International Converting Industry News
- Published: February 01, 2003, By Edited by Deborah Donberg, Associate Managing Editor
Covering the Full Spectrum of International Industry News, Events & Activities
Supplier News
AVT Reports Good Economic News
HOD-HASHARON, ISRAEL — Advanced Vision Technology (AVT), a supplier of machine vision-based automatic inspection systems for the printing industry, announces revenues for the third quarter 2002 totaled $3.3 million, an 18% gain over the record results of Q2 2002 and a 43% gain over Q3 2001.
AVT adds total revenues for the first three quarters of 2002 total $8.6 million, representing a 23% growth over the first three quarters of 2001.
Environmental News
Agreement Brings “Nature' Plastic to Taiwan
TAIPEI, TAIWAN — US-based Cargill Dow, Minneapolis, MN, and Taiwan-based Wei Mon Industry (WMI) report an exclusive agreement to promote and distribute packaging articles made in Taiwan from NatureWorks PLA. The agreement is said to mark the first wide-scale availability of a commercial-grade biopolymer in a country faced with environmental challenges resulting from petroleum-based, single-use disposable plastics.
NatureWorks PLA, marketed in Taiwan as Nature Green, is said to be a more sustainable bio-based plastic made from annually renewable resources such as corn.
“Nature Green is a solution to problems facing our environment,” notes WMI chairman Wen-Jen Lai. “…By adopting NatureWorks into the mainstream, we reduce the amount of petroleum required for plastic production, significantly reduce greenhouse gases, and offer an end-product with cleaner disposal options.”
WMI is manufacturing end-use packaging products for the Taiwan market, and Cargill Dow reports it's opening an office in Taipei in support of WMI's efforts.
Show News
NPE 2003 Sponsor Offers Visa Help to International Visitors
WASHINGTON, DC, USA—Organizers of NPE 2003, scheduled for June 23-27 at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL, are urging international attendees to obtain a US visa as soon as possible.
The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI), sponsor of the triennial event, is offering assistance in this task. At the Web site npe.org, you will find visa information and a number of links that can help facilitate the process.
Explains Jordan L. Morgenstern, SPI VP of trade shows, “Since the [Sept. 11, 2001] terrorist attacks in the US, the time required for processing visa applications from many parts of the world has increased to three or four months, and delays may lengthen during the transition period if responsibility for processing visa applications is transferred from the US State Department to the Department of Homeland Security. We are advising prospective international visitors to start the visa process now, even if they are only considering attendance at NPE 2003.”
IPEX 2006 Dates, Place Are Set
BIRMINGHAM, U.K.—Picon and IIR Exhibitions report IPEX 2006 will be held April 9-17 at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham. This will be the seventh IPEX show at the NEC.
IIR conducted comprehensive exhibitor and visitor surveys before making a final decision on the date and location. “[A new configuration] and dates not only take into consideration the feedback from our research and give us the space and facilities we require but also enable us to introduce a number of new features as the show progresses,” notes IPEX 2006 president Laurence Roberts. IIR has secured 11 halls and has the option for more. For more information visit ipex.org.
Pack Expo Proves to Be an International Resource
ARLINGTON, VA, USA—Pack Expo International lived up to its vision to be “the leading global resource for packaging,” reports sponsor Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI). Held Nov. 3-7, 2002, at Chicago's McCormick Pl., the show attracted more than 46,000 attendees. The event also lived up to its “international” designation with 5,978 visitors from 92 countries. A three-day conference program attracted 830 attendees and addressed trends and technologies ranging across the industry.
With 2,007 exhibiting companies, Pack Expo offered something for everyone in the packaging industry. Says PMMI show committee chairman Mark Garvey, “Over the next 12 months, Pack Expo attendees will purchase billions of dollars worth of packaging equipment, materials, components, and containers.”
For more information contact PMMI at 703/243-8555; pmmi.org.
Agreements
Creo, Xerox Sign Contract
VANCOUVER, B.C., CANADA—Creo has signed a contract with Xerox, Stamford, CT, under which Xerox will purchase Creo Spire color servers, for a period of five years, for sale with current and future Xerox digital printers. The agreement expands and strengthens the companies' relationship, establishing a long-term strategic partnership. Creo says it will continue to devote resources to develop advanced color server technologies and workflow and is committed to supporting Xerox customer satisfaction initiatives.
