Printer News

PEOPLE

GREEN BAY, Wis.—WS Packaging Group, Inc. recently honored 
Ken Kidd, co-CEO, and Tom Braig, sales representative, with a service recognition award for reaching a career milestone of 40 years in the printing business.

Kidd and Braig were two of the original founders in 1970 of –Superior Label Systems, Inc., located in Mason, Ohio. In October 2000, a merger between Superior Label Systems and Wisconsin Label Corp. created WS Packaging Group—one of the top privately owned label and tag manufactures in the United States.

PITTSBURGH, Pa.—The Label Printing Industries of America (LPIA) announced that Louis Iovoli, vice president of sales and marketing for Rochester, N.Y.-based package printer Hammer Packaging, has been named the new chairman of the LPIA Board of Directors.

SANDY HOOK, Conn.—Curtis Packaging announced the appointment of Beth Scherer as its first-ever director of sustainability. Curtis created this position in an effort to deepen its commitment to environmentally friendly manufacturing operations, and to advance its sustainable packaging strategy. In this new role, Scherer is responsible for all corporate sustainability efforts and environmental initiatives.

Kidd

Scherer

Cryovac® Trap Printed Film 
Provides Branding Opportunities

DUNCAN, S.C.—Sealed Air's Cryovac® trap printed film is a new print technology for high-speed liquid packages, providing processors, retailers, and foodservice operators an opportunity for enhanced –merchandising and branding.

The Cryovac trap printed film is capable of producing finished packages from three to 24 ounces for sauces, glazes, and gravies to accompany meal kits or meats. A high-quality printable material designed to run on high-speed Onpack VFFS systems, Cryovac trap printed film is created with multi-layer coextruded films that have been laminated with print between the layers. The printed film was specifically designed for VFFS packages that require direct contact with food, such as those used in meal kits or paired with raw meats.

"We are thrilled to offer a high-quality, low-cost print material to our Onpack customers," says John Gaston, marketing director of fluid packaging for Sealed Air's Cryovac Food Solutions. "This printing technology makes packaging stand out and is a great branding opportunity for both retail and foodservice applications. The small pouches are ideal for specialty sauces like Hollandaise or Béarnaise, whereas the larger pouch size can be used for ham glaze or grilling sauces."

The print-on capability of the film can be used as a great branding tool for retailers and allows food processors to provide cooking directions and recipes right where consumers need it—on the package. Cryovac trap printed film allows for increased flexibility with limited time offers and menu expansion for foodservice operators. The trap printed film is approved for contact with food surfaces, further increasing food safety.

Cryovac trap printed film is available in white and clear with 8-color print capacity. The company's Cryovac Cre8™ team, composed of experienced designers who specialize in flexography, is also available to help processors concept and create high-quality designs and graphics.

Colbert Packaging Introduces MedLock Pharmaceutical Compliance Package

CHICAGO—Colbert Packaging Corporation, a leading manufacturer of folding cartons, rigid paper boxes, and paperboard specialty products, announced the availability of MedLock™, its latest innovation in pharmaceutical compliance packaging solutions. MedLock is a secure unit-dose package that combines a foil-laminated blister card locked within a tear-resistant formed paper tray. Based on Colbert's patented BlisterGuard® platform, which delivers security and sustainability, MedLock provides pharmaceutical package security at a higher level with a patent-pending locking mechanism, resulting in a child-resistant, senior-friendly design.

"Ensuring that our compliance packaging solutions meet the requirements of child-resistant and senior-friendly (CRSF) testing protocols by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is a top priority for us in the development of the solutions," said Glenn Grosskopf, vice president of product development for Colbert. "We recently completed CRSF testing on MedLock, using a 30-count package that measures 6.5 in. by 3.5 in., and based on MedLock's ability to keep children out of the package while letting seniors in, we are able to claim the CPSC's F=1 rating."

MedLock features a push-down, pull-out design with a unique release and locking mechanism. The patient pushes down on a blister cavity that protrudes through the lid to release the blister card and dispense the –dosage. The blister card is designed to remain intact within the outer protective paper shell and lock back into place each time the package is closed.

MedLock offers versatility in package size and is easily customizable without the need for expensive retooling. The design accommodates a variety of package sizes, blister cavities, and medications. MedLock also delivers branding and sustainability benefits as a result of its paperboard-based design.

"Colbert continues to innovate alongside the evolving pharmaceutical industry," said Grosskopf. "Today, meeting our customers' needs for patient compliance, while delivering the benefits of package security, sustainability, and customization, are all essential when creating new solutions for this industry. MedLock is a great addition to our growing line of pharmaceutical compliance products, and it is already generating interest among our customer base."

Cenveo Acquires –Gilbreth Packaging Solutions

STAMFORD, Conn.—Through its subsidiaries, Cenveo, Inc. has acquired Impaxx, Inc., the sole owner of Gilbreth Packaging Solutions, Inc., from affiliates of Aurora Capital Group, a Los Angeles private equity firm.

Gilbreth operates a state-of-the-art facility in Croydon, Pa. and has approximately 75 employees. It uses multiple printing technologies as a full-service manufacturer and marketer of full-body shrink sleeves (FBSS), tamper evident neck bands, and medical and electronic tubing. Gilbreth is an innovator in the FBSS industry and leverages its expertise by serving more than 150 customers in a wide variety of industries, with an emphasis on the personal care, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, energy drink, and food and beverage markets. Gilbreth's major customer base includes a number of blue-chip consumer product companies. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Robert G. Burton, Sr., Cenveo chairman and CEO stated: "The acquisition of Gilbreth expands our specialty packaging into the growing shrink sleeve market. Gilbreth's product line complements Cenveo's existing offerings and will create immediate cross-selling opportunities for both companies' customers. The acquisition of Gilbreth, with its strong market reputation and strategic niche product offerings, is another example of how we intend to continue to grow our company by acquiring leaders in high-growth sectors of the packaging industry. We expect this acquisition to be accretive to earnings and will be deleveraging to our balance sheet. I am pleased to welcome the Gilbreth team to the Cenveo family, while also looking forward to working with them as we continue to create the industry-leading platform."

St. Johns Packaging Acquires North 
State Flexibles

MONTREAL, Quebec—St. Johns Packaging Ltd. announced its acquisition of Greensboro, N.C.-based North State Flexibles LLC (NSF). With its prepress, digital platemaking, and 10-color HD flexo-printing capabilities, NSF supplyies stand-up pouches, side-gusset pouches, wicket bags, and printed roll stock to leading personal care, food, and industrial companies.

"Having come to know each other very well as members of the IFPN, and as partners on several projects during the past few years, it became obvious that we could offer our respective customers more value by merging NSF with St. Johns' Canadian and Chinese operations," explains Jacques and Paul Leclair, St. Johns Packaging Ltd.'s owners. "NSF's customers will now have the opportunity to benefit from the cost advantage on long-lead-time orders offered by St. Johns' Chinese subsidiary. In addition, St. Johns' competitive position in the U.S. market will be strengthened by NSF's diversified capabilities"

"We are excited about joining the St. Johns Packaging Group," says NSF's former owner Battle Wall, who will join St. Johns Packaging (USA) Ltd.'s board of directors. "Although we are very proud of the success we have enjoyed as NSF during the past 13 years, I am convinced that our suppliers, associates, and customers will benefit from our integration into St. Johns' North American operations. The combined group will be bigger and stronger, capable of supplying more products, services, and value to the world's two biggest flexible packaging markets (North America and China)."

With the acquisition of NSF, St. Johns will now employ 450 people in Canada, the U.S., and China.

Multi-Faceted 
Conference Program 
at ICE USA 2011

BURLINGTON, Mass.—Featuring comprehensive educational –sessions and a noteworthy line-up of industry experts, the ICE USA 2011 conference program has been created to provide converting professionals with the valuable information and insights they need to enhance their companies' operations and productivity. Organized by the Association of International Metallizers, Coaters and Laminators (AIMCAL), the three-day program will focus on new technology and is divided into three tracks: Web Coating/Laminating, Web Handling/Winding, and –Package Printing and Converting.

Each day will begin with a keynote presentation by well-known industry experts on such critical topics as "Global Consolidation in the Packaging Industry." These presentations will be followed by three concurrent 2-hour technical sessions, one in each track, led by such industry icons as Dr. Edward D. Cohen, Dr. David Roisum, Timothy Walker, Steve Zagar, and many more.

More then 30 papers will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon each day to provide attendees ample time to visit the show floor and experience converting technology in action. Some of the topics covered under the three tracks will include:

• Web Coating/Laminating

• Optimized die technology

• Plasma treatment

• Coatweight/thickness measurement

• Drying technologies

• Web Handling/Winding

• Conveyance roller nip mechanics

• Precision tension control

• Simulation of drive systems

• Quantifying web bagginess

• Package Printing and Converting

• Solvent-related emissions

• Advances in color measurement

• Laser processing of flexible packaging materials

• UV curable PSAs

In addition to the 3-day conference program, other valuable educational opportunities will be offered on April 5th, the day before the show opens. CEMA, the Converting Equipment Manufacturers Association, is running two educational programs. In addition, TAPPI is offering a comprehensive full-day flexible packaging symposium.

"ICE USA will provide converting professionals with a very valuable learning experience both in the conference sessions and on the show floor," says Michael Boyle, ICE USA show director. "AIMCAL is recognized world-wide for the excellent educational programs they provide on a wide variety of technical topics."

Craig Sheppard, AIMCAL executive director, added, "We are creating some new sessions, as well as offering some of our most popular programs to provide attendees with the information they need to perform their jobs more effectively."

Artcraft Label Is First Certified Color-Logic Flexographic Printer

WEST CHESTER, Ohio—Color-Logic reports that Artcraft Label, a narrow-web flexographic label printer in Burlington, Ontario, has been qualified as the first certified Color-Logic flexographic printer. Announcing the qualification, Color-Logic Director of Operations and eCommerce David Bowden commented: "Artcraft Label is widely viewed as an innovator among label printers. The company specializes in ultraviolet coated and cold foil pressure-sensitive labels, and now adds the Color-Logic –Process Metallic Printing System to its offerings to customers. Artcraft Label has demonstrated their ability to produce striking metallic labels using the Color-Logic system, and we are pleased to recognize and –recommend them as a certified Color-Logic printer."

NEPA Carton & Carrier Improves Productivity

CENTERBROOK, Conn.—NEPA Carton & Carrier, Inc., a full-service carton manufacturer specializing in difficult and unusual box designs, has improved production efficiency and reduced waste since it upgraded its two 6-color KBA Planeta presses with Essex Products Group's (EPG's) Adelphi AutoSet Presetting System. The family-owned Moosic, Pa.-based company now achieves accurate color more quickly after start up, producing higher-quality finished cartons and uses less carton board material. The reduction in makeready time has also enabled faster turnarounds. The EPG Adelphi AutoSet Presetting System is designed for use on non-EPG ink control systems, providing printers operating any press with increased color control capability. Adelphi AutoSet presets jobs from NEPA's prepress department.

NEPA Carton & Carrier's core business is beverage packaging, but the company also produces cartons for food, cosmetics, POP displays, and other retail goods. Its two 6-color KBA Planeta presses with UV and aqueous-coating capabilities operate seven days a week, running carton quantities from 5,000 into the millions. An in-house art department offers graphic design services, along with platemaking, and digital proofing capabilities.

"We were interested in presetting to help us save time and reduce board waste. Integrating it into our operations was the next logical step in advancing our business," says Michael Collins, president, NEPA Carton & Carrier. Once the decision was made to purchase a system, the installation took only a few days and was seamless, he says. "Adelphi AutoSet is very user-friendly, so our learning curve was brief, and positive results were apparent immediately." pP