Supplier News - June 2012
Ronald Lee Harper
CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Harper Corporation announced the passing of Ronald “Ron” Lee Harper, who died on April 14, 2012. The co-founder of Harper Corporation, Ron and his wife, Katherine, launched the business in 1971, and since that time, have dedicated their time and energy to the flexographic industry, about which Ron was exceedingly passionate.
In addition to running Harper Corporation of America, Harper wrote several books, including “The Harder I Work, The Luckier I Get.” The Harpers have also supported the efforts of many colleges, including those in the Carolinas, Chicago, California, and Wisconsin, which have created departments and buildings that bear their name in honor of their patronage. Additionally, the generosity of Ron and Katherine has resulted in the Ron and Katherine Harper Scholarship Fund and The Harper National Flexographic Center at CPCC.
Ron and Katherine donated generously to Clemson University for the development of its graphics department. Likewise, they spearheaded the raising of one million dollars in 1999, which was donated to improve flexographic education in high school programs. To get the drive started, the Harpers personally contributed the first $100,000. Over the years, the Harpers assisted in the creation of flexographic printing programs in 21 high schools and 32 colleges across the United States, Canada, Argentina, and Costa Rica.
Roll-Fed Sleeve Film
Polyphane Fit roll-fed sleeve film from Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials is targeted primarily to the beverage category and offers a shrink ratio that is among the highest available. This feature allows brand managers and packaging designers the opportunity to use a broader range of contoured bottles.
“Capturing consumers’ attention within seconds at the store shelf is critical,” said Laura Clark, marketing director for food and beverage, Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials. “The physical shape of the package is a key element of the overall brand experience. And contoured packages, with eye-catching labels, offer a compelling way to differentiate national and private label brands.”
Polyphane Fit roll-fed sleeve films offer brand managers complete coverage of one-step shrink labeling. The product line is a cost-effective label decoration alternative capable of wrapping up to 50,000 bottles per hour and can be applied with all seaming processes, including hot-melts, UV melts, laser, and heat sealing. It will also run on conventional wraparound equipment. The product line includes:
- Polyphane Fit HA: engineered for hot air tunnels, up to 25 percent shrink.
- Polyphane Fit ST: engineered for steam tunnels, up to 25 percent shrink.
- Polyphane Fit STS: engineered for steam tunnels, up 50 percent shrink.
“Polyphane Fit lets beverage manufacturers quickly switch from conventional wraparound labeling to shrink labeling on the same machine,” Clark said. The films work with all types of printing methods, including flexography, rotogravure, offset, and digital printing.
Developed by Polysack Plastic Industries, Polyphane Fit is marketed and sold by Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials.
DWS Purchases Speedmaster XL 106
KENNESAW, Ga.—DWS Printing Associates has purchased a Peak Performance Speedmaster XL 106-8+L at drupa 2012, the first in the U.S. to be configured with the combination of CutStar inline sheeting system, Hybrid UV technology, and both Prinect Inpress and Axis Control color measurement and control systems.
DWS is a family owned package and label printer serving the food and beverage industry. According to president Tom Staib, “We needed to expand our current production capabilities and efficiency and wanted state-the-art technology that would enable us to handle an wider variety of printing substrates and give us a competitive edge. We did not want to catch up with our competitors. We want to be a technology leader.”
The new Speedmaster XL 106 will be delivered with the latest version of the Prinect Pressroom Manager, a pressroom management system based entirely on JDF. The system transfers complete presetting data from the MIS and prepress workflow to the press.
First K+B UR Precision in N.A.
DUSSELDORF, Germany—Smyth Companies, LLC has approved the first set of UR Precision automatic transfer machines from Kocher + Beck, GmbH, for shipment to the U.S. The machine acceptance was performed at drupa.
“K+B has done a great job. We are very excited to take delivery of these machines,” said Scott Farkas, director of new product development at Smyth. “The technology that K+B has built into their equipment is very impressive and will fit well with our new Gallus RCS installation.”
Jim Ward, VP of engineering for Kocher + Beck USA added, “The market’s response to the UR Precision automatic splicers and rewinds has been overwhelming. This particular order is very significant because it proves that the value of these systems stretches well beyond Europe.”
New Raflatac Factory in N.C.
TAMPERE, Finland—UPM Raflatac has opened its new specialty products factory in Fletcher, N.C. The facility, which began full-scale production in April, will provide UPM Raflatac with the narrow-web coating capabilities and capacity to develop specialty labelstock solutions for demanding end-uses and allow the company to deliver on its promise of becoming a full product line supplier to its diverse industry customer base.
The specialty products factory will supply labelstock products for end-uses such as security, pharmaceutical, food, tire and durables labeling, and ultra-removable applications; provide coat-to-order services; and run small orders. The new facility is located close to the company’s existing labelstock manufacturing facility in Mills River, N.C., allowing the company to streamline its logistics processes.
“With our new label solutions center, UPM Raflatac achieves its vision of offering a full range of standard Prime, VIP and Specials products to our customers,” says Jouko Lähepelto, senior vice president, Americas & Asia Pacific. “We can now provide labelstock converters with the industry know-how and production tools they need to supply specialty products to market-leading brand owners.”
PEOPLE
RotoMetrics announced that Robert “Bob” Spiller has joined the company as president and CEO. He will be based in Eureka, Mo. and will be responsible for all global operations and continue RotoMetrics’ strategy of geographic expansion, technology leadership, and growth in both label and specialty converting markets.
Ricoh Americas Corp. announced the appointment of Martin Brodigan as chairman and CEO. Most recently, he served as executive VP and COO for the company, overseeing all sales and service channels in the U.S., Canada and Latin America.
Michael Mugavero has been named the manroland sheetfed managing director/CEO for the United States and Canada. He joined manroland sheetfed in 1992 and has served as regional sales manager, general manager, VP of sales.
Rotoflex announced two new director-level appointments. Kevin Gourlay has been named business director and Manohar Dhugga is the newly appointed director of engineering and service.
Davis-Standard, LLC announced that Fred Pereira has joined the company as president of Asia and will lead the company’s plan to increase its presence in China and throughout the region. In addition, Hassan Gangji has joined the company as chief procurement officer. He will be responsible for providing strategic direction for the company’s global supply chain function.
John Hrdlick has been promoted to chief operating officer at INX International Ink. In addition, George Polasik continues to transition his operational management responsibilities as he begins his role as senior consultant.
Toray Plastics (America) has named Lauritz Goodrich its new national sales manager for the Torayfan® Polypropylene Film Div. He will oversee the N.A. sales team and be responsible for growth in both OPP and PET film among key accounts.
Spinnaker Coating, LLC has promoted Perry J. Schiller from VP and chief financial officer to the position of senior VP and chief financial officer; and Stuart A. Postle from VP, operations to senior VP, operations.
NewPage Corp. announced three promotions in its specialty papers business: Dawn Soucek to business innovation manager; Sandra Trzebiatowski to commercial manager, specialty; and Audra Franz to Stevens Point Mill Controller.
Beta LaserMike has appointed Ethem Erdas as Western USA district sales manager and Stuart Manser as sales director for the Asia region.
GPA announced that Mike Blanco has joined the company as a technical support specialist. pP
