Printer News September 2010

Fulwiler Honored with 
Lifetime Achievement Award
Terry Fulwiler, CEO of WS Packaging Group, has been selected as the 2010 winner of the R. Stanton Avery Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is sponsored by Avery Dennison.

Fulwiler joined the company in 1972 when there were 25 employees. He served in a variety of management positions before taking over as CEO in 1987. Beginning in 2000, he drove the strategy to take the company from a mid-size printer in the tag-and-label industry to the next level, with the merger of Wisconsin Label Corporation and Superior Label Systems. This was followed by nine additional acquisitions during the last nine years. The company now has more than 1,775 employees at 17 locations across the U.S. and Mexico.

Exopack Forms Corporate R&D Team in Wisconsin

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—As a continued commitment to improve consumer experiences through the use of its films and flexible packaging solutions, Exopack has formed a Corporate Research & Development team. It will be led by Tom Lee, director of research and development, and will be headquartered at Exopack's Menasha, Wis. manufacturing facility.

Exopack's recent acquisition of developing technologies from the former Alcan Food Americas Group helped initiate the idea for a centralized R&D team. The focus of this team will be to develop and bring to market the latest in cutting-edge flexible packaging products.

"Bringing new products to market is extremely important to Exopack," remarks Jack Knott, chairman and CEO of Exopack Holding Corporation. "To do this effectively, we must ensure that our people are working as one cohesive team, and that their individual skills and expertise are utilized to their fullest potential."

In addition to the Menasha R&D Center, Exopack will maintain R&D specialists and product testing laboratories at its corporate headquarters in Spartanburg, S.C. and within its Advanced Coatings facilities in Matthews, N.C. and Wrexham, North Wales, United Kingdom.

Multi Packaging Solutions Opens London Office

NEW YORK, N.Y.—Multi Packaging Solutions, Inc. (MPS) has opened a sales office in London. To support the new location, Julian Malin has joined the company as the sales director for Europe. Malin brings extensive experience in all aspects of the print and packaging industry to the MPS team, including graphic services, standard print, and special packaging. He comes to MPS from Cinram, where he served as its graphics services director for four years.

"In building the company over the last five years, we have focused on providing a complete range of products, services, and technologies to fully support customer needs for distinctive branding, innovative ideas, and turnkey solutions," comments Marc Shore, CEO of Multi Packaging Solutions. "We are now extending our market knowledge and best practices to complete the supply chain in Europe for seamless brand management on a global scale."

"I am excited to join the MPS team to assist with development of the European market," comments Malin, "Their philosophy of creativity, flexibility, and technical leadership has strong appeal for clients looking for print and packaging that sets them apart from the competition."

As part of its strategic platform, MPS has a global alliance with Pozzoli Spa that provides customers with specialty print and packaging. The company also recently made an investment in ZOO Digital, a leader in global art work systems for translation, localization, and versioning. MPS will leverage its new London sales office to further extend its global capabilities and relationships.

Proactive Packaging & Display Launches S.P.A.C.E. Program

ONTARIO, Calif.—Proactive Packaging & Display, Inc., a printing and box-making firm that produces high-quality color graphics for consumer products packaging and retail POS displays, has introduced its S.P.A.C.E. (Sustainable Packaging Accentuates Clean Environments) program to provide customers with a wide range of options for greener packaging.

The S.P.A.C.E. program is centered in operations at Proactive Northern Container (PNC), Proactive's sister company based in Stockton, Calif. In addition to supporting Proactive's Ontario, Calif., headquarters facility, PNC's 300,000-sq.-ft. Stockton facility specializes in single-face laminated packaging and corrugated box and folding carton production.

"Whenever Proactive talks about packaging, it's always in the context of sustainability," says Gary Hartog, CEO of Proactive, in announcing his company's S.P.A.C.E. program.

PNC's range of packaging and printing technologies includes a Bobst Microgator corrugator (manufactures corrugated fiberboard for boxes) with a cold-set Asitrade section, a Drent Goebel VSOP variable sleeve web-offset press, an Energy Sciences inline electron beam (EB) curing station, and a Bobst Alpina folder/gluer.

With consent from its clients, Proactive adds its own Eco-Lith™ stamp to every box it makes to show that the package was created with the most sustainable graphic-packaging processes available. Eco-Lith™ is Proactive's branded guarantee that the materials used in boxes it produces are beneficial to the environment, while still delivering best-of-class print quality.

Proactive's S.P.A.C.E. program benefits both retailers and consumers who receive packaging that is low in fiber content, free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and welcomed by recycling centers. "Our equipment, processes, and products ensure that our customers receive the most sustainable packaging available in the market today," explains Hartog.

PEOPLE

GREEN BAY, Wis.—
WS Packaging Group, Inc., announced it has named Rex E. Lane as its new CEO. Lane brings 16 years of business management and Lean Manufacturing implementation experience to his new position. He will continue to drive company innovations in industry technology, with a focus on improving profitability, quality, service, and overall cost-effectiveness.

Terry Fulwiler, who is retiring as CEO, held the position for nearly 25 years. He will remain with the company, serving as chairman of the board until June 2011.

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y.—Disc Graphics announced that George Meding has joined the firm. Meding's prior experience with the entertainment industry will further enhance Disc Graphics' specialty packaging and printing capabilities in DVD and other markets.

ADDISON, Ill.—Rollprint Packaging Products welcomed Dr. Henk Blom as its new director of technical services. He will be reporting to Doug Dodrill, vice president of technology. pP