Stockport software firm helps nurture future industry talent

Global packaging software company, Arden Software, has helped two top US universities to create dedicated corrugated packaging design and training labs for their students through its donations to the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation (ICPF).

Arden Software, which has its head offices in Stockport, as well as offices in the USA, Germany, Denmark and India, is a global software company specialising in CAD and CAM software for the print and packaging industry.

Thanks to Arden’s donations of 80 licenses of its Impact CAD software, installation and training, the two universities – Western Michigan University and Rutgers University – have built undergraduate design labs enabling them to expand their curriculum in the corrugated packaging sector.

Jim Silianoff, president and chief executive of Arden Software North America, said: “Arden Software is committed to supporting the education of up-and-coming engineers and designers in the print and packaging sector.

“Our Impact CAD software is a leading tool in the industry, so it’s fantastic that students across the world are being trained to use our software as part of their courses, which will ensure they have the best knowledge and skills when they start out in their careers.

“We are very proud of our latest partnerships with Western Michigan University and Rutgers University and we are confident that the new labs will ensure they can provide students with some of the best training facilities in the country.”

Richard Flaherty, president of ICPF, thanked Arden Software for its support in advancing corrugated curricula at its 29 university partners across North America.

He said: “Prior to the placement of the Impact software at Rutgers and Western Michigan University where the design software is being taught exclusively, ICPF and Arden placed 50 seats in the packaging labs at Appalachian State University and Lewis-Clark State College where Impact CAD software is being taught.

“ICPF and Arden have plans to create and expand design labs with donations of Impact CAD at two more university campuses before the end of the year.”

Rutgers University, in New Jersey, currently offers a Packaging Engineering Major and the Packaging Engineering Certificate, and last year introduced an MS degree in Packaging Engineering.

Euihark Lee, associate director at Rutgers, said: “The Rutgers’ Packaging Engineering Program wishes to thank ICPF and Arden Software for this contribution.

“Impact design software will provide more hands-on experience in corrugated packaging and display design, making our students better rounded packaging engineers, especially for the corrugated industry.”

Western Michigan University (WMU) currently has around 120 students on its paper and printing courses and says the new lab will enable them to extend their offer in the corrugated packaging sector.

WMU professor Alexandra Pekarovicova, added: “The new packaging design lab, that has been jump-started by ICPF and Arden Software, is the first step in our plans to expand corrugated curricula at WMU.”