Printer News - August 2013

Shrinkable Cut-and-Stack Labels

ELK GROVE, ILL.—Fort Dearborn Company has introduced an innovative Shrinkable Cut & Stack label to its product line. The label combines the application benefits of cut-and-stack labels with the shelf impact of a shrink sleeve.

With an OPP-based film structure, the label offers up to 15 percent shrink and overcomes the challenges of traditional cut and stack that are limited to straight-wall container applications. Since the label is provided in cut-and-stack format, existing application equipment with hot melt adhesives can be used to apply the labels, along with a dry heat tunnel.

It's a Label Expo

Labelexpo Europe 2013 is set to be the largest in the show's 33 year history as it returns to Belgium September 24-27. This 2013 event has grown to occupy more than 31,500 square meters in seven halls at Brussels Expo. Within the seven exhibition halls, more than 550 exhibitors are set to display the latest working machinery, cutting-edge technology, and a wide range of solutions and materials to increase profitability.

In addition to the latest innovations in digital printing, multi-substrate presses, in-line decoration systems, RFID/smart labels, and prepress and platemaking, Labelexpo Europe 2013 will also run several feature areas.

The Package Printing Workshops will highlight new ways of adding value to your business. In a dedicated area of hall 12, package printing experts will be running two specially created workshops in partnership with Xeikon and Nuova GIDUE. Each day, Xeikon will showcase the digital printing of carton packaging using a 3500 press, while Nuova GIDUE will have a Combat M3 flexo press producing flexible packaging.

The Inkjet Trail will put different inkjet technologies under the spotlight and compare their results when producing identical label designs on the same label stocks. Six leading inkjet press manufacturers—Domino Printing Sciences, Durst Phototechnik, EFI Jetrion, Epson Europe, Heidelberg Linoprint, and Stork Prints—will produce a selection of food, pharmaceutical, and industrial labels using the same sets of original files, on the same range of substrates. Original, color, and diecutter files for the different jobs will be prepared by Esko, while UPM Raflatac, FLEXcon, and Herma will provide common substrates for the range of printed labels being produced.

Lisa Milburn, managing director of the Labelexpo Global Series says: "With solutions at the show for every area of business from industrial and food and beverages through to pharmaceutical and personal care, there is nowhere better to source new technology, improve your supply chain management, or learn about maximizing value-added services that will help keep your business ahead of the competition."

Multi-Color To Acquire Mexican Label Printer

CINCINNATI—Multi-Color Corporation has entered into an agreement to acquire 100 percent of Flexo Print S.A. De C.V., based in Guadalajara, Mexico. Flexo Print is a leading producer of home and personal care, food and beverage, wine and spirit, and pharmaceutical labels in Latin America with annual revenues of approximately $30 million.

Multi-Color President and CEO Nigel Vinecombe says, "We are delighted to have Flexo Print join our Multi-Color group. This acquisition offers us significant growth opportunities in Mexico through our many common customers, technologies, and suppliers. Flexo Print's current President, Fernando Aranguren, is staying on to lead the company, along with his experienced management team and staff. We look forward to working with the Flexo Print team to continue to expand the Multi-Color group into Latin America. The business will change its name to Multi-Color Corporation (Mexico)."

"Joining global label company, Multi-Color Corporation, is a natural progression for us to support growth with our national and international brand owners with more and more of their label needs," says Aranguren. "Our portfolio now includes shrink sleeves and pouches, and we are excited about the comprehensive label solutions we can provide as part of Multi-Color."

Spear Receives Food Safety Certification

MASON, OHIO—Spear has added Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) to its portfolio of standards. Following the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), the company achieved FSSC 22000 Certification for each of its U.S.-based facilities, South African facility, and the FSSC equivalent, BRC Certification, in Cwmbran, Wales.

FSSC 22000 certification ensures that suppliers are following good industry practices from security to hygiene to waste stream control. According to Dave McKell, quality director for Spear, "The scope of what is considered 'food contact' has been blurred in the recent years. We (Spear) have ramped up our efforts for several years to ensure we are ahead of the certification curve rather than playing catch up. These certifications provide assurance to our customers that Spear is providing food-safe packaging to their Global Food Supply Chain."

PEOPLE

Huston Patterson Corp. has named Tonya Kowa-Morelli the new president of Huston Patterson. Thomas W. Kowa will remain active at the company serving as CEO and Chairman of the Board. Kowa-Morelli has been with Huston Patterson and Sigma Graphics for more than 9 years, serving in various sales, marketing, and leadership roles.

Smyth Companies, LLC has appointed Scott Fisher to the role of president, reporting to John Hickey, CEO. With more than 32 years of experience in the packaging industry, he will be responsible for all of Smyth's sales, manufacturing sites, and future acquisitions.

Bob Daeschler has joined Bell Inc. as director of sales and business development. In this newly established role, he will be responsible for the national sales team and will serve as a member of Bell's executive leadership team.

Label Technology, Inc. has named Mark Hines to the newly created position of business development director reporting directly to David Bankson, president. He will work closely with the existing sales and marketing team to develop new business opportunities throughout North America.

Sonoco announced that Marcy Thompson has been named vice president, marketing and innovation. In this new position, she will lead Sonoco's marketing function, including an initiative to develop a focused consumer insights and end-use market strategy to better serve the company's customers.

Allen-Bailey Tag & Label, Inc. announced the promotion of Mark Eagle to director of manufacturing and safety. He will be responsible for the company's entire manufacturing operations, as well as on-going training and ensuring personnel safety. In addition, Christine O'Brien has been promoted to the position of director of sales.

Kendall Packaging announced that Tom Coffman has joined the company as area sales manager for the southeast part of the U.S. In addition, Tonya Becker has been promoted to customer service representative.

Liqui-Box Corp. announced the appointment of Ken J. Swanson as CEO. With more than 25 years of global experience with manufacturing companies, he will lead the company's growth strategies.

RockTenn announced that Jim Rubright will retire as CEO and a director on Oct. 31, 2013. COO Steve Voorhees will become CEO upon Rubright's retirement. Ward Dickson will join the company in September as executive VP and CFO with responsibility for finance, information technology, and procurement. In addition, current board director, Stephen Felker, will become chairman of the board of the company for a two-year term upon Rubright's retirement.

Correction

In the July cover story on WS Packaging Group, Bill Smith, chief sales officer, and Earl Jewett, chief operating officer, were incorrectly identified as the other. We apologize for this error.