Printer News - June 2013

FTA Excellence in Flexography

SAN DIEGO, CALIF.—The Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) Excellence in Flexography competition bestowed 102 awards for printed packaging materials at its 2013 Annual Forum held in San Diego. The awards included 35 Gold Medals, with seven of these earning further honors as "Best of Show" in their respective categories. These "Best of Show" winners:

• Sunshine Plastics Corp. for the Autumn Lakes Duck A L'Orange wrapper
• Accredo Packaging for the Special Kitty Salmon wrapper
• Smyth Companies for Hochstadter's Slow & Low Straight Rye Whiskey.
• Colbert Flexographic Packaging Corp. for the EnviroGuard VetGuard carton
• Panflex, s.r.o. for the Samsung TV box
• RockTenn Preprint Canada Inc. for Skotidakis Greek Yogurt
• Encore Envelopes Ltd. for the Tesco Every Little Helps envelope

Seagram's Escapes Convention

MASON, OHIO—North American Brewery (Florida Ice & Farm Co.) has launched three new flavors to its Seagram's Escapes lineup—Kiwi Strawberry, Blackberry Breezer, and Aloha-Tini. With the help of Spear, Seagram's Escapes award-winning premiere package incorporates a clear pressure-sensitive label with vibrant 4-color process. The brand extension comes from continuous growth, outperforming the flavored alcoholic market segment 10-fold in 2012.

The extension not only adds to the successful brands, but allows further marketing opportunities, says Jennifer McCauley of North American Brewery. "In addition to two new core flavors and one new seasonal, Seagram's Escapes has also introduced a new mix pack for 2013 that features six flavors versus four in the past. By giving consumers the variety they are looking for in a single package, the brand is able to deliver on two things the consumer values: variety and convenience."

Five Packaging Companies to Combine

CHICAGO—Five leading packaging companies in North America and Europe intend to combine in order to operate as one global leader under the banner of Exopack Holdings Sarl, a new Luxembourg company. The combined business will have 63 plants, 8,650 employees, and aggregate revenues of more than $2.5 billion.

Joining Exopack, a U.S.-based producer of flexible paper and plastic packaging, and advanced coatings, will be four companies based in Europe: Britton Group, a flexible plastic packaging manufacturer; PACCOR, a rigid plastic packaging company; Kobusch, a producer of tailor-made flexible and rigid packaging systems; and Paragon Print & Packaging, a leader in private label packaging solutions in the UK.

All five companies are affiliated portfolio companies of Sun Capital Partners. The brand names of the five businesses would remain in use by the combined company.

The company is to be led by Jack Knott who will serve as CEO. "By joining together to form this new entity, we will be better able to serve the needs of our global customers through a manufacturing base spanning North America, Europe, the Middle East, and China that enhances our ability to deliver outstanding service," explained Knott. "The larger scale will enable us to accelerate the development and commercialization of new and differentiated products that offer our customers a competitive advantage."

The combination is subject to certain notice and contractual restrictions.

Calumet Carton Achieves G7 Qualification

SOUTH HOLLAND, ILL.—Calumet Carton Company has received G7® Master Printer Qualification by IDEAlliance®, a certification that recognizes printers that support a managed color workflow for press and proof calibration. Calumet Carton went through an audit process of press color measurement equipment, process control procedures, and quality of printing to receive the G7 Master Printer qualification.

"The G7 Master Printer qualification ensures the highest level of quality and consistency for our customers," says Bob Byrne, plant manager. "This is a milestone for any printer. We are very proud to receive this qualification and to be able to produce high quality products for our customers."

In addition to the company certification, Byrne passed the IDEAlliance G7 Expert training and exam, and is qualified as a Certified G7 Expert. A G7 Expert is an expert in the field of color management, process ,and quality control for proofing and printing equipment. They are able to analyze color and print related issues and take corrective action to bring systems and processes in control to a set method.

Kendall Packaging Expands

MEQUON, WIS.—Kendall Packaging Corp. has embarked on a 56,000-sq.-ft. expansion to its Jefferson, Wis. facility. The expansion will double the plant's production and storage capacity and is scheduled for completion in late summer of this year.

"This expansion reflects the steady growth and expanding capabilities we've seen over the years," said Director of Manufacturing Nate Friedl. "By doubling our capacity and increasing our production capabilities we will be able to better serve our customers and build upon our success in the packaging industry."

This upgrade comes after the successful launch of Kendall's natural cheese and pet food product lines, and installations of a 10-color W&H Miraflex press in Jefferson and a 10-color W&H Primaflex at its Pittsburg, Kan., facility.

Multi-Color Facility Gets L.I.F.E.

GLOUCESTER, MASS.—Mutli-Color Corp.'s Watertown, Wis. facility has become L.I.F.E. Certified, the 46th facility to achieve this TLMI environmental certification.

Linda Laehr, Multi-Color Watertown's production manager, comments, "We are extremely proud of receiving this certification. The associates at the Watertown plant have worked hard toward the goal of keeping all recyclable waste out of the landfill and helping to make the community in which we work and live environmentally healthier."

PEOPLE

J. Joseph Moynihan has been appointed to the position of executive vice president, packaging group for PaperWorks Industries. He will be responsible for all packaging operations in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.

Chuck Gabbert has joined Rohrer Corp. as national sales director west. He will formulate key strategies to support continued sales growth and develop the sales team in the western half of North America.

The Flexographic Technical Association has selected John Crammer, Best Label, as the recipient of the 2013 FTA President's Award. Crammer has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to the goals and objectives of the Association and Foundation, and is a vocal proponent of education within the flexographic business community. He recently joined the FTA Board of Directors and FFTA Board of Trustees.

Gregory D. Lowe has been appointed executive vice president of Flextec Corp. He will continue to service a major portion of Flextec's account base while providing leadership for corporate expansion and capital investment strategies.

Renzo Sparavier has joined The MATLET Group as director of strategic accounts. In this role, he will provide leadership for national accounts.

Rondo-Pak has hired Brooks Durham as its director of operations. In addition, the company has promoted Edward Bani to technical service manager/sales. In his new role, Bani will oversee a team of technical support professionals servicing Rondo-Pak's sales team.

Sealed Air Corp. announced that Lawrence R. Codey was elected by the board of directors to serve as non-executive chairman of the board. He will serve in this position until the 2014 annual meeting of stockholders. pP