Converting Industry News
- Published: June 30, 2003, By Edited by Deborah Donberg, Associate Managing Editor
Covering the Full Spectrum of Industry News, Events & Activities
Converter Adds W&H Press to Please Customers
Flexo printer Farnell Packaging announces the purchase of a Novoflex press from Windmoeller & Hoelscher. The 52-in., eight-color, CI press, which will be installed in Farnell’s Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, facility, is gearless and reportedly features advanced sleeve technology.
Farnell serves both narrow and wide web markets, primarily in the food packaging industry in eastern Canada and the northeastern US. Its modern, 70,000-sq-ft plant also houses blown film extrusion, slitting, rewinding, and converting capabilities.
“With the new press, we will be meeting our existing customer demands in today’s complex and sophisticated marketplace,” sums up president Don Farnell.
Supplier Information
Windmoeller & Hoelscher Corp., Lincoln, RI; 401/333-2770; whcorp.com
New Rotomec Press Finds a Home in Holland
Amcor Flexibles Envi (part of Amcor Flexibles Europe) inaugurated expanded production facilities in Assen, Holland, on February 28. Among the things the company was celebrating was the installation of a new Rotomec 3000-3R ES ten-color gravure press. No stranger to Valmet equipment, Amcor Flexibles Envi also has three Rotomec gravure presses as well as slitter/rewinders from Titan and Atlas.
The new press features electronic shaft technology and is capable of cold seal coating and in-line dry bond lamination. The first ES type gravure press at the Assen plant, it can handle web widths to 1,100 mm at speeds to 300 mpm.
Amcor Envi expects the press will increase productivity in its core business of producing flexible packaging materials mainly for confectionery and the food industry, for both domestic markets and export markets in northern Europe
Supplier Information
Valmet Rotomec SpA, San Giorgio, Italy; +39 (0) 142 4071; valmetconverting.com.
Mergers
Riverwood Holding, Graphic Packaging Announce Merger
ATLANTA, GA, USA—Riverwood Holding Inc., parent co. of Riverwood International Corp., and Graphic Packaging International Corp., Golden, CO, report they have signed a definitive merger agreement to create a global paperboard packaging company with leading market positions serving the beverage, food, and consumer products industries. The two will merge in a stock transaction with an enterprise value of approximately $3 billion. The companies say the merger will greatly expedite the growth of both companies’ existing packaging business by combining Graphic Packaging’s sophisticated front-end sales and marketing, converting operations, and strong customer relationships with Riverwood’s experience in providing an integrated, total packaging systems offering. Graphic Packaging chairman and CEO Jeffrey Coors will serve as executive chairman of the combined company, and Riverwood president and CEO Steve Humphrey will serve as president and CEO.
Show News
Sold-Out Drupa Will Welcome the World in 2004
DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY—It may be almost a year away, but it’s not too soon to start making plans for Drupa 2004, the giant Print Media Trade Fair scheduled for May 6–19 at the Fairgrounds in Düsseldorf. Organizer Messe Düsseldorf reports all 17 halls are sold out, with more than 1,800 exhibitors and 370,000 visitors expected. Exhibits will include prepress and premedia; printing; book binding and print finishing; paper converting and package production; and materials and services. Proud of the show’s international presence, organizers are promoting it as “One World—One Drupa.” They point out the first Drupa, staged in 1951, featured 527 exhibitors from 10 countries, while the 2000 edition welcomed 1,950 exhibitors from 50 countries.
For more information on Drupa 2004 contact Messe Düsseldorf North America at 312/781-5180 or visit mdna.com. For hotel and travel arrangements, contact TTI Travel Inc. at 866/674-3476.
Environmental News
Plastics Groups Ally to Fight New California Tax
WASHINGTON, DC, USA—The Society of the Plastics Industry Inc. (SPI) reports the formation of a national Plastic Bag Coalition is under way to fight California legislation that would place a tax on all plastic bags used by retailers in the state. The coalition is being led by the Film and Bag Federation, a business unit of SPI, and the California Film Extruders and Converters Association (CFECA). All allied trade associations will be working together on this issue, SPI reports.
The legislation, which is being promoted by the environmental group Californians Against Waste (CAW), is designated AB 586. It would require California retailers to pay a 2-cent tax on every disposable plastic bag they use. Examples of bags that would be covered by the law include grocery sacks; dry cleaning bags; take-out food bags; retail, membership, or wholesaler bags; and service station bags. Retailers would be exempt from paying the tax if the bag is made of at least 40% recycled content, can be reused at least 1,000x, or is used to contain a product with no other packaging.
The bill also levies a 2-cent tax on all disposable plastic, paper, or polycoated paper cups. The money generated under the act would go toward reducing, cleaning up, and recycling disposable bag and cup litter and marine debris. Cities and counties would be eligible for block grants to fund litter programs. CAW estimates the tax could raise $100 million/yr.
The plastics industry opposes the bill because it says the tax would place an additional unwarranted burden on an important California industry already staggering under high utility rates and other costs of doing business in the state. SPI believes the tax proposal could be given serious consideration by the legislature, considering California’s severe budget shortfall.
Supplier News
Stanford Marks 60 Years with New Slitter/Rewinders
SALEM, IL, USA—Stanford Products will mark its 60th anniversary this year, as it continues to celebrate the new Salem facility it moved to in late 2001. Stanford, which opened its doors July 17, 1943, is especially well known for its trademarked Doctor Machine invented by founder W.T. “Dutch” Stanford in 1953.
To mark the anniversary, president Seamus Lafferty reports the company is bringing to market a full line of new-generation slitter/rewinders, including Models 738 (launched at this year’s CMM show) and 1038, expected out in mid-year. Commenting on the purpose-built facility to which Stanford moved in November 2001, Lafferty says, “The relocation to our new facility is of enormous practical and symbolic importance as Stanford continues along a path of rapid change and development. [The] investment…sends a very clear message that we are committed to the future and to providing our customers with new and innovative slitting and rewinding solutions for many years to come.”
Investments
Flint Ink Commits to Advanced Technology
ANN ARBOR, MI, USA—Flint Ink reports a multimillion-dollar commitment to become the leading provider of conductive and advanced printing inks as well as printed electronics technology and processes. The commitment includes staff expansion and plans for a state-of-the-art development and resource center.
According to Jim Rohrkemper, VP, Emerging Business Segments, “Intelligent packaging, Radio Frequency Identification [RFID], and printed electronics technologies and applications are developing quickly. Lighting and display markets also provide growth opportunities. Our new commitment will allow us to more quickly transform concepts into ‘smart’ inks, printed electronic solutions, and RFID technologies for next-generation intelligent packaging and supply-chain applications."
Launches
Black Clawson Converting Machinery Inc. Formed
FULTON, NY USA—Black Clawson Co. Inc. has completed the sale of the assets of its Black Clawson Converting Machinery LLC division to a new company formed by the management team of Black Clawson Converting Machinery and investment partners Hamilton Robinson LLC. The new company, Black Clawson Converting Machinery Inc., will operate from its existing Fulton location. Mark Panozzo, president of Black Clawson Converting Machinery Inc., says, “The relationship with Hamilton Robinson LLC provides the new company with a strong financial foundation and access to additional capital for growth opportunities. The new company is ideally positioned and structured for continual improvement in all of its products and services.”
Association News
NPES Committee Issues Report to Aid Workflow
RESTON, VA, USA—NPES, The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies, reports the Committee for Graphic Arts Technologies Standards (CGATS) has published a new technical report on color and process control in package printing. TR 012 reportedly is designed to bridge communication gaps that arise in the packaging workflow and assure dependable, predictable press output.
The report builds on TR 011, which offers guidelines to bring a packaging project from concept through an approved production file, identifying tools, recommending roles and responsibilities of participants, providing default specifications for communicating color issues, and identifying guidelines and standards that can be used to further define required parameters.
The new report is available for $20. Contact NPES at 703/264-7200 or visit npes.org.
