News on Suppliers to the Packaging Printing Industry from packagePRINTING Nov. 2010

EFI Races to Strong  Tradeshow "Trifecta" Finish

FOSTER CITY, Calif.—EFI™, has concluded a what it terms a successful "trifecta" of industry tradeshows—SGIA, GRAPH EXPO, and Labelexpo Americas—with record visitor attendance, strong sales on the show floor, and hundreds of qualified leads.

The three events enabled EFI to showcase its complete portfolio of end-to-end solutions that support the industry's progression from analog to digital technology.

"EFI had a large presence at each of these key industry conferences, and we're thrilled that our booths were overflowing with prospects and current customers in search of ways to bring growth to their businesses," said Frank Mallozzi, senior vice president of worldwide sales, EFI. "Now more than ever, companies are looking at how multiple EFI products can make a huge impact on their success. Many visitors at these events made a purchase decision on the spot, and many, many more will be engaging with our sales team over the next several weeks to learn how EFI can boost their productivity and profits."

EskoArtwork Strengthens Business

GENT, Belgium—EskoArtwork reports a strong performance during the first half year of 2010. Consolidated revenues for the first half year of 2010 amounted to 84.9 million euro, an increase of 25 percent over the first half year of 2009 and an increase of seven percent over the same period in 2008. EBITDA for the first half year of 2010 ended at 17.0 million euro, a 149 percent improvement over the same period of 2009 and 42 percent higher than the results of the first half year of 2008.

Revenue for packaging products increased by 27 percent compared to the first half of 2009 and by eight percent compared to the first half year of 2008.

Bunting Announces UK-based –Manufacturing and Sales Center

NEWTON, Kan.—Bunting Magnetics Co. is launching a new manufacturing and sales operation center based in Berkhamsted, England. This location will be responsible for all sales in the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the African continent. Also, this operation will manufacture equipment that is part of the Magnetic Separation product line. Gareth Meese, export sales manager for Magnet Applications Limited (MAL), a division of Bunting, will have dual responsibilities to oversee and develop sales for the product lines for both Bunting® and MAL.

Pulse Appoints USA Distributor  for Label Inks and Coatings

BRISTOL, United Kingdom—UK-based ink manufacturer, Pulse Roll Label Products Ltd., has appointed Eaglewood Technologies as its distributor for the USA. Based in Minneapolis, Minn, the company will handle sales of the Pulse range of label printing inks and coatings and provide full technical support.

Pulse Roll Label Products Ltd.'s portfolio includes UV and water-based inks, coatings, and adhesives.

Dedicated North American Manufacturing for Cyrel®  Round Sleeves

WILMINGTON, Del.—DuPont Packaging Graphics announced the start-up of the first dedicated DuPont™ Cyrel round manufacturing facility at its Towanda, Pa., facility. Cyrel round sleeve production will begin in the fourth quarter of this year, and will be fully commercial early in 2011.

The Towanda facility will manufacture Cyrel round sleeves for both solvent and thermal processes, and is timed to coincide with the introduction of the North American Cyrel® FAST round processing system.

Ral Print Buys First Gallus ECS 340

ST. GALLEN, Switzerland—Ral Print Etiquetas e Rótulos Adesivos based in Sumaré in the state of São Paolo is the first Brazilian label-printing company to have a Gallus ECS 340 flexographic printing press. The machine, which has a granite base, was introduced to the market at Labelexpo Europe in 2009. The solidity of the granite creates fewer vibrations in the press than a normal steel base and it is immune to thermal activity as it does not expand or contract. The result is quiet operation with a high level of stability.

Ral Print and Gallus signed an agreement during Labelexpo Americas 2010 in Chicago. Ral Print CEO Ronaldo Luiz de Alencar is looking forward to improving the capabilities of flexographic printing of his 11-year-old company. "The Gallus ECS 340 allows us virtually any combination of inks, adhesives, coatings, and substrates, with minimal set-up and changeover times without the use of tools," he says.

People

STOW, Ohio—MACtac® has promoted Ed LaForge to the position of vice president of sales and marketing for MACtac North America. LaForge previously served as the vice president of marketing for North America.

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Flexo Wash LLC has appointed two regional sales managers: Brad Williams, who will cover Midwest region of the United States, and Dale Pagel, who will oversee the Western Great Lakes region.

BRYAN, Ohio—The appointment of Randy Carter as Technologies Specialist for Anderson & Vreeland, Inc. is announced by Jessica Harkins, technologies manager for the company, a manufacturer and distributor of flexographic plate processing equipment, materials, and software.

PHILADELPHIA—Gallus Printing Machinery Corp. has appointed Steven Leibin as sales manager.

TORRINGTON, Conn.—Luis Kowalewski brings more than 25 years of experience to his new position as sales manager, Europe at DYMAX Corp. pP