Printer News - September 2013

Ampac Recognized for Excellence

CINCINNATI—Ampac recently won several awards for leadership, innovation, and technical excellence. Ampac was awarded the PAC Leadership Award from the Packaging Association of Canada for the No. 2 Pouch Savvy Green Eco Clean Laundry Detergent. This award highlights those packages that show technical packaging design and sustainability.

An FTA Award was given to Ampac's paper shopping bag for p.s. Aeropostale in recognition of the excellent flexographic printing displayed on this bag. Judging criteria include level of execution and degree of difficulty concerning flexographic print.

Two American Packaging Design Awards were presented by Graphic Design USA for Ampac's Savvy Green Eco Clean Laundry Detergent pouch and Campbell's Skillet pouch. Both awards recognize products for being visually attractive and featuring designs that advance the brand and forge an emotional connection with the purchaser.

Ampac's Campbell's Skillet pouch was recognized as "Package of the Year" by Food and Beverage Packaging Magazine. The Campbell's pouch uses a new format—a shaped stand-up pouch—in a category that is traditionally packaged in glass jars or aluminum cans. The stand-up pouch is a rotogravure printed pouch using a pattern matte varnish to highlight the graphics and a non-rocking bottom for enhanced shelf appeal.

Ampac's Dave Bartish, marketing director, says, "Ampac is proud to see that our work in innovating new ideas, making advancements in printing and pouch making, and using our imagination and know-how to lead industry change is paying off. We are pleased to be recognized for the work invested in these leading brands."

Imagine! Adds Digital Capability

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.—Imagine! Print Solutions has further expanded its label and packaging offering with the addition of the HP Indigo WS6000. This press offers a efficient digital solution for frequent, smaller quantity, quick-turn print runs for label and packaging printing. It offers the choice of using mixed spot inks and 4-, 6- or 7-color simulations, in addition to the option of extending CMYK process with orange, violet, and green. The press also prints white ink to open up a broader array of substrates, such as metallized or transparent.

"We are excited to add this digital offering to our flexographic print capabilities," stated Bob Lothenbach, president of Imagine! Print Solutions. "By adding the HP Indigo WS600, Imagine! reaffirms its commitment to adapt and address the challenges that face our clients."

L.I.F.E. Certification for Consolidated Label

LONGWOOD, FLA.—Consolidated Label Company has received L.I.F.E. (Label Initiative for the Environment) certification from the Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute (TLMI). The L.I.F.E program was developed in 2009 by TLMI in order to assist the association's members with finding cost-effective ways to reduce their company's environmental footprint.

"We spent months analyzing our materials and chemicals to figure out ways in which we can reduce waste without having to sacrifice the quality of our products," says Joel Carmany, president of Consolidated Label. "After a thorough analysis, we were able to come up with programs and solutions that would make a significant impact on our environmental efforts. It took a lot of team work and coordination among our employees to accomplish such a feat.

"Becoming a L.I.F.E. member is another step towards achieving our goal of streamlining our internal processes and ensuring that we have a formal environmental management system in place," he continues. "With this certification, we can effectively serve our customers better by providing them a reassurance that our energy and waste management systems comply with industry standards."

Resource for Brand Packagers

OSHKOSH, WIS.—Bemis Performance Packaging (BPP) has launched a new Web site, bemisperformancepackaging.com, which provides consumer goods companies with user-friendly resources to address packaging challenges and create brand advantages with the latest in packaging innovations.

Online packaging resources include interactive tools such as a simple corrugate-reduction calculator that estimates the sustainability and cost savings achievable when switching from corrugate cartons to printed multi-pack film; white papers on Bemis packaging technologies; and a "solutions finder" with successful tactics to address common packaging challenges—from cost efficiency to improved sustainability to shelf appeal.

"The new web platform offers our customers and stakeholders an intuitive, easy-to-use packaging resource that delivers a rich springboard for ideation, sourcing, and collaboration," said Lee Levenson, director of business intelligence. "We're excited to introduce the site, and look forward to continuing to add value through relevant, helpful content."

MWV Intros Child-Resistant Package

RICHMOND, VA.—MeadWestvaco Corp. (MWV) introduced Shellpak® Renew with Optilock™ technology. This medication adherence package is designed to meet patient and pharmacist needs by enabling greater patient portability and improving pharmacy efficiency. The package features an advanced locking mechanism for the highest level of child resistance (F=1) in a significantly reduced package size. The package will launch at Walmart pharmacies this summer with 11 SKUs from Mylan, a leading generics and specialty pharmaceutical company.

"Walmart is committed to developing scalable, accessible solutions to improve patient adherence to medication," said Sandy Kinsey, VP, pharmacy merchandising for Walmart Stores. "We are proud to offer Shellpak Renew with Optilock technology and are excited about the new, smaller package size, which many of our patients requested."

Shellpak Renew with Optilock technology features a calendared blister and space for patient educational information, which is shown to improve patient adherence to medications. The package's outer carton is made of MWV's Natralock®, a paperboard-based solution that maximizes the use of recyclable materials. The secure, tear-resistant carton does not require paper backing on the foil blister, making pill expression easy. In addition, the package contains enhanced adherence features, including a smooth-slide blister for easy medication access and color-coded spine labels to help distinguish among medications.

Hung Le, VP global design for MWV, said: "At MWV, our design mandate is to develop packaging that is not only child resistant, but also convenient for patients. Shellpak Renew with Optilock technology was designed using insights from both our customers and consumers regarding the importance of efficiency and convenience."

Security for New Product Development

PAWTUCKET, R.I.—To meet the needs of consumer packaging companies for new product launches, Packaging Graphics has created a secure printing process that ensures complete client confidence from the time they begin work on a product launch through delivery. Packaging Graphics specializes in the production of folding carton packaging, blister cards, and thermoforming for the highly competitive home and personal care product markets.

Packaging Graphics began offering its security service in 2009 after installing a manroland R700 Ultima press within its 300,000 sq.-ft. facility. "We have a dedicated area that not only is safe and secure, but is a completely closed-off work center. Once we begin prepress, a client knows that we can handle the review process, printing, and finishing all without ever having to leave the room," explained Pat Pagani, president of Packaging Graphics, a division of The MATLET Group.

Greg Iannuccillo, vice president of sales, says the area was designed so no one but the client and dedicated employees assigned to the specific project can enter the room. "We implemented a regimented routine that has worked very well. Our employees can only access the room using a fingerprint match, and no product can be taken out of the room. The prepress area also has frosted windows to restrict viewing in case anyone in the building is walking past. We've also taken steps to recycle the plates used once we have completed printing."

100 Percent Wind Power

CORONA, CALIF.—Long-time EPA Green Power Partner, Thoro Packaging has moved to 100 percent wind power for all of its manufacturing. As a member of the Green Power Leadership Club since 2010, Thoro has continually gone to great lengths to reduce its carbon footprint, and has taken it a step further in renewable energy efforts. This now enables Thoro's customers to print "Cartons Produced with 100 Percent Wind Power" on their packaging."

Thoro Packaging purchases enough renewable energy credits (RECs) to offset all energy used by its facility, and now those credits are sourced 100 percent from wind energy. "Thoro is committed to not only reducing our impact on the environment and natural resources, but also strives to offer as many options as possible to support our customers' sustainability efforts as well," says Janet Steiner, president and CEO.

PEOPLE

Huston Patterson Corp. has named Joe Morelli as vice president of sales and marketing. He will lead all corporate sales and marketing activities, along with all HPx Brand Initiatives.

Technical Help in Engineering and Marketing (T.H.E.M.) announced three additions to its leadership team. The new vice president of business development is Tom Martin; Steve Strom will head machine sales; and Eric Hawley is the company's senior technical services manager.