Supplier News - September 2011
2011 InterTech Awards
PITTSBURGH, Pa.—Printing Industries of America has released detailed information about the eight technologies recently selected to receive a 2011 InterTech™ Technology Award.
• Enfocus Switch—Enfocus
Enfocus Switch is a modular, open-automation platform that gives printers the tools to accomplish repetitive tasks associated with receiving, processing, and sorting files automatically.
• Studio Toolkit for Shrink Sleeves—EskoArtwork
With this tool, designers can quickly create, test, analyze, and communicate designs with 3D visuals without the need to produce mock-ups.
• KBA Flying JobChange—KBA North America
This drastically reduces makeready time on sheetfed offset presses by allowing an operator to prepare the next job while the press is running.
• Komori H-UV Curing System—Komori America
This is an innovative curing system for inks and coatings that requires just one lamp in the delivery.
• manroland autoprint APL— manroland, Inc.
autoprint APL reduces times for plate change by up to 90 percent.
• Memjet Technologies—Memjet
Memjet's printhead, controller chips, and software constitute one of the first implementations of an inkjet head printing process color in a single pass.
• TrueJet™ Digital Coated Papers—NewPage Corp.
A new line of printing papers that was developed to meet the needs of roll-fed inkjet printing.
• ISO 16612-2 (PDF/VT)—NPES
Using PDF/X-4 and PDF/X-5, this simplifies and brings new capabilities to production workflows for personalized documents.
EskoArtwork's Studio Toolkit for Shrink Sleeves accommodates asymmetrical shapes and multipacks, color shifts introduced during shrinking, bar code distortion, and it works in 3D from start to finish.
Larger Facility for Toyo Ink America
WOOD DALE, Ill.—Toyo Ink America, LLC has relocated its headquarters to a more spacious location in Wood Dale, Illinois. The roughly 109,000 square-foot facility significantly boosts the company's production and technical support capability by affording room for new equipment, an expanded R&D laboratory, and an increase in sales and technical staff.
More than double in size of its former headquarters in Addison, Illinois, the new building devotes nearly half its floor space to color matching, ink formulation, and production purposes. The relocation provides Toyo Ink with the resources necessary to respond to its increasing customer base and immediate need to bring customized packaging and printing solutions to the global marketplace.
"Simply put, we outgrew our previous site," states John Copeland, president and COO of Toyo Ink America. "As our customer base continues to expand in North and South America, a more spacious and versatile work space was needed in order to better support our customers as well as facilitate our future growth."
In line with its regional growth strategy Toyo Ink America is devoting greater resources to ramping up its R&D and manufacturing capability for the development of packaging and printing inks, UV coatings and adhesives, and other specialty polymers. "Our goal is to be the leader in product innovation and quality," comments Copeland. "Investing in a larger production space, R&D lab, and sales/technical personnel is vital to our commitment to provide our existing and growing customer base with unparalleled solutions and support."
Heidelberg Acquires Digital Press Manufacturer, CSAT
HEIDELBERG, Germany—Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) has acquired digital press manufacturer CSAT GmbH, based in Eggenstein near Karlsruhe, Germany. Both parties have agreed to keep the purchase price confidential.
CSAT specializes in the development, manufacture, and worldwide sales and service of digital printing systems, including consumables for the packaging industry. This acquisition expands the existing digital print portfolio of Heidelberg for the packaging sector and widens its customer base in this market segment. Heidelberg also gains access to technology and expertise in the areas of drop-on-demand inkjet (DoD) and electrophotography.
"Acquiring CSAT GmbH is in line with the digital print strategy of Heidelberg," says Stephan Plenz, member of the Heidelberg Management Board responsible for the Heidelberg Equipment division. "Parallel to our digital print activities in advertising printing, we are expanding our portfolio for the cost-effective production of short and variable print runs in packaging and label printing. In doing so, we are strengthening our strategic position in these markets. At the same time, this acquisition is a further step in our plan to build up promising new business areas that offer additional growth potential for Heidelberg."
"With an international customer base and comprehensive expertise in digital printing for the packaging industry built up over many years, we have established a strong position in the pharmaceuticals industry," says Hans Mathea, the former owner who continues as managing director of CSAT GmbH. "Integration with the global Heidelberg Group will improve the efficiency of our operations and enable us to unlock the considerable potential of our digital printing technology by expanding into previously untapped areas."
"The acquisition of CSAT gives us access to new technologies and pioneering know-how that will speed up the expansion of our current digital print activities for the packaging industry," explains Daniel Dreyer, head of the Digital Packaging Printing business unit and responsible for the joint DoD inkjet and electrophotography activities.
Xerox Digital Packaging Solution Now FDA Compliant
ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Xerox Corporation's iGen® family of digital presses and toners are now compliant with Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) guidelines for dry foods. Customized folding cartons can now be created quickly and cost-effectively, speeding time to market, increasing brand recognition, and driving sales.
According to industry consultancy Pira International in a study titled, "The Future of Digital Print for Packaging - Market Forecasts to 2014," the worldwide digital printing market for packaging and labels is expected to reach $6.75 billion by 2014.
With Xerox's digital packaging solution, printers can offer more short-run packaging options to marketers, addressing promotional needs ranging from nationwide launches and regional brands, to specialty items and prototype products. While there are a variety of applications, here are some examples:
• Branded, handmade pastas sold in regional markets;
• Containers for party favors for events such as weddings;
• Packaging for custom-blended coffees and teas manufactured locally and distributed regionally.
"FDA compliance is a significant advancement for Xerox and should open a new market for printers creating limited quantities of customized packages," said Joel Bienvenu, research manager, production print, IDC. "Additionally, the print quality and color vibrancy of the iGen4 press allow manufacturers to add 'pop' to their product packaging."
The iGen4 press can quickly store and reprint thousands of folding carton SKUs and easily switches from one job to the next, providing the flexibility and speed needed in today's changing marketplace.
Other benefits of Xerox's packaging solution include:
• Capability to reduce costs related to warehousing, storage, and disposal of obsolete cartons—allowing brand owners to apply their marketing dollars to more valuable activities.
• Opportunity to produce the entire print campaign, from creating the package to producing marketing collateral, such as point-of-sale signage.
• Ability to support seasonally focused marketing campaigns and respond more rapidly in competitive markets.
Harper Corp. Assists Color-Logic
WEST CHESTER, Ohio—Harper Corp. is assisting Color-Logic in implementing its Color-Logic Process Metallic Color System. "Harper Corp. and Color-Logic have worked together to ensure that the Color-Logic Process Metallic Color System can be successfully implemented on a variety of flexographic presses," Color-Logic Director of Sales and Marketing Mark Geeves says. "As a result of our collaboration, Harper personnel are familiar with the Color-Logic Process Metallic Color System. Harper can recommend and provide the correct anilox engraving to printers and converters wishing to print metallics on pressure sensitive or conventional substrates, or achieve the dramatic Color-Logic effects using metallic foil."
Heidelberg Canada to Distribute EFI VUTEk Printers
FOSTER CITY, Calif.—EFI and Heidelberg Canada announced a new agreement under which Heidelberg will distribute the VUTEk® GS series of superwide format digital printers throughout Canada. Under the agreement, Heidelberg Canada will distribute EFI's VUTEk GS2000, GS3200, and GS5000r printers, as well as the inks (under the Saphira brand name), parts, consumables, accessories, and upgrades related to these printers. Heidelberg will also provide customer and technical support for the VUTEk GS series of printers, including installation and training.
"Wide and superwide format printing are of considerable interest to the Canadian print market, and Heidelberg has the right workflow, color management, service, and consumables expertise needed to integrate these technologies into a print production environment," said Ken Freek, vice president product management, Heidelberg Canada. "Both EFI and Heidelberg are leaders in their respective markets. Together we can bring a best-in-class portfolio to our customers."
"Few companies are better respected in the industry than Heidelberg," said Frank Mallozzi, senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing, EFI. "Adding Heidelberg Canada as a reseller for EFI fits with our mission to offer customers the best combination of products to achieve diversity and profitability."
ICE USA Returns to Orlando in 2013
BURLINGTON, Mass.—ICE USA will return to Orlando, Florida, April 9-11, 2013, when the biennial conference and exposition convenes at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC).
Vice President Michael Boyle comments: "ICE USA has established itself as America's only dedicated converting technology showcase and we are building on this strength by encouraging exhibitors to demonstrate more and larger pieces of equipment and machinery in 2013."
PEOPLE
KENNESAW, Ga.—Heidelberg USA announced an organizational realignment that includes several new appointments. Andy Rae has assumed the position of senior vice president–equipment, lead market Atlanta. In this position, he will have responsibility for the development and execution of programs covering digital print solutions, sheetfed, commercial postpress, and postpress packaging, along with responsibility for the North American Printing and Packaging Technology Center (NAPPTC) in Kennesaw.
John Rocker will take over responsibility of leading the field sales organization as senior vice president, sales. Ed Young will move to the position of vice president, national accounts to focus on the special needs of Heidelberg's largest customers.
Dan Maurer has taken on responsibility for Heidelberg's digital portfolio as vice president, product management digital print and postpress. In addition to his ongoing leadership of the Commercial Postpress Product Management Team, he will serve as Digital Print Solutions Business Driver. His responsibilities will include the Ricoh Print Solutions, VUTEk Grand-Format Solutions, and additional products that are being developed to meet customer demand in this growing market space.
BRYAN, Ohio—Shelly Swanke, technical sales representative for Anderson & Vreeland, Inc., recently accepted the company's Chairman's Award in recognition of her exceptional contributions and accomplishments to the company and flexographic printing industry. The award was presented to her by Howard Vreeland, Jr., chairman of the board for A&V, at a recent meeting in Denver, Colorado.
TROY, Ohio—3 Sigma Corporation announced several executive-level appointments. Tony Rowley has been named president, reporting to CEO Grant Beck, and was also appointed to the Board of Directors. He will have a key role in defining the strategic direction and governance of the company. Mike Sotzing has been promoted to vice president of operations, replacing Rowley, who previously held that position. Rob Hoffert has been promoted to the position of plant manager, and will oversee all manufacturing operations.
CHICAGO—Schawk, Inc. has appointed Lor Gold as global chief creative officer. This position will be responsible for stewarding and developing a creative vision across Schawk in support of the expression of brands across consumer touchpoints.
ROMEOVILLE, Ill.—ILF Technologies announced the promotion of Frank Piper to the position of president. In this position, he will lead all aspects of ILF's continued business growth.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—Chromatic Technologies Inc. (CTI) announced the addition of three individuals to its sales force. Laurie Larsen has been named a business development and sales manager, focusing on the beverage industry, CTI's largest market. Also named a business development and sales manager is Terry Jordon. Melanie Edwards has been named manager of strategic sales, and will focus on business development and converter account management.
KENT, Ohio—Kent Adhesive Products Co. (KAPCO) announced the addition of Denise Smith to the purchasing department. She will take on the duties of purchasing agent under senior purchasing agent Jeff Caldren.
BOSTON, Mass.—TÜV Rheinland announced Robert (Bob) Driggers' appointment as business development manager for the newly formed North American Brand Risk Group. In his new role, he will manage the company's proprietary Product Authentication and Control System (PACS) for North American customers. pP
