Printer News - March 2013

FPA: Innovation Is King

LINTHICUM, MD.—The winning entries of the Flexible Packaging Association's (FPA) 57th annual Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards feature innovative enhancements that integrate consumer trends and needs with technical advancements in materials, graphics, structure, and sustainability to produce outstanding flexible packaging solutions.

In all, 78 flexible packages were submitted into the 2013 competition by 29 flexible packaging companies. Of those, 25 packages were honored with 29 FPA Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards within one or more categories including Packaging Excellence, Printing Achievement, Technical Innovation, and Environmental & Sustainability Achievement. The awards were presented during the 2013 FPA Annual Meeting in Naples, Florida.

Winning entries of the 2013 FPA Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards

HIGHEST ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The Highest Achievement Award is presented to a Gold Award winning entry package ranked by the judges as having contributed most to the advancement of the flexible packaging industry.

• Kraft YES Pack; Exopack, LLC
  Additional Awards: Gold – Packaging Excellence; Silver – Environmental & Sustainability Achievement

Package description: Designed to provide a flexible alternative to rigid gallon jugs, the Kraft YES Pack is an innovative and environmentally friendly flexible gallon dressing package. To provide ease-of-use by foodservice operators, Kraft YES Pack incorporates a two-handle design and a smaller spout, making the package easier to carry and pour. The use of flexible materials versus a rigid container affords the customer a package that was manufactured using approximately 50 percent less energy and 60 percent less plastic material.

GOLD AWARD

Packaging Excellence

• Amcor PushPop; Amcor Flexibles

Printing Achievement

• Lindt Lindor Assorted Chocolates; American Packaging Corporation
• Aashirvaad Select; Paharpur 3P
• Kusi Wayta; PERUPLAST S.A.

Environmental & Sustainability Achievement

• Ampac No. 2 Pouch - Savvy Green; Ampac
• Beacon Converters/CardioFocus® Heart Light® Cardiac Ablation System Balloon Catheter Die Cut Tray; Beacon Converters, Incorporated
  Additonal Award: Gold – Technical Innovation
• Eco-Ultra Motor Oil Pouch; Star Packaging Corporation
  Additonal Award: Silver – Packaging Excellence

Technical Innovation

• Halls "Twistoff" Stickpack; Sonoco Products Company

SILVER AWARD

Packaging Excellence

• Campbell's Skillet Sauces; Ampac
• gDiapers Biodegradable Wipes; Berry Plastics Corporation
• Lundberg Family Farms Organic and Eco-farmed Rice; Peel Plastic Products Limited
• Walkers Shortbread – Re-Seal It®; Printpack Inc.
• Cryovac® Multi-Seal® FoldLOK; Sealed Air Corporation - Cryovac Division

Printing Achievement

• CBI Coelho Smart Wheat; Berry Plastics Corporation
• Nestle Purina ONE Cat; Exopack, LLC

Environmental & Sustainability Achievement

• Simply Heinz™ Single Serve Mayonnaise Sachet; cei (Coating Excellence International)
• Crystal Farms Shredded Cheese Stand Up Pouch; Exopack, LLC
• Overprint on Already Printed Package; Rotoprint Sovrastampa Srl

Technical Innovation

• Dent Resistant - Compact Formpack®; Amcor Flexibles
• Easy Peel Lidding for High Pressure Pasteurization; Berry Plastics Corporation
• EZ Open Block-Tite® Bulk Cheese Package; Curwood, Incorporation - A Bemis Company
• Bolthouse Farms Shakedowns; Emerald Packaging Incorporation
• SwabCap®; Rollprint Packaging Products, Inc.
• Chameleon™ Color-Changing Sealant; Rollprint Packaging Products, Inc.

Constantia Flexibles Acquires Spear Group

CINCINNATI—Constantia Flexibles Group, headquartered in Vienna, Austria, has signed a deal to acquire Spear Group. The acquisition is part of the international growth strategy of Constantia Flexibles and constitutes a strong basis for further growth and expansion in the global labels market. The parties agreed not to disclose the price of the transaction. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval.

Spear has been a leading innovator and supplier of pressure-sensitive labels for the beverage industry since 1982. "We are excited by the increased opportunities that Spear will be able to offer our customers by joining forces with Constantia Flexibles," said Rick Spear, CEO of Spear. "This combination will enhance our leadership position in the technological development of pressure-sensitive labeling for primary brand decoration."

PEOPLE

Exopack Holding Corp. announced that Executive Chairman Jack Knott will return to the company in a full-time capacity as the executive chairman and chief executive officer. In addition, Mike Alger, a member of Exopack's Board of Directors and Chairman of the Audit Committee, has been named the company's chief financial officer. After the appointments become effective on March 1, 2013, interim CFO Duane Owens will continue to help lead Exopack as treasurer.

Rondo-Pak has hired Victor Dixon as its new president and chief operating officer. In this role, he will oversee the company's business development and promotional strategies, focusing not only on day-to-day operations but also growth potential, market positioning, and a branding initiative that will be rolled out incrementally in 2013.

All Barcode Systems announced that Barry Petenbrink has joined the company as its Eastern U.S. account manager and will provide direct face-to-face contact for its expanding base of clientele.

RockTenn announced that Steven Voorhees has been elected president and chief operating officer, with oversight responsibility for the company's operating businesses, including Corrugated Packaging, Consumer Packaging, and Recycling. pP