The Paper Shipping Sack Manufacturers Association (PSSMA, Coopersburg, Pa., USA, has elected Mark Ushpol, president of Mondi Industrial Bags North America, as its new chairman for 2017-2018. Ushpol has served as Mondi Industrial Bags North America’s president since August 2015.

 

Previously, he worked for Domtar Corp. as president of Domtar Personal Care North America and as president of Ariva, Domtar’s paper and packaging distribution business, where he was a member of Domtar’s Management Committee.

Before joining Domtar, Ushpoil worked for Mondi for 13 years as the marketing and sales director of Mondi Uncoated Fine Paper based in Vienna, Austria, and prior to that was divisional marketing manager of Mondi Group in South Africa. He also served as a director of the National Paper Traders Association (NPTA) Board from 2012-2013 and represented Mondi on the Confederation of European Fine Paper Industries (CEPIFINE) from 2006-2009.

"We’re delighted that Mark has agreed to serve as the chairman of PSSMA," said Greg Storat, PSSMA’s newly appointed president. "His active involvement in paper and paper packaging businesses over the years has prepared him well to lead our industry’s united efforts for the benefit of all U.S. paper shipping sack manufacturers and their stakeholders."

Mark has a bachelor of commerce degree in business economics and law. He is married to Kelly and they have twins Adam and Cait, who are high school seniors. The family lives in Durham, N.C.

Don Belmont, CEO, Werthan Co., was the previous PSSMA chairman. "The members of PSSMA join me in thanking Don for his dedicated efforts on the industry’s behalf during his tenure as chairman," said Dick Storat, PSSMA’s outgoing president. During his time in office, PSSMA’s membership grew and new member services were initiated.

PSSMA is the national trade association of U.S. producers of multiwall shipping sacks.  Its mission is to provide member companies with programs and services that further the industry’s objectives and, in doing so, promote and enhance the welfare of the industry. Currently, PSSMA’s sack-producing members produce approximately 90% of the multiwall shipping sacks made in the U.S. In addition, PSSMA is supported by more than 50 domestic and international associate members, suppliers of goods and services to the U.S. multiwall industry.