Business Management - Industry Trends

The tag and label industry continues on a steady path of change. It wasn’t too long ago that primary product labeling meant one of two decoration formats—pressure-sensitive or glue-applied paper labels. But with major inroads being made by film materials and competition from other product decoration methods, tag and label printers find themselves dealing with a multitude of challenges and opportunities. Corey Reardon, president and CEO of AWA Alexander Watson Associates, acknowledges the changing landscape of the tag and label industry. “Product decoration and identification has become a much broader platform in recent years, with the two macro technologies—pressure-sensitive and wet glue labels—now

There’s a lot of the action in the package-printing industry coming from the flexible packaging sector. You can’t go into a supermarket these days and not see some new packaging configuration for products that previously had been packaged in a different form—tuna fish in a flat pouch, drinks in stand-up pouches, frozen foods in plastic bags—just to mention a few. From a printing and converting standpoint, even some of the more trendy labeling applications require press and converting capabilities geared toward the processing of flexible, unsupported materials. These include shrink sleeve labeling, in-mold labeling, and even pressure-sensitive film labels. It is not surprising

Pressure-sensitive materials have staying power. Because of the many functional and decorative possibilities pressure-sensitive materials offer to meet consumer demand, it should not come as a surprise that most converters are heavily involved in the conversion of these substrates. While the food segment makes up a majority (almost 20 percent) of the pressure-sensitive market, beverage labeling—with an emphasis on clear film labels—accounts for 15.6 percent, according to the Tag and Label Manufacturers Institutes’s (TLMI) North American Label Study 2007. And, with more concern directed toward brand protection in recent years, there has also been a growing need for tamper-evident labels, according to the study.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Ill.—MPI Label Systems was recently recognized by Berry Plastics as the first Berry Exceptional Supplier Team (B.E.S.T.) award recipient in the labels division. The award is a result of MPI’s outstanding product quality, continuous on-time delivery and cost-saving ideas. “Being nominated as a “BEST” supplier was quite an honor,” said John Holley, MPI Illinois general manager. “Our employees work hard to meet and exceed the quality expectations that all our customers have. To be showcased like this means our hard work is paying off.” MPI was presented with a trophy for excellence at a dinner provided by Berry. Randy Kocher, MPI president,

NAPERVILLE, Ill.—Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute (TLMI) announces the publication of the 2007 edition of the North American Label Study (NALS). NALS 2007 provides an up-to-date overview of the pressure-sensitive label and product decoration market. The study gives TLMI member companies—both converters and suppliers—access to market data and analysis to facilitate decision making in areas that may be critical to future business growth and profitability. TLMI President Frank Sablone comments, “Our members need and value the regular update that our NALS study—now in its sixth edition—provides.” The NALS 2007 delivers an assessment of the market structure for pressure-sensitive labels and other labeling and product

GRAHAM, N.C.—Acucote announced receipt of its Class III security certification by the North American Security Products Organization (NASPO), the first such certification granted by NASPO. In having completed NASPO’s stringent certification program, Acucote is positioned to offer its clients highly secure and confidential brand protection solutions. NASPO was created and is organized to certify security products organizations through identification of best practices in the security field. Certification by NASPO indicates that Acucote has met the specific ANSI-approved standards set forth by NASPO for the manufacture and supply of brand protection label solutions.

STEVENS POINT, Wis.—Stora Enso Speciality Papers announced the launch of EcoSet, a new, wet-strength label paper, specifically designed to meet the rising market demand for water bottles made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a recyclable synthetic fiber. EcoSet, which has been tested throughout all facets of water bottle label production, offers label performance with the sustainable packaging advantages of paper. Stora Enso initiated development of EcoSet label paper in response to growing demand by brand owners in North America to purchase locally produced PET water bottle label paper that would offer an economical and ecological alternative to current label substrates. EcoSet is produced at Stora

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Hammer Packaging received a Silver Award for Management Excellence in the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL) 2006 Management Plus Awards Program. The NAPL is a not-for-profit trade association representing companies in the graphic communications industry and dedicated to excellence in graphic communications management. Management Plus entrants are asked to conduct an analysis of specific areas of their operations and are judged on how they perform against industry standards in nine key areas: internal control systems; financial performance; marketing/sales plan; business planning; human resources; environmental/safety concerns; quality control; community/industry affairs; and vendor relations. “Management Plus award winners are the kinds of organizations that

NAPERVILLE, Ill.—Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute (TLMI) announces the publication of the 2007 edition of the North American Label Study(NALS). The NALS 2007 provides an up-to-date overview of the pressure-sensitive label and product decoration market. The study gives TLMI member companies—both converters and their suppliers—access to market data and analysis to facilitate decision making in areas that may be critical to future business growth and profitability. TLMI President Frank Sablone comments, “Our members need and value the regular update that our NALS study—now in its sixth edition—provides.” The NALS 2007 delivers an assessment of the market structure for pressure-sensitive labels and other labeling

LECCO, Italy—Omet launched its Omet India subsidiary, based in Bangalore, at the recently held India Label exhibition. The move follows a rapid growth in the demand for flexo-printed packaging from an area where industrialization is occurring on a major scale. This economic development, which is raising living standards, has caught the attention of the multi-national brand owners, who are keen to be first to the market with their products, and at the same time preserve their global quality standards. One such company is Wal-Mart, which has identified India, and its growth potential, as an area for investment. India already has a strong tradition of