Supplier News - September 2012

Mountain Dew's Color-Changing 16-Ounce Can

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—Mountain Dew is aiming to help quench the thirst of consumers with a new can that is one-third larger than its traditional 12-ounce offering; and to help capture consumers' attention, the can features color-changing artwork. The limited-edition 16-ounce can features an easily recognizable symbol that, when chilled to 46.4° F, transforms itself to the distinctive green color of Mountain Dew.

"Mountain Dew was able to use CTI's thermochromic ink to create an interactive experience with their limited-edition can promotion," explained Melanie Edwards, CTI's manager of strategic sales initiatives. "By incorporating CTI's cold-activated, color-changing ink technology into this special offering, it truly elevates the consumer interaction potential of the beverage package."

The cans of Mountain Dew are available for several months in the United States, and are the result of design work initiated by Mountain Dew. "We felt the use of thermochromic inks on these special cans would help drive purchases for our beverages," said Mike Gottschalk, art director for Mountain Dew. "Innovation in packaging design enhances the credibility of the brand; graphics are one thing, but interesting inks and structural innovation provide a whole new meaning to our successful brand marketing efforts."

Drinkable Yogurt Re-Packaged

CHICAGO—In early 2011, Tropical Cheese Industries decided to redesign the packaging for its drinkable yogurt in conjunction with a move to join the competitive landscape in changing from an 8 oz. grab-and-go container to a 7 oz. size. The central caveat for the New Jersey-based company was that the packaging redesign needed to provide an "upsized" impression on the shelf.

The solution, created by Berlin Packaging's Studio One Eleven design division, is a custom hourglass-shaped bottle with a pinched waist, accentuated curves at the base and shoulder, and a slightly taller profile than competing products. Tropical Cheese supplied new artwork and sourced the shrink-wrap label from its existing supplier. Berlin Packaging provided the mold, bottle, and shrink application, as well as working with Tropical Cheese to adjust the artwork to account for distortion during the shrinking process.

The new package hit grocery dairy cases in fall 2011. Without increasing SKUs or distribution, Tropical Cheese quickly realized a 20 percent sales increase, a 9 percent reduction in package costs, and a significant increase in profits. Following up on this success, Tropical Cheese proceeded with plans to add three new SKUs, plus a 28 oz. size designed by Studio One Eleven to match the 7 oz. silhouette and compete directly with 32 oz. SKUs from other vendors.

Accredo Packaging Expands Capacity

LINCOLN, R.I.—Accredo Packaging, located in Sugar Land, Texas, has invested in flexographic printing and film extrusion equipment from Windmoeller & Hoelscher. Accredo specializes in the manufacture of co-extruded barrier films; towel and tissue overwrap film; shrink-bundling film; laminated, printed, and unprinted roll stock; pouches; and wicketed bags. "We're expanding in all the segments we identified as our target markets and need to add significant capacity to keep up with growth," states Rex Varn, executive vice president for Accredo.

Installation of a new MIRAFLEX CM 10 press with a print width of 41˝ was recently completed and the press is now up and running. The company has also placed an order for a second VISTAFLEX CL 10, with a print width of 67˝. In addition, the Sugar Land plant houses W&H 10 color NOVOFLEX CL presses.

Accredo has also ordered two 5-layer VAREX blown film lines that are scheduled for installation in 2013. The company currently runs film on VAREX 3-layer and 9-layer lines for both barrier films and internal consumption.

Neenah Paper Is SGP Gold Patron

BOHEMIA, N.Y.—Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP) announced the Gold Patron support of Neenah Paper. In addition, Elizabeth Corbett, director of sales, new business development for Neenah Paper, is joining SGP's Board of Directors. Neenah Paper's involvement with SGP provides the company with opportunities to advance its environmental initiatives within the certified print community.

"Neenah Paper is pleased to be able to participate and sponsor the effort to drive education and awareness of holistic sustainable choices, which incorporate paper as well as the entire printing supply chain," comments Corbett. "Our members have a passion for driving meaningful sustainability improvements while continuously educating the printer and corporate communities."

"We are very excited to have Neenah Paper join the SGP community," states Marci Kinter, chair of the SGP Program. "As a strong sustainability advocate for the graphic communications industry, Neenah Paper adds tremendous value to our organization. We are also excited to have Elizabeth Corbett, serve as a member of the SGP Board of Directors. SGP looks forward to a long and productive relationship with Neenah Paper."

Topflight Enhances Brand Security Offering

GAITHERSBURG, Md.—Topflight Corp. of Glen Rock, Pa. is expanding its capabilities to provide 2D serialization codes with the acquisition of an MCS Array Inkjet system. Topflight is a manufacturer of primary and secondary labels, precision die-cut components, shrink sleeves, and conductive parts for a variety of industries, and specializes in product security solutions.

"We initially bought the MCS Array for an application from a power tool manufacturer," recalls Mike Glidewell, director of technical services for Topflight. "They needed 2D serialization codes on all of their drill handles, for warranty support and to track sales at the retail level."

At the time, Topflight had variable imaging equipment that was ten years old, and the ink wasn't durable enough to withstand the use that a power tool would go through. "That led us to MCS," says Glidewell. "They could handle the 2D bar codes, and had the software to support it."

The MCS Array supports a print area that expands from 2˝ to 16˝. It prints at speeds of up to 250 or 375 fpm and can be integrated to most flexographic label presses or rewinders to print on surfaces ranging from labels and primary and secondary packaging, as well as corrugated boxes. By using two print heads across the web, Topflight is running four lanes of labels through it at a time.

Glidewell describes the flexibility of the MCS equipment in Topflight's application. "We put it on a portable frame in order to move it from press to press and various rewinders. On the rewinder, we use it to serialize the back of liners for a medical device component. For medical and pharma applications, our clients have very strict label reconciliation procedures, which we integrate into a rewinder. So if we say we're shipping 250 labels, they better get exactly 250."

Rod Stone, president of Topflight, is notes that the MCS Array has helped the company to improve sales. "Now we can take on more customer jobs than before. The Array's flexibility goes across many markets, from cosmetic, to consumer goods, to pharma and medical device manufacturers. It allows us to offer more options to more customers," he says. Patty Britton, VP of business development, adds: "We recently developed an anti-counterfeiting application with serialized 2D codes, which has increased our capacity to offer overt and covert brand security."

Lighter Weight OPP Film

HOUSTON—ExxonMobil Chemical has introduced new Label-Lyte™ 40LL539 OPP film, a clear, two-side-coated film that allows downgauging opportunities for lighter weight labels with a glossy no-label look. It has been designed for demanding pressure-sensitive label applications that require excellent ink adhesion and adhesive anchorage. These include beverages (alcoholic, carbonated, mineral waters), health and beauty products, pharmaceuticals, and other diverse markets.

The coated print surface of the new film is compatible with UV, flexo, letterpress, screen, and offset systems. It is also compatible with solvent- and water-based flexo, solvent-based gravure, and hot and cold foil stamping.

Cal Poly Benefits from APR Donation

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif.—California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) Graphic Communication program has recently received a donation of SpotOn! Flexo software and training from All Printing Resources (APR) and SpotOn Press. This donation to the university's program is a new tool that will help further the education of its graphic arts students in the area of flexo print technology, prepress processes, and quality control.

SpotOn! Flexo is a software package that addresses a common issue—the lack of spot color ink density information available to the press operator. Using SpotOn! Flexo, the operator can use spectral data provided from a spectrophotometer and get optimal density information, for a spot color to match a reference color.

"We are really pleased to offer Cal Poly the latest industry innovation: a new pressroom software tool that flexographic press operators can use to target optimum density for spot colors," says Richard Black, director of digital solutions for APR. "SpotOn! Flexo is new leading-edge technology that makes it possible to get optimum color reproduction and density information for any spot color (including C,M,Y,K), right at your fingertips." The new donation will be used as part of the school's Flexographic Printing Technology course.

"APR is a great supporter of education, and we appreciate their partnership in helping us educate our students with innovative solutions," says Malcolm Keif, professor at Cal Poly's Graphic Communication program. "SpotOn! Flexo is such a great addition to our program because it's new technology that simplifies the process of matching color on press. We are delighted with how our students can immediately see if they are in spec or out of spec, and whether simple changes in ink metering can achieve the Delta-Es required."

Mesirow Advises Boelter Industries

CHICAGO—Mesirow Financial acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Boelter Industries, Inc. in its sale to WS Packaging Group, Inc., a portfolio company of J.W. Childs Associates, L.P.

Boelter Industries is a full-service folding carton company located in Winona, Minnesota. It specializes in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of folding cartons and converted paperboard products for a broad range of end-use applications. The company uses two converting processes: offset lithography with an emphasis on small- to large-format, multi-colored, key-line, and/or process printing requirements, and flexographic printing with inline diecutting, using state-of-the-art equipment in narrow-web, mid-range, and wide-web capabilities.

Dennis Boelter, president of Boelter Industries, commented, "Mesirow Financial was instrumental in identifying WS Packaging as a strong partner for Boelter Industries. We are truly pleased by the opportunity to join WS Packaging. Mesirow Financial's advice throughout the process resulted in a successful outcome for all parties involved."

Acucote Launches New Product Lines

GRAHAM, N.C.—Acucote launched two product lines: Nine.Five Custom Unlimited and Performance Adhesive.

Nine.Five Custom Unlimited roll program allows customers to purchase customized pressure-sensitive products at 9.5˝ x 2500´. This line was introduced as an alternative to the purchase of master widths to fulfill short-run and custom orders. Customers are able to purchase single or multiple rolls with a lead time of 5-7 business days.

The Performance Adhesive line includes AC903, AC905, and AC908, which can be applied to a wide variety of surfaces. AC903 is designed for ultra chemical resistance and high-heat applications. AC905 is designed for ultra low-temperature applications and features increased tack and peel strength of lower temperatures. AC908 has specific adhesion to polyester-based powder-coated paints and can be used for surfaces that have a thin film of processing oil.

ETI Converting Appoints UK Distributor

BOUCHERVILLE, Quebec—ETI Converting Equipment announced the appointment of Steve Harris and his team from GSM Ltd as its exclusive agent in United Kingdom and Ireland. The market knowledge and the excellent reputation of GSM Ltd combined with the ETI global expertise will provide excellent synergy to meet the needs of the European pressure-sensitive market.

PEOPLE

Mark Andy announced the expansion of its service organization in Europe. John Hudson, serving as technical service director, will manage the European service technician team. Alexander Schmidt (center) has been promoted to print services supervisor - Europe. He will be responsible for conducting print demonstrations in the recently opened UK Showroom as well as managing his team of print technicians. In addition, Florian Stroe (left) and Phil Baldwin (right) have joined the print services team.

Agfa Graphics announced that Danielle Mueller has joined the company as Internet marketing manager. She will be responsible for implementing Agfa's strategic social media and Internet marketing campaigns.

Erhardt+Leimer recently hired Klaus Westerwelle as its division manager for Kelva web cleaning products. In this role, he will oversee and promote sales and customer service for Kelva web cleaners in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Mesirow Financial announced that Brian Price has been named vice president and COO of the firm's Investment Banking group and Brad Collins has been promoted to associate.

Don Teich has been promoted to vice president of liquid coating for Davis-Standard, LLC. In his new role, he will be responsible for the development and execution of product business plans, including market intelligence, product line development, sales and sales support, and project execution.

Harris & Bruno International has hired Jeremy Dixon as an electrical engineer to support the electrical engineering and software needs of its engineering department.

Thomas Arlit is the managing director for finances and controlling at Körber Process Solutions. He will take over from Stephan Seifert, who is to succeed Detlev Terboven as CFO at Körber AG on September 1. pP