Supplier News
PEOPLE
BRYAN, Ohio—Anderson & Vreeland Inc. has appointed Brad Brown as corporate accounts manager.
LUXEMBOURG—Flint Group announced the promotion of Mario Busshoff as president, Flint Group Flexographic Products division, effective January 1. As part of his enlarged role he will join Flint Group's Executive Management Team and will report directly to Antoine Fady, who has been appointed as CEO of Flint Group, also effective January 1. Fady joins Flint Group with more than 20 years of global specialty chemical experience, most recently serving as general manager for Akzo Nobel Decorative Paints-Europe.
RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J.—Agfa Graphics announced that Lawrence Robinson has been promoted to –managing director of Agfa Graphics, Canada. He replaces Ruben Silva, who was recently promoted to vice president of sales and service at Agfa Graphics, North America.
PAWCATUCK, Conn.—Davis-Standard announced that James Winning has joined the company in the position of field sales/process engineer for the Extrusion Systems Group.
KENNESAW, Ga.—Heidelberg USA has announced that Susan Nofi, senior vice president, human resources and legal, will assume leadership of –Heidelberg's Print Media Academy and Business Consulting unit for North America, in addition to continuing her current duties.
DES PLAINES, IL—Schawk, Inc. has appointed –Raymond Kieser as group managing director of its European operations.
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A&V Celebrates 50 Years
BRYAN, Ohio—Anderson & Vreeland (A&V) marks a milestone this month—a half-century of supplying platemaking equipment and –materials to the flexographic industry. The company was formed in January 1961, when Wesley Anderson and Howard Vreeland, Sr. joined together to form a company that has become one of the foremost flexographic –prepress –suppliers.
The business more than doubled projected sales in its first year. A&V began growing with the industry it served, opening an Atlanta facility in 1964 and a West Covina, California facility in 1969. Elk Grove Village, Illinois soon followed and a nationwide sales/distribution network was established.
Today, A&V continues to introduce new products that improve plate quality, efficiency, and the environment, from companies including Epson, EskoArtwork, GMG Color, and Stork Prints. At the same time, it takes pride in its long-standing relationships with industry leaders including 3M, Flint Group, Rogers, tesa, and Toyobo.
Anderson & Vreeland will celebrate its 50-year history throughout 2011. "We'd like to thank our customers, representatives, suppliers, and associates for their faithfulness and support," said Howard Vreeland, Jr., chairman of the board for A&V. "The past 50 years have been very good to us. We can't wait to show you what the future holds.
Heidelberg Debuts Speedmaster CX 102 Press
KENNESAW, GA—Combining some of the innovations developed for its Peak Performance Class Speedmaster XL 105 press with the long-standing success of the Speedmaster CD 102 platform, Heidelberg USA hosted some 100 commercial, label, and package printers at its headquarters for the North American launch of the Speedmaster CX 102 press, which debuted at IPEX last year.
Designed to fill the gap between the Speedmaster XL 105 and CD 102, "the CX 102 launch is the right press, at the right time," noted Clarence Penge, vice president of sheetfed product management. Able to reach speeds of 16,500 sph, the short-makeready CX 102 fits between the 18,000 sph XL 105 and the 15,000 sph CD 102, he said.
In related news, it was announced that Rochester, N.Y.-based Hammer Packaging has become the first North American customer to purchase the Speedmaster CX 102 press. The company chose a UV-capable Speedmaster CX 102-8+L with CutStar roll sheeter, Prinect Press Center with –Intellistart operator guidance system, and Axis Control color measurement and control system. An integrated IST UV system uses the new Electronic Lamp Control (ELC) that will enable the system to operate at very low energy consumption and take up 50 percent less floor space.
"Technological leadership is the cornerstone of Hammer Packaging's business philosophy. Our objective is to invest in leading-edge technology and innovations that elevate our capabilities and drive down our operational costs," said Louis Iovoli, vice president of strategic partnerships. "The pending installation of Heidelberg's first-generation CX 102 platform permits us to take advantage of gains in technology to configure a press that will enable us to meet our customers' package decorating demands at the lowest possible cost."
North American launch of the Speedmaster CX 102 press
KBA Customer Center
DALLAS, Texas—KBA North America is strengthening its customer relations with its new Customer Center at its Dallas headquarters. The greater than 6,000 sq. ft. facility, which is within 10 minutes of the Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport, provides efficient one-day demo and training seminars for printer customers to help expand the scope of their own printing operations.
"Our emphasis is squarely on the customer," says Chris Travis, director of technology at KBA North America. "Our Customer Center offers new equipment demonstrations, helps customers with unique printing techniques, shows them how to produce valuable new products, provides one-on-one training, and shows them how to produce dazzling special effects. We're pushing the boundaries of printing with key vendor-partners and providing unique printing processes, new substrates, and unique screenings."
KBA's new Customer Center at its Dallas headquarters
Siegwerk Acquires Environmental Inks
SIEGBURG, Germany and –MORGANTON, N.C.—Siegwerk finalized the acquisition of U.S.-based Environmental Inks and Coatings Corporation (EIC) on November 30. EIC is one of the largest ink suppliers to the narrow-web label market in the U.S. and Canada.
"EIC's strengths complement our product portfolio and our strategy to provide sustainable solutions," says Siegwerk CEO Herbert Forker. "Over the past decades, EIC has built a strong reputation for environmentally friendly water-based inks for the growing and demanding narrow-web segment."
Paul Schroeder, EIC president and CEO adds: "Being family-owned companies with strong business ethics and values, we are both convinced that EIC and –Siegwerk are a perfect fit." The newly formed organization will operate as –Environmental Inks—a member of the Siegwerk group.
The acquisition of EIC is in line with a clear strategy Siegwerk has defined for its North American business portfolio. "Like Siegwerk, EIC is known for consistently high-quality, reliable technical sales representatives, and exceptional individual service, especially in water-based technology," explains Ansgar Nonn, president Siegwerk NAFTA. "EIC is well positioned to capitalize on excellent growth –prospects, particularly in the segment of self-adhesive labels. EIC is the ideal match between Siegwerk's strategic needs and the existing competencies in the group."
Gallus ECS 340 Road Show Opens In Atlanta
PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—Gallus Inc. opened its U.S. ECS 340 Road Show with the first stop in Atlanta, Georgia following its introduction at Labelexpo in Chicago. The Road Show is designed to introduce the Gallus ECS 340 label printing press to the North American marketplace, one stop at a time. The Atlanta destination was chosen because of the particular interest from a potential customer at Labelexpo.
The Gallus ECS 340 is designed to be an affordable flexographic press built on a technical granite core that features easy set up and a very short web path for cost-efficient, high-quality label printing.
Bobst Sells Atlas Converting Equipment
BEDFORD, United Kingdom—Atlas Converting Equipment Ltd. has been sold by Bobst Group in a management buy-out (MBO) transaction. The new directors and shareholders of Atlas Converting Equipment Ltd. are Stephen Darlington (chairman), Alan Johnson (managing director), Stan Braycotton (sales director), and Tom Walker (finance director). The existing Atlas management team will continue to manage and coordinate the company's global operations.
Flexotecnica Partners with SJW Associates
NEW BERLIN, Wis.—Flexotecnica has recently partnered with Steve Wilkinson to represent it in the Southeastern states of North and South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, and Virginia. "Converters are more and more looking for a total solution, where it's not simply about the press, but all the ancillaries needed, and, most importantly, the process knowledge and support needed to get the most out of their press investment," states Wilkinson.
Harpers Honored for Donation to North Carolina County Schools
CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Ron and Katherine Harper, of Harper –Corporation of America, have long been recognized for their generous support of education both on the local and national levels. The couple has given millions to education, including $2 million to Gaston County Schools to put interactive technology in all classrooms. The givers became receivers when they were bestowed with the "Order of the Long Leaf Pine." The award is given to North Carolinians with a record of service to the state.
Kodak Sells 100th FLEXCEL NX System
ROCHESTER, N.Y.—In just over two years on the market, the KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System has helped flexo printers around the world improve quality, productivity, and consistency. Now, Bosisio of Buenos Aires, Argentina will be added to the list as it installs the 100th global system. Bosisio is an Argentinean prepress company specializing in design, brand management, file preparation, and manufacture of flexo plates and gravure cylinders for Latin American markets.
Twelve Mark Andy P5 Machines Sold
ST. LOUIS—The new Performance Series P5 press is surpassing Mark Andy's expectations. The latest addition to its flexo press line, the model P5 was officially launched to the market place at Labelexpo Americas. Twelve Performance Series P5 machines have already been sold to converters around the world. pP
