Supplier News - June 2013

DuPont Announces Packaging Awards

WILMINGTON, DEL.—DuPont celebrated the silver anniversary of its global packaging awards program in May, granting top honors to U.K.-based design firm pi 3 for AidPod, which delivers life-saving medicine to remote sub-Saharan villages. This unique packaging and distribution program captured the premier Diamond and the Special 25th Anniversary 'Food Security' award.

AidPod was developed by pi 3 for ColaLife, an independent non-profit organization that leverages The Coca-Cola Company distribution network to get medicines and instructions to remote areas. The AidPod is a self-contained anti-diarrheal kit that tucks between bottles in Coca-Cola crates. This generation of AidPod has evolved to become part of the kit itself, serving as both a single, measured dose mixing and drinking vessel.

"Twenty-five years ago we saw the DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation program as an opportunity to connect with this vibrant industry and to champion collaboration as a critical component in innovation," said William J. Harvey, president, DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers. "Twenty-five years later—as we look back at breakthrough winners and celebrate this year's winners—it's clear that collaboration remains central to bringing innovation to market."

For a full list of winning entries in this year's contest, visit www.packageprinting.com.

EskoWorld 2013

PHOENIX, ARIZ.—EskoWorld 2013, an annual conference that brings together users and company representatives to discuss everything Esko, enjoyed a vibrant four days of working sessions and networking opportunities for more than 600 attendees. In addition to a conference highlight honoring the retiring Simon James (see p. 36), Esko spotlighted its recently released Full HD Flexo for flexible packaging, along with the introduction of its Suite 12.1 workflow automation enhancements and the worldwide availability of ArtiosCAD Enterprise.

According to Jürgen Andresen, Esko VP flexo business, its customers have been asking for the benefits of HD Flexo combined with a gravure-like ink laydown and a fully digitally controlled platemaking workflow, and this, he says, is what Full HD Flexo provides. "Our unique, patented technology stretches the possibilities of flexo printing, allowing it to perfectly match gravure and offset quality for flexible packaging," he says.

Esko Suite 12.1 offers automation beyond typical prepress tasks to further streamline workflow throughout the entire packaging and print production supply chain. Enhancements include: standard template workflows; integration with on-press visual inspection systems; CombiPress Support for different printing processes; and more. "By extending our capabilities beyond traditional prepress tasks, Suite 12.1 brings unsurpassed value to service providers, converters, and printers alike," says Bernard Zwaenepoel, senior VP software for Esko.

With ArtiosCAD Enterprise, all assets are stored in a centralized, private corporate database in the cloud. The Enterprise Database Server, powered by WebCenter, enables on-line collaboration between design groups, CAD and graphic designers, suppliers, brand owners, and production. The ArtiosCAD Enterprise client enriches WebCenter projects with all the CAD-specific metadata, like geometry and materials, so that all details about the packaging project are captured and managed from beginning to end.

A&V Acquires The Provident Group

BRYAN, OHIO—Anderson & Vreeland (A&V) has acquired The Provident Group, a manufacturer and distributor of innovative solutions for the flexographic printing industry. The acquisition is part of A&V's ongoing effort to provide continuous improvement in product offering, service, and support for its North American customers.

"Provident Group's technical expertise and patented innovation in the doctor blade and end seal field allows us to better serve customers throughout North America in one bold move," noted Howard Vreeland, Jr., chairman of the board for A&V. "Our customers will benefit from an expanded manufacturing footprint, talent pool, and knowledge base."

"Anderson & Vreeland's acquisition of The Provident Group represents a win-win for both our organizations and, more importantly, for our customers," relayed David Allen, co-founder of The Provident Group.

New Specialty Coating

DELRAN, N.J.—ACTEGA Kelstar, a manufacturer of specialty coatings and chemicals, has released its new specialty coating, UV Soft Touch, for the packaging and commercial markets.

The one-part system provides no risk of improper mixing compared to current two-part systems; improved quality control management; and higher product yield, as there is no leftover that is common with two-part systems. Compared to aqueous or current UV Soft Touch coatings in the marketplace, ACTEGA Kelstar's UV Soft Touch offers superior resistance to scuffing and abrasion when exposed to elements commonly seen in the packaging and commercial industry. In addition, the coating has a 6-12 month shelf-life.

PEOPLE

On the occasion of his retirement, Esko honored Simon James for his contribution to Esko and to the packaging industry as a whole. James was one of the founders of ArtiosCAD, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary and has become the leading structural design software for various types of packaging and displays. Having sold his company, Artios, to Barco in 1998, he held a variety of leadership positions with Barco and later Esko. "For many years Simon has been instrumental in the growth and strategic development of Esko, and the company has very much to thank him for," notes Carsten Knudsen, Esko CEO and president. "Also his influence in the packaging industry cannot be underestimated. We are grateful that we had the honor to work with Simon, and will miss his unique insights and warm friendship."

The Channeled Resources Group Board of Directors has elected Cindy White to the position of president and chief executive officer. She previously served as president. Calvin Frost assumes the role of chairman.

Harper Corporation of America announced that Robbie King has accepted the position of narrow web national sales manager.

Nazdar has appointed Richard Bowles as president of Nazdar Ink Technologies. In this role, he will develop overall strategies to achieve objectives for growth and profitability.

Nick Lombardi recently joined Granwell Products as director of sales and marketing. He is responsible for developing sales strategies and new distribution channels for growth in the commercial print, packaging, and label markets.

The Board of Directors of INX International Ink Co. has approved the appointments of three new vice presidents to the executive team. Michael Brice is now the VP of offset operations for the facilities at Dunkirk, N.Y. and West Chicago, Ill. Bill Giczkowski is VP of information technology, and James Kochanny is VP of liquid operations for the facilities located in Appleton, Wis., Homewood, Ill., and the Mason Avenue operation in Chicago.

Davis-Standard, LLC announced the promotion of Frank Orsini to VP, extrusion coating systems. In addition, William Mills has joined the company as VP of sales for North America. He will be responsible for leading the North American sales team for equipment sales across all Davis-Standard product lines.

Gerber Innovations (GI) has appointed Francisco Solé as international sales director. He is responsible for further developing GI's Latin American market and breaking new ground with companies in Europe and the Middle East.

Gary Edwards has been named CEO of Webex, Inc. He will drive the company's growth initiatives through investment in innovative technology, add-on acquisitions, and strategic resource deployment.

Barry-Wehmiller Group has appointed Jeffrey D. Giles to the newly-created position of director of corporate development. His role is to increase the Group's engagement in platform acquisition activities.

Fernando Tavara has been named president of Sun Chemical Latin America. In this role, he will be responsible for all of Sun Chemical's Central and South American and Caribbean ink business.

Dymax Corporation has appointed Margo Martin to the position of global account manager. In this role, she will focus on supporting the needs of several key global accounts. In addition, Marufur Rahim has been named R&D manager and will manage the R&D Adhesives Laboratory, oversee manufacturing support, and establish new product development programs and objectives.

Meech International has hired Kieran Byrne as sales engineer, responsible for providing technical support and maintaining relationships with customers across the Midlands, northern England, and Wales.

manroland Inc. announced the expansion of its Western Region support with the appointment of Bill Fisher as a dedicated PRINTVALUE consultant.

Inca Digital has appointed Dr. John Mills as chief executive officer. pP