 8, using the existing exemptions for essential businesses.
NM extended its stay in place order through May 15, using the state’s existing definition of businesses regarded as essential.
ID issued a phased reopening plan that would see a partial reopening of business beginning in the first half of May.
OK issued guidance for a “Phase I” reopening of the states non-essential businesses (see OK section for more) to phase in beginning April 24.
AK issued back to work guidance beginning April 24.
MT issued a health order outlining a back-to-work phase that will begin lifting some restrictions for non-essential businesses on April 27 (see MT section for more).
See CO, TN, GA and SC sections for more details about reopening plans in those states.
On Thursday the House of Representatives passed the Stimulus 3.5 Relief Bill previously passed by the Senate. Here are FAQs about this latest bill.
AICC participated in an interesting webinar put on by the NAM on Wednesday titled Post Covid-19: Prepping Your People for the New Normal. Watch the recording and see the corresponding support materials
AICC hosted a free webinar, Face Masks & PPE during COVID, Wednesday, April 22. The webinar, designed by AICC Emerging Leaders and sponsored by Gemini North America, This webinar spotlights AICC member companies that have experience with creating policies around masks in their workplace. As they share their experiences, we will learn:
Legal ramifications around company issued mask policy.
Different types of face masks available along with the advantages/disadvantages of each.
Proving Mask Training – proper ways to use, store, and sanitize.
States did not release updates yesterday that affect AICC members’ operations. Here is a grid showing each states’ current status on shutdowns and restrictions. Of note is that several states are beginning to post (see far right columns) outlines for what coming out of shutdown looks like.
Several members have inquired about thermometers for scanning employees upon arrival. AICC member Al Hoodwin of Michigan City Paper Box shared the following information on the Seek Scan Thermal Imaging System. A simple thermal imaging system designed to automate body temperature screening using skin temperature as a proxy. It can be installed in lobbies, hallways, and other key access points to help businesses, institutions and venues create a safer environment
for their workforce, customers, members, and patrons. Easy-to-install and easy-to-use, the system can be up and running in minutes with no special equipment or training.
The Senate has passed the Stimulus 3.5 relief bill. It is expected that the House will take up the bill today. There is still time to let your legislator know how you feel about passing
this bill. If passed, the new bill would, among other things:
Provide additional funding for PPP loans;
Provide additional funding for Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program;
Provide the SBA with additional funding to help administer COVID-19 response programs;
Provide funding to Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund for the purposes of reimbursing health care providers for expenses and lost revenues related to COVID-19; and
Provide funding for COVID-19 testing, nearly half of which would be distributed (in amounts dictated by the terms of the bill) to states, localities, territories and American Indian tribes.
This bill simply increases funding and does not make any substantive changes to the PPP or the EIDL program. Thus those small businesses that have already obtained funding through either program will not be impacted.
The American Forest & Paper Association has produced a “Thank You to the Paper and Wood Products Employees Delivering Essential Products” video
PA extended its stay at home order (for individuals, not businesses) and requirement for companies to provide face coverings for employees until May 8
CO, GA, TN and SC issued orders or guidance on plans to either lift or not renew stay at home orders and allow for the limited reopening of businesses in the state. See the above link for details specific to each state.
On the last videoconference, members asked questions about how to respond to a positive Covid-19 test of an employee. We share again the CDC guidance for such an incident.
The NAM has compiled a document on the implications of stay at home orders in Canada and Mexico. If you are an AICC member doing business across
borders, please consider viewing this document.
AICC partner Sikich LLP has give permission for AICC to share slides from webinars they have presented on a broad range of governmental programs. Here are slides outlining the changes in tax policies that are available for small businesses.
Congress is considering additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Use this link, https://actnow.io/e4x9kWk, and share it with your employees to let your representatives know that
you would like this program to continue.
All employees, especially the front line workers in the plants, can be feeling tremendous stress at these times. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce conducted a webinar on Cultivating Wellness in the Workplace. The NAM also conducted a webinar on Employee Morale which can be viewed here.
Please share these links with the team member responsible for HR in your facility.
Acme Corrugated Box in Hatboro, PA has been a leader in employee wellness engagement and appreciation during this crisis. On Friday April 17 Acme held a “Thank You Rally” where approximately 30 Team Members, who have been working remotely since
the week of March 16th, lined the street outside the plant with posters and cheers for the Production Team, at change of shift, to show the great appreciation, respect, and gratitude for all they are doing as Acme remains operational during this difficult
time. The rally began as first shift exited the building, followed by second shift arriving a short bit later.
MS extended its stay at home order through April 27
IN will issue an order early this week extending the state’s stay at home order until May 1
TX has created a “Strike Force” to reopen the state for business which signals it likely will not extend the stay in force order (in its current form) past May 1
NY and MO have extended their stay at home orders until May 15
WI extended its order until May 26
Dallas County, TX issued requirements for essential workers to wear face coverings at work sites (see TX section)
CISA/DHS on April 17 updated its Critical Infrastructure Guidance. This is the Federal document
that outlines essential businesses and workers and has language favorable to AICC general and associate members. Among the updates is the inclusion of “printers” and “packaging” in the medical section.
RISI/Fastmarkets conducted a webinar earlier in the month on the Impact of Covid-19 on Containerboard Markets. Watch the recording.
Garrett Bradley and Gemini North America are offering non-medical grade face masks to AICC members for $00.63 each. Garrett will also donate 1 million masks through the Deaconess Program for each 5 million masks sold. Please reach out to him at garrett@gemininorthamerica.com or on his mobile 816-305-8271.
The AICC April 17 Packaging Industry Videoconference brought over 200 people together to ask and answer COVID-19 related questions.
You can read the "chat" and the event notes provided by AICC Emerging Leaders, Evan Clary, JS Machine, and Lauren Frisch, Wasatch Container.
Disclaimer: Information and answers to questions about COVID-19 published herein are provided by AICC for voluntary, informational use in the rapidly evolving novel coronavirus crisis. This information does not constitute medical or legal advice, is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions, does not endorse products or therapies, recommend or mandate any particular course of medical care, and is not a statement of the standard of care. New evidence may emerge between the time information is developed and when it is published or read. The information is not comprehensive or continually updated. This information is not intended to substitute for the independent professional judgment of health care providers, or legal or tax advisors. When reviewing government guidance and policy to develop company policy, companies should evaluate their specific situation based on their own facts. AICC provides this information on an “as is” basis, and makes no warranty, express or implied, regarding the information, including but not limited to its completeness or accuracy. AICC specifically disclaims any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular use or purpose. AICC assumes no responsibility for any injury or damage to persons or property arising out of or related to any use of this information or for any errors or omissions. Use of the information is subject to the complete AICC website Terms of Use.
The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by AICC of the linked websites, or the information, products or services contained therein. AICC does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations nor does AICC make any representation of their accuracy or completeness. Please contact those websites with any questions.
NY extended its order to close non-essential businesses until May 15
WI extended its stay in place order until May 26
MO extended the state’s stay at home order until May 3. The mayors of St. Louis and Kansas City extended their local stay at home orders until May 15
The governors in the Midwest (MN-WI-IL-IN-MI-OH-KY) announced a plan to coordinate on the reopening of the economy following the coronavirus pandemic.
Earlier this week, a series of Western states (CA-OR-WA) announced their intention to work as a group on lifting stay at home orders and reopening commerce.
Earlier this week, a series of Northeastern states (PA-DE-NJ-NY-CT-RI-MA) announced their intention to work as a group on lifting stay at home orders and reopening commerce.
The Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission have published a joint reminder about anti-trust and anti-collusion during a time of COVID-19where
companies may necessarily need to work together in response to challenges brought on by the pandemic.
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ran out of funding yesterday, with thousands of applications unprocessed. Send a message to Congress about committing additional funds
this tool.
Today at 1:00 pm ET NAM is hosting a webinar, Employee Wellness: Improving Morale During COVID-19. The webinar is free, but you do need to register in advance.
AICC member RapidBond has recently become a distributor for the Power Breezer. The Power Breezer is a portable atomizing fan/sprayer, that provides cooling as well as disinfection & purification of the environment, using only water and bleach
to operate. Learn more. Contact Mike Kocherga, Mobile: +1-619-884-4334, email: michael@rapidbond.net.
Maximum direct spray distance 65 feet (20 meters): http://landing.powerbreezer.com/covid-19/.
The equipment can be easily placed in critical spaces, reception areas, plant entrances, truck loading areas, etc.
A single unit disinfects & cools up to 3,000 square feet (232 m2).
The integrated 85-gallon water tank can last up to five days.
Does not wet users or equipment.
AICC vendor, Delta Marketing, has started selling masks and other medical supplies. Some types are available to ship now. See what is available.
PA issued an order requiring employers to provide masks to employees, and require wearing them while on a worksite.
ID extended its stay in place order with existing exemptions for essential businesses through April 30, and imposed a self-quarantine requirement for out-of-state travelers.
KS extended its stay in place order until May 3 .
NY has ordered the wearing of masks while in public; it’s unclear whether this would impact manufacturers.
The NAM will run an employee wellness webinar Friday 4/17 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. EDT. Register.
Fastmarkets RISI is hosting a webinar: Global Pulp and RCP – The Current Impact of COVID-19, Friday, April 17, at 10:00 am ET. Register.
AICC members are doing some very innovative things to help keep kids entertained and help out in
these uncertain times, including Carlisle Container Co, who designed these amazing Hideaway Houses (and as much as we love our tiny people I am sure by this point some of us wouldn't mind hiding from them for a bit.) See Adam Wolf's or
Diane Wolf's post on LinkedIn.
What is your company doing to help in the crisis? What amazing new things have you created because of the pandemic? Let us know. Email your stories to Virginia at vhumphrey@aiccbox.org. We may include them in
future updates or other AICC publications.
AICC members have another outlet to share information: an online Community, which is a place for members to ask and answer questions about COVID-19 and a variety of other topics. Learn how to find and use the Community. You must be logged in to participate.
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
OSHA made a very important update in guidance regarding COVID-19 as a work-related illness. In areas where there
is ongoing community transmission, OSHA will not enforce the requirement that employers make work-relatedness determinations regarding COVID-19 except in the case of a few exceptions.
Economics During COVID-19: Impact and Cash Flow Practices. NAM Chief Economist Chad Moutray and experts from BKD will discuss the state of the manufacturing economy and the practical measures manufacturers should consider for weathering the
challenging business environment. You can register for the webinar, which will take place on Wednesday, April 15, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EDT. Register.
Terry Carman, AICC's First Lady & wife of AICC Chairman Jay Carman, President, StandFast Group, has been sewing masks for StandFast and Blackhawk employees. They have been very appreciative of her efforts.
Monday, April 13, 2020
Key state updates are listed below. Review NAM's Daily State Tracker to see details on all state orders and updates.
VT extended until May 15 its stay in place order with existing exemptions for essential manufacturers.
CT extended its stay in place order until May 20.
AK extended its stay in place order until April 21, and imposed a new requirement that essential businesses submit plans for maintaining critical infrastructure to the state government.
UT imposed a new requirement for travelers into the state to submit information to the state Department of Transportation.
MI extended its stay in place order through April 30, maintaining the same exemptions for essential businesses.
NJ imposed many new operational requirements on essential manufacturers who remain operational.
Thursday, April 9, AICC held its fourth industry COVID-19 videoconference. Over 200 people shared their questions, best practices, and ideas.
Helpful information was also shared in the chat. AICC Emerging Leaders, Evan Clary, JS Machine, and Lauren Frisch, Wasatch Container, volunteered to act as the
scribes for the call and share their notes on the videoconference with members.
On Thursday’s AICC videoconference, Greg Tucker of Bay Cities spoke of an automated kiosk that can take an employee’s temperature. He was kind enough to share this information: Arch Staffing has been able to conduct temperature checks through
our unmanned onsite kiosks at our client sites through thermal imaging cameras. Watch a short video to see how employee’s temperatures could even be checked remotely by a health professional
through Telemedicine. Contact Rob McConnell – President, Arch Staffing & Consulting, at 310.438.9718 or rob.mcconnell@archstaffing.us.
Jana Harris of Harris Packaging mentioned Fiber Shield.org on today’s videoconference. Paperboard Packaging companies throughout the world are uniting to eliminate the shortage of COVID-19
protective face shields. About Fiber Shield: Our goal is to protect the medical community that we depend upon to protect us. Please join our community, share our resources and help defeat COVID-19.
Jim Nelson has referred Shirts and Logos as a possible source for face masks. Here is a sample of what they have available. The masks can be made with your company
name or logo included on them. The price on this sheet is the retail price, but they are offering AICC members special pricing. The masks are made in Wisconsin. If there are questions, feel free to connect with Russ Gorman of Shirts and Logos at 414.254.3606.
There are state updates daily, and the NAM does a good job of tracking them. View your state. State by state updates begin on page 3. Key state
updates are included below:
New Jersey imposed many new operational requirements on essential manufacturers who remain operational.
Minnesota extended its stay in place order until May 4, adding tighter language governing how employees are able to work in essential businesses.
Delaware extended its stay in place order until May 15.
Montana extended its stay in place order until April 24.
New temporary partitions aim to help businesses stay operational during Coronavirus outbreak.
Members who would like to receive a global view of the economic impact of COVID-19 should consider attending this webinar, Market Impact of COVID-19: How to Respond, Reset, and Rebound, which is taking place today, April 9 at 11:00 am ET. It will also be available after the fact as a download.
AICC yesterday AICC hosted COVID-19 and Business Continuity (The Next 90 Days), a webinar featuring Dan Pascale, CPP, Executive Vice President of Margolis Healy and Associates.
Lastly, as you know, packaging can be reused before it is recycled...
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
This is the first day since we’ve been maintaining this site that there is no new information regarding
state closures, shelter in place orders, or essential business orders that are relevant to AICC members. It is a good time to re-share a link to the NAM grid that shows the current situation in all 50 states. It’s a good time for you to reference what your state expects of you, your employees, and your business.
The Treasury Department has released an updated list of FAQs regarding the SBA Paycheck Protection Program.
AICC partner Suzy Cummins has shared an interesting document entitled “What are my Options,” which maps out COVID-related instances that may
occur in your plant along with response options from the employer, the state, and the FFCRA. This document, which contains information from the State of Georgia, should be modified with your own in-plant solutions and those of your state unemployment statutes. The FFCRA solutions can be considered more or less universal but may require HR or legal review and comment.
AICC will host COVID-19 and Business Continuity (The Next 90 Days) Webinar today, Wednesday, April 8, at 2:00 pm ET. This free webinar, sponsored by Poteet
Printing, will explore the 5 critical focus areas as you navigate the next 90 days of this emergenc:
New York extended the state’s stay in place guidance until April 29.
South Carolina has a stay in place order ordering “non-essential” businesses to close, not including manufacturers among those non-essential businesses; at the same time, the state clarified its travel restrictions to exempt essential businesses as
defined by federal CISA guidance from self-quarantine requirements.
For those of you who attended the AICC webinar on 4/2 with Mitch Klingher on FFCRA, the CARES Act, and business continuity, Mitch has shared the slides from the webinar.
AICC will host COVID-19 and Business Continuity (The Next 90 Days) Webinar tomorrow, Wednesday, April 8. This free webinar, sponsored by Poteet Printing,
will explore the 5 critical focus areas as you navigate the next 90 days of this emergency.
RPI Prints’ Suzy Cumins, an AICC Education Partner, has shared her company’s COVID-19 Exposure Policy.
Monday, April 6, 2020
States continue to announce and evolve their stay at home orders and their guidelines for essential businesses, found on NAM's Daily State Tracker, which we have summarized below:
On Friday night, South Carolina issued a stay in place order ordering “non-essential” businesses to close, not including manufacturers among those non-essential businesses; at the same time, South Carolina clarified its travel restrictions to exempt
essential businesses as defined by federal CISA guidance from self-quarantine requirement.
On Friday, Missouri adopted a stay at home order that exempts manufacturers designated as “essential” under the federal CISA guidance.
On Friday, Alabama adopted a stay at home order designating as “essential” manufacturers broadly, as well as those identified under federal CISA guidelines.
On Thursday, Georgia issued a stay in place order with exemptions for “essential” business as defined by the federal CISA guidelines, plus suppliers for those businesses.
The FFCRA has expanded paid sick leave and emergency family and medical leave coverages. Here are forms that accommodate the necessary data for both instances:
The Association for Print Technologies has posted a “Disaster Recovery Toolkit” for the global printing industry that offers many good tips to follow.
On April 1, the U.S. Department of Labor published the FFCRA implementing regulations. We now have until April 30 until the regulations will be fully enforced. Towards that end, Christine Walters will again host a FREE webcast on Wednesday,
April 8th from noon -1:30 EDT. Read more and register. This is not an AICC webinar, but Christine has been a valued AICC partner and speaker
and we appreciate her sharing her expertise and knowledge with interested AICC members.
Friday, April 3, AICC hosted its third Packaging Industry COVID-19 Videoconference. Nearly 300 people shared their questions, best practices, and ideas. The beginning of the videoconference, which included reading the antitrust statement and
some housekeeping details was not captured in the recording.
Helpful information was also shared in the chat. AICC Emerging Leaders, Evan Clary, JS Machine, and Lauren Frisch, Wasatch Container, volunteered to act
as the scribes for the call and share their notes on the videoconference with members.
AICC members have another outlet to share information: an online Community, which is a place for members to ask and answer questions about COVID-19 and a variety of other topics. Learn how to find and use the Community. You must be logged in to participate.
April 3, 2020
The Small Business Administration (SBA) late last night issued an “Interim Final Rule,” which provides guidance and answers questions regarding section 1102 of the CARES Act, which is the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Based on yesterday’s AICC webinar
with Mitch Klingher on the recent legislation and how it affects AICC members, there were many questions about this program. See the document.
GA has issued a stay in place order while OH modified an existing order while OK and TX modified travel restrictions. New travel rules have been announced in KS. See NAM Daily State Tracker.
Key state updates within the last 24 hours include:
Georgia issued a stay in place order with exemptions for “essential” business as defined by the federal CISA guidelines, plus suppliers for those businesse.
Ohio extended its stay in place order through May 1, maintaining existing exemptions for manufacturer.
Oklahoma and Texas have updated their travel restrictions to provide clearer guidance and exempt essential businesses from the order.
The Business Roundtable and the National Association of Manufacturers are combining efforts to bolster the business community’s response to shortages of urgently needed supplies. These organizations have developed an online survey to identify
existing supplies and new manufacturing capacity to support emergency production efforts. All members of America’s business community are invited to join by completing this survey. The aim is
to aid government’s efforts to deploy resources quickly and where they are needed most.
New stay in place orders include FL (statewide), SC, NV, and ME. There are new orders in the SFO Bay Area imposing stricter stay in place restrictions, along with travel restriction updates in OK and TX and new orders in DE. See the NAM Daily State Tracker.
Florida issued a stay in place order that adopts the federal CISA guidance for “essential” operations exempt from the order.
South Carolina issued an order closing several types of “nonessential” businesses, not including manufacturers.
On Tuesday night, seven Bay Area counties issued stay in place orders that tighten the definition of essential businesses.
Oklahoma and Texas have updated their travel restrictions to provide clearer guidance and exempt essential businesses from the order.
Delaware also issued new travel restrictions exempting essential businesses.
If your state is among those to recently introduce restrictions, please see our summary of key links and templates for downloadable letter templates for your employees, customers, partners
and suppliers referencing the essential nature of your business. Read the NAM language regarding essential employees.
Tomorrow, April 3, the SBA loan application process opens for businesses affective by Covid 19, government ordered shutdowns and companies that are willing to keep workers on their payroll during these unsettled times. Download the application. Review the Borrower Information Fact Sheet.
Mitch Klingher of Klingher Nadler LLP will be the featured presenter in an AICC webinar entitled Covid-19 Legislative Tax Relief and its Impact on Manufacturers today,
Thursday, April 2, at 2:00 p.m. ET. This webinar will focus on the following topics:
Update of all recently enacted Federal legislation and IRS notices
Analysis of 2 types of SBA loans available for disaster relief
Discussion of how to preserve value during the coronavirus Pandemic including action steps to weather the tide
AICC members have another outlet to share information: an online Community, which is a place for members to ask and answer questions about COVID-19 and a variety of other topics. Learn how to find and use the Community. You must be logged in to participate.
Package: 5 gallon pails - FOSTER 40-80 L Q PT5P 18.90 KG Minimum Order Quantity: 1 pallet /24 pails/120 gallons – Full Pallet Orders Only Terms: FOB Houston TX. $55 per 5 gallon pail – FOB Houston. Minimum order
one pallet – (24) pails per pallet. One gallon covers 1000 SF Product #10007910 – Disinfectant 40-80.
April 1, 2020
New Stay in Place Orders are in place in AZ and FL.Extensions to existing orders are announced in IL, MA and LA.New travel restrictions in TX, KY, MT, SC, OK, VT, ND and MA. See Daily State Tracker.
Arizona adopted a stay in place order that designates manufacturers as essential businesses that may continue operations.
Illinois and Louisiana each announced the stay in place orders are extended until April 30
Massachusetts extended the state’s stay in place order through May 4 and issued updated essential business guidance.
Florida issued a partial stay in place order affecting counties in south Florida with broad manufacturing exemptions.
A number of states are issuing restrictions requiring out-of-state travelers to self quarantine upon arrival in their state. Many include work-related exemptions.
The Treasury Department is offering an Employee Retention Credit to businesses affected by Covid-19. There are two instances where the credit may be applied:
The employer’s business is fully or partially suspended by government order due to COVID-19 during the calendar quarter.
The employer’s gross receipts are below 50 percent of the comparable quarter in 2019. Once the employer’s gross receipts go above 80 percent of a comparable quarter in 2019 they no longer qualify after the end of that quarter.
AICC has always supported peer learning and connections. The strength of the Association iargely built upon the stength of the connections between members. At all AICC events we have facilitated connections. We have even seen this online during the weekly AICC Packaging Industry COVID-19 Videoconferences. To give members another outlet to share information we can created an online Community to allow member to ask and answer questions about COVID-19 and a variety of other topics. Learn how to find and use the Community. You must be logged in to participate.
Lastly, AICC understands we need to adjust to the times, so we are now allowing a new payment method for all outstanding invoices:
Happy April Fools Day!
March 31, 2020
On Monday March 30:
VA issued a stay in place order that does not appear to limit manufacturing operations.
TN issued a stay in place order that adopts the federal CISA definition for essential employees and adds additional language on manufacturing.
TX adopted strict restrictions on border crossings for Louisiana and implemented a process for employers to stipulate how to certify their cross-border employees as essential.
MD updated its guidance to enhance its stay in place enforcement but with no apparent changes to how manufacturers are impacted.
This is a reminder that the Families First Coronavirus Response Act goes into effect tomorrow, April 1 and that
AICC members with less than 500 employees are all subject to the provisions of this law unless granted an exception, which is only available to companies with less than 50 employees. See a list of FAQs from the Department of Labor. Read all the resources from the Department of Labor that you may need to steer your way through compliance with the FFCRA.
Mitch Klingher of Klingher Nadler LLP will be the featured presenter in an AICC webinar entitled Covid-19 Legislative Tax Relief and its Impact on Manufacturers on Thursday, April 2, at 2:00 p.m. ET. This webinar will focus on the following
topics:
Update of all recently enacted Federal legislation and IRS notices
Analysis of 2 types of SBA loans available for disaster relief
Discussion of how to preserve value during the coronavirus Pandemic including action steps to weather the tide
We have not shared the CISA language providing guidance on Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers since last week. This is the latest document, that has received many updates since originally issued two weeks ago. Members should be familiar with all sections of critical infrastructure identification, but we point members’ particular attention to the section on critical manufacturing.
The Thomas Register people, known today as simply Thomas, have put together a Coronavirus Resource Hub for manufacturers that includes several helpful links and a state by state
guide to states with orders limiting business operations.
March 30, 2020
Here is the latest NAM daily update which includes a state by state look at the status of emergency orders and their affect on manufacturing. On Saturday
evening, RI issued a “stay in place order” that only appears to affect retail businesses at this time.
Many in the industry have asked what should be done in the event that an employee tests positive for Covid-19. The NAM has put together this Q&A on procedures.
AICC Partner Lumi has compiled and is maintaining a “Network Status” site that is tracking supply chain performance nationwide based on data received from “thousands of companies.” Participate in the survey. See the current Packaging Supply Chain Network Status.
A NAM letter to governors calling for “uniform approach” and the “direct adoption” of Federal
Guidelines on critical infrastructure. DHS/CISA revised the language on 3/19 and again on 3/28, with important elaboration on the supply chain. The most important addition to the language is this, “Workers necessary for the manufacturing of materials and products needed for medical supply chains, and for supply chains associated with transportation, energy, communications, food and agriculture, chemical manufacturing, nuclear facilities, the operation of dams, water and wastewater treatment, emergency services, and the defense industrial base. Additionally, workers needed to maintain the continuity of these manufacturing functions and associated supply chains.”
Friday, March 27 AICC hosted its second packaging industry COVID-19 videoconference. On the conference, members received guidance from David Goch and Christine Walters on the Covid-related legislation that has recently been enacted. In addition,
members shared experiences and advice on how to adjust and continue operations in these uncertain times. The third video conference is scheduled for this coming Friday, April 3 at 2:00 pm ET. See tomorrow’s daily update for information
about how to join the videoconference.
During the videoconference several asked about the FEFCO flowchart, a template for what to do when an employee tests positive that was shared on this
page earlier. While we could not sharpen the original picture shared, we have tried to recreate it. Good advice was also shared in the chat.
AICC member H.B. Fuller has an EPA approved, Covid-19 effective, disinfectant to clean equipment and non-porous surfaces
and floors. Foster 40-80 is a water based, bleach free, biocide and virucide disinfectant that can be used to disinfect work areas. Foster 40-80 has been approved as a disinfectant against Covid 19 and is registered with the EPA. Our
traditional channel to market is through distributors associated with restoration supplies. As a public service to AICC members, HB Fuller is making this product available directly.
Package: 5 gallon pails - FOSTER 40-80 L Q PT5P 18.90 KG Minimum Order Quantity: 1 pallet /24 pails/120 gallons – Full Pallet Orders Only Terms: FOB Houston TX. $55 per 5 gallon pail – FOB Houston. Minimum order
one pallet – (24) pails per pallet. One gallon covers 1000 SF Product #10007910 – Disinfectant 40-80.
March 27, 2020
The State of CO issued a stay in place order yesterday. While not referencing the DHS/CISA language, Section III C. 2 & 3 of the Public Health Order clearly mentions packaging and other supply chain support of critical businesses as also critical. See
the updated daily state tracker. This should be a daily must-read for you.
If you are a business of 500 employees or less, the Families First Relief Act affects you. Your business needs to display an FFCRA Poster.
The Department of Labor (DoL) states, “Each covered employer must post in a conspicuous place on its premises a notice of FFCRA requirements.” Since many of your employees may be working remotely, you may want to use another communication vehicle, such
as your intranet or employee email blast to give them the link to the poster or a PDF of the poster itself. Read FAQs regarding the poster
AICC hosted a webinar with Christine Walters of FiveL yesterday. Christine has been a partner of AICC human resources issues and employment law for many years. The webinar walked the 65 attendees through the Families First Coronavirus Relief
Act (FFCRA). Read the slides associated with the presentation.
With the current economic environment where so many packaging sales resources are on restricted travel, many packaging companies are thinking about alternative (virtual) methods to develop new business for sustainable sales growth. Athena SWC, LLC CEO
Todd Zielinski, a frequent BoxScore contributor, will be hosting a free educational webcast for packaging manufacturers on Thursday, April 2nd at 11am EST. The webcast will provide an overview of a virtual best practice process model leveraging proven
outbound and inbound marketing methodologies, focused on new business development efforts specific to packaging manufacturing environments. Learn more and register.
BridgeWorks is offering a webinar, Generational Communication in a Time of Crisis, Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at 1:00 PM CT. BridgeWorks’ keynote speakers Phil Gwoke and Scott Zimmer will be offering insights and a framework on how to manage and communicate
with each generation on your team during times of uncertainty. Learn more and register.
The States of MN, MS, ME, NM, and OK issued stay in place orders yesterday. Oklahoma’s is a partial stay at home order that affects the counties with the most Covid-19 cases. All these states have adopted DHS/CISA guidance relative to essential businesses
which is favorable to packaging-related businesses and their supply chains. Several jurisdictions have announced local orders in FL and NC. See the updated daily state tracker.
This should be a daily must-read for you.
AICC has seen a surge of learners at AICC’s Packaging School in the face of the Covid-19 situation. Social distancing does not have to mean stopping your training efforts in the plant. If you are already a Packaging School “scholar,” interested
in taking your first course or wanting to put on a training program for your team, visit The Packaging School.
On Tuesday, March 24, AICC Mexico held a video conference for its members to discuss how Covid-19 is affecting their employees, operations, and customers.
This may also be useful for U.S.-based Spanish first language speakers to get membership perspective in their native tongue.
March 25, 2020
The States of WI, KS, VT, HI, and WA issued stay in place orders yesterday that adopt DHS/CISA guidance relative to essential businesses. This guidance has established language indicating packaging related businesses and their supply chains as “essential.” See the updated daily state tracker. There are several very helpful links at this site, including references to individual cities that have made or are contemplating making restriction declarations due to Covid-19.
AICC participated in a webinar with the Small Business Legislative Council (SBLC) on Small Businesses and Covid-19. They provided a useful and comprehensive explanation of the details related to the Phase III pending legislation that will be voted on by the Senate today, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act including Emergency Family and Medical Leave Act, Paid Sick Leave, Tax Credits, Unemployment Legislation and Orders and some Q&A.
As shared previously, the IRS has pushed back the tax filing date for individuals and corporations until July 15. Yesterday the IRS issued an FAQ on this action.
AICC Canada President Stephen Moore of Moore Packaging issued this letter to AICC Canada members noting the critical nature of the role Canadian packaging companies play in the supply chain and supporting a letter to Canada’s Prime Minister from the Canadian Corrugated Case Association.
AICC Mexico held a videoconference yesterday, March 24, with nearly 60 participants discussing the effect of Covid-19 on their operations and how they are responding to the challenges for their employees and customers.
FEFCO has canceled their Summit 2020 which was to be held in Amsterdam in May. FEFCO also shared this quote from the Eduoard Philippe, Prime Minister of France.
March 24, 2020
More states announced business restrictions yesterday, MI, MA, IN, WV and MD. Each of these states is using the Federal DHS/CISA language outright or in some modified form. This lanugage is favorable to packaging operations and their suppliers.
At the same time, DHS made a key update to the CISA guidance: In addition to those industries recognized as critical manufacturing, the new language adds: “Additionally, workers needed to maintain the continuity of these manufacturing functions and
associated supply chains.” This is great news for all AICC members, general and associate.
The States of VA, CO and OR implemented business restrictions yesterday that do not affect manufacturing operations.
NEW DATE: Thursday, March 26, at 2:00 pm ET AICC is hosting a free webinar for members, HR COVID-19 Advice & Input, led by Christine V. Walters, J.D., MAS, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, Independent Consultant,
FiveL Company. The webinar will cover issues impacting employers including the Family First Coronavirus Response Act, CDC Risk Assessment Guidance, and other legal issues. Register now.
AICC will participate in two Covid related teleconferences today, one by the Small Business Legislative Council and one by the NAM. We’ll provide all relevant information in tomorrow’s update.
March 23, 2020
AICC held a videoconference on Friday, March 20, for members on the topic of Covid-19. More than 385 member companies participated. Several members shared the measures they are taking to keep their employees safe, their customers informed, and their operations
continuing. Most of the hour-long forum was filled with peer to peer questions and answers. To listen to a recording of the videoconference, download the files here (NOTE: You will not be able to listen in your web browser, you must download them first. Video and audio only options are available) or watch the video below. There were also many helpful tips shared by
members in the chat.
AICC’s members are facing new challenges and changing their operations to accommodate the COVID-19 crisis. In a concurrent survey of box making and supplier members conducted in the week of March 16, 148 of AICC member companies – or 36% --
responded to questions about the kinds of impacts they see in their businesses as the coronavirus pandemic spreads throughout North America. Read the summaries of the box maker member survey results, and the supplier member survey results.
Many members have been asking AICC to provide procedures that can be followed in the event that an employee tests positive for Covid-19. Our friends at FEFCO, the European Federation Corrugated Board Manufacturers, have shared this flow chart for this situation.
The following states, as part of their State of Emergency declarations, have limited business activities. California, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and New Jersey. Of these, California and Connecticut refer to language that
comes from the DHS/CISA offering “Critical Infrastructure Guidance.” The other states have offered language that is not rooted
in the Federal wording but does offer consideration for the activities of AICC members.
UPDATED 11:30 AM:
Additional States have announced business restrictions, along with exceptions and proactive measures.
The State of Ohio, effective at noon today, March 23. Ohio is using the Federal Critical Infrastructure Guidance in their definition of essential businesses which has language favorable for packaging related companies to remain open.
The State of Louisiana, effective at 5 p.m. today, March 23. Louisiana is using the Federal Critical Infrastructure Guidance in their definition of essential businesses, which has language favorable for packaging related companies to remain open.
Several other states are taking proactive measures ahead of shutdowns. Please see the updated NAM State Restriction Snapshot Tracker. Specifically, these states are providing links for
you to establish your business as essential:
North Carolina companies should email beoc@ncdps.gov with the following information: Business name; Point of contact (including name, email, phone number and address); Nature of their business and why they are critical
to continue operations.
Minnesota has now opened a survey for companies to compile essential business information for them to use to share with the governor.
Please call 703-535-1386 or email mdangelo@aiccbox.org at the AICC office, if you are seeking clarity or support.
AICC, as a member of the Corrugated Packaging Alliance (CPA) was a signatory to the letter that went to the Director of DHS/CISA with copies to the governors
of all 50 States.
Finally, during this time, when information is more critical than ever, Board Converting News has launched a web version of their weekly publication, www.boardconvertingnews.com, known familiarly
as “The White Sheets.” We wish them luck with the timely launch of this product and encourage AICC members to support it.
Weekend Update (3.20 5:30 PM ET)
Thank you to the nearly 400 participants on today's AICC Covid-10 Zoom Conference.We will post a recording of the session at this site on Monday morning, March 23.
Advice heard on the conference that we want to share immediately (some with details to follow):
Keep in constant communication with your employees. They're scared and need to be reassured that you take their safety seriously as they set about providing the essential services of your business.
Cover all common touchpoints (push buttons, touch screens, etc.) on your equipment with cellophane immediately and change as often as the user accessing the equipment.
AICC hopes to share protocols to follow should an employee that has been in the plant test positive for Covid-19.Several members on the call shared that there is a spray sanitizer "bomb" that can be
set off in an affected area and cleanse quickly.We are hoping to receive details.
EEOC has provided waiver for the taking of employee temperatures.Ensure that your HR Department is up to speed.
As discussed on the Zoom conference, here are two downloadable templates for you to use to create documents for 1) your employees and 2) for customers, partners and vendors.Thank
you to Greg Tucker and Bay Cities.
There will be an AICC Webinar with Christine Walters of FiveL on Monday, March 30, 2020.See details.
"Employers, employees, federal, state, and local agencies are all working at a frenetic pace searching for answers to questions about how to administer various employment policies, programs, and practices in light of COVID-19." This program will walk through the latest issues impacting employers, including:
FAQ's – including the Family First Coronavirus Response Act
Proactive Practices
Legal Issues
Tips
Resources
CDC Risk Assessment Guidance
Free 11-page (Client) Alert
If you are a member of the supply chain for an essential business in Pennsylvania, but your business has been decreed non-essential, here is a waiver for PA to keep physical locations open.
AICC sent an e-mail last night that linked a document from the Department of Homeland Security/Cyber+Infrastructure (CISA).Read: Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce.This
document outlines “critical Federal Infrastructure” and is meant to be used to advise State governments and local jurisdictions as to what businesses the Federal Government considers essential.
We applaud the Federal Government’s language because it is not restrictive in that it correctly likens supply chains to “infrastructure,” which covers many AICC member companies, particularly Associates, who provide essential goods and services to keep critical businesses operating during the crisis and in the case of state shutdowns.
The NAM has created a template that can be used to inform your local and state jurisdictions as to the essential nature of your business NAM Tools on Essential Manufacturing Operations (document download).Once
complete, share via e-, express, and regular mail with your Local, State, and Federal Representatives.You can, of course, edit this to best suit the nature and situation regarding your business at this time.
Royal Containers in Canada has been gracious enough to share their list of industry protocols which offers a number of practices, declarations, assessments and questionnaires with a series of templates that can be applied to your company’s Covid-19 response plan.
Develop an “Amber Alert” type system for your employees wherein you can broadcast communicate with them via their mobile phones.AICC is endeavoring to get the names of vendors who can provide this service.
SuperCorrExpo
TAPPI and AICC are deeply committed to holding SuperCorrExpo 2020. Of course, in a fast-changing situation like we are in now, and with the health and well-being of our attendees and exhibitors at the forefront of everything we do, we will closely monitor this ongoing situation. SuperCorrExpo is scheduled for September 13-17, 2020, so we remain optimistic about the outlook in the Fall.
Rest assured, however, that if any alternative decisions are made, we will communicate them immediately to you. We fully understand and respect the commitment that is made to attend a show like SuperCorrExpo. For the latest updated information visit – www.supercorrexpo.org.
March 19, 2020
AICC partner, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), is working with the CDC in crafting policy language which would extend the “essential business” tag to manufacturing operations that are supporting the supply chains of identified essential
businesses. This would offer some Federal guidance. The fact is that many local jurisdictions and state governments are already acting in limiting non-essential businesses.
It is the AICC’s position that packaging manufacturing operations are essential in support of the supply chain of an essential business in any state.
The American Forest & Paper Association issues notice encouraging
governments to recognize paper and wood products manufacturing facilities as “essential” when drawing up shelter in place plans.
Yesterday, the Senate passed, and the President signed, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Read a summary of the provisions of the bill as well as tabs to the text and additional details . Among its many provisions, the bill establishes mandatory paid employee/self-employed sick leave and family medical leave; compensating
payroll tax credits; no cost Covid-19 testing; the bill sunsets on December 31, 2020
Christine has been providing sound Human Resources advice at AICC meetings and conferences for several years. We hope to have her on tomorrow’s tele/video conference at 2:00 p.m. She will be hosting a webinar on Monday, March 23 on Covid-19 that AICC
members can attend (details to follow), and AICC will host its own webinar with Christine on Monday, March 30, 2020 (details to follow).
Members have inquired about the Families First Coronavirus Response Act legislation going through the Congress. The House passed the bill on Saturday and it is currently being debated in the Senate. The link summarizes what you need to know, but please keep in mind that the ongoing legislative process will likely change what we know today. We will endeavor to provide information daily as the process evolves in the Congress.
Advice for your consideration from your fellow AICC Members
Be the voice with your employees. Be visible.
Offer flexibility on the plant floor by creating opportunities for “shift swapping” where a day worker can trade time with a night worker who has kids home because schools are closed and has no day care option.
Waive employees’ absentee points.
Close/control the use of the break room(s) to promote social distancing.
Create a cross functional task force that meets daily to discuss best practices, policies and communications in order to assure all efforts to keep employees safe.
We’re taking the temperature of every employee as they enter the building to assure co-workers. (NOTE: Check with your HR Department and always comply with HIPAA regulations.)
One member doing this abandoned the practice as employees coming in from the cold would trigger lower than normal readings for up to 30 minutes after entering the building
Lock down the building to only your workers and any screened, approved outsiders and assure your employees that you always know who is inside and that they have confirmed that they are without symptoms.
We are conducting no meetings with more than 8 people.
If you are having employees that are working from home (accounting, HR, sales, IT, purchasing, graphics, etc.) occasionally coming into the office, split the rotations into set groups of employees across departments. This will minimize the chances of losing an entire department to illness. If they don’t have to come to the office, even better.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) may be able to provide resources for your business if your operation(s) are located in a state that has declared an emergency relative to the Coronavirus.
If you are joining the tele/video conference on Friday March 20 at 2 p.m., this will be a Zoom conference so you will need to download the Zoom app. If you do not have it on your computer you will be prompted to do so when you join your first meeting, so sign-on a few minutes early to make sure your computer is ready.
AICC has received several inquiries from members around the country in response to the most recent developments in the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to provide timely information and allow the industry to discuss common concerns and solutions to the challenges posed by this national emergency, AICC will hold a national audio and video conference call this coming Friday, March 20, at 2 p.m. Eastern (1:00 p.m. Central; 12:00 p.m. Mountain and 11:00 a.m. Pacific.)
Join the meeting via phone: dial 929 205 6099; Meeting ID 149 860 883
The purpose of this call is to allow members to ask questions of AICC leadership and other box making members and share what they are doing in their companies to address this unprecedented situation in our industry’s history. The call will last one hour. Please send AICC your three most pressing questions to Alyce Ryan at aryan@aiccbox.org.
Additional Important Information
Last week the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued further recommendations on limiting social gatherings and organizational activities to as few as 25 people. Meanwhile, due to the nature of the National Emergency declared last week by the President, individual states and municipalities are also setting their own edicts on the closings of schools, restaurants and bars, entertainment and recreation facilities as well as commercial businesses. When issuing these restrictions, several localities are defining what they call “essential” versus “non-essential” businesses, and this is raising concern among AICC’s membership and the industry at large on whether “corrugated packaging” is or is not considered an “essential business” under varying jurisdiction’s guidelines.
In an effort to provide some clarity on this, AICC has obtained language from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that can provide some guidance for us. Note that not all states or municipalities may adopt this language, therefore it is important for you, the members, to be fully aware of what your state, county or city is doing as it defines local restrictions on operation of “commercial,” “industrial,” and “essential” versus “non-essential.”
In his declaration issued on Monday, March 16, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf stated the following:
Non-essential businesses include public-facing industries such as entertainment, hospitality, and recreation facilities, including but not limited to community and recreation centers; gyms, including yoga, barre and spin facilities; hair salons and barber shops, nail salons and spas; casinos; concert venues; theaters; sporting event venues and golf courses; retail facilities, including shopping malls except for pharmacy or other health care facilities within retail operations.
Essential services and sectors include but are not limited to food processing, agriculture, industrial manufacturing, feed mills, construction, trash collection, grocery and household goods (including convenience stores), home repair/hardware and auto repair, pharmacy and other medical facilities, biomedical and healthcare, post offices and shipping outlets, insurance, banks, gas stations, laundromats, veterinary clinics and pet stores, warehousing, storage, and distribution, public transportation, and hotel and commercial lodging.” [Emphasis added.]
As you and your company are confronted with your individual state and local restrictions, please communicate the following industry facts to your local officials:
1.Corrugated packaging is an essential part of the supply chain to the
essential services and sectors outlined above.
2.According to Fibre Box Association, upwards of 40% of all corrugated
packaging is consumed by the food and beverage industry
3.Between 7-9% of corrugated packaging is used by the pharmaceutical and
medical equipment industries
4.Amazon recently announced it will hire up to 100,000 additional workers
nationwide to handle increased online ordering being done in response to the coronavirus. Amazon’s orders cannot reach consumers without corrugated packaging products in their various sizes and configurations
5.Ninety-five percent of all goods shipped are shipped in corrugated board
6.More than 90% of all corrugated is recovered from the waste stream and
recycled, making the average 100% post-consumer content of a corrugated box between 43-46%.
7.Recent studies show that corrugated provides the least hospitable surface for the survival of the coronavirus: the virus can only survive on paperboard surfaces for a maximum of 24 hours, and usually far less; on surfaces such as metal, plastic and natural stone
(e.g., granite countertops) it can survive as long as three days.
In addition, AICC believes that it is important for you to communicate these facts to your employees. We do not believe it to be an exaggeration to think of this as a “war” and that they are on its “front lines.” Remind them:
1.The products they are making are vitally important in the distribution
of critically needed food, pharmaceuticals, and related medical supplies as well as millions of other products via online delivery platforms
2.Your company and your employees, through the corrugated and paperboard
products they are making, are on the “front lines” in our national fight against the spread of the coronavirus
3.The work they are doing is vitally essential to our national security
and the eventual resumption to normal life
Meanwhile, the House has passed, and the Senate is currently discussing legislation (H.R. 6201) https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6201 that includes provisions for paid sick leave for employees that contract Covid-19 or have to care for a family member that has contracted the virus. The same legislation proposes tax breaks that offset some of the cost of these paid leaves. As this legislation moves forward, we will keep you appraised of how any final bill may affect your business.
Additional Resources
Please see the active links below to updates from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In addition, we strongly encourage you to go to your individual state’s websites for updates and guidance from state departments of health and safety.
You should have received a survey from AICC this morning regarding your activities and the effects your business is feeling from the pandemic. Please take the time to complete the survey and return it to AICC. We will share the responses with you at the AICC website.
March 12, 2020
AICC, The Independent Packaging Association, after careful consideration and in the interest of our members’ health and wellbeing, has canceled the 2020 Spring Meeting, which was scheduled for April 1-3 in Carlsbad, CA. Recent developments with COVID-19
in California, combined with updated corporate travel policy restrictions among member companies, led the AICC Executive Committee and staff to take this decision.
In addition, the CDC has assembled a list of recommendations for employers to plan and respond to the Coronavirus. If your company does not already have a plan for a public health emergency, AICC encourages you to consider developing one as you would for a fire, tornado, hurricane or other natural disaster.
This site informs you about what you as an employer can do now and what you can do if the Coronavirus becomes a widespread outbreak in the future.
AICC recommends that you prepare with prudence and common sense. I
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AICC members are doing some very innovative things to help keep kids entertained and help out in
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