Printer News
Superior Lithographics a G7 Master Printer
LOS ANGELES—Superior Lithographics has been named G7 Master Printer by IDEAlliance, which develops specifications and best practices to improve the speed and efficiency of information across the digital media supply chain. Receiving this status means the company passed testing required to manage the neutral gray scale that ultimately can improve print quality and consistency, shorten makeready times, and reduce paper and ink costs.
"Fine-tuning our processes and print controls to international standards enables us to produce repeatable, consistent color and images that reflect the best color management available today," says Doug Rawson, founder and CEO of Superior Lithographics. "Earning our G7 certification is an important part of our mission to deliver the highest level of service to our customers."
According to Joe Fazzi, vice president of print media at IDEAlliance, G7 is based on the International Standards Organization's printing standards, and employs new technologies that calibrate printing presses and proofing systems to give operators better control of the visual appearance.
Colbert Packaging adds perfector
LAKE FOREST, Ill.—Colbert Packaging Corp. has added a 7-color Mitsubishi 3000TP Tandem Perfector. The 40-inch dedicated perfector, installed at the firm's headquarters, is configured for folding carton applications.
"We needed the capability to print the front and reverse sides of heavy-caliper board in one pass," explained Steve Sifrer, pressroom supervisor. "Conventional perfecting presses have a spotty record when it comes to printing packaging board. We also sheet our own stock, which can produce slight variations in sheet size that conventional perfectors tend not to handle well. Between the heavier stock and sheet size variations, the Tandem Perfector offered the best advantages in terms of print quality and production efficiency."
Bemis acquires Alcan Food Americas operations
NEENAH, Wis.—Bemis Company, Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Food Americas operations of Alcan Packaging, a business unit of international mining group Rio Tinto plc for $1.2 billion. Under terms of the agreement, Bemis will acquire 23 Food Americas flexible packaging facilities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and New Zealand. These facilities produce flexible packaging for the food and beverage industries.
"We are very pleased to add Alcan Packaging's Food Americas business to the Bemis organization," says Henry Theisen, Bemis president and chief executive officer. "Both Bemis and Alcan Packaging have strong, collaborative relationships with renowned food and consumer products customers. We each have a long history of dedication to outstanding quality and manufacturing excellence. In pooling our resources, we will diversify our existing technologies and product lines which will broaden our product offering and augment our technical capabilities. This acquisition provides value from all angles and is a prudent investment in Bemis' future."
"Bemis has historically maintained a strong balance sheet to ensure our ability to take advantage of opportunities like this," continued Theisen. "Alcan Packaging Food Americas has demonstrated a commitment to investing in their operations and their workforce. The combined companies are expected to generate cash flow sufficient to rapidly reduce debt outstanding while maintaining our combined portfolio of world-class manufacturing facilities, investing in growth opportunities, and supporting Bemis' historic dividend policy. The two companies clearly complement each other, and I'm looking forward to the exciting future this combination will bring."
Spear expanding Ohio facility
MASON, Ohio—Spear Group Holdings has announced an expansion of its Mason, Ohio production facility including the addition of 30 jobs. This realignment of the company's production footprint includes the transfer of manufacturing capacity from its Milford, N.H. facility.
President Randy Spear said, "We have experienced strong growth over the last several years, with our global output more than doubling in the last seven years. This includes the addition of two wide-web gravure facilities, doubling the output of our European capabilities, and creating state-of-the-art operations in South Africa. Updating our narrow-web capabilities in Mason ensures that Spear's customers can continue to depend on our industry-leading capabilities for both their narrow- and wide-web requirements."
The Mason facility expansion will include new printing presses, production flows, and cosmetic upgrades. Work is expected to be completed by the end of 2009.
Rollprint opens prototype test lab
ADDISON, Ill.—Rollprint Packaging Products, Inc. has opened a new prototype laboratory designed to provide pharmaceutical and medical disposal manufacturers with state-of-the-art packaging support. One of the components of the new prototype lab is a commercial Multivac thermoforming unit. Rollprint now will be able to test a wide variety of thermoformed tray/lidding combinations. Also, the lab has cold-form foil packaging and pouch-making capabilities.
"Our goal in upgrading our prototyping capability is to provide our customers with package performance information that will paint an accurate picture of what would happen in a commercial environment," explained Doug Dodrill, vice president of technology, Rollprint.
Amcor bids for Alcan Packaging businesses
HAWTHORN VICTORIA, Australia—Amcor has made an offer to acquire several Alcan Packaging businesses—Alcan Packaging Global Pharmaceuticals, Alcan Packaging Food Europe, Alcan Packaging Food Asia, and Alcan Packaging Global Tobacco—from Rio Tinto. Acquiring these companies would add about $4.1 billion in sales and 14,000 employees across 80 plants in 28 countries.
The proposed acquisition would also support Amcor's objective of growing in its strategic business areas of flexible packaging and folding cartons packaging.
Burt Rigid Box Joins the PPC
ONEONTA, N.Y.—Burt Rigid Box, Inc., has joined the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) as a principal member.
"Burt is embarking on a new chapter of innovation and market outreach that is best supported by strong industry connections and communication," said Laura Hurd, Burt marketing executive/owner. "We look forward to building and maintaining close relationships with our counterparts in the folding carton business, who we hope may serve as strategic partners in today's difficult climate. If ever there was a time to work together through organizations like PPC, the time is now."
Glenroy Wins FTA Gold Award
MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis.—Glenroy, Inc. won a gold award in the 2009 Excellence in Flexography Awards Competition hosted by the Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) on May 3 at the 2009 FFTA Annual Forum in Orlando, FL.
Glenroy was one of 65 companies recognized for its level of technical achievement in flexographic printing. The printer received a gold award in the category of Wide Web, Line, Film for its Alberto-Culver V05® Hot Protein™ job. pP
