U.S.-Based Brushfoil Expands Global Presence
GUILFORD, Conn.—Brushfoil announced that it has appointed Nelxon Technical Films of Araras, Brazil, as their distributor in South America. Nelxon distributes flexible films for industrial, packaging and graphic applications throughout the continent.
Brushfoil is a leading manufacturer of brushed films and papers that enhance the appearance of consumer products in North America and Europe.
Brushfoil will join Toray Industries Inc. of Tokyo, Japan, for polyester (PET) and biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) films; Innovia Films of Atlanta, Georgia U.S.A., for cellophane and special BOPP; and Manufacturas Irular S.A (Manfisa) of Irurzan, Spain, for high-purity aluminum for metalizing in the Nelxon product line.
Nelxon’s activities include the introduction of new products and suppliers to the Brazilian market, as well as its planned expansion throughout South America, especially Argentina, Brazil and Chile.
“We are quite flattered to be in such excellent company with Nelxon’s other suppliers,” explained Jim Parker, a Brushfoil partner. “Our European expansion in 2005 has met with outstanding success, and we’re eager to bring our variety of stunning, brushed films to the exciting packaging markets of South America.”
Since its founding in 1992, Nelxon has successfully penetrated the South America markets with PET and BOPP films, cellophane, evaporation boats and high purity aluminum for metalizing, packaging, electrical insulation, industrial and graphic arts markets.
“Brushfoil is a new concept in films, one which matches our interest in new product capabilities for the marketplace in this growing region,” explained Nelson Assumpção, director of Nelxon. “Since we first viewed the impressive and attractive films enhanced with the Brushfoil touch, we’ve been eager to enlarge our range of products. We believe the South American market is an excellent opportunity for Nelxon and Brushfoil,” Assumpção added.
A Tradition of Brushfoil Achievements
The expansion into South America comes in the recent wake of multiple accomplishments by Brushfoil. In early 2007, Brushfoil achieved ISO 9001:2000 certification. In 2006, the Southern Connecticut manufacturing plant expanded for the second time and is now triple its original size (from 5,000 square feet to 15,000 SF). Fueling this increase has been the enormous growth of Brushfoil sales.
The Brushfoil finish has graced the packages for such international brands as Philip Morris, Neutrogena, Clinique, and Gordon Ramsey Chocolates. Additionally, Brushfoil was chosen by Package Design magazine to provide the finish for their 2006 “Designer’s Toolbox,” an annual package containing the year’s best package design ideas and mailed to their subscribers. Many of these packages can be viewed at www.brushfoil.com in the “Gallery” section.
Brushfoil’s wide range of capabilities includes the following:
• Brushed Films:
• Laminating films used to enhance the perceived value of hundreds of “on the shelf” items such as cosmetics, tobacco, toiletries, confections, pharmaceuticals, etc.
• Pressure sensitive labels facestock that provide a sleek, durable appearance. Frequently affixed to household appliances, brushed labels are used in factories, restaurants, offices and homes worldwide, and take the place of metal ID plates on everything from computers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, generators, forklift trucks, etc. These labels give the equipment a look that says quality, strength and endurance.
• ULTRA Series: Inks that are more exotic are now being used to achieve superior appearances. Standard chemically treated films aren’t versatile enough to handle some of these ink systems. The “ULTRA Series” of proprietary top-coated films are available as a clear or metallized film, in varieties of colors, in widths of up to 61½˝ of coated surface on a 62˝ web width. They also accept most of the UV inks, which have traditionally been a problem for label producers. The ULTRA Series films have extended to lamination, and its outstanding printable topcoat is available for all of Brushfoil’s brushed finishes.
• Heat Seal Tapes: For the many industries using cable, the color-coding, flexibility and insulation of the individual wires within a cable are essential. Our Heat Seal Tapes are made of a 22-gauge polyester film with our proprietary color coat, chemically engineered so the film will tightly stick to itself when wrapped around a wire. The tapes are available in any color and, at less than a ¼ mil in thickness, are adequately flexible and yet provide sufficient insulation to not interfere with other wires within the cable.
