Printer News - August 2011

Spear's Label Enhances Shelf Appeal

Halewood, the UK's largest independent drinks manufacturer and distributor, has revitalized the design of one of its best-selling brands, Lambrini, using pressure-sensitive labels from Spear. Lambrini is a light sparkling Perry, selling more than 40 million bottles a year in nearly every supermarket in the UK.

Several of Halewood's brands had already benefitted from the in-line pressure-sensitive application, including Red Square Vodka and the popular Crabbie's ginger range. After recognizing the advantages of pressure-sensitive technology, Halewood decided to make the conversion from wet glue on its biggest brand, Lambrini.

Not only has the conversion been cost-effective due to significant operational efficiencies, the clear label also contemporizes the product, improving its shelf impact. It enables the label to fuse with the bottle and color of the liquid, allowing for a more coherent and modern design.

Lambrini brand manager, Sue Beck comments: "The new pressure-sensitive label is much brighter and cleaner—it allowed us to move the Lambrini design on in a way which wasn't possible with paper labels. The quality of the print means that we don't lose any standout on shelf; we've had numerous comments from customers who are really pleased with how the brand now looks."

Eco-friendly Label Paper

DEER PARK, N.Y.—Designed specifically for the craft beer market, DWS Printing released its new 100 percent post-consumer recycled, wet-strength label paper. Trademarked Legacy Label™, the 51-lb. paper is manufactured using 100 percent renewable electricity through a combination of direct low-impact hydroelectric and purchased wind power energy credits. It is also manufactured carbon neutral.

"Craft brewers are committed to make sure their packaging has minimal impact on the environment, and our Legacy Label gives them a new way to take that commitment to the next level," says DWS partner, Andy Staib. "While certain brewers have successfully 'greened' their packaging by using post-consumer content in their six-packs and corrugated, labels have traditionally been made using only virgin fiber. We are bringing an alternative option to the table—a label paper that is made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled fiber and is still water resistant."

Sonoco Acquires Assets of 
Robinson Paperboard Packaging

HARTSVILLE, S.C.—Sonoco UK Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sonoco, has completed the acquisition of the assets of Robinson Paperboard Packaging Ltd., a division of Robinson PLC. The acquisition will add approximately $10 million in annual sales and includes customer contracts, as well as other business assets of Robinson Paperboard Packaging. As part of the transaction, Sonoco will assume operation of Robinson's Chesterfield paperboard can plant.

"The purchase of Robinson Paperboard Packaging is a good strategic fit with Sonoco's growing global rigid paper container operations," says Sean Cairns, general manager of Sonoco Rigid Paper and Closures, Europe. "We believe Robinson's proven expertise in innovative paper bottom technology and unique, patented processes provide a strong platform for our continued development and growth in the United Kingdom and Europe.

"This agreement is a win for Robinson, Sonoco, and our packaging customers, who are increasingly recognizing the proven advantages that rigid paper containers bring in terms of reducing costs and minimizing the impact on the environment—without compromising quality." he adds. "Packaging made from rigid paper reduces package weight, makes more efficient use of raw materials, and conserves energy."

Full Production for 
Hammer's Speedmaster

KENNESAW, Ga.—Hammer Packaging, the first U.S. customer to install a Heidelberg Speedmaster CX 102 press earlier this year, reports that it is reaping the benefits from the press performance since it commenced full production during the first week in April.

The Rochester, N.Y.-based company, a supplier of high-end package decoration to the North American market, chose a UV-capable Speedmaster CX 102-8+L with CutStar roll sheeter, Prinect Press Center with Intellistart operator guidance system, and integrated Wallscreen. An integrated IST UV system uses the new Electronic Lamp Control that enables the system to operate at very low energy consumption and 50 percent less floor space.

According to Lou Iovoli, vice president of strategic partnerships for Hammer Packaging, the company prides itself on being a leader in terms of technology, so the logic for the investment in the Heidelberg press was straightforward. "The CX 102 is built for speed and flexibility," he says. The ability to handle multiple film stocks, combined with 50 percent faster makereadies and minimal set-up waste, makes the Speedmaster CX 102 a very good fit for Hammer's high-volume, mixed-UV, label-printing operation, he adds.

"Like commercial printing, packaging and label printing are capital-intensive businesses characterized by dramatic incremental and cumulative improvements in the technology," says James E. Hammer, president and CEO of Hammer Packaging. "If you're going to be a leader, you have to pay attention to these developments and be prepared to invest in equipment and software that will elevate your capabilities, lower your operational costs and enable you to stay competitive...We not only have expanded our capacity and improved our redundancy during peak periods, but also definitely have added sales in the wake of this installation."

Ampac Acquires Swiss Flexible Packaging Firm

CINCINNATI, Ohio—Ampac Holdings LLC announced the acquisition of flexible packaging firm ELAG Verpackungen AG, based in Kirchberg, Switzerland. Ampac has a strategic focus on innovation in flexible packaging, and the acquisition of ELAG will further expand its global capabilities to create and bring to market innovative flexible packaging concepts around the world.

Ampac's global expansion includes 14 international centers of manufacturing excellence on three continents, with core centers in the United States and Europe. The Ampac acquisition of ELAG broadens and strengthens the availability of quality pouching products for all AMPAC customers.

"Ampac's acquisition of ELAG helps the overall strategy of our companies to produce innovative packaging technologies using all available global resources," says Robert Elsaesser, former owner of ELAG. "We are proud to join our companies to provide better service to our customers."

Hansruedi Haeberli, managing director of ELAG, states, "Ampac's innovative solutions in packaging, as well as their global reach, were appealing to ELAG. Their technical expertise will be of great benefit to our customer base, and we envision our technical expertise benefitting Ampac's customers as well."

Smyth Companies 
Invests in Mitsubishi Press

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.—Smyth Companies has purchased a Mitsubishi Diamond 3000LX sheetfed press to accelerate job turnarounds at its Bedford, Va. plant. The press is scheduled for installation in the third quarter.

The press is the third 8-color, 40-inch model Smyth Companies has purchased from Mitsubishi. The Diamond 3000LX can accommodate the wide range of paper and specialty nonporous substrates used at the Bedford facility, including C1S and C2S label stock, paperboard, and polypropylene. Smyth Bedford emphasizes glue-applied paper and film labels and in-mold labels. Its cut-and-stack labels are applied to cans, jars, and bottles, while its in-mold labels are found on injection-molded food containers and lids.

Smyth Bedford's Diamond 3000LX will be equipped with an anilox coater, plus three interdeck UV modules and end-of-press UV lamps from Grafix to handle thin film stocks and provide UV curing of coatings. pP