ALPS & IPAMA join hands for first ever focussed “Label Zone” at Print Pack India

The Indian printing and packaging industry has gained momentum and the entire industry seems to be in acceleration mode. The industry has a huge potential to grow, as there is a big gap in export and import figures. The Print Pack team for its next edition of PrintPack India to be held at India Expo Centre, Greater Noida, from 1 to 6 February 2019 is all set to tap into the same. 

To add to this focus, the 14th edition of Print Pack India series has joined hands with the Association of Label Printers & Suppliers (ALPS) to organize a first-ever grand Label Zone within PrintPack India exhibition. The Label Zone will focus on exhibiting printers, converters and suppliers from the Label Industry. An MOU has been signed with IPAMA on this accord and for the first time, visitors at Print Pack India will be able to witness the entire label stakeholders at one place. This will espsecially help the existing offset, commercial and packaging printers who wish to diversify into label production to understand and compare between their existing process and label production.

Mr. Gururaj Ballarwad, President-ALPS said” The entire management of ALPS is working very hard to promote the label industry in India. We have already done seminars and get together parties for the Label Industry in 2017 which will continue throughout 2018. In addition, we wanted to align with a show which brings new opportunities for all key stakeholders of label fraternity. Looking at brand value & number of visitors at “Print Pack India”, our management has decided to join hands with IPAMA.”

Mr. Ajay Agarwal (VP) & Mr Arunesh Bansal (Secretary) added” We have initially reserved an area of 2000 sq. meters to create this Label Zone. The whole focus will be to give exhibition spaces to our existing and future members who are all key stakeholders of the Label Industry. We will bring value to our members and the Label Fraternity overall by not only providing them a focussed service area, but also create common shared services which will ensure their participation at Printpack is more productive and beneficial. Existing commercial & Packaging printers and members of IPAMA who wish to diversify in to Label production will also be able to visit our focussed Zone and understand the entire Label production process quicker.”

The biggest printing, packaging and allied industries related event in India, PrintPack India is a big event and often compared to the world-class printing expo Drupa. The main theme of this exhibition is aligning the entire printing & packaging industry in one place. Throughout the Print Pack India journey, IPAMA has focussed on promoting In-Press, Post press, finishing, converting, and digital, signage and packaging machines etc.

CBX Experts: Diet Coke's new packaging and flavors are a gamble worth taking

Diet Coke is undergoing its biggest changes in decades. But as veteran branding experts at CBX see it, the refreshed look and new flavors are unlikely to trigger a backlash along the lines of Tropicana's quickly scrapped packaging fail of 2009 or the "New Coke" launch of 1985.

Even when it comes to an iconic brand like Diet Coke, today's consumers are more receptive to change, in part because they so value variety, adventurism and the perception of healthier ingredients and lifestyles, write CBX's Dustin Longstreth, Chief Marketing & Chief Strategy Officer, and Satoru Wakeshima, Chief Engagement Officer, in a new post at CBX.com.

The changes to the family of America's largest low-calorie soft drink include the introduction of four new flavors - Ginger Lime, Feisty Cherry, Zesty Blood Orange and Twisted Mango - as well as a slimmer can with more refined fonts and an emphasis on Diet Coke's iconic silver color. Diet Coke Classic will remain unchanged.

As Longstreth and Wakeshima note in the post, today's younger consumers yearn for variety, which the Coca-Cola Co. has clearly recognized in its new approach to Diet Coke. "Their strategy is flavor-driven, and their goal is to get people to see variety," Wakeshima writes in the Q&A-style post, noting that the new look is "smart, easy to shop and clearly communicates something new from Diet Coke."

The Coca-Cola Co., he adds, aims to give consumers as many ways to enter its Coke franchise as possible, via different sizes as well as products like Diet, Cane Sugar, Classic and Zero. "And now they're doing it again through flavor," Wakeshima writes.

Longstreth, meanwhile, writes that younger consumers often are suspicious of soft drinks and tend to see diet soda as both "old" and processed. These consumers are already able to find more interesting and adventurous flavors in categories ranging from carbonated water, to chewing gum, potato chips and hamburgers. "People are looking for more bold and unique flavor experiences," Longstreth notes.

As a result, the company's changes to Diet Coke may not amount to as large a risk as some might suspect. Indeed, write the branding veterans, the carbonated soft drink category has been troubled for quite some time and could benefit from bold moves. "I wouldn't be surprised if we saw more new flavors in the next year," Wakeshima writes.

Many of today's leadership brands have an opportunity to "flex their equities and be less precious with them," Longstreth notes. However, he cautions, those changes should pay respect to what people love about these brands.

In making the new Diet Coke available in multiple flavors and colors as well as both slim and standard 12-ounce cans, the Coca-Cola Co. clearly has made a sincere investment in the brand, Wakeshima writes. In today's era of online grocery shopping via mobile device, these efforts could yield other dividends as well. "The fact that they chose a simple, color-banded package design signals that the Coca-Cola Co. is also considering how Diet Coke could appear in small-format, digital presentations like on a mobile device," he concludes. "This is something they didn't even think about when the brand was first launched in 1982."

Mark Andy appoints Chris Yanko as Digital Sales Director

In response to an increase in demand for digital technology, leading OEM for the label and packaging market, Mark Andy, has expanded its’ sales leadership channel in North America. Industry veteran, Chris Yanko, will serve as Digital Sales Director. Focusing on Mark Andy’s digital hybrid portfolio, Yanko will support sales development and market education to further the company’s mission as a Total Solutions Partner to the print market.

The addition of this role comes in the wake of a record-setting 2017 for the press manufacturer, who reports over 80 hybrid press installations in the last 12 months. “We are extremely pleased that Chris has agreed to join our digital sales organization. He has a solid reputation as an industry expert, speaker and thought-leader in optimizing workflows for digital printing,” explains Steve Schulte, VP Sales and Marketing. “As we continue to grow, he will prove to be a strategic addition to the team, helping us move digital hybrid printing and the Mark Andy brand into the future.” 

Yanko comes to Mark Andy with over 30 years of industry experience and expertise in prepress production and management. These skills come in the in the form of several leadership roles, at the director and VP level, focusing his efforts in marketing and sales management roles. His knowledge has been instrumental in identifying complex digital production outcomes for customers across the United States and Canada and is often called on to speak at industry events across the country.

Speaking on his future with Mark Andy, Yanko states, “I have a passion for this business, and cherish the relationships I have built with customers and colleagues over the years. This is certainly an exciting time in our industry, and I am thrilled to be joining Mark Andy. The company’s latest hybrid printing technology is unique to the market and offers a compelling opportunity for me to take my contributions to the next level. I believe in the mission Mark Andy embodies and look forward to supporting its continued innovations and impact in the label and packaging industry.”

Paper & cardboard packaging comes out on top for environmental-friendliness in new consumer survey

In the midst of heated discussions about packaging, avoidable plastic waste and a move towards a circular economy, a snap poll, conducted by Two Sides and international research agency Toluna, has revealed a strong preference for paper & cardboard packaging amongst UK consumers.

A nationally-representative survey of 500 UK adults found paper & cardboard to be the most preferred packaging material for environmental-friendliness, recyclability and practicality.

Respondents were asked which packaging material (glass, metal, paper & cardboard, or plastic) they prefer based on a number of different reasons. Paper & cardboard received the highest score for being; better for the environment and easier to recycle and, in terms of practicality, easier to open and close, easier to store, lighter weight, more practical, and safer to use.

Consumers also appreciate paper & cardboard packaging’s unique environmental qualities:

• 78% like paper & cardboard packaging because it is biodegradable
• 73% believe paper & cardboard packaging makes good use of recycled materials
• 64% like paper & cardboard packaging because it is made from renewable wood fibre

Martyn Eustace, Managing Director of Two Sides, says; “In the current packaging climate, it is great to see paper & cardboard packaging recognised by consumers for its excellent environmental attributes. Not only does paper & cardboard packaging have an exceptionally high utilisation rate of recycled fibres, it is also the most recycled packaging material in Europe, at 83%. Consumers can also be confident knowing that European forests, which provide much of the virgin fibre used for making paper & cardboard packaging, have grown by an area the size of Switzerland in just 10 years – that’s equivalent to over 1,500 football pitches every day!”

The survey also revealed significant consumer concerns about packaging in general. 85% believe packaging is a significant source of litter, 84% believe over-packaging is a problem, and 71% believe packaging is bad for the environment. Coffee cups, plastic bottles, chocolate bar wrappers, crisp packets and take-away packaging were all perceived to be the most significant causes litter.

Paper & cardboard packaging is durable, renewable and recyclable and will be an essential material as we move towards a regenerative, circular economy, as outlined in the UK Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan.

Opportunities, Challenges and Celebrations! Finat’s 2018 agenda

This year’s calendar of events and supporting activities offered by the international association for the label and sleeve markets, Finat, is a full one. It reflects, and addresses, the complex and ever-changing opportunities and challenges in the overall world of packaging today for the benefit of the Finat membership which, in itself, is a diverse web of companies, from raw material suppliers through inks, printing and application machinery, to converters and contract packers.

Tackling the technical challenges

First on this year’s agenda of international events is the Finat Technical Seminar – a two-yearly event which attracts high attendances for its astute combination of all the key elements of commercial label production today. Taking place in Barcelona on 7-9 March, this year’s seminar addresses a broad range of topics for printers and converters. Setting the context, keynote speaker Andy Hobsbawm, founder of smart products platform Evrythng, will provide a leading-edge insight into the IoT, and how ‘smart’ products transform brand relationships, business operations, and service experiences.

The programme will go on to address choosing an MIS supplier; the digital print technologies – both stand-alone and in combination with flexo; workflow automation; inks and decoration techniques; and facestocks and finishing. As well as the formal presentations, the seminar will feature parallel troubleshooting workshops where participants can address two arenas of current technical focus and relevance: the flexible packaging and sleeving technologies, and multi-layer, peel-and-reveal label constructions. The event’s accompanying tabletop exhibition and social programme also, of course, offer exceptional opportunities for networking across the extended label industry value chain.

European Label Forum

Finat’s annual industry event, the European Label Forum, travels this year to Dublin, Ireland, 6-8 June. As in previous years, the program covers a range of issues relevant to the European labels and narrow web packaging industry. Topics on this year’s agenda include the European label industry after Brexit, diversification of the labels and narrow web industry, intelligent packaging, talent development, total cost of ownership of the different printing technologies, the state of affairs in digital label printing, the latest innovations in brand protection, online marketing of your company, as well as the impact of upcoming legislation in food compliant packaging as well as serialization and tamper evidence. Keynote speakers confirmed include TV commentator and spokesman of former British PM Tony Blair, Alastair Campbell, founder of XYZ University, author and expert on inter-generational issues in companies Sarah Sladek, and Professor Noreena Hertz, author, visionary economist, decision-making guru and author with an impressive track record in predicting global trends.

Finat International Label Competition

The ELF also provides the platform for the prize presentations in the 2018 Finat International Label Competition. This long-established and prestigious competition – now accepting entries, but closing 23 March features a number of technical and marketing/end use categories. For the first time this year, it includes flexible packaging – since it is now an additional option offered by many label converters. The competition creates a ‘shop window’ of the label industry, and brings recognition and international press coverage for winning companies.

Succession planning

A third live event on the Finat calendar takes place on 5-7 September in Bucharest, Romania: the Finat Global Young Managers’ Congress 2018. This creative Finat initiative represents an opportunity for younger-generation print managers across the globe – whether Finat members or not – to come together to focus on management skills development in the fast-moving packaging print arena, where a continuing flow of new-generation expertise is essential for the industry’s future.

Technical webinars

Throughout the year, Finat will host a programme of free-to-attend webinars for members, focussed on technical and recycling matters. Scheduled subjects include intelligent packaging, self-adhesive label dispensing, and RecyClass – the recyclability tool for plastic packaging offered by Plastic Recyclers Europe. One of the subjects covered is the circular economy strategy for plastics, being one of the major substrates for labels, with a webinar dedicated to the general recycling strategy, followed by more detailed webinars on best practices for packaging and label design, and new label marker technologies for better polymer sorint at the recyclers.

On the Finat Radar

The association’s website is also home to in-depth market research, published twice a year for the benefit of members in the Finat Radar. The summer 2018 edition will feature detailed statistics on the European labelling industry, and the year-end edition will focus on brand owners.

Celebrations!

Confirmation of the high levels of service Finat has provided to its members is the fact that the association will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in November 2018. Officially established in 1958, Finat represents unique historical documentation of the self-adhesive label industry from its inception, and is now supporting, and promoting that industry’s ever-widening profile in the world of packaging. 

Its time to reach out to the Indian Label industry

Logopak demonstrates efficient labelling with custom-sized consumables at LogiMAT 2018

Logopak labels are used in a wide range of industrial applications. At this year’s LogiMAT (Stuttgart, Germany, 13-15 March, Hall 6, F21), the manufacturer will display its extensive portfolio in an on-site production of consumables. In addition, Logopak is going to be an official partner of AIM at the “Tracking & Tracing Theatre”.

Logopak manufactures all common types of paper labels (thermal transfer, direct thermal) and plastic labels. In addition, the manufacturer has recently invested in production facilities for decorative labels. Besides standard formats custom sizes as well as large formats up to A3 are available. The consumables are used for labelling product packaging for the point of sale (primary labelling), group packaging or containers (secondary labelling) as well as carriers, such as pallets (tertiary labelling). Logopak’s vast product range also includes smart labels and tags for RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification).

At LogiMAT, Logopak will be an official partner of the “Tracking & Tracing Theatre” hosted by the industrial association AIM (Hall 4, F05). The Auto-ID-Live-Scenario for simulating process flows will display the entire logistics value chain from procurement logistics and intralogistics to production and outbound logistics. In consecutive steps it will show how moving objects can be tracked and traced via Auto-ID technologies, such as RFID, barcode, 2D code, RTLS (Real-Time Locating Systems) as well as sensors. Logopak will participate in the “Tracking & Tracing Theatre” with a labeller for barcodes and RFID via smart labels.

Headquartered in Hartenholm near Hamburg, Germany, Logopak Systeme GmbH & Co. KG is a leading manufacturer of logistically integrated labelling systems, labelling software as well as barcode and industrial printers. In addition, Logopak offers the ideal consumables for direct and indirect labelling of a large variety of product and packaging types. The portfolio ranges from blank labels to decorative labels for customised solutions as well as the corresponding transfer ribbons. Represented worldwide through nine corporate locations as well as sales and service branches, Logopak provides extensive experience for a wide range of applications. Both standard machines and custom solutions are developed in-house and manufactured in Germany. The operator-friendly systems are easily installed and simple to maintain.

Top-level management change at Romaco Holding GmbH: Jörg Pieper appointed new CEO

Jörg Pieper has just been appointed new CEO of Romaco with immediate effect by the Advisory Board of Romaco Holding GmbH. Truking Investment Co., Ltd, based in Changsha (China), acquired a majority interest in Romaco at the beginning of July 2017.

Jörg Pieper (55) has just been appointed new CEO of Romaco Holding GmbH, which has its headquarters in Karlsruhe (Germany), with immediate effect. He directly succeeds Paulo Alexandre, who has left the company. The Advisory Board would like to thank Mr. Alexandre for his contribution to the firm’s expansion during the last six years.

Jörg Pieper joined Romaco Holding GmbH in 2011. As Vice President Customer Service, he was initially responsible for establishing customer service throughout the Group. In 2013, he transferred to Romaco Kilian GmbH as Managing Director, playing a major part in the tablet press manufacturer’s success story. Prior to his arrival at Romaco, Mr. Pieper held various top-level management positions at European and American corporations in the component industry and the machine building sector.

The Karlsruhe (Germany) based Romaco Group is currently undergoing a strategic realignment following the acquisition of a majority interest by the Chinese Truking Investment Co., Ltd at the beginning of July 2017. “Jörg Pieper, Romaco’s new CEO, is a proven industry expert with an in-depth knowledge of Asia”, emphasized Yue Tang, Truking Chairman. “With him at the helm, the company will have a chance to concentrate on its core competencies and systematically strengthen the innovation capability of its seven brands.”

In his role as CEO of the Romaco Group, Mr. Pieper will be in overall charge of Sales & Customer Service, Product Management, Marketing and International Strategy Development. “We are aiming to give an entirely new meaning to the term ‘close to the customer’ and to simultaneously strengthen our service mentality”, said Mr. Pieper, CEO Romaco Group. “In the future, it will be particularly important to anticipate the needs of our customers worldwide, to enable us to respond promptly and flexibly to changing market requirements.” Carsten Strenger will remain CFO/COO of Romaco Holding GmbH with responsibility for Finance and Operations.

Romaco is a leading global supplier of Processing and Packaging equipment, predominantly for the pharmaceutical industry. Divided into three business areas, Processing, Tableting and Packaging, the company develops engineered system solutions for the pharmaceutical market, but also supplies the cosmetics, food and chemical markets. 

Print 18 - A new strategy revitalizes signature printing industry event

The Association for Print Technologies (formerly NPES)—exclusive producer of the annual event for the graphic communications industry - has designated its Print brand as the name for its annual event moving forward. Print 18 will be held in Chicago, September 30 – October 2, 2018, at McCormick Place South.

“With the entire graphic communications industry in a state of major transformation, we are in a unique position to redefine ourselves as an organization and provide a new vision for the future,” said Association for Print Technologies President Thayer Long. “Attracting the largest attendance of any printing, imaging and mailing industry event in the U.S., Print convenes our global community and represents our identity and path forward.”

The change is part of the larger strategic plan and repositioning that NPES began in 2016 and resulted in the Association’s new name, Association for Print Technologies. This new branding initiative reinforces the value that empowers and advances members of the association, and the learning and networking that takes place at Print are a vital part of that. Its position as the best-attended U.S. show in 2017 demonstrates that Print is the strongest event to provide education, technology and value to the global printing industry.

Print delivers leading education by bringing together the most sought-after experts and business development authorities from both within and outside the industry. This year’s event will be three action-packed days to ensure a productive, focused experience on the exhibit floor.

In 2018, the Print Learning Experience will be enhanced in several new ways, with:

• A powerful keynote presentation to kick off the event
• New learning and education formats and topics to align the value chain
• An emphasis on technology, demonstrating the intersection of printing and digital technologies which have a greater influence in today’s marketing world
• An emerging technology center on the show floor, plus
• Additional innovative networking events, receptions and meet-ups.

“Our annual event has become the focal point for education on future trends, technology, growth and business-related issues in the global printing industry,” said Kelly Kilga, CEM, Association for Print Technologies Vice President, Meetings and Events. “As the only 100% industry-owned printing event in the U.S., our goal is to help the industry grow. We can make the necessary investments to continuously improve the event and feed that growth.”

Since the debut of Print 68 in Chicago—the first truly global equipment trade show ever held in the United States—the event has offered an unparalleled showcase for purchasers of commercial printing equipment and supplies. Following the growth of that success, three organizations—NPES, NAPL, and PIA—formed a joint show management company (the Graphic Arts Show Company or GASC) to organize the annual event in 1982. In 2017 NPES became the sole owner of the event and, as a not-for-profit organization, will reinvest in the show and the growth of the industry as a whole. These bold investments and new vision to advance graphic communications as the Association for Print Technologies and Print 18 will empower business success through global industry collaboration.