Mark Andy

This issue highlights the winning entries in packagePRINTING's 23rd annual Excellence Awards competition. The judging took place in June and as usual, it was one of my favorite days of the year.

St. Louis, Mo.—MAX, the customer service and support team of Mark Andy, Inc., has announced the release of its new Web site. The recently launched site (www.yourfriendinflexo.com) enables customers to maximize productivity and profitability by taking care of their flexo needs online.

SAN LUIS OBISPO, California—Flexo Bootcamp, a two-day workshop offered by the Graphic Communication Institute at Cal Poly, is again happening on June 8-9, 2009. Flexo Bootcamp is a quick way to jumpstart productivity, improve  skill levels, and reduce learning curves, in only two days. This fast-paced workshop is designed to provide the essentials necessary to be productive in the flexographic industry. It is geared for those new to the industry or looking for a well-rounded introduction to flexo printing.

ST. LOUIS, Mo.—Mark Andy has announced its Partner for Progress program, which is designed to assist printers and converters eager to move their business forward in today's economic times.

Surviving and growing in a tough competitive environment requires the capability to focus on a core business mission, while having the flexibility to respond to ever-changing market trends. Associated Labels (www.associated-labels.com), a Vancouver, Canada-based printing and packaging enterprise, is one company that has found much success adapting its core business (flexo-printed prime labels) with changing market demands (capabilities for flexible packaging and digital printing).

Australian printer Hill’s Labels has installed a Mark Andy 2200 press in its new production facility located in North Western Sydney, Australia. Hill’s Labels, founded in 2005 by Scott and Louise Beadman, had been relying on a small rotary letterpress machine to fulfill customer requirements, but increases in customer demands prompted the company to pursue a new facility, as well as updated technology.

Global anilox supplier Harper Corporation of America announced that Mark Andy Inc. will now carry Harper’s Platinum® XLT™ anilox rolls as its anilox product for MAX, Mark Andy’s aftermarket service and support program.

The Phoenix Challenge Foundation is pleased to announce the dates of 12th annual High School Phoenix Challenge. The 2009 Phoenix Challenge Competition will take place April 1 - 3 at the Harper National Flexographic Center (HNFC). The HNFC is located on the campus of Central Piedmont Community college in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Slitters and splicers play key roles during the printing or finishing of printed packaging, and it is imperative to keep them in good working order. To do so, many printers turn to preventive maintenance (PM) programs—structured maintenance schedules for specific parts of a piece of equipment.

When presented with a challenge, MPI Label Systems stepped up to the plate, impressing its customer, as well as the judges of this year’s packagePRINTING Excellence Awards.