CMM Selects McFarland as Converter of the Year

TULSA, Okla.—Dan McFarland, President, Ampac Flexibles Performance Printed Films, has been selected as CMM International’s Converter of the Year for 2009. Recognized for his accomplishments in the flexible packaging industry, specifically targeting the frozen food sector, McFarland is the 11th recipient in a list of distinguished honorees who have won this prestigious award over the last 20 years. He will accept the award at the 2009 CMM International Conference & Exposition June 1-4 in Rosemont, Illinois.

One of the industry’s most prestigious honors, the Converter of the Year award is presented biennially to a converter, supplier, educator, or consultant who has significantly advanced converting technology, business practices, industry education, or standards development.

In the summer of 2007, Ampac Flexibles acquired Mohawk Northern Plastics, an Auburn, Washington-based flexible packaging converter specializing in co-extruded films, full-service prepress, high-quality printing, and bag-making. The facility, based just outside of Seattle, targets the frozen foods and fresh produce packaging industry. As part of the acquisition, McFarland remained as President of the Seattle-area operation, becoming President of Ampac Flexibles’ Performance Printed Films business unit.

McFarland joined Mohawk Northern Plastics in 1975, and along with founder Bill Gates, led the expansion of the business through acquisition and capital equipment additions. He is a member of the Flexible Packaging Association and the California Film Extruders and Converters Association.

This year’s selection process was reviewed and voted on by a panel of the industry’s leading converting magazine editors. Once compiled, the nominations were pared down to a small number of finalists, which were then examined and considered by the panel.

Past winners of the Converter of the Year award include Rick Hocking, Plant Manager at Banner Packaging; Christian Hanson, President and CEO of Douglas-Hanson; Alan Leeson, President of Spectrum Label Corporation; Roy Jablonka, President of Glenroy, Inc.; Dennis Mehiel, Chairman and CEO of the Four M Corporation; David Hofmann, President and CEO of Graphic Packaging Corporation; Arthur Herschafter, President of PAXAR; Janice Meister, Chairman of Bagcraft Corporation of America; and Norm Abrams, noted industry consultant and educator.