Q&A | What the New Era-IPCO Combination Means for Converters
- Published: July 24, 2026
Paul Lembo, Managing Director of New Era, a part of IPCO, discusses how the two organizations complement each other and what customers can expect going forward.
In April 2025, IPCO acquired New Era Converting Machinery, bringing together New Era’s expertise in custom converting equipment and IPCO’s global web handling and calendering technologies, along with access to its Productivity Centers. Paul Lembo joined PFFC Managing Editor Vicki Kastory to discuss the organization’s new capabilities, key trends shaping converting technology and emerging growth opportunities for converters.
Listen to the full conversation on YouTube or the RDG Media Podcast. Following are interview highlights:
Q What made IPCO the right strategic fit for New Era, and what opportunities does this combination open up for your customers?
Our goal was to find a partner that could support our long-term growth while sharing the same values, customer focus and business philosophy that have defined New Era for more than 30 years. IPCO proved to be the ideal fit because of our strong cultural alignment and our mutual commitment to innovation and quality. By combining New Era’s expertise in web converting equipment with IPCO’s extensive portfolio of process technologies, we can offer our customers a broader range of integrated solutions from a single trusted partner.
Q What are the strongest synergies between the New Era and IPCO portfolios?
The strongest synergies come from combining New Era’s expertise in web handling — including coating, laminating, casting and calendering systems — with IPCO’s double-belt presses and continuous processing technologies. Together, we deliver integrated turnkey manufacturing solutions that help customers improve efficiency and reduce risk. Just as important, IPCO’s global presence and customer base create a new opportunity to bring our combined technologies to a broader range of industries and markets.
Q Does the combined portfolio simplify sourcing and project execution for converters?
Absolutely. The combined portfolio gives customers a broader range of processing technologies from a single partner, reducing the need to coordinate multiple equipment suppliers and interfaces across a project. For converters, this means simpler project execution, improved accountability and access to a single team with expertise across the entire manufacturing process.
Q What feedback have you been hearing from your customers, and how is that shaping your integration priorities?
One of the common themes we've heard from customers is enthusiasm about our ability to support projects from both the U.S. and in Europe. Several of our European customers have already expressed interest in having future projects manufactured in Europe, providing greater flexibility, localized support and potential supply chain advantages. Candidly, that demand has accelerated portions of our integration plan, with a focus on ensuring that we can seamlessly design, procure, manufacture and test equipment across both New Era and IPCO facilities.
Q How do your Productivity Centers help customers conduct production trials, material testing and process validation?
Many of our customers come to us with innovative products, but without a fully defined manufacturing process or a proven path to commercial-scale production. IPCO’s network of Productivity Centers helps bridge that gap by allowing customers to develop and optimize their process before committing to a capital equipment investment. With the addition of New Era’s coating and laminating Productivity Center, IPCO now offers testing and process development capabilities across all of our core technologies, giving customers greater confidence that their products can be successfully scaled to full production.
Q What are the biggest changes you're seeing in your customers' requirements today, and how is the combined organization positioned to address those needs?
Customers today are looking for more than just a machine. They want complete solutions that improve efficiency, reduce risk, support sustainability goals and come with strong long-term service and support. We also see increased expectations around compliance, environmental responsibility, data security and global project execution. The combination of New Era and IPCO positions us exceptionally well to meet these evolving needs.
By bringing together New Era’s expertise in web handling with IPCO’s global footprint, process technologies, aftermarket capabilities and sustainability resources, we can deliver a more comprehensive solution while supporting customers locally on a global scale. The result is a stronger partner throughout the entire life cycle of a project.
Q In today’s business climate, what is influencing equipment investment decisions and technology development?
In my opinion, converters are investing in technologies that help them do more with less — improving productivity, reducing waste, handling a wider range of materials and meeting increasingly demanding sustainability targets. As material variability and cost pressures continue to rise, customers are prioritizing automation, advanced process control, energy efficiency and flexible equipment platforms that can adapt to changing market requirements.
Q Where do you see the greatest growth opportunities for converters, and how is your team supporting your customers?
We believe one of the biggest growth opportunities for converters over the next three to five years will be the adoption of greater automation and digitalization across their operations. Labor shortages, rising production costs and increasing quality requirements are driving a demand for smarter manufacturing systems.
These smarter systems can reduce operator dependence and maximize asset utilization. In response, we're investing in technologies that incorporate advanced automation and data-driven optimization. By combining New Era’s converting expertise with IPCO’s global resources and process knowledge, we're helping customers build more efficient, scalable and future-ready operations that can compete in an increasingly demanding market.
For More Information
- Explore the capabilities of New Era, a part of IPCO: https://neweraconverting.com
- Learn more about IPCO: https://www.ipco.com
- Read about IPCO’s Productivity Centers: https://www.ipco.com/productivity-center
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