6 Best OEE Software Tools for Corrugated & Box Manufacturing (2026 Review)

Corrugated Box manufacturing is a tale of two factories.

First, you have the Corrugator: A massive, continuous process that combines paper, steam, and starch to make board. Here, OEE is about Thermal Consistency and Speed.

Second, you have Converting: A high-speed discrete process (Flexos, Die Cutters) that turns board into boxes. Here, OEE is about Quick Changeovers and Jam Reduction.

Standard OEE tools often fail because they treat these two very different processes as the same thing.

You need software that understands the physics of the Wet End and the mechanics of the Finishing Hall.

Here are the 6 best OEE software tools specifically suited for Corrugated Board and Box plants.

1. Fabrico (Best for Corrugator Maintenance & Converting Jams)

Fabrico focuses on the Mechanical Reliability that underpins the entire operation.

A Corrugator is a massive steam engine. If a rotary joint leaks or a steam trap fails, you lose heat transfer. This forces you to slow down the machine (Speed Loss) or produce warped board (Quality Loss).

Fabrico bridges the gap between the Boiler Room and the Control Room.

Key Features for Corrugated:

• Steam System Maintenance: Digitizes the inspection rounds for steam traps and condensate pumps. Ensuring thermal health keeps the Corrugator running at top speed.

• Converting Micro-Stops: High-speed Flexo Folder Gluers (FFGs) jam frequently. Fabrico uses Computer Vision to capture video of the feed table, helping operators tune the feeder to prevent "Feed Interrupts."

• Roll Stand Reliability: Tracks the maintenance of the massive roll stands and splicers. A failed splice is a 20-minute downtime event; Fabrico ensures the splicer knives are sharp and calibrated.

• Anvil & Die Tracking: Tracks the usage of rotary die cutter anvils and cutting dies, triggering rotation/replacement to prevent quality issues.

Best For: Plants focused on the reliability of the Corrugator and reducing jams in Converting.

2. Kiwiplan (Advantive) (Best for Industry Standard MES)

Kiwiplan is the operating system of the corrugated industry.

It handles the complex scheduling logic: "How do we combine orders for Amazon, Nike, and Pizza Hut onto a single roll of paper to minimize trim waste?"

Their Machine Data Collection (MDC) module is the standard for OEE.

It connects to the Corrugator (Wet/Dry end) and all Finishing machines. It tracks speed, waste, and starch consumption. It is essential for scheduling, but its interface is often dated compared to modern SaaS tools.

Best For: Integrated plants needing industry-standard scheduling and trim optimization.

3. Amtech (Best for Financial & Business OEE)

Amtech is the ERP leader for independent box plants.

It runs the business side—from estimating to invoicing.

Its Encore module tracks plant performance. It excels at Job Costing.

It tells you: "We estimated this pizza box run at 250 kicks per minute, but we ran at 200."

It links OEE directly to the P&L. It is less of a real-time diagnostic tool for the floor, and more of a scorecard for the General Manager.

Best For: Independent box plants focused on Job Costing and Margin Analysis.

4. EFI Escada (Best for Corrugator Control)

EFI Escada is a "Closed Loop" control system for the Corrugator.

It doesn't just measure OEE; it controls it.

It automatically adjusts wrap arms, steam pressures, and glue gaps to flatten the board (Warp Control).

By stabilizing the process, it allows the operator to run the machine faster. It is the ultimate tool for maximizing Wet End OEE, but it does not cover the Converting hall or maintenance.

Best For: Plants where the Corrugator is the bottleneck and warp is a quality issue.

5. OMP (Best for Supply Chain & Trim)

OMP is a heavy-duty planning tool for large paper and packaging groups.

It excels at Trim Optimization.

In corrugated, "OEE Quality" is often determined by how much side-trim you waste. OMP’s algorithms find the perfect combination of orders to maximize the width utilization of the paper roll.

It connects the Paper Mill to the Box Plant, optimizing the flow of reels.

Best For: Large multi-site groups optimizing paper supply and trim.

6. Witron (Best for WIP Logistics)

Witron automates the Work-in-Process (WIP) field.

The area between the Corrugator and the Converting machines is often a bottleneck. Forklifts drive around carrying stacks of board.

Witron uses automated conveyor systems to manage this storage.

Their software tracks the OEE of the Logistics. It ensures that the Flexo machine never stops waiting for board. It is vital for high-volume plants where material flow is the constraint.

Best For: High-volume automated plants optimizing WIP flow.

Comparison: Wet End vs. Dry End

Which tool fits your plant profile?

Conclusion: Keep the Board Flat and Fast

In Corrugated, you battle two enemies: Warp (on the Corrugator) and Jams (in Converting).

If your problem is Warp Control, EFI Escada is the solution.

If your problem is Scheduling Efficiency, Kiwiplan is the standard.

But if your problem is that Machines Keep Breaking—steam joints failing, feed tables jamming, and roll stands tripping—Fabrico is the only tool that empowers your maintenance team to secure the reliability of your assets.

Ready to flatten your downtime?

See how Fabrico handles steam system maintenance and converting machine reliability.

Book a Demo with Fabrico Today