Headlines — September 2006

Harper names new president; founders nominated for education awards

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Harper Corporation announced that Margaret Harper Kluttz accepted the position of president effective July 1, 2006. Daughter of founders Ron and Katherine Harper, Kluttz has served the company for 34 years, as production manager, administration manager, customer service manager, vice president of administration, and executive vice president.

“We have a tremendous management group and an energetic, well-trained workforce,” said Kluttz. “Harper has spent an enormous amount of time, effort, and dollars on the training and education of our entire team, especially in the past few years. We feel confident and well prepared to continue our vigorous global growth agenda in the decades ahead.”

In other Harper Corp. news, The International Graphic Arts Education Association (IGAEA) nominated Ron and Katherine Harper for the 2006 Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) Education Awards of Excellence. IGAEA announced the nomination on August 2 at the 81st annual International Graphic Arts Education Association Conference, which took place at the California Polytechnic Institute. The winner will be announced at the 2006 GASC/PIA/GATF Teacher’s Conference, which will take place October 14-16 in Chicago, Illinois.

Ampac’s QuadPAK was selected for reclosable nutritional gel product

CINCINNATI—The launch of Ajinomoto USA, Inc.’s Amino Vital Jel marks the first time a resealable pouch is being used to market a nutritional, energy, and recovery enhancing gel product in the United States. Ampac Flexibles, a unit of Ampac Packaging, LLC, designed the custom 140-ml (4.73 fl. oz.) package. The pouch’s structural advantages give athletes and other users more consumption flexibility than previously available in this product category. For the first time in the United States, the resealable, squeezable QuadPAK enables Ajinomoto to put portion control in the hands of the user. The unique QuadPAK pouch is made from polyester, foil, nylon, and polyethylene and “looks and acts like a box, except it’s flexible and it dispenses the gel through the spout,” says Craig Rutman, director of sales and marketing, Ampac Flexibles.

UPM Raflatac expands its labelstock business in the United States

HELSINKI, Finland—UPM Raflatac will build a new pressure-sensitive labelstock factory in Dixon, Illinois, 105 miles west of Chicago that will focus on serving label converters in the U.S. Midwest marketplace. The construction of the new factory will start immediately and is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2008. The value of the investment will be approximately $109 million. The new factory will offer UPM Raflatac’s full North American product range of paper and filmic products. It will feature UPM Raflatac’s latest, proprietary technical solutions both in the coating and finishing areas.

MeadWestvaco launches Pack Center

ATLANTA, Ga.—MeadWestvaco recently announced the launch of its new Pack Center, a one-stop multiple packaging consulting, design, testing, and fulfillment service to fast-track products to market, as well as to improve consumer testing with higher quality test results. MeadWestvaco’s Pack Center handles every aspect of the packaging process from carton design and printing to packing and shipping, within tiered turn-around options, depending on quantity. By getting to market faster, MeadWestvaco customers may gather higher quality consumer data to validate their business case and realize the profits of a new product launch sooner. And, after the launch when sales are growing, customers can work with Pack Center advisors to plan for a dedicated packaging system to handle higher product volumes.

More than 20 HELIOSTAR G Gravure Presses sold since DRUPA 2004

LINCOLN, R.I.—Windmoeller & Hoelscher’s latest generation gravure press, the HELIOSTAR G, was introduced to the market at DRUPA 2004. Since then, W&H has sold more than 20 high-tech presses worldwide, including three in the U.S. On average, one HELIOSTAR G per month has been delivered since the beginning of 2006. The HELIOSTAR G range of direct-drive gravure presses is available in three variations, the GE with ECOPLUS auto-rinse and cylinder/ink pan changeover, the GL with slide-in carts, and the GH for use with hollow cylinders. Heine Heininga, W&H’s sales manager for gravure comments, “The HELIOSTAR is a top-end press offering the highest level of productivity and reliability. It features the best dryers and inking system for production speeds up to 2,000 ft. per minute (610 meters per minute) with no splashing.”

Sun Chemical sells assets of Sun Graphic blankets business

NORTHLAKE, Ill. and DAYTON, Ohio—Sun Chemical announced the sale of certain assets of its Sun Graphic press blankets business to Day International, a leading blanket supplier to the industry. The asset purchase is subject to the customary closing conditions and is expected to be effective August 31, 2006. The two companies will also enter into a distribution agreement for the sale of Sun Graphic blankets.

“After careful examination of business conditions, we concluded it would be best to divest this smaller portion of our business,” said Mark J. Levin, president of Sun Chemical. “However, we were eager to find a partner like Day International that we could continue to work with to supply a total printing solution to our commercial printing customers. Day has agreed to continue to supply Sun Graphic blankets to Sun Chemical for the commercial sheet fed, packaging, cold set web (single-wide) markets. Sun Chemical will close the Sun Graphic blanket manufacturing facility in Pompano Beach, Florida, effective August 31, 2006 due to anticipated high investment costs necessary to meet regulations and boost operational efficiency.”

Curtis Packaging Purchases Clean, Renewable Energy

SANDY HOOK, Conn.—Curtis Packaging Corporation made an agreement with Community Energy, Inc. to purchase pollution-free, renewable energy equal to 100 percent of its energy usage through the CTCleanEnergyOptions Program. Curtis is one of the first printing and packaging companies in the nation to be Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified and to use 100 percent renewable energy.

Curtis Packaging will buy 4,524,800 kilowatt hours of renewable energy per year for the next three years. The estimated benefit from this purchase is equal to offsetting more than 7.1 million pounds of carbon dioxide, planting more than 480,000 trees, or not driving 6.2 million miles per year. This renewable energy purchase follows Curtis Packaging’s FSC certification, in which the company committed to use paperboard from suppliers that practice responsible forestry. About 30 percent of the total purchase will be a blend of renewable sources, including locally generated wind power, purchased through the Connecticut Clean Energy Options Program available through Connecticut Light & Power. By participating in the program, Curtis Packaging will help Newtown, Conn. qualify for a free solar electric system and become a Clean Energy Community.

Tailored Solutions joins CIP4 Consortium

MILWAUKEE, Wis.—Tailored Solutions has joined the CIP4 consortium, the organization which coordinates the implementation of JDF and JMF software protocols in the printing industry. The company provides automated job management software for the printing industry, with two primary versions of its job tracking software—Label Traxx for flexographic narrow web converters and printers, and Litho Traxx for sheetfed lithographic printers and prepress trade shops.

FPA’s 2006 Fall Executive Conference: The Impact of Globalization on the U.S. Flexible Packaging Industry

LINTHICUM, Md.—The Flexible Packaging Association’s 2006 Fall Executive Conference will be held Wednesday, October 4, 2006 at The Drake Hotel in Chicago. The conference theme is "The Impact of Globalization on the U.S. Flexible Packaging Industry." The agenda includes presentations by Michael Richmond, PhD of Packaging & Technology Integrated Solutions and Graham Cox of Pira International. The presentation will detail the results of research conducted on the dynamics of globalization and the opportunities it creates within the industry. Also featured are author John Caslione, Neil Rogers of Procter & Gamble, Amit Sheth of Environmental Packaging International, and a panel discussion on global sourcing strategies. The conference will include breakfast, the FEC Networking Luncheon, and the FEC Member & Guests Reception. For more information call FPA at 410-694-0800, or visit www.flexpack.org.

Ciba Specialty Chemicals strengthens color management

Ciba Specialty Chemicals has acquired a majority share in the company MetalFX, creator of a print concept that allows thousands of metallic effects to be produced accurately in one run on a five-color press. The MetalFX concept will extend Ciba Color Services’ overall management system for innovative effects and accurate colors. MetalFX produces metallic shade reference books and special kits to help designers incorporate metallic shades in their designs, as well as promoting new effects that enable brandowners to differentiate their products. Printers and ink makers can obtain licenses to use MetalFX. Launched four years ago, the concept is used by many companies worldwide, including ink makers, press manufacturers, printers, paper companies, and color management specialists.

G.F. Puhl Company moving into new, larger facilities

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn.—Planning and design is complete and construction is underway on a new 51,000 square foot office and manufacturing complex in Gallatin, Tenn. According to company President Gregg Puhl, the new facility will improve manufacturing capacity and capability, and will provide additional storage space. He added that the new facility will also serve as a better work environment for office, technical service, and manufacturing staffs. Puhl is making the move, because it will be less expensive and easier to build from scratch rather than adding to the existing facility.

Puhl designs and manufactures trim collection systems for bindery printers, folding carton corrugated box manufacturers, and document destruction companies for customers located in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Puhl’s move is expected to be completed by January, 2007, with most of the physical move taking place in late December.

Schawk increases equity postion in Schawk India

DES PLAINES, Ill.—Schawk, Inc. announced that it has completed an agreement to increase its ownership of Schawk India, Ltd. to 90 percent. Schawk obtained 50 percent of the company in February 2005 when it acquired Seven Worldwide. The Schawk India portfolio of services includes artwork management, premedia, and print management services.

“India is a very attractive growth market to our clients,” said David A. Schawk, president and chief executive officer, “providing the opportunity to sell their branded goods to more than one billion consumers and to create brand loyalties among a population whose discretionary income is rising as India continues to develop economically.” The agreement stipulates that RKKR Group will retain 10 percent of the shares in Schawk India, a director-level position with Schawk India, and partnership with Schawk’s Indian operation in economic matters relating to India’s governmental rules and regulations.