Converting Industry News
- Published: March 31, 2001
Covering the Full Spectrum of Industry News, Events & Activities
Correction
In the article entitled “Innovative Problem-Solving Advances in Industry,” February 2001, p. 47, incorrect phone and fax numbers appeared in the supplier list for ABBA Rubber Intl. Inc. The correct information is: ph: 909/947-1244; fax: 909/947-2554.
On-Line Gauges Replace Manual Sampling
THETFORD, U.K.—Rexam High Performance Flexibles produces flex-pack materials with high-barrier properties for a range of food and drink products.
Recently the company incorporated NDC Infrared Engineering's on-line scanning system to measure coat weight consistency as part of an initiative to maintain quality while reducing scrap material. The site has two IR gauges on different lamination lines.
Before the gauges were installed, the applied coat weight had to be checked several times a day using a manual sampling process. Now the two gauges continuously scan across the width of the web, taking measurements of the coat weight applied to the film substrate. The measurements are viewed on a computerized profile display unit that also indicates user-set tolerances.
Supplier Information
NDC Infrared Engineering, Irwindale, CA; 626/939-3810; ndcinfrared.com
Outlook Picks Vision II for Short Runs
Outlook Group, a package printer located in Neenah, WI, has added a 37-in. (940-mm), quick-changeover, eight-color PCMC Vision II flexo press.
PCMC says the CI press will provide high quality precision printing for short-run flexible film projects, complementing Outlook's longer-run capabilities.
This addition reportedly makes Outlook a single-source solution in the processed meat, coffee, dry mix, and snacks markets, as well as direct marketing and contract packaging for overwraps.
Supplier Information
Paper Converting Machine Co. (PCMC), Green Bay, WI; 920/491-6637; pcmc.com.
Slitter/Rewinder Increases Production
A custom-built Dusenbery slitter has been installed at Bemis Associates' U.K. plant in Grantham, Lincs.
According to Bemis production supervisor Andy Dixon, when demand for its heat-activated adhesive films outstripped capacity on Bemis's existing Dusenbery slitter, “We looked hard at competitors' machines, but the Dusenbery 735 was clearly the best in both cost and performance. Since its installation, our production capability has increased sharply, and we now have the opportunity to enhance the quality and appearance of finished products.”
The Model 735 duplex centerwind slitter/rewinder will run a maximum web width of 1,600 mm from rolls up to 800 m dia and weighing up to 500 kg. Rolls are loaded from floor level by the braked, shafted unwind stand.
The machine will slit and rewind unsupported films to 10-micron caliper and composites of films, paper, and fabrics ranging to 40 microns — all to a minimum slit width of 13 mm and at speeds as high as 450 mpm.
Supplier Information
Dusenbery Europe, Bedford, England; +44 (0) 1234-349561; dusenbery.com
Tube Slitter Redesigned to Produce Tapered Sides
Contract slitter/rewinder Metlon Corp. has redesigned its traverse tube slitting machinery to produce tapered sides or “pineapple” packaging in addition to its standard straight-sided tubes. These machine changes were engineered and manufactured internally, and as a result, a wider variety of materials can be slit onto headless packages (versus requiring flanges on both ends).
Tapered sides are said to all but eliminate material ends from falling off the package and becoming trapped as the material is unwound from the headless packages. Trapping can cause breakage, necessitates machine re-threading, and can result in loss of material.
Depending on package size, Metlon produces from 10-60 slit ends onto 10-60 separate tapered take-ups. Traverse lengths can be anywhere from 2-12 in.; maximum diameter may be up to 10 in. The standard paper core size is 3 in. I.D.
Supplier Information
Metlon Corp. Cranston, RI; 401/467-3435
Show News
Register for K Show On-Line
CHICAGO, IL, USA—Visitor registration for K 2001, the 15th Intl. Trade Fair for Plastics + Rubber, is available on-line at mdna.com. The show will take place October 25 through November 1 at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf, Germany. In addition to the registration form, the web site gives visitors the opportunity to order entrance passes and show directories in advance of the show. Information about hotel and travel arrangements for the event is available, as is general information about Düsseldorf.
For more information contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, 150 N. Michigan Ave., Ste. 2920, Chicago, IL 60601; ph: 312/781-5180; fax: 312/781-5188; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; web site: www.mdna.com.
Brazil will Play Host to LatinPack 2001 in July
SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL—LatinPack 2001 will be held July 11 - 12, at Hotel Deville, São Paulo, Brazil. The bilingual (English/Portuguese) plastic converting and packaging conference is targeted to professionals involved in food packaging; plastic materials and equipment manufacturers; and packaging converters.
More than 20 technical papers will be presented covering subjects such as short-run flex-pack printing; emerging technologies in hygiene films; advanced adhesive resins achieved with metallocenes; and corona treatment. Visitors also will find a tabletop exhibit. For more information contact LatinPack at ph/fax: 847/577-2435; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; web site: www.latinpack.bizhosting.com.
Converflex to Showcase Many New Exhibitors
MILAN, ITALY—Show organizers for Converflex Europe report exhibition space bookings have exceeded the 1998 show. Leading companies have doubled, and in some cases, tripled their exhibition space, reports Centrexpo Spa. Of the more than 270 exhibitors, 30% are first-timers. Converflex Europe is scheduled to take place June 12 - 17, at theFiera Milano Fairgrounds. For more information contact Centrexpo, Corso Sempione 4, 20154 Milano, Italy; ph: +39-02-3191091; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; centrexpo.it/converflex.
E-Business
On-Line Marketplace Serves Packaging BuyersNAUGATUCK, CT, USA—A new on-line portal for the packaging marketplace, B2BPKG.COM, is designed to provide a neutral, secure, easy-to-use site that facilitates procurement of an entire range of packaging materials.
The site serves packaging buyers, brand managers, and others involved in buying and specifying packaging in the personal care, cosmetic, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, chemical, automotive, pet and vet, novelty and other industries. For more information visit the web site at b2bpkg.com or ph: 203/723-6681.
Web Awards for Box Industry Launched
HAWTHORNE, NJ, USA—IntroAgent.com, an on-line marketplace for corrugated boxes, has launched the IntroAwards, the first web-related awards specifically for the corrugated industry.
Awards are open to any site that sells corrugated boxes, sheets, or partitions with the exception of on-line marketplaces. Companies can nominate their site for free at intro-agent.com/introawards.asp.
Manage Excess Inventory with On-Line Marketplace
BOSTON, MA, USA—PaperExchange, an e-marketplace for the pulp and paper industry, has unveiled PEx StockMover, a specialized on-line marketplace for managing and moving excess and idle inventory.
PEx StockMover is designed to provide visibility of excess inventory across multiple locations within the same organization. The system reportedly allows users to manage inventory and, if there is no internal demand, generate revenue by making the inventory available for bidding to outside buyers.
Association News
FFTA Forum — An Odyssey in Flexo Comes to Opryland
RONKONKOMA, NY, USA—The Foundation of Flexographic Technical Assn.(FFTA) will hold its annual forum May 6-9 at the Opryland Hotel and Convention Center, Nashville, TN.
Billed as “2001: A Flex-Odyssey,” the forum will offer concurrent technical sessions in Tag & Label, Flexible Packaging, Corrugated/Preprint, and Folding Carton tracks. Dave Horsman, Canflexographics Inc., will be chairing the event.
FFTA also will hold an exhibition during the first two days of the forum. Info*Flex 2001 currently has booked more than 140 exhibitors.
For more information contact FFTA, 900 Marconi Ave., Ronkonkoma, NY 11779; 631/737-6020; flexography.org.
RadTech Elects New Board
BETHESDA, MD—David Diehl, manager of corporate technology initiatives at PPG Industries, has been voted president-elect by the membership of RadTech Intl. He will assume the presidency Jan. 1, 2003.
According to RadTech president James Reese, “Dave has made an important contribution to the advancement of RadTech and UV/EB technology through his work on the RadTech board. His vision and hard work as editor of our trade magazine, the RadTech Report, has made it a first-rate publication, and his depth of knowledge and enthusiasm have made him a valuable contributor to the overall activities of our group.”
Leigh Quinn Jr. of QureTech was reconfirmed to the RadTech board and will continue as secretary; Michael Rose of Sartomer was elected to serve as treasurer.
Acquisitions
Technotrans Strengths Its Position in Sheet-Fed Market
CORONA, CA, USA—Technotrans AG has completed its acquisition of Farwest Graphic Technologies and its parent, The Steve Barberi Co., both located in Corona.
The newly acquired companies together will be known as Technotrans America and will be responsible for the sales, service, and support of products specifically dedicated to the sheet-fed segment of the North American printing industry. The company also will provide domestic manufacturing of all Technotrans fluid and temperature control systems and IR hot air drying systems for this market.
Bill Bonallo will serve as president and CEO of Technotrans America sheet-fed division. Steve Barberi will assume the duties of VP of operations.
In other news, Technotrans America has formed a strategic alliance with IST Metz GmbH and will provide sales, service, and support of the complete line of IST sheet-fed UV technologies.
Pactiv Sells PE Business
LAKE FOREST, IL, USA—Pactiv Corp. has sold its packaging PE business to strengthen its position in the specialty packaging industry.
The business, which includes such products as industrial stretch film and institutional waste bags/can liners/food bags, has been sold to Tyco Intl. Ltd., Pembroke, Bermuda, and will become part of its Tyco Plastics sub.
Shell Sells Kraton Business
HOUSTON, TX, USA—The Kraton Polymers Business has been purchased from the Royal Dutch/Shell Group by Ripplewood Holdings LLC, a US-based private investment firm. John Georges is chairman of the new Kraton business and former VP Steve Wood is CEO.
Yaskawa Buys MagneTek Drives Business
WAUKEGAN, IL, USA—Yaskawa Electric America has acquired the MagneTek drive products business unit of MagneTek Inc., New Berlin, WI. This unit sells, modifies, and services general-purpose and high-performance AC drives. MagneTek Inc. will retain its industrial controls business unit. As a producer of AC inverter drives, Yaskawa reports it has a 13% global market share position. This acquisition is part of the company's strategy to achieve a global market share of 20%.
W/S Buys Label Art
ALGOMA, WI, USA—W/S Packaging Group has purchased the assets of Label Art, a div. of Americomm Direct Marketing. W/S has chosen to retain and operate the business under the name Label Art Inc., which includes manufacturing locations in Wilton, NH; Tucker, GA; San Carlos, CA; and Fort Smith, AR. Formed in October 2000 by the merger of Wisconsin Label and Superior Label, W/S Packaging reports it will continue to focus on expansion through internal growth, acquisitions, and mergers.
PCMC Enters Narrow Web Market
GREEN BAY, WI, USA—Paper Converting Machine Co. (PCMC) has completed the purchase of Webtron/ZigZag from Didde Corp., Emporia, KS. PCMC says that Webtron/ZIGZAG manufacturing will be relocated from Emporia to Green Bay and organized under the company's Special Products Div.
Mark Gillis, VP of business development at PCMC, says, “Webtron/ZIGZAG is a well-known manufacturer of narrow web printing equipment. This new opportunity will give us the ability to serve the tag and label and folding carton converting markets, as well as expand our influence in flexible packaging printing.”
Mergers
Universal Engraving Expands in Europe
OVERLAND PK., KS, USA—Universal Engraving has announced a subsidiary merger with U.K.-based Fine Cut Intl. Ltd. The new name of the company will be Fine Cut Intl. Ltd., a sub. co. of Universal Engraving Inc.
Larry Hutchison, president of Universal Engraving, says, “The introduction of engraved rotary dies to our product line has improved our product mix and our ability to service our customers significantly. We have been looking at ways to expand our global positon and to have a stronger European presence, and the subsidary merger with Fine Cut provided the perfect fit in respect to geographic coverage, market position, and experienced personnel.”
Name Change
Sun Graphics to Focus on all Paper Packaging
MAUMEE, OH, USA—Sun Chemical Corrugated Graphics Group has changed its name to SunGraphics to better reflect the broadened responsibilities and offerings of the group from a focus on corrugated to graphics for all paper packaging.
With the recent acquisition of a new facility in Concord, CA, for its West Coast operation, SunGraphics reports it is better prepared to assist customers through its proficiency in design of packaging graphics and the production of photopolymer plates.
