MayJune 2007 Illuminatorstatic.webfulfillment.com/tlmi/blogs.dir/31/files/... · profitable niche markets and have become less dependent upon their traditional commodity business

TLMI ILLUMINATOR SEPT/OCT 2007

A NEWSLETTER FOR MEMBERS OF THE TAG AND LABEL MANUFACTURERS INST ITUTE , INC.

In 1963 a group of influential people gottogether in England and decided todevelop a special exhibition that wouldcoincide with that year’s IPEX show.IPEX is an industry tradeshow longfamiliar to many of us - the IPEXacronym stands for the “InternationalPrinting Machinery and Allied TradesExhibition.” The new exhibition to runalongside IPEX was called “Printingand the Mind of Man” and one of itsprimary sponsors was Ian Fleming,who as many of us know, was one ofthe great spy novel writers of our time,and the creator of a box office-dominating sleuth named 007.

TLMI’s technical conference Tech 007:For Your Eyes Only was held recentlyin Chicago and more than 350 industrymembers attended the James Bond-themed event where panels of industryexperts discussed and presented on

Another Box Office Hit for TLMI Technical Conference

what are the most significant industrytrends and production practices intoday’s marketplace.

Ian Fleming was a visionary and one ofhis passions was printing technology.With the “Printing and the Mind of Man”exhibition he wanted to demonstratethe contribution that laying ink onpaper has made to the expansion ofhuman knowledge. We’re all constantlylooking for new ways to obtainknowledge. As we continue to look forways to profit and thrive in a world thatincreasingly grows smaller, it’simperative that we are able tocontinuously seek out viableinformation resources. TLMI’s biannualtechnical forums offer the narrow webconverting industry exactly that; anopportunity for the printing communityto come together for a few days tolearn, share and exchange ideas andbest practices.

Our industry has a reputation of beingan open one. As one of the morefragmented segments of the packagingworld, the narrow web converting sectoris known to be one in which companiesare willing to share information for thegreater good of the marketplace as awhole. Events like Tech 007 exemplifyTLMI’s central role in reinforcing thisdynamic. As an association, we knowwe can grow only if we’re continuouslyserving our membership. There are fewvenues where attendees can witnesspanels of industry suppliers andconverters openly discussing bestpractices, new technologies andindustry trends. TLMI’s goal is tocreate this unique type of exchangewith the Technical Conference.

Surely, Mr. Fleming would approve.

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OfficersChairmanJohn HickeyCEOSmyth Companies, Inc.

Chairman-ElectFrank GeracePresident/CEOMulti-Color Corp.

Vice ChairmanArt YerecicPresidentYerecic Label

Past ChairmanScott PillsburyPresidentRose City Label

DirectorsCheryl Caudill(2005-2008)Graphics Market ManagerMulti-Plastics, Inc.

Julie Chavez(2004-2007)Vice PresidentStixon Label

Thomas Dahbura(2006-2009)Vice PresidentHub Labels, Inc.

Jeff Dunphy(2004-2007)President/CEODesign Label

Michael Falco(2006-2009)PresidentTopflight Corp.

Pat Hague(2004-2007)Vice PresidentWater Ink Technologies

Mike Martin(2006-2008)PresidentLGInternational

Dave McDowell(2005-2008)President/CEOMcDowell Label & Screen Printing

Michael Ritter(2005-2008)Vice PresidentSuperior Business Associates, Inc.

Gary Smith(2006-2009)VP SalesRotoMetrics

Elisha Tropper(2004-2007)

Randy Wise(2006-2009)PresidentCentury Label, Inc.

Tony MacleodLegal Counsel

Dear Fellow Members,

As usual, it’s abusy time of yearfor the narrowweb printingindustry. Duringthe first week ofSeptember morethan 350 industry

professionals gathered at whatwas the most successful TLMITechnical Conference in theevent’s history. A record number ofattendees and presenters cametogether for three days in Chicagoat Tech 007: For Your Eyes Onlyand the feedback TLMI hasreceived from those in attendancehas been outstanding. At whatother industry forum can youwitness representatives from all ofthe industry’s most prominentpress manufacturing companiestake the stage together and spendan hour and a half in an open andnoncompetitive question-and-answer exchange with conferenceattendees? This is the type of openand educational format the TLMITechnical Conference is known for,and as attendee feedbackrepeatedly indicated Tech 007 met,and exceeded, all expectations. Iwould like to thank TLMI TechnicalConference co-chairs Art Yerecicand Mike Buystedt for once againputting together an informative andexceptional event.

Next year marks a milestone forTLMI as the association will becelebrating its 75th anniversary in2008. To commemorate 75 yearsof service to the North Americannarrow web industry, TLMI hascreated a special 75th Anniversarylogo. Recently all membersreceived a graphic file of this logoand we ask you to upload it ontoyour own websites as a link towww.tlmi.com. TLMI has workedhard over the course of the pastyear, making sure each memberhas a direct link to their website in

I L L U M I N A T O RSeptember/October 2007

The Cha i r man ’s Re por t

the association’s online MemberDirectory and this is your chanceto reciprocate this exchange.

I’m looking forward to seeing mostof you at the upcoming TLMIAnnual Meeting at the FairmontOrchid on the Big Island of Hawaiiand I want to thank meeting co-chairs Randy Wise of CenturyLabel, Inc. and David Hoag ofArjobex for putting together whatlooks like will be an informative andentertaining meeting. As most ofyou have already been notified, thespeaker who was going to openand close the meeting, Dr. PaulPearsall, sadly passed awaysuddenly a few months ago. Randyand David managed to find twohigh-caliber replacement speakerswithin three days and they deserveaccolades for putting forth thisextra effort at the last minute.I want to also thank the EducationCommittee for their recent effortsin putting together the first official

TLMI Webinar. Feedback wasexcellent and members can expectmore informative webinars in 2008.

Lastly, one other event on thehorizon I wanted to mention is theLNW Label Symposium takingplace in New Brunswick, NewJersey November 14th and 15th.This information-packedconference and exhibition willfocus on strategic businesschallenges that labelmanufacturers face on a dailybasis. TLMI members receive areduced registration rate and moreinformation can be found atwww.lnwsymposium.com.

I look forward to seeing everyone inHawaii.

John HickeyTLMI Chairman

CEO, Smyth Companies, Inc.


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Press manufacturers have always had a unique perspective of the converting industry. From a sales standpoint, while ink andmaterial suppliers often deal with Purchasing Managers and operations personnel, press suppliers usually make their salespitches to the top of the food chain – owners and company presidents. Few other supplier niches have regular access toconverters’ executive management teams, offering press manufacturers an industry vantage point as seen through the eyesof a boardroom listening to their pitch, running the numbers and ultimately deciding tomake the capital purchase, or to delay it.

At TLMI’s recent Technical Conference in Chicago Tech 007, a panel of representatives from the industry’sprominent press suppliers assembled to present current and future press manufacturing trends, market opportunities andtechnical knowhow. To provide a follow up to the press panel discussion that took place in Chicago, TLMI Illuminator Editor,Jennifer Dochstader, asked each participating press supplier a set of questions to further explore the state of the press

manufacturing industry, and its central position in, at times, a technologically uncertain future.Participants include Andy Colletta, President/CEO of Nilpeter; Paul Brauss, President of Mark

Andy, Inc.; Mac Rosenbaum, VP of F.L. Smithe/Aquaflex; Denny McGee, President of MPSAmerica LLC; Erik Jacob, Sales Manager of Stork Prints America, Inc.; Francois Bayzelon,

President of ETI Converting Equipment; Mark Gillis, GLobal Sales Director of Paper ConvertingMachine Company and Andy Schmitz, Sales Manager of Gallus, Inc.

Dochstader: As a pressmanufacturer, you are exposed to amultitude of converting operationsacross the United States. In yourview, what tends to be some of themost significant differencesbetween a narrow web printingcompany that is averagelyprofitable, and a narrow web printingcompany that is amongst the mostprofitable in their class?

Colletta: For me, this is a simpleanswer. The converters who haveembraced lean manufacturingcoupled with a focus on customerservice, seem to be the ones whohave benefitted via increasedprofitability. These twophilosophies go hand in hand andcomplement each other; onefocusing on the internal operationsof the business and the otherfocusing on the delivery of thebenefits to the external customers. Both these exercises result inincreased profitability.

Brauss: The most successful narrow webconverters have the ability to maintain adiscipline of process and identify tacticalinitiatives that amplify their key corecompetency. These converters look foropportunities with value added productionbut also have an unwillingness to “avoid”too much risk. Typically we find that theypartner well with their suppliers to focuson the development of a process orsolution and then take that solution totheir key customers. When they haveimplemented something correctly thenthey move quickly to offer this solution totheir customer base.

Rosenbaum: Aquaflex manufactures abroad range of presses, all of which aremulti-substrate capable, including film. Asa result, our customers range from one ortwo press operations to large multi-plantoperations. We have found that converterswho have diversified into film and otherspecialty substrates are finding veryprofitable niche markets and have becomeless dependent upon their traditionalcommodity business. Diversification oftengenerates more business from existing

accounts simply because the converteris able to bring more capability andvalue to the table. Sales expense goesdown and profitability goes up—that’s agood formula for future business.

McGee: They have a handle on peopleand processes and direct them in afocused way at what they are good at. They exploit this niche and extendtheir reach and continually work to getbetter at being better. They are happyorganized people who will take the timeto meet with outside people to learnhow they can do it better, in turn theyare constantly looking for equipmentand processes to invest in that makegood business sense. They continuallylook for ways to delight theircustomers and look for newopportunities to grow new businesswith current and future businesstrends.

Jacob: Some companies have greatleaders. Some have great ideas whilestill others utilize the best technologybut in my view, the truly great ones

have good disciplined people doing theright job. The company has coreprinciples that endure, with or withoutgreat leaders or a super technology.

Bayzelon: Quality is standard forthose companies, not a goal toachieve. Their prices and deliveryschedule are competitive andconsistent. The manufacturingprocesses of the labels are constantlyevaluated to identify critical (costly)operation in the production of a label.How could I manufacture this labelbetter and cheaper? This is thequestion that they keep askingthemselves and this is how they arealways one step ahead of thecompetition.

Gillis: In our view, the commitment toinvest in the assets of people andtechnology, press room practices, highemployee retention, overall companyculture (empowering, inspiring,visionary) are key ingredients thatseparate high performing organizationsfrom others.

Schmitz: I am fortunate to havepassed through the doors of hundredsof printing companies during my career.Profitable printing companies seem toshare several common elements. Itreally starts with some basic common-sense business practices. The firstthing you notice is the pride and effortgiven to the facility, grounds andequipment.

Without fail, successful printingoperations make this a priority. Thefacilities are always clean andorganized. Everything is in itsrespective place. Programs areimplemented to keep the equipmentclean and well maintained. There isvery little downtime in production.Everyone takes pride in his or herwork. Successful printing companiesinvest heavily in their employees. Theyare given a clean and safe environmentto work in. Continuous training isoffered along with the opportunity togrow with the company. Together, thiscreates a secure and healthy workculture. When visiting these companies,you immediately get the feeling thatthis would be a great place to work.Employees who are secure andengaged will provide quality work andmake positive contributions to thecompany. This trait is universal amongsuccessful label companies. Additionally, these companies thinkprogressively and are quick toimplement new technologies andprograms that increase capabilities andefficiencies. It’s not uncommon to see

digital, offset, multi-process flexo and digitalCTP all under one roof.They are on the cuttingedge of technology. There isconsideration given to

production up stream.They are far more likely to

adopt ISO certifications andother programs such as Lean

Manufacturing to furtherincrease efficiencies. This means theyfreely and willingly reinvest in thecompany. There is always a good levelof fiscal responsibility. Knowing how,when and where to make investmentsseems second nature. Finally, successful printingcompanies set policies and goals thatare clearly defined. Everyone is

responsible and given ownership in theprocess. You cannot minimize howimportant this is. Many times thesecompanies will post company goals ator near the entranceway and thisserves as a constant reminder thatthey are committed to service, qualityand the growth of their employees.

Dochstader: In your opinion, what isthe most critical breakthrough presstechnology has made within the past 2-3 years?

Gillis: The incorporation of servo drivesand their respective benefits to printingsuch as variable repeat size printing,tighter register tolerances, freedomfrom gears and the related subsequentwear as well as the ability to process abroad variety of substrates and thinnerfilms is an important breakthrough. High performance drying such as withcompressed air allows for greater pressspeed performance as well as energysavings. Printing sleeves replacingmetal cylinders is another technologywhich will positively affect printperformance.

McGee: More operator friendly pressesthat have been designed andengineered to produce outstandingquality in the hands of “averageoperators” and do so with minimalchange over time and minimal wastenumbers. Flexible press platforms thatallow for a wide variety of materials tobe considered for converting – whosays you have to be just a label guy!

Jacob: In my opinion, direct laserengraving for plate making is “the nextbig thing”. With DLE, converters nowhave all new tools and even a newtoolbox to do amazing things withincredible ease. The power of thesesystems is a major breakthrough asadopters are given unheard of flexibilityin plate making.

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Bayzelon: Changing the position ofthe players in a business is not amatter of inventing a new press. It is amatter of inventing a technology thathas an extraordinary impact on theproduction organization and cost.Make the things differently and bemore competitive.

Schmitz: There is no question about it.The most critical breakthrough wouldbe the successful integration of servoand sleeve technology into narrow webpresses. Nowhere in the history of flexo hasthe level of technology been sodynamic. It is an unprecedented timefor new press technology. Servo driveshave given operators a level of controlnever seen before. Servo motors arenow found throughout the press. Theycontrol tension, printing and convertingoperations. The servo motor hasprovided us with lightning-speedcorrection rates for controlling autoregistration and other critical pressfunctions. Initially, flexo presses reliedon mechanical elements such asdrivelines and gearboxes for powertransmission. And for years thisindustry has struggled with unstablesubstrates. We were limited by commongeometry, surface speeds and worst ofall - gears. Servo motors and othermodern press technologies haveremedied these problems. Additionally,exchanging the traditional metal plateroll with new sleeve technology wasmade feasible by adding a direct-driveservo motor to the print deck. In turn,the sleeve has become an elixir to ahost of problems associated withtraditional methods of transferring inkto the substrates. With the integrationof sleeve technology we haveeliminated undesirable mechanicalelements such as pins, bearings,gears and adjusting arms. The servoand sleeve clearly stand out as themost critical breakthrough in press

technology. They have given new labelpresses clear advantages over older,more antiquated equipment.

Brauss: I’d love to sit here and pickone technology that is a criticalbreakthrough but I’d rather report thatwe are on the continuing evolution ofmany different variables that whenpulled together provide better solutions.I have seen improvements in inktechnology that help aid the quality ofthe finished product. We have talked about aniloximprovements and plate improvementsthat when coupled with the pressesincrease the quality of the printedproduct. Flexo quality is definitelyimproving as witnessed in our recentlabel competitions. I believe the electronics onpresses continue to provideconsistency in performance and I’dlook for more of this in thefuture. I also seeapplications becomingmore complex so thatequates to putting more in linefor the solution. We’re laminating atover 750fpm and pushing shrink sleeveproduction at over 1000fpm. All ofthese are kernels of improvement thatwhen tied together in an application willprovide breakthrough applicationresults. What I will report today is thatI still believe there is room forimprovement in plate development. The flexo process needs a boost inadoption that will come when platemanufacturing costs are driven down. I’d look for this technology in the futureto have a significant impact on flexoadoption.

Rosenbaum: Clearly the most criticalbreakthrough in press technology inrecent years has been the applicationof servo motors on narrow webplatforms. However, as I stated at theTLMI Technical Conference, it’s not assimple as adding servo motors to an

existing press and calling it a “servo”press. The way a manufacturer appliesservo technology is more importantthan the servo itself. At Aquaflex, weadd servo controls to areas of a presswhere it makes the most sense—always taking care not to addexcessive cost. It’s all about seekingthe right balance and optimizing thecost performance ratios to insure thatthe press delivers an attractive returnon investment. Another important factor to consideris the servo interface with the operator.If the software is not intuitive to thepress AND to the press operator, theoperator will not be able to take fulladvantage of the control system andthat means less than optimalperformance. That’s why we writenearly all of our control software

ourselves — we knowthe press and we understand what theconverter wants. This knowledge issimply not available to the servo ormotion control vendor, making itdifficult if not impossible for them tocreate a press-specific, highly intuitiveuser interface.

Colletta: Servo technology can beconsidered as a significant technologybreakthrough in recent years. Theincreased registration accuracy andprint quality of servo vs. traditional lineshaft presses has raised the barfor all. Additionally, this once highpriced option has now become moreaffordable and as a result, has becomemore prevalent in all manufacturers’offerings.

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Dochstader: What do you view as thegreatest challenge our industrycurrently faces?

Rosenbaum: Perhaps the greatestchallenge our industry faces today ismaking good decisions for the future.It’s easy to get “stuck” in the wayyou’re currently doing business whenbusiness is pretty good. It’s rather likethe old saying, “if it isn’t broke, don’tfix it.” Unfortunately nothing remainsconstant except change. It’s muchbetter to proactively prepare for thefuture when things are going well thanit is to react to change once yourbusiness has started to decline. Future(and current) market demands requirediversity and flexibility for converters toremain competitive and prosperous.Often that means adopting the newesttechnologies. The difference betweenbeing proactive and reactive is thedifference between leading andmaintaining. I’ve always believed thatleading is better than following.

Schmitz: I believe the biggestchallenge breaks down to basic survivalin this ever-changing industry. Therecent economy has been experiencingonly modest growth. We now havecompetition hitting us from everycorner of the globe. There is a steadypush toward consolidation. Material, ink and equipment costsare rising. Label constructions are farmore complex and costly tomanufacture. At the same timeconsumer product companies areasking for higher quality labels, insmaller quantities, at drastically lowercost. How do you get your armsaround these challenges and still turna profit at the end of the day? The good news is that, fortunately,we come from a very dynamic andresourceful industry. Our industry hasa history of working together to facechallenges. I recently took part in oneof the most successful TLMI techconferences ever. Over 350 industry

professionals attended. That proves weare committed to the health of ourindustry and we do so by workingtogether. I’m confident as our industrycontinues to grow and mature, we willalso continue to improve. We will meetthese challenges head-on andultimately find success just as wealways have. This is truly, a veryexciting time for flexo.

Colletta: Cost management andmargin erosion will continue to be asignificant challenge for converters andsuppliers alike. It will be difficult tomaintain or lower prices onconsumables such as inks andsubstrates, as well as capitalequipment if the costs of resourcessuch as oil, continue to rise. Additionally, the rising costs ofhealthcare in the U.S. will impact laborcosts and contribute to the overallproblem of cost management andmargin erosion.

Brauss: The industry is battling severalvariables including increasingprofitability in an arena that hasbecome significantly focused on“costs”. Converters invest when theyare successful and they typically fueltheir current success with futuresuccess as a result. This industry hashad a few rough years and convertersare just now looking at ways to improvetheir profitability after hunkering down. I would say that overall this is anefficient market and those that invest inimprovements will remain competitiveand those converters unwilling toaccept some level of investment riskwill see their value decrease. Afterdoing a lot of soul searching theconverter that is up for the challengesof a competitive market mustunderstand the competitive threats,environmental friendliness,identification of the value propositionand become agile in theirimplementation of tactics.

Gillis: Being competitive in a globaleconomy is the biggest challengeprinters face currently. This meansdriving waste out of processes andimproving capabilities instead of justadding capacity through newequipment technology. Otherchallenges include merger andacquisition activitiy as it relates toovercapacity that affects themarketplace and people findingcapacity through lean manufacturing,unpredictable energy expenses anddevelopment and retention of skilledlabor.

McGee: Re-inventing itself, we all haveto do it, it is not easy, it takes acommitment and a focused plan, and ittakes time and money. It’s about howyou prosper and grow and delight yourclients now and in the future. Youbecome a problem solver that isconsistently looking for problems worthof a solution.

Jacob: The flexo label market hastransformed into the Flexo, UV Flexo ,Letterpress, Offset, Gravure, RotaryScreen, Ink Jet, Hot/Cold Foil,Embossed, Fanfolded, Laminated DieCut label market. Finding and keepinggood talent in these arenas is a hugechallenge.

Dochstader: What do you view as thegreatest opportunity?

McGee: Label people are innovators,they had to be as the industry tookshape, someone wanted somethingthat was not done before, someonefigured out how to do it and so on andso forth - over and over again. Never tella label guy it’s impossible becausethey will prove you wrong – the newfocus for label producers is problemsolving - then making the processprofitable and consistent.

Schmitz: The opportunity lies in takingadvantage of existing technologies and


moving toward the standardization ofthe flexo process. We must continueto refine flexo. There is still room tomake improvements. And believe me, ifhistory serves us correctly, thisindustry will not be passive. You willcontinue to see developingtechnologies emerge. There appears to be a feeling ofsecurity in knowing that flexo is a goodplace to be and everyone is willing toinvest resources. Flexo has finallyproven itself as the process of choice.There is a tremendous opportunity forgrowth and expansion into newmarkets. With vigilance and fortitude,you can get there quickly because ourindustry has finally moved from arudimentary analog world to one that isautomated and digitized. In manycases the cost of this technology hascome down. You now see small to mid-sizedcompanies investing in newtechnologies such as digital prepressand CTP. This was not possible just afew short years ago because thetechnology was new and not alwaysaffordable for smaller, less establishedcompanies. A good example of howquickly we are progressing is therecent advancements in directengraving. Just a few short years agothis process was met with a great dealof skepticism. Now, it’s clearly a viableprocess. This new digital age has becomethe perfect segue into standardizingthe flexo process. I feel we are verynear to accomplishing this. In a wayour industry is still new and technologywill have to shake itself out. As timemoves on, the loose and undesirablevariables of the flexo process will beremoved. To that end, we are veryfortunate to have no lack ofopportunities.

Colletta: Finding ways to deal with thechallenge of cost management andmargin erosion will be the opportunity

for all. Converters will have to keepprices in line while meeting the needsof their customers by providing addedvalue. For a press manufacturer it willbe to introduce and deliver innovativetechnology that provides the addedvalue at an extremely attractive ROI.

Brauss: The greatest opportunity in themarket continues to be the fact thatthis market is changing. Packagingrequirements are evolving and theconsumer is adaptable to newpackaging trends as well. The factthat this is going on is really anopportunity for the converter. However,the converter must becomeknowledgeable about the changes. Successful converters today haveproven to be agile as I stated earlierbut they are also very well educated onthe market and processes that theycan bring to the market that willdemonstrate some differentiation. Coming from a different marketseven years ago, I’ve developed awonderful appreciation for the

entrepreneurial spirit that still runsstrong in this market. I enjoy workinghand in hand with the converters todevelop the right solution and continueto be impressed with the ideas beingbrought forward to handle very difficultapplications.

Rosenbaum: Greater diversificationand expansion into additional marketsoffer the greatest opportunities toconverters. With print runs gettingsmaller (even for large commercial

printers) narrow web flexo’sopportunities continue to grow. We’re seeing an increasing demandfor (and are delivering) high-end flexopresses in offset shops to handle theseshorter runs and deliver excellent printquality. We are also working with manyof our customers to help them acquirethe capabilities to successfully winnew business previously dominated bythe offset and wider CI processes. Flexo’s ability to deliver outstandingprint quality across the broad spectrumof short, medium and long runscombined with inline efficiencies havemade the process an attractive optionfor the future and that means increasedopportunities.

Jacob: This is a great time forconverters to embrace new andexisting technologies that can helpthem to provide brand owners withbrand protection and at the same timehelp define and promote the brandimage and distinguish it fromcompetitors.

Bayzelon: Our sector is coming into amature cycle and this will bring a lot ofchanges. The greatest opportunity is touse a combination of productiontechnologies to get better and innovatein label manufacturing. The labelprinters compete with one another, butalso with more and more alternativepackaging and identificationtechnologies. More flexibility andefficiency in the production process ofthe label will allow label printers toinnovate and keep its place of choiceamong other identification possibilities.

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Gillis: Embracing lean principles andcarving out the waste within yourorganization is a great opportunity formost organizations. Our company hasmade huge strides with lean practices.American manufacturing has lost itsway and ‘lean’ is a way for us to rightthe ship and get back to being globallycompetitive and creating a sustainablefuture for the families that are countingon us.

Dochstader: TLMI works hard to offerthe association’s supplier membersmaximum benefit for their membershipdollars. Can you comment on ways thatbeing a member of TLMI is beneficialto your company?

Colletta: TLMI provides two importantbenefits to suppliers; exposure andthe ability to network directly with topmanagement of all membercompanies.

Brauss: The first word that comes tomy mind is “learning”. We live in timeswhere the individuals and thecompanies that spend time learningwill remain the most competitive andwill harvest success in the future. Tome the TLMI represents an opportunityfor the individual and the converter tolearn. Established relationships helpfoster an environment of curiosity abouttrends, opportunities and solutions thatcan be applied to many marketable

situations. The fact that there iscamaraderie inside of this group justfosters that ability to learn!

Rosenbaum: TLMI has helpedAquaflex regain an industry leadershipposition by providing quality exposureto our important key markets. Theassociation has also become avaluable listening post to help guideour new product development. Theeducational programs have beenoutstanding and we have seen TLMIeffectively address the importanttechnical issues and industry trendsthat impact its membership. As aresult, we believe the TLMI member iswell-informed and technically savvy. AtAquaflex, we find these attributes are agood fit with our product offerings.

McGee: TLMI provides a forum whereconverters and their supplier partnerscan discuss problems and ways toover come these problems which leadto new markets and profitable growth.It creates bonds between membersthat last for a lifetime – and what betterway to find out if your idea is crazy orworkable then to have the opportunityto ask a fellow TLMI member friend fortheir opinion.

Jacob: One of the best ways TLMIbenefits supplier members is with thetechnical conferences where supplierscan hear the collective voice of theconverter and also share knowledgeand best practices with convertersthat make the day to day operationsrun smoother and more efficient.

Bayzelon: TLMI has a network ofpeople that want to learn and moveforward into the future of the labelbusiness. The different opinions,managing style, technical informationthat can be shared through thatnetwork is a real mine of strategicinformation. I think that it has been of

real help to build our understanding ofthe market and our positioning.

Gillis: The primary value being a TLMImember provides is the opportunity tocreate relationships with convertermembers and learn about new trendsaffecting the industry. The TLMIshoulders a responsibility to continueto offer compelling value for convertersto join and participate in order forsupplier members to optimize investment in the organization.

Schmitz: A common thread holdsmembers of the TLMI together - we areall challenged by an ever-changingmarketplace. We are often faced withdifficult technical issues. Many printersface these issues alone. If you arefortunate to be a TLMI member you canbenefit in many ways. TLMImembership provides a path to learnabout emerging technologies such asBrand Protection and RFID. You will be in the company ofhundreds of industry veterans who haveshaped and defined our industry.Membership offers a constant flow ofinformation regarding the latest trendsin the industry like LeanManufacturing. Hear solutions directlyfrom those who have developed thetechnology. The TLMI offers its membersseveral well-written trade publicationslike the bi-monthly Illuminator and theyearly North American Label Study.Information like this cannot be foundanywhere else in our industry.

TLMI thanks all the participants fortaking time to contribute to thisroundtable feature.


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Since the forum’s inception, TLMI has recognized the importance of having North American converters speakand present at its biannual Technical Conference event. At this year’s TLMI Technical Conference elevenspeakers representing ten converting companies took to the podium to discuss a range of topics including newtechnologies, production efficiency programs and branding strategies. Some highlights of the presentationsdelivered by converters are as follows:

1. During the “Dr., NoDowntime!” session, sessionchair Tom Spina shared withattendees recent strategies hiscompany has incorporated toimprove productionefficiencies and boostprofitability. Spina shared withthe audience anecdotes andrecommendations based uponLuminar’s implementation ofinventory reduction programs,ISO certification, creatingshadow boards press-side,and those lean manufacturingbest practices most relevant totoday’s narrow web convertingoperation. Slide taken from Session: “Dr., No Downtime!”

Presenter: Tim Spina, CEO Luminer Converting Group

2. During his presentation,Brad Elledge shared elementsof Nosco’s lean manufacturingprograms, stressing certainaction items within thoseprograms that led to spikes inoperation efficiencies. As hepointed out at the beginning ofhis presentation, “It’s been adecade now since the PSlabel industry hit the singledigit growth wall… With little todictate pricing, we are left withcontinuously working toimprove our cost position tosalvage our profit margins.”

Slides taken from Session: “Dr., No Downtime!”Presenter: Brad Elledge, Director of Operations, NOSCO


3. Elledge outlined Nosco’sown journey in the leanmanufacturing processdiscussing his company’simplementation measuressuch as set up audits, QCO,run and wash-up audits,continuous improvementdirectives, rejection trackingand the importance ofconducting thorough downtimeanalyses and building viablefeedback loops.

Slide taken from Session: “Dr., No Downtime!”Presenter: Brad Elledge, Director of Operations, NOSCO

4. Jay Luft took the audiencethrough digital analog anddigital thermal plate-making,comparing the two processesby presenting a thorough step-by-step evaluation of eachprocess and its respectivesuitability to today’s narrowweb converting operation. Luftrelayed McDowell’s ownstrategy for determining whichplate material was optimal,including a detailed audit ofinks, stickybacks, platerepeats and substrates used.

Slide taken from Session: “Digital Plate Secrets Revealed”Presenter: Jay Luft, Vice President of Operations, McDowell Label& Screen Printing


All members will have access online to the Technical Conference presentations beginning January 2008

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5. Todd Kennedy shared a casestudy highlighting one of hiscompany’s 2D barcodeapplications. A customer of TheKennedy Group had a multiple-SKU product line with artworkthat looked very similar betweenSKUs. As the application wasfor a food product, correct labelapplication was essential due topotential allergen liability issues.Each package had a front label,and a back nutritional label. TheKennedy Group created a small2D barcode to add to both thefront and back label coded withSKU information. Scannerswere utilized in the packagingline to read the front and backbarcodes immediately followingproduct labeling to ensuresynchronization and correctapplication.

Slide taken from Session: “License to 2D Barcode”Presenter: Todd Kennedy from The Kennedy Group

6. Paul Roux presented thesuccess of his company’simplementation of sleevetechnology. He took theaudience through SyracuseLabel’s sleeve utilizationinitiative including storagefactors, plate mounting, anda visual step-by-step guideof sleeve installation onpress and clean-up. Rouxadditionally evaluated sleeveprint performancecharacteristics, training andoperator acceptance criteria.

Slide taken from Session: “Investment Royale: Sleeve Technology”Presenter: Paul Roux, Vice President of Development, SyracuseLabel Company

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Slide taken from Session: “The Brand with the Golden Gun”Presenter: Lou Thurston, Sr. Label Business DevelopmentManager, Corporate Express Document & Print Management

7. Lou Thurston offered insightsinto brand protection from aconverter’s perspective. Hispresentation touched on issuesincluding cost of entry, thepossibilities in using existingconverting equipment,additional capabilitiesachievable with press add-onsand the investments necessaryin a company’s salesinfrastructure. Thurstonpresented examples of brandprotection case studies found intoday’s consumer marketplace,in addition to discussingbarriers to entry and currentmarket challenges surroundingbrand protection acceptance atthe end-user level.

8. Nick Van Alstine presented ahistorical perspective of hiscompany’s growth in filmicapplications, current growthmarkets for films, and how totroubleshoot through filmconverting issues. Convertingissues that were addressedduring Van Alstine’s presentationinclude ink adhesion, presstension, ink opacity on clearfilms, dust, static, wasteeconomics and on-presslearning curves.

Slide taken from Session: “Profits are Forever: Everything youWanted to Know about Printing Films”Presenter: Nick Van Alstine, President, Macaran Printed Products

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Slide taken from Session: “A View to a Skill: Printed Electronics –Converting Electronics”Presenter: David Uland, Business Development Manager RFID,WS Packaging Group, Inc.

10. During his presentation, BobPernice offered a thoroughdiscussion of the RFID labelconverting industry. He outlinedthe current technical challengesinherent to the RFID labelmanufacturing process inaddition to correspondingsolutions the marketplace willwitness in the short and longer-term. Pernice also discussed thecurrent state of verticalintegration in this sector, backedby case studies and anexploration of those companiesentertaining the verticalintegration approach. He closedhis presentation with a thoroughexamination of emergingapplications within the RFIDlabeling sector, and where theindustry can anticipate the mostwidespread implementation ofthe technology.

Slide taken from Session: “A View to a Skill: Printed Electronics –Converting Electronics”Presenter: Bob Pernice, Director of RFID, Nashua Corporation

9. David Uland presented thecurrent state of RFID technologywithin the narrow web convertingsector. He succinctly describedRFID as “a solution in search ofan application,” citing particularareas where RFID is currentlyactive including Wal-Mart and theUS Department of Defense.Uland additionally provided anoverview of the currentmanufacturing processes involvedwith RFID tag conversion coveringchip, inlet, label, encoding andpre-application components.During the second part of Uland’spresentation, he provided anoverview of the printed electronics(PE) market including types of PEin the marketplace; the currentstate of the market; and thepotential impact of PE on theRFID industry.

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Personal reactions to the TLMI Technical Conference in Chicago from some of the attendees

While attending the TLMI TechnicalConference in Chicago, I realized howimportant these forums are fordeveloping relationships, understandingthe “pulse of the market” andunderstanding necessary technologytrends that we must embrace in ourincreasingly competitive landscape.Having colleagues present the technicalsessions is a true example of all of ussharing our knowledge so that we canall benefit and succeed. For me, thetopics regarding processesimprovement and efficiencies,increasing productivity, and eliminatingwaste really hit home and can beapplied throughout the supply chain,whether you are a material supplier, PSlaminate supplier, converter or end-user.Special thanks to all presenters,organizers, and attendees at thetechnical conference. Job well done!.

John Collins, Vice President SalesFasson Roll North America

The TLMI Technical Conferenceprovided industry attendees a greattime to synchronize technology trendswith printing & converting businesstrends. It was a terrific opportunity forconverting members to engage inmeaningful dialogue about theirrespective needs and opportunities withsupplier members. Of particularimportance to us was the opportunity toshare technology principles about servocontrolled, sleeved printing presses.

Mark S. GillisGlobal Sales Director, Printing &Nonwovens ConvertingPCMC - a Barry-Wehmiller Company

I thought this year’s conference wasgreat and well worth the time. Thesession topics were on point andcurrent, and the ability to hear themfrom the perspective of both convertersand suppliers was really helpful. Weleft the conference with answers tosome of our tougher challenges anduseful information to help plan for thefuture. What’s not to like aboutspending a couple of days listeningand networking with some of the besttalent in our industry.

Nick Van Alstine, PresidentMacaran Printed Products

The Tech conference provided a lot ofinformation in a very efficient manner. We were able to hear about newtechnologies and production methodsfrom industry experts and, mostimportantly, other converters who havereal world experience using them. Itwas a great session for us to attend.

Brian Gale, PresidentID Images

The 2007 TLMI conference was arefreshing educational experience forconverters and suppliers alike. Theparticipation from converters in realworld examples of advancingtechnology was a practical approach tolearning. The dialogue with convertersthroughout the session conveyed highinterest and allowed the participant todraw firm conclusions about futureinvestments.

Paul N. Brauss, PresidentMark Andy

The TLMI Technical Conference inChicago as far as ContinentalDatalabel is concerned, was excellent.This is the first TLMI conference wehave gone to. We joined TLMI a littlereluctantly because in the past it had areputation of junkets, but the Tech 007conference was great. The speakerswere very knowledgeable on thesubjects that were discussed and atthe end of each session there werequestion and answer periods where theattendees could submit questions tothe panel. I have been in the labelbusiness for 32 years and wasimpressed. I definitely will be going tomore of these conferences, and ampresently using some of the informationI had picked up at the last one on ourshop floors.

John Kassal, DirectorContinental Datalabel

This was my first Technical Conferencebut definitely not the last! I was able tobring a couple of my staff along and wewere all impressed by the range andtimeliness of topics and the caliber ofexpert panelists. Based on theinformation we learned we were able toget answers to current questions thatwe had back at the plant and directionon pending projects. That type ofresult is what one hopes for, but rarelygets, with these types of events so Ican’t say ‘thank you’ enough to theorganizers and TLMI for a truly valuableexperience.

Lori Campbell, General ManagerThe Label Printers


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Informal photos taken at the table top reception. All pictures courtesy Label & Narrow Web magazine.

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Matan Digital Printers, a leadingmanufacturer of specialty digitalprinters, has announced that it hasjoined forces with MGI Digital GraphicTechnology to promote Matan’s DigitalSign & Label printing solutions in theFrench market. This businesscollaboration will leverage themarketing, training and support of theMatan SprinG³ in France as well asthroughout the European market.

“By teaming up with Matan, MGI isnow capable of expanding theirbusiness to the narrow screen-printingindustry and offer solution for fast anddurable short-runs of labels, decals,membranes, traffic and other signapplications” says Mrs. Yael Vidal,Regional Sales Manager at Matan. Thefruits of the partnership will bring to theFrench market the benefits of theSprinG3 supported by the MGI know-how. “With the SprinG3, MGIcompletes its offering and answers theprofessionals’ expectations in the labeland signage market. This equipmentperfectly suits our philosophy fordifferentiation and value-addedequipment” ads Victor Abergel, MGIManaging Director.www.matanprinters.com

Toray Plastics(America), Inc.,North America’sonly manufacturerof precision-performance, value-added polypropy-lene and polyesterfilms, announcesthe appointment of

Christopher Voght to the position ofNational Sales Manager, TorayfanDivision. In his new role as NationalSales Manager, Voght will developToray’s polypropylene North Americansales team and grow partnerships withstrategic customers and key accounts.

Prior to his promotion within thecompany Voght was a StrategicAlliances Manager who drove long-termcustomer relationships.

“Chris Voght’s assignment as NationalSales Manager, Torayfan Division,further supports the Toray IndustriesLocalization Program, a global growthstrategy that calls for locally basedmanagement,” explains RickSchloesser, Executive Vice President.“His industry knowledge, expertise,leadership skills, and track recordmake him the ideal candidate to fostercontinued growth in North America.”

Voght began his tenure with TorayPlastics (America), Inc., in 1999 aftergraduating from the University ofMassachusetts in Amherst,Massachusetts, with a B.S. inchemical engineering. He served thecompany as a Process Engineer until2001, quickly rising through the ranksto serve as a product manager from2002 to 2003 and then as a NewProduct Development manager from2003 to 2005. He earned his M.B.A. in2005 from Babson College in Boston,Massachusetts.www.torayfilm.com

Tailored Solutions—developer of theLabel Traxx ™ print businessmanagement software for flexographicnarrow web label printers andconverters— debuted Label Traxxversion 5.1 at Labelexpo Europe. Thelatest version of the software includesa number of entirely new features,including some designed specificallyfor the European market. Keyadditions to Label Traxx version 5.1include:

-Packaging waste is tracked inaccordance with European Unionregulations regarding transitpackaging. Label Traxx 5.1 logs allcores, cartons, liner material, pallets,and other packaging materials used foreach customer, and provides an annualsummary.

Resource LabelGroup, LLC (RLG) hasmerged with Nashville, TN-based Mid-South Graphics, Inc. (MSG). Bothcompanies are to be located at RLG’sheadquarters located in Franklin, TN. Since 1987, RLG has been deliveringlabeling solutions to its customersacross every major end-use marketsegment. The group’s merger with MSGexpands the company’s offerings intothe technology-driven RFID sector.RLG’s CEO, Allen Barnes, comments,“Packaging buyers and consumerpackaged goods companies areexploring technology at such a fastpace, and they’re looking to their labelsuppliers to expand their serviceofferings beyond printed pressuresensitive prime labels. It’s imperativethat label converters grow and changein order to become effective solutionsproviders. The merger with MSGcatapults RLG to the highest level ofapplication engineering expertiseacross narrow web technologies, and aturnkey range of services that will meetour customers’ needs well into thefuture.” Founded in 1957, MSG was a pioneer inthe computerized labeling andapplication industry, and in 1991 thecompany shifted its primary focus tothe production of specialty tags andlabels. MSG entered the RFID arena in2002 and today, RFID applicationsmake up more than 30 percent of thecompany’s total revenues. Mark Davenport, founder of MSG, hasbeen appointed President of Mid-SouthRFID, a newly formed division of RLG.He comments, “I have always viewedRLG as one of the highest quality,customer-driven operations in theindustry and I’m very excited about themerger between our two companies.RLG’s prime label-convertingcapabilities, coupled with MSG’s smartlabel expertise, will present a uniqueopportunity to our customers and to ouremployees.”www.resourcelabel.com

Significant merger European partnership

New sales manager

Software update

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-Enhanced customer relationshipmanagement tools enable Label Traxxversion 5.1 users to import trade showcontacts directly into the program andcompare data with information in theircurrent databases. Duplicate namesare automatically eliminated, andmarketing groups can be defined fortargeted promotions.

-A revised Stock Products module inLabel Traxx version 5.1 produces moreaccurate costing, based on purchaseprice or production costs. The revisedStock Products module handles bothfinished production goods inventory andpurchased items which are resold.Stock inventory can be aged in the newversion. Each product ticketcalculates a gross margin, andshipments are traceable to specificproduction runs.

Discussing the Label Traxxenhancements, Tailored Solutionspresident Ken Meinhardt commented:“Label Traxx software continues toevolve based upon input from hundredsof users around the world. Theimprovements in Label Traxx version5.1 enable flexographic narrow weblabel printers and converters to savetime and money, and respond to theircustomers more efficiently.”

Tailored Solutions provides automatedjob management software for theprinting industry. The company wasformed in 1993 by Ken Meinhardt andDavid Porter, both of whom remainactive in the business. TailoredSolutions offers two versions of itspowerful job tracking software—LabelTraxx™ for flexographic narrow webconverters and printers, and LithoTraxx™ for sheetfed lithographicprinters and prepress trade shops. AllTailored Solutions software is designedfor use on both Macintosh andWindows platforms.www.tailored.com.

Press manufacturer Mark Andyrecently announced a long-termcontract with a multinationalengineering and softwaredevelopment firm based inBangalore, India. As part of itsgrowth and development strategy toserve emerging markets in India andSoutheast Asia, Mark Andy isbuilding a dedicated team ofengineers and softwareprofessionals that will provide theadditional resources to expandproduct line offerings and equipmentcapabilities.

The engineering team will workclosely with Mark Andy’sdistributors in the region (FlexoImage Graphics) to betterunderstand the special needs of theIndian and Asian markets anddesign products for these fast-growing regions. “Mark Andy hasbeen focused on the Indian marketsfor some time and has enjoyedmuch success with Flexo ImageGraphics. Building a strongengineering foundation in this regionwill allow us to provide the rightdesign solutions to support theserapidly growing markets.” said PaulBrauss, CEO of Mark Andy. Typicalprojects will include mechanical andelectrical engineering, softwaredevelopment and engineeringanalysis such as FEA (finiteelement analysis) and CFD(computational fluid dynamics) toensure the highest possible designquality.www.markandy.com

Speaking recently at Labelexpo Europe2007 seminar on ‘Challenging ourbusiness - today’s RFID andenvironmental opportunities’ inBrussels, Belgium, UPM RaflatacPresident Heikki Pikkarainen called forurgent industry collaboration insustainability issues. “Tackling the keychallenges of labelling industry -ensuring that the products come fromsustainable managed forests, reductionof greenhouse gas emissions,

environmentally sound production anddistribution and turning wasteefficiently into a resource - requiresthat the whole industry works together.By combining the efforts of the entirelabelling sector we can make adifference to our industry and ourenvironment.”

Environmental compliance is a matterof rising importance throughout thewhole labelling value chain. UPMRaflatac has recognized theimportance of environmentalmanagement since its foundation in theearly 1970s and has ever since beenan advocate for sustainability issues.The company is constantly looking fornew eco-friendly solutions both in itsoperations and in its product offering.Pikkarainen gave a concrete exampleof a UPM innovation that makes use ofself-adhesive waste. “A new wood-plastic composite manufactured fromself-adhesive waste, UPM ProFi, is agreat example of our eco-friendlyinnovations. We believe that UPMProFi can offer the labelling industry aneasier path to a more environmentallysustainable future.”

Pikkarainen concluded by emphasizingthat the labelling industry should notview environmental responsibility as aburden but rather as an opportunity.“Labelling is the superior method forbranding. Promoting a sustainablefuture represents an opportunity toexcel, innovate and enhance efficiencyin this important business sector.”www.raflatac.com

Sustainability issues

Mark Andy in India

www.tlmi.com

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Rotoflex Tooling (a division of RotoflexInternational) now manufacturesmagnetic cylinders in Canada. “Withthe increased demand for flexible dies,our customers need the shortestpossible lead times. Companies justcan’t wait weeks for a magneticcylinder - they need it yesterday. Wenow manufacture the magneticcylinders in Canada - resulting in fasterservice, reduced downtime, and bettervalue,” says Earl Warren, GeneralManager, Rotoflex Tooling.

WS Packaging Group, Inc. hasexpanded its capabilities to print onfoils, metalized labels, folding cartonstocks, and synthetic stocks such asvinyl, styrene and Lexan with therecent installation of a six-color KomoriLithrone 40 offset press.

The press is now the second Lithrone40 press at the WS Packaging facilityin Oak Creek, Wis. “The addition ofthis press effectively doubles ourcapacity because it’s a twin to ourexisting press,” said Jon Botting,general manager of the Oak Creekplant. “We have 100 percentinterchangeability between pressesnow, which will allow for greaterscheduling flexibility and improved leadtimes.”

The additional Lithrone 40 gives WSPackaging the option to UV coat,which will improve the aesthetic qualityand functionality of folding cartons andlabels, requiring high moisture-resistant coatings.

“The main capability we now have isUV coating and curing,” Botting said.“Printing on foil is a strong positioningpoint, as are applications where wewant to print an opaque white basecoator color with an ink dry-trapped overthe top. We can also use it to printproducts such as phone cards, staticclings, and dangler materials, all ofwhich are normally printed on a widevariety of synthetic materials.”

All of these capabilities combine tocomplement WS Packaging’sPromoPrism™ flexo capabilities,allowing production of sheet-fedapplications for prismatic foldingcartons. Some early applications thecompany has executed include foldingcartons for nutritional supplementpackaging and cut-and-stack for thepaint industry. Conventional printing onpaper and board stocks with the addedcapability to add high-gloss UV coatingoffers a real value-add to cartons,labels, brochure covers, and other

paper-based printed promotionalmaterials that need to really stand out.

The group has also announced plans torelocate its world headquartersoperations to a new facility in GreenBay, Wis. The company expects tobreak ground on the new $4 millionfacility in September.

“As we’ve expanded operationsthroughout North America over the pastfew years, our Algoma facility hascontinued to serve as the corporateheadquarters, in addition to being ourlargest manufacturing plant,” said TerryFulwiler, CEO of WS Packaging.“We’ve now reached the point wherewe have run out of office space inAlgoma. We’re truly excited to be thefirst company to locate our offices toGreen Bay’s University HeightsBusiness Park.”

The new headquarters facility will belocated on 5.7 acres. UniversityHeights is Green Bay’s newest 1,000-acre business park and is located off ofHighway 54/57 on the city’s eastside. The projected $4-million project will bethe first within this new businessgrowth corridor.

“WS Packaging Group is a solidcompany with a great future,” said JimSchmitt, Green Bay mayor. “Acompany of their caliber is a greatasset for the greater Green Bay Area.In a competitive national market, it’simperative that we keep our nationalcompanies located right here inWisconsin.”www.wspackaging.com

Oji Paper, today announced theexecution of a long term StrategicBusiness Agreement (SBA) withVotorantim Celulose e Papel S.A.(VCP). The agreement will allow VCPto further it’s offering of thermal papertechnologies in Brazil and the region ofLatin America, while allowing Oji toexpand its worldwide presence as themarket leader in thermal technology.

Through the execution of the SBA,VCP will now be able to draw on thetechnologies of Oji as well as theirglobal subsidiaries including thetechnology of Kanzaki SpecialtyPapers, Inc, (KSP) KanzanSpezialpapiere GmbH (Kanzan) and OjiPaper (Thailand) Ltd. (OPT).

Going forward, VCP will be prepared tomeet the growing demands of anexpanding market by drawing on thetechnological prowess of Oji Paperglobally. This agreement will allow forbenefits for both parties and will furtherenhance the relationship between thetwo companies. www.kanzakiusa.com

“Magnetic cylinders fit easily intoexisting die stations - providing a cost-effective alternative to solid diereplacement. Using strong magnetsthat are strategically placed around thecircumference of the cylinder, a flexiblemagnetic die (or plate) can be used todie cut various substrates. Thistechnique saves not just set-up time,but also saves money as a flexibleplate is less expensive than a solidrotary die and can be producedquickly,” continues Warren.Rotoflex Tooling has beenmanufacturing various rotary cuttingdies, die stations and printing cylindersfor over 30 years.www.rotoflextooling.com

News from WS Packaging

Rotoflex in Canada

Paper agreement


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Martin Automatic Inc announces theretirement of Allen Trent, Southeastern(U.S.) Sales Consultant. Allen’s careerwith Martin spanned nearly 24 years,starting as a midwestern regionalsalesperson in 1983. In the mid-1980s,building on his experience with theBobst group, Allen was instrumental inhelping move Martin further into gravure,flexo and converting markets.

Martin has also announced that CraigThomson will take on responsibilitiesas Southern U.S. Regional Manager.Craig has been with Martin since 1989in inside sales, regional sales andmarketing roles, and he has been aregional manager for more than 12years.www.martinautomatic.com

\

This summer, HarperGraphicSolutions™, the technicalservice arm of global anilox supplierHarper Corporation of America,wrapped up the most successful andwell attended Harper FlexographicSolutions Tour in its history.

At six one-day events, 471 flexoindustry professionals attended freeeducational symposiums where HarperGraphicSolutions™ staff and co-suppliers presented troubleshootingguidance on their specific fields,ranging from inks to platemaking,prepress, anilox issues, and othertopics. The addition of industry-relatedco-suppliers expanded the range ofsubjects covered at each event. Theaverage attendance at eachpresentation was 79 people, whichbreaks last year’s record of an averageof 72.

The reaction from attendees revealsthat once again they found theseseminars valuable sources ofcontinuing education. Feedback from aguest who attended in Atlanta on June21 is typical, “You guys did a great jobas always, thank you for the invite!Hope to come again next year.”

Another Atlanta attendee commented,“It was all great. I picked up very usefulknowledge.”

A participant from Pennsylvania wrote,“Thanks for another great road show,and a great program. I learned usefulinformation and enjoyed attending. Itwas very informative.”

The professionals at HarperGraphicSolutions™ enjoy thisopportunity to share the latestdevelopments in print quality and pressefficiency, and they are especiallygrateful to the co-suppliers who addtheir specialized expertise.

“The co-suppliers who join us for theroad shows add a very valuabledimension to these seminars,” saidAlexander James, HarperGraphicSolutions™ Technical GraphicsManager. “We really appreciate theirhard work.”

“We are pleased to provide this forumthat meets our corporate agenda ofproviding the latest technology andexpertise from many perspectives,”said Sean Teufler, Technical GraphicsAdvisor at Harper GraphicSolutions™.“We want to sincerely thank everyoneinvolved for all of the sponsor andattendee participation.”

Bill Poulson, also a Technical GraphicsAdvisor at Harper GraphicSolutions™,added, “We thank everyone who hasattended our flexo solutions tours inthe past, and look forward to seeingmore people attend in the future. Weencourage attendees to communicatewith their Harper representative withfeedback, because we’re always opento input for future program agendas.We’re already looking forward toputting together another solutions tourfor next year!”www.harperimage.com

The TLMI ILLUMINATOR ispublished bimonthly by theTag and Label ManufacturersInstitute, Inc.

Suite 295, 40 Shuman Blvd.,Naperville, IL 60563.Telephone: 630-357-9222www.tlmi.comAll rights reserved. © 2007.

Frank SablonePresident

Karen PlanzOffice ManagerKaren JacksonMeeting Planner

Laurie McComasSecretary/Receptionist

Jennifer Dochstader, LPC Inc.Editor

Please note: Information in theproduct news section is basedon statements provided byvendors or trade publications.Publication in the ILLUMINATORdoes not constitute endorsementor recommendation by TLMI.

Calendar of Events

2007 TLMI Annual MeetingOctober 21 – 24, 2007The Fairmont Orchid, HawaiiThe Kohala Coast, HI.................................2008 TLMI Converter MeetingMarch 5 – 9, 2008The Marquis Los CabosLos Cabos, Mexico.................................2008 TLMI Annual MeetingOctober 19 – 22, 2008The BreakersPalm Beach, FL

Harper on tour

Changes at Martin Automatic

Documents

MayJune 2007 Illuminatorstatic.webfulfillment.com/tlmi/blogs.dir/31/files/... · profitable niche markets and have become less dependent upon their traditional commodity business