Supplier News - February 2013

Party Time

SEATTLE, Wash.—Tostitos, a leading brand from PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division, recently partnered with global branding and design firm Hornall Anderson to launch its line of Tostitos Cantina, a product designed to bring an authentic Mexican restaurant experience to consumers at home.

According to Mark Popich, vice president of design for Hornall Anderson, "The new Tostitos Cantina packaging design evokes the sights and sounds of a festive Mexican Cantina-style restaurant. The entire design is 'kinetic,' as if someone has just bumped the corner of your dinner table while dancing."

As part of the research process, the Hornall Anderson team actually partied with Tostitos consumers in their own homes, versus focus group testing, to immerse themselves in what defines a party. Part of this included observing what resonates with consumers based on the visual influencers in their environment, in addition to what they served, what other brands they identified with, and how they entertained.

The result? The updated identity dials up the two "t"s and the dot in the "i" of Tostitos to spotlight their resemblance to two people dipping into a bowl, reinforcing the social nature of the brand. And the new packaging is vibrant, magnetic, and fun, playing up the "Make Life a Party" positioning. Colorful "chipfetti" and vibrant rays bursting from the clear window on pack further illustrate the "look and feel" of a party in a bag. The view panel on pack also illustrates the shape of each bag's chip variety, helping differentiate each SKU from one another.

New dips are also a critical component of the new packaging, both for the new Cantina line and the core Tostitos line, further highlighting that Tostitos chips go hand-in-hand with their dips. The new Tostitos were launched during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl on January 3rd.

Printer Implements Full HD Flexo

GENT, BELGIUM—Esko has reported several successful implementations of its new Full HD Flexo technology, which was introduced at drupa 2012. Among these is Germany-based Bischof + Klein, a leading full-service supplier of flexible plastic and paper packaging and technical films.

Helmut Wenzl, operations manager at the Konzell printing plant of Bischof + Klein, comments: "Thanks to the installation of Esko's CDI with Inline UV2, Bischof + Klein is able to execute 'Full HD' flexo printing with high screen rulings and a convincing solid ink laydown. The first productions in higher print runs up to 250,000 meters also showed very consistently reproduced quality, with print results exactly matching the proofs. We already have many production jobs to be handled with Full HD Flexo in the pipeline."

"We will convert all round-top HD Flexo jobs to Full HD Flexo," adds André Kölker, team leader repro/project manager at Bischof + Klein. "The exciting thing is that Full HD Flexo gives a much better long-run consistency of fine highlights at high lineatures."

"The fast acceptance and excellent results of this new technology are encouraging," concludes Juergen Andresen, vice president flexo business at Esko. "Now we are finalizing installations at a range of early adopter sites, as we get ready for a global rollout from early 2013 onwards."

Significant Investment for Color Ad Packaging

LINCOLN, R.I.—Color Ad Packaging, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, has made a sizeable investment in Windmoeller & Hoelscher (W&H) technology, including a HELIOSTAR gravure press, a MIRAFLEX flexo press, and three TRIUMPH bag machines.

Serving primarily confectionery, snack food, and beverage markets, Color Ad Packaging is one of North America's largest producers of pre-formed bags, as well as a leading supplier of pouches and rollstock. The new printing presses and bag-making equipment will enhance Color Ad's existing lineup of machinery, allowing for additional capacity and product development.

"The decision to work with W&H as the primary supplier for our new equipment came at the conclusion of an exhaustive 6-month process," says Chip Batten, president and CEO. "Our research and the support of the team at W&H left no other conclusion but to partner with this industry leader."

Color Ad management sees this investment not only as a commitment to its current and future customers, but also to its employees. "By providing our staff with state-of-the-art machinery, we enhance their ability to produce the absolute best print and flexible packaging products for our customers," adds Batten.

Technicote Ribbon Cutting

MIAMISBURG, OHIO—One year after a devastating fire left a large portion of Technicote's manufacturing plant in ruins, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in early January to celebrate the grand re-opening of the newly renovated pressure-sensitive adhesive and silicone coating facility located in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. The new building is 51,600 sq. ft., about 20 percent larger than the original structure and will support additional expansion of the business including new equipment and upgrades.

"A year ago when I was walking through the burned-out shell of a building I could not have envisioned being here today celebrating the official opening of this facility," recalled Doug O'Connell, president of Technicote. "I remember meeting with all the employees on Sunday afternoon, two days after the fire and telling them that we'd emerge from this setback stronger and better than ever. It's very rewarding standing here today and seeing that vision being fulfilled."

Technicote is optimistic that with new manufacturing equipment, more efficient work flow processes, and expanded production capabilities, 2013 will be just the beginning for significant future sales growth for the company. "Our customers can look forward to our commitment to provide exceptional specialty label and silicone coated liner products and an industry source for developing new product technology," commented Gary Stover, Technicote's director of marketing.

Century Packaging Adds Second Mitsubishi Press

HUNT VALLEY, MD.—A new Diamond 3000LX sheetfed press with UV printing capabilities is up and running at Century Packaging, Inc. The 6-color, 40-inch press shares the pressroom floor at the company's headquarters in East Brunswick, N.J., with an identical Mitsubishi press that has been in operation since 2009.

Century Packaging, whose customers include cosmetics, pharmaceutical, food, and automotive products companies, installed the new Diamond 3000LX to augment its packaging printing capacity. The press has the ability to handle a wide range of stock types and thickness, and Century Packaging has outfitted the press with SimulChanger, an automated plate-changing system that replaces all six plates simultaneously in just over one minute. The Diamond 3000LX incorporates a Grafix Hi-Cure system that features three interdeck UV modules and three UV lamps at the back end of the press.

GMG, matchmycolor LLC Enter Partnership

TUBINGEN, GERMANY—GMG and matchmycolor LLC have entered a agreement designed to enhance precision and efficiency in global color management. GMG will apply unique spectral color data from matchmycolor to its own model to improve the accuracy and quality of color proofs.

Judy van de Langkruis, managing partner, matchmycolor LLC, explains: "Our innovative cloud-based color communication software ideally complements GMG color management software. The respective industry players have complete ownership of color data as well as full control over both spot and process colors, and this helps them to achieve high and consistent product quality."

"This partnership allows a more integrated and consistent color workflow with GMG color management solutions for packaging service providers, including prepress and designers," says Victor Asseiceiro, director business unit packaging at GMG.

PEOPLE

Heidelberg announced that Stefan Hasenzahl will lead the newly founded Very Large Format and Postpress Packaging business area. He had previously been responsible for establishing Heidelberg's Chinese manufacturing site in Qingpu near Shanghai. At the same time, Jason Oliver has been appointed head of Digital Printing and is now responsible for all the company's Linoprint systems for the commercial and packaging-printing sectors.

Mark Andy Inc. announced changes to its European sales organization. Tom Cavalco has been promoted to the position of European sales director and Alex Schmidt assumes the responsibility of regional sales manager for Eastern Europe and Russia.

Esko has appointed of Christian Korte to the newly created position of senior vice president sales. He will oversee sales, marketing, and service activities worldwide, with a focus on extending reach into new segments at existing customers and in adjacent markets. In addition, Esko announced that Marian Zincke has joined the company as vice president digital finishing.

Carlos Flores has joined Davis-Standard, LLC as its global vice president of marketing. He will be responsible for developing and leading a global marketing strategy, enhancing the Davis-Standard brand, and managing vertical marketing, as well as developing a new end-user market segment strategy. In addition, Christopher James has joined the company as global director of aftermarket parts sales.

RotoMetrics announced the appointment and promotion of John Langdon to national sales manager, RotoMetrics, Canada. The company has also appointed Graham Rowe to the role of sales manager at its Germany location, responsible for strategic territories within Germany and Belgium.

Toray Plastics (America), Inc. has named Kerri Boyens its new product manager for the Torayfan® Polypropylene Film Division. She will be responsible for the growth of OPP film products among key customers in the packaging sector.

manroland sheetfed announced the appointment of Brian Gott as the new chief financial officer of manroland Inc and manroland Canada Inc.

Gerber Innovations has appointed Don Skenderian as director of sales and will lead the company's growth initiatives.

Muller Martini is expanding its commitment within the packaging press market. Gary Hughes, formerly president of Muller Martini Canada, has been named director of global packaging. In this newly created position, he will direct and coordinate Muller Martini's global strategy within the flexible packaging industry. The company also announced that Werner Naegeli, formerly president of Muller Martini USA, is now president of Muller Martini North America, which includes Muller Martini Canada.

DigiFlex Ltd. has named Kevin Cazabon as its product/channel manager for the U.S. and Canada. He will manage, promote, initiate, and support the sales activities of DigiFlex' channels in North America.

Roland DGA Corp. announced changes to its executive management team. Rick Scrimger, formerly vice president of sales and marketing of Roland DGA, will replace current Roland DGA President Dave Goward, who has been appointed president of worldwide sales and an executive officer for parent company Roland DG of Hamamatsu, Japan. Goward will continue with Roland DGA through the remainder of 2013 as CEO, providing strategic guidance.

Techkon USA announced the addition of Ryan Testa to its executive sales team as global sales manager, with a primary focus on the North and South American markets.

Harris & Bruno Intl. promoted Sean Tobler to technical sales. He will lead anilox roll sales, provide technical support for international and domestic markets, and drive spare parts initiatives. pP