Back in my editorial writing class in journalism school, the first rule was, "Never write an editorial just about what's in your magazine. It'll read like a glorified table of contents." Well, rules are made to be broken, especially this month because we've got plenty of great features that are too good to keep quiet about.

To begin, our cover story on Marfred Industries (page 52) takes you inside one of the largest independent paperboard converters in the country. From a corrugated distributorship in the back of Rubin Fenster's grocery store in 1964, Marfred is today a cutting-edge manufacturer of value-added packaging with 455,000 sq ft of converting/warehouse space. It not only is eyeing the newest 7-color, servo-driven flexo folder/gluers for its equipment arsenal, it will launch a true e-commerce Web site later this month, complete with shopping cart.

Next up, associate editor Laura McCluskey takes a slightly different look at the world of digital printing (page 58). Why has this emerging technology not yet caught on in the U.S.? It turns out the answer is multi-faceted. Converters here can be "unclear on the concept," not understand its value to their business, or just be weary of the word "digital." On the other hand, suppliers admit they've done a less-than-ideal job in communicating the technology's benefits.

For more insight on the topic, don't miss our Digital Printing for Packaging USA conference, organized by Pira Intl., June 6-7 in Chicago. Along with stats on market potential and a look at digital-printing hardware and its output, converters will present how they and their end-user customers are applying the technology today. For more info and to register, call 888/901-1397, or go to: www.digitalpackagingconference.com.

Technical editor Dave Roisum chimes in with a realistic appraisal of process automation (page 62). As the number of sensors on a converting system can reach 20,000, the truth is that collecting all this data does not give converters the real process knowledge they need. The next generation of software must provide "insight to improve our processes and products," Dave says.

Who doesn't want new customers? A converter who's planning to go out of business, apparently, says contributing editor Annette Comer. In her feature (page 68), you'll learn the six secrets to finding new customers. Better yet, she says, don't just learn the secrets, make them a part of your corporate culture for long-term growth.

And for a select group of Converting readers, check out the 2001 Supplier Reference Edition to our exclusive Diecutting & Diemaking Technology supplement (page S1). Through interviews with five converters and die suppliers, contributing editor Barb Axelson shows that, despite technological advances, what remains supreme is good old-fashioned customer service.