Supplier News - October 2013

Introducing Mondi Americas

LAS VEGAS—International packaging and paper Group Mondi has united its North American competencies under the name Mondi Americas.

"Mondi Americas brings deep technical knowledge as well as global supply chain efficiencies to Mondi's North American customer base," says Mondi Americas President Kevin Young. "Mondi Group's worldwide network includes operations in 30 countries with 25,700 employees. Our North American customers that source and market globally now have a regional avenue to Mondi's full range of global resources and firm assurance of consistent product quality wherever they conduct business."

Mondi Americas also announced that it will bring its new retort and hot fill pouch design and production capabilities online to the North American marketplace in December 2013.

"Mondi Americas is bringing a dynamic new supply source for retort and hot fill pouches to North American packagers and brands," Young says. "Product consistency, extraordinary technical and design assistance, and short lead times will all be part of our retort pouch and hot fill product offering. Equally important, we will provide 100 percent inspection for every retort and hot fill pouch order."

Young notes that Mondi is known throughout Europe as a leading supplier of retort and hot fill pouches. "We will draw on Mondi Group's R&D technical resources in Gronau, Germany to meet our customers' most challenging retort and hot fill pouch applications," he says of the technically demanding package constructions.

HP Indigo 30000 Update from Labelexpo

In spite of its name, Labelexpo for a few years now has had a growing amount of package printing in its exhibits, mainly for short runs of flexible packaging and folding cartons and often involving digital printing. Labelexpo in Brussels last month was no different, as seen at the booths of Esko, HP Indigo, Xeikon, and others. As at the drupa show in Germany last year, the HP Indigo 30000 was a top packaging story at Labelexpo in Brussels—a sheetfed, B2 format (29.5˝ x 20.9˝) color digital press that is dedicated to folding carton printing.

Basic specs of HP Indigo 30000: 4, 5, 6, or 7 colors, or just CMY in "Enhanced Productivity Mode"; resolution up to 2,438 x 2,438 and linescreens of 175 and 180; 3,450 B2 sheets per hour in four colors, or 4,600 per hour in CMY. Much of what qualifies this digital press, though, has to do with the media it prints—paperboard from 8 to 24 points, C1S and C2S, also metallized boards, synthetics, top sheets for microflute, etc. At Labelexpo, though, HP Indigo unveiled its new finishing option, a coater from Tresu, the Danish maker of flexo printing and coating equipment.

The Tresu iCoat 30000 sits inline with the HP Indigo press and coats aqueous or UV, as needed; quick changeover mechanisms are in place to cut set-up time. According to HP Indigo, the Tresu addition has the same goal as the press's other qualifications—to equal the output of conventional presses. HP Indigo has announced three launch customers for the 30000, AGI-Shorewood Group, Multi-Packaging Solutions, and Nosco, which like several others will take delivery of an HP Indigo 30000 by the end of this year.

Esko to Acquire CAPE Systems

GHENT, BELGIUM—Esko announced its intent to purchase CAPE Systems, a provider of software solutions for packaging design, pallet load optimization, and supply chain profitability. CAPE is active worldwide through a network of resellers, and is headquartered in Allen, Texas, with offices in London, UK.

"Esko is continually evolving from a prepress solution provider to an end-to-end supplier in the packaging world," explains Carsten Knudsen, Esko president and CEO. "It is our strategy to improve and drive profitability, utilization, and fail safe solutions for our customers all the way from design to the point of sale. CAPE has already made inroads in the brand owner and retailer packaging space. Adding their palletization tools to our portfolio supports our strategic goals."

"There could be no better future for CAPE than to join Esko, one of CAPE's most dynamic and familiar business partners," says CAPE CEO Brad Leonard. "The Esko technology and organization are well-known to us. Joining Esko guarantees our global users continued support, development, and integration, and opens up a wide range of packaging solutions."

Xeikon Positioned for Growth

EEDE, THE NETHERLANDS—Xeikon has confirmed that Bencis Capital Partners (Bencis) completed its purchase of Punch International's controlling interest in Xeikon, making Bencis the largest shareholder of the company. The Gimv-XL fund invested alongside Bencis as minority shareholder. With the transaction completed, the company says it has the capital, the leadership, the products, and the customer support in place to expand on innovation and strengthen its role as leading provider of digital printing solutions to customers around the globe.

Bencis' and Gimv-XL's strategy to invest in growth will enable Xeikon to enforce its mission of developing and distributing innovative digital printing technology that supports the needs of their customers. To assure growth and innovation, Wim Maes will assume the role as CEO of Xeikon.

"I'm pleased to once again lead Xeikon and increase the level of innovation we started a few years ago," Maes comments. "With the acquisition in place, Xeikon is in perfect shape to grow and offer solutions that meet our customers' needs—today and in the future."

OEC Graphics Installs Kodak FLEXCEL NX

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—OEC Graphics recently installed a KODAK FLEXCEL NX Wide System, marking a significant milestone for Kodak with the 300th installation since the system was launched five years ago.

"The FLEXCEL NX System has been on our radar for a very long time," commented Jeff Schloesser, president, OEC Graphics. "The performance of the system across the industry has been impressive and ultimately it was an easy decision for OEC to invest in this next level of superior plate production. Kodak's full portfolio and recent transformation into a technology company with a strong focus on our industry makes it an excellent strategic partner for OEC Graphics."

"None of this would be possible without strong customer relationships," said Kuty Paperny, marketing director, flexo packaging solutions, Kodak. "We are delighted to enter into this partnership with OEC Graphics as we celebrate this important milestone."

Goss Packaging Technology Center

DURHAM, N.H.—Goss International will open a specialized facility in January of 2014 for demonstration of its Sunday Vpak web offset presses, as well as a wide range of print, technology, and consumables testing. The new Packaging Technology Center at the company's headquarters in Durham, N.H. will also serve as a catalyst for programs bringing packaging producers, brand owners, and suppliers together to discuss market requirements and new production concepts.

The 7,000 sq.-ft. Packaging Center will be equipped initially with a Goss Sunday Vpak 500 press system configured for printing on film and paper substrates. "Our investment in the equipment and the resources to staff this Center demonstrates our commitment to the packaging sector and our confidence in the advantages that web offset can deliver over traditional gravure and flexographic systems," says Rick Nichols, president and CEO of Goss International.

According to Peter Walczak, director of product management for Goss packaging presses, the company will host seminars and programs at the new center that will allow packaging producers, brand owners, and suppliers worldwide to jointly explore emerging demands in the market and share new ideas for addressing them. "This will also be an industry resource where suppliers can test inks, chemicals, and auxiliary technologies for web offset production in a neutral, controlled environment," he adds.

Partners supplying equipment and consumables to support the new Packaging Technology Center include ESI, Flint, Martin Automatic, Nela, Prime UV, QuadTech, Technotrans, and Vataphone.

Schawk to Standardize on GMG Solutions

HINGHAM, MASS.—Schawk has signed an agreement with GMG to standardize on GMG ColorProof and GMG OpenColor as the primary proofing and color management technology for all Schawk locations worldwide. Schawk's internal workgroup, the Color Task Force (CTF), spent more than a year conducting extensive testing and analysis before it decided to work with GMG's color solutions. GMG OpenColor's ability to predict spot color overprint was an important factor in the decision.

PEOPLE

Gallus, Inc. has welcomed Jennifer Renner to its team as the director of digital products. She will work closely with flexo and digital customers to help them understand the new technology choices that are available. Renner has 16 years of experience in the inkjet industry, with expertise in ink development, material qualification, and product management.

ETI Converting Equipment has named Maxime Bayzelon president of the company. He will continue the company's philosophy in delivering high-quality products and services, improving technology, and developing new solutions for the label printers. In addition, Yves St-Amant now holds the position of VP operations and Michel Houle has joined the company as financial director.

Masterwork USA has added two sales representatives in the U.S. and Canada. Harry Johnston is representing Masterwork throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast states, while Alain Ciclet was recently appointed a sales representative for additional territories throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Lenny DeGirolmo has been promoted to president/managing director of Nilpeter USA. He was most recently the VP of operations and will report directly to the Executive Management Board at the Nilpeter global headquarters in Slagelse, Denmark.

EFI has made two additions to its leadership team: Steve Green has been appointed as vice president of sales in the Asia Pacific region, and Sam Gulve as vice president of engineering for the EFI India Development Center.

FUJIFILM Holdings America Corp. has announced new appointments for Go Miyazaki of FUJIFILM North America Corp. (FNAC). Miyazaki has been appointed corporate VP of FUJIFILM Corp. in Tokyo; and will also continue his role as president of FUJIFILM North America and will assume the new title of CEO here in the U.S. He is responsible for four operating divisions: Imaging Division, Electronic Imaging Division, Graphic Systems Division, and Optical Devices Division; and one subsidiary company, FUJIFILM Canada, Inc.

Double E Company, LLC has appointed Bryan R. Gregory as the company's new chief executive officer.

Frieda Liles has been elected vice president – finance and treasurer of Wikoff Color Corp.

Dienes Corp. announced the addition of Frank Continelli as a sales engineer working with the company's sales staff.