Henkel, Nordmeccanica Host Scrap Reduction Workshop
- Published: March 28, 2011
EDGEWOOD, NY | Nearly 60 flexible packaging attendees, including many major converters in North America, attended a recent Scrap Reduction Workshop co-hosted by Nordmeccanica and the Packaging, Consumer Goods and Construction Adhesives business of Henkel Corp. at Nordmeccanica’s US headquarters.
The first-of-its-kind event began with welcoming comments from Vincenzo Cercillo, VP Technology, Nordmeccanica, and Jerry Perkins, senior VP and general manager for Henkel‘s Packaging, Consumer Goods and Construction Adhesives business in North America.
Following presentations from Giancarlo Caimmi, commercial director for Nordmeccanica Group, and Guido Kolbach, Ph.D., technical director for Henkel Liofol Laminating Adhesives, Duncan Darby, Ph.D., associate professor, Dept. of Packaging Science at Clemson Univ., delivered a keynote address titled, “Scrap: Reduction by Prevention.”
During the workshop, attendees witnessed a lamination run demonstrating the easy processing and long pot life of Henkel’s new laminating adhesive system, Liofol LA7773-21 with Liofol LA6016-21. The run was followed by three demonstrations, each focusing on one of three adhesive attributes that prevent scrap: long life, fast cure and robustness.
In a concluding presentation, Justin Mehaffy, process solutions director for Henkel Packaging, Consumer Goods and Construction Adhesives, discussed a case study showing the benefits of a structured approach to scrap definition, measurement, analysis, improvement and control.
“For the supervisors, operators and decision-makers who run flexible packaging operations, scrap is a big issue,” says Perkins. “Henkel’s philosophy is to have specialists who understand the flexible packaging market and the issues that are important to our customers. Managing scrap well, with the ultimate goal of eliminating it, can make the difference between being profitable and not being profitable.”
Attendees were able to hear from Henkel, which supplies adhesive, and Nordmeccanica, a major machine supplier. And the presentation from Duncan Darby, who teaches coursework in a flexible packaging curriculum at Clemson Univ., was very well received, too, the company suggests.
Hill Kilby, technical process partner at Bemis Milprint Packaging in Joplin, MO, attended the workshop with colleagues from other Bemis locations. “We got a lot out of it,” he notes. “We do solventless lamination in Joplin, so the new technology was great. Shorter cure is something we’re always interested in because it helps us lower inventory levels and work-in-process levels. And we like to keep up with the latest technologies. The demonstrations were pretty impressive, too, because we were able to look and touch and check things out.”
“Response from attendees was very positive,” says Doug Apicella, marketing director for Liofol Adhesives at Henkel, who organized and moderated the workshop. Kolbach agrees, saying, “The success of this event demonstrates the synergy of the technical capability, passion and the can-do attitude of both Henkel and Nordmeccanica teams coming together and cooperating to help provide customers a new level of value.”
"We were very pleased by the level of cooperation between our two companies during the preparation for the workshop,” adds Vincenzo Cericello, VP Technology, Nordmeccanica Spa. “We are impressed about the technical developments achieved by the new Liofol line of adhesives, and we look forward to an improved partnership between Nordmeccanica and Henkel."
“We knew scrap was an important topic,” adds Perkins, “and we are gratified that it was so well received. The attendance was phenomenal, and the feedback afterwards was very positive. I expect that we will host similar workshops in the future.”
Henkel operates worldwide with leading brands and technologies in three business areas: Laundry & Home Care, Cosmetics/Toiletries, and Adhesive Technologies. Founded in 1876, Henkel holds globally leading market positions both in the consumer and industrial businesses with well-known brands such as Persil, Schwarzkopf and Loctite. Henkel employs about 48,000 people and reported sales of $20.07 billion and adjusted operating profit of $2.27 billion in fiscal 2010. Henkel’s preferred shares are listed in the German stock index DAX and the company ranks among the Fortune Global 500.
