Business Management - Industry Trends

With four more states legalizing the recreational use of marijuana this week, the opportunity for package printers and converters to expand their offerings is an area of growth. While it's still a controversial industry, many brands are seeking mainstream packaging to facilitate consumer acceptance.

While it is too soon to dissect Trump’s complete political agenda, hope remains that his policies will be more pro-business than now.

PrintFlex Graphics, a label printer based in St. Louis, has purchased a new Gallus EM 280 flexographic label press. PrintFlex specializes in peel-off coupons, re-sealable labels, instant on-pack and in-line folded booklets.

Heineken's new H41 Wild Lager has debuted, featuring a label printed by Constantia Flexibles. The label features rotary screen, flexography and foil stamping, allowing it to stand out from the traditional Heineken label, but ensuring consumers recognize it as part of the Heineken brand.

The Digital Packaging Summit concluded on Wednesday, Nov. 2. Key takeaways from the event included the industry's passion for new technology, digital and conventional coexisting as partner technologies, digital's expanding growth and an evolving culture.

Keynote addresses from corrugated industry thought leaders, including Jonathan Kraft and Ron Sasine, along with recognition of the latest digital corrugated printing technology from Barberán, were among the highlights of SuperCorrExpo 2016.

Every four years, drupa is typically the industry event that sets the tone for the future. But Labelexpo and Graph Expo provided a strong glimpse for the North American market.

With enormous crowds and packed booths, Labelexpo took Chicago by storm. The show demonstrated digital is heading in exciting new directions and flexo continues to evolve.

Jonathan Kraft, president of The Kraft Group, which owns multiple companies in the corrugated industry, along with the NFL's New England Patriots, opened SuperCorrExpo with a keynote address.

The Flexible Packaging Association Fall Executive Conference had a record-breaking 134 attendees and welcomed speakers that focused on topics important to the flexible packaging industry. The event also featured political, economic and inspirational speakers.