Reporter Clips
- Published: November 30, 2004, By Edward Boyle, Contributing Editor
Narrow Web Converting Industry New
Ink Jet System Agreement
ANN ARBOR, MI—Jetrion and Mark Andy have signed an agreement that provides for the integration of Jetrion’s 3025 ink jet system into Mark Andy cassettes, for inclusion in Mark Andy’s Productivity Series of flexographic printing and converting systems.
The first presentation of the Jetrion 3025 unit integrated into Mark Andy cassettes systems was at Labelexpo Americas 2004.
TLMI Members Explore Growth Initiatives
by Claudia Hine
PALM SPRINGS, CA—Nearly 400 attendees were on hand to see Mike Dowling named Converter of the Year at the annual meeting of the Tag and Label Mfrs. Inst. (TLMI) October 24–27 at LaQuinta Resort and Club. Dowling, president of CL&D Graphics, Oconomowoc, WI, and a past president of TLMI, was recognized for his high level of commitment and service to the association and the industry.
Two Environmentalist of the Year awards were presented, both to Wisconsin-based converters. WS Packaging, Algoma, won for process improvement, and Green Bay Packaging won for innovative technology.
Steve Lee, VP of technical development for Rotometrics, Eureka, MO, received TLMI’s Supplier of the Year award for his active participation in the association and the tag and label industry. As chair of the awards committee, Lee then announced the winning entries in the association’s 27th annual competition, including Tapp Technologies, Langley, BC, Canada, for its Nickel & Nickel Zinfandel wine label as Best in Show. (For more on the awards, see "The Gold Standard" in our November 2004 issue, p34.)
Business sessions at this year’s meeting were designed to provide techniques to achieve and manage growth. Attendees heard keynote speaker Dr. Oren Harari, professor at the Univ. of San Francisco’s Graduate School of Business and author of The Leadership Secrets of Colin Powell, who encouraged members to utilize all the new technology available in the marketplace to serve customers. He stressed that it’s not just the quality of the label, it’s also the quality of the customer’s experience when doing business with you that’s important.
In an interactive session, Doug Griffen, managing partner of DS Griffen & Assoc., Scottsdale, AZ, elicited the group’s participation in identifying the industry’s emerging issues, which attendees input on laptops at each table. Themes ranging from economic recovery to organizational leadership were probed, and results of the "electronic brainstorming" were compiled in real time by the Advanced Strategy Center in Scottsdale and displayed immediately for further group discussion.
Lean manufacturing was explored in a panel discussion moderated by David Taylor, president of Radius Solutions, Chicago, IL. JP Bewley, Raine Consulting, Glen Ellyn, IL, offered an overview of lean manufacturing principles, while first-hand company experiences were presented by Mike Falco, Topflight Corp., Glen Rock, PA; Art Yerecic, Yerecic Label, New Kensington, PA; and Mike Erwin, Tailored Label Products, Menomonee Falls, WI. Bewley then gave results of TLMI’s electronic survey of members on their lean manufacturing initiatives. On hand to answer questions were John Cook, Raflatac, Fletcher, NC; Neil McDonough, FLEXcon, Spencer, MA; and Derrick MacDonald, Avery Dennison, Fasson Roll NA, Painesville, OH.
The TLMI 2005 Converter Meeting will be held at Marquis Los Cabos, Los Cabos, Mexico, March 2–5. The 2005 annual meeting is scheduled for October 19–22 at The Ritz-Carlton in Lake Las Vegas, NV. For more information contact TLMI at 630/357-9222 or visit tlmi.com.
US Label Shipments Grow
CLEVELAND, OH—US label shipments are forecast to increase 5.7%/yr to $15.2 billion in 2008, according to a new report by The Freedonia Group.
Technologies ranging from RFID and 2-D bar coding to plateless digital printing will open a range of new labeling applications, according to the report. Advances in label substrates, adhesives, and coatings will help spur that growth. However, maturity in key label markets and competition from direct label-less printing in applications such as mailing, primary packaging, and corrugated box labeling will limit gains further, according to the study.
Labels is available for $4,200. For more information, contact The Freedonia Group at 440/684-9600 or visit freedoniagroup.com.
Two Choose Aquaflex
New Aquaflex presses are now up and running at two converting operations.
The Control Group, Norwood, NJ, has added a 28-in., eight-color, full-servo FPC model with UV on all flexo stations. Explains CPA and co-owner Jeff Levine, "After investigating what servo presses were available, we decided to purchase the Aquaflex…due to the state-of-the-art design and their track record for superior technology."
Strouse Corp., Westminster, MD, chose Aquaflex’s 10-in., six-color, full UV Instaprep press, which is capable of multi-web and combination printing. Reportedly, the press uses an innovative drive train to ensure consistent register and excellent print quality while reducing downtime and maintenance.
Supplier Information:
Aquaflex— aquaflex.com.
