Converting Industry News
- Published: November 01, 2001
Covering the Full Spectrum of Industry News, Events & Activities
Alternative Packaging Designed for Detergent
Henkel, Düsseldorf, Germany, turned to Weidenhammer Packaging, Cincinnati, OH, to produce paper composite drums commemorating the 100th anniversary of Persil, one of Europe's leading detergent brands.
The paper drums are 140 mm dia × 180 mm high and are constructed of three plies of spiral-wound recycled paperboard with an inner ply of 15-g LDPE for moisture protection. The total construction is 0.040 thick. The recessed paper bottom is 0.032 thick, with LDPE for moisture protection, and is glued into the container.
The paper drum features a six-color plus UV-coated label. The lid is injection-molded PE. A 16-mm-wide LDPE handle is riveted for easy carrying, co. notes.
Boxmaker Installs Integrated IS Package
Columbus Container, a Columbus, IN, corrugated supplier, had to replace its disparate computer system with a streamlined, integrated solution to better support its business processes. It chose VantagePoint Group, which installed its VantagePoint Enterprise (VPE) system in Columbus' six plants.
The new system brings together applications from VantagePoint Group, Corrugated Technologies, Epicor Software Corp., and Stochos Inc., all of which were integrated through the data mapping technology from Mercator Software. VantagePoint Group provided project management, assisted with third-party software selection, conducted on-site training, and created complete systems integration.
Says Bob Haddad Jr., CIO and project manager of Columbus, “The VantagePoint Enterprise system is a powerful, reliable, and flexible system that has enabled us to provide a level of service and responsiveness our customers demand.”
Supplier Information
VantagePoint Group, Vancouver, B.C., Canada; 604/685-4209.
Show News
Two Industry Shows Go on with Heavy Hearts
CHICAGO, IL, USA—The Print 01 show, held September 6-13, continued after the tragedies of September 11, but obviously nothing was the same.
Held at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL, the show kept floors open following the attacks, reports manager Graphic Arts Show Co. (GASC), “but attendance was sharply reduced by the impact of restricted travel and concern over the possibility of additional terrorist incidents.”
At noon on the Friday following the close of the show, exhibitors and McCormick Place staff joined a memorial service, and GASC announced it would make a donation to firemen's and policemen's funds in the name of show exhibitors.
Notes GASC president Regis J. Delmontagne, “Prior to September 11, in spite of the weak economy, Print 01 was attracting good attendance and exhibitors reported steady and serious buying activity across all product types and sizes. After the attack, the thoughts of everyone naturally turned to concern for our families and colleagues nationwide and for our country.”
Preliminary data indicated attendance was about 66,300. Seminar attendance exceeded projections, surpassing Print 97 sessions.
Plastics USA, held October 2-4 at McCormick Place, was the first major trade show to take place after September 11.
The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI), organizers of the event, reported an 8% decline in registered participants since the last show in 1998, but a total of 435 exhibitors held their ground in spite of an economic slowdown and three weeks of event cancellations or postponements due to the terrorist attacks.
In its determination to fulfill its commitment and proceed with business, SPI received a great deal of encouragement: Illinois Gov. George Ryan touted the Plastics USA show on the local news shows the night before opening day, and Chicago's Mayor Richard M. Daley seconded SPI's commitment by participating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour of the show on opening day. In addition, Mayor Daley staged an on-site news conference, again with coverage and participation by all the major networks.
With backing from public officials and tough resolve from exhibitors, attendees, and organizers, the show went on.
Industry Studies
Aluminum Foil Is Subject of Study
PITTSBURGH, PA, USA—Omega Research Assoc. has published a multiclient study entitled The Outlook for Aluminum Foil Packaging.
The 129-p. report examines the competitive position of aluminum foil by focusing on major foil producers, flexible packaging converters, and end-use applications; it also considers competitive packaging systems and the impact of environmental concerns.
The report emphasizes the wave of international megamergers is probably over, but some consolidation at regional levels still may occur. It adds that many foil suppliers have integrated downstream and are converting value-added flexible packaging materials. Additional conclusions: The growth in foil usage is expected to occur in the newly industrialized nations where Western consumer goods in quality packaging are desired. Flexible pouches will gain wider acceptance for products such as tuna, pet food, and coffee, as metal cans become more expensive and line speeds for pouch-filling equipment increase.
For more information contact Omega Research Assoc., ph: 412/366-4340; fax: 412/366-6890; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Alliances
Omega to Distribute Greystone Line
NORWICH, NY, USA—Greystone Mfg. announces a strategic alliance with Omega Systems, E. Yorkshire, U.K., that will enable Omega to distribute and service the full range of Greystone products throughout Omega's network of agents. Greystone will continue to distribute the products in North America/Canada.
Products include film slitter/rewinders, label inspection rewinders, and RFID converting equipment.
Agreements
Enercon Gets Rep in Canada
BRAMPTON, ON, CANADA—Canflexographics Inc. reports an exclusive representation agreement to act as sales agents in Canada for Enercon Industries Corp., Menomonee Falls, WI.
Enercon supplies corona treatment systems for wide web and narrow web printing, extrusion, and converting applications.
Says Dave Horsman, president of Canflexographics, “[Enercon's] market dominance is based upon proven leadership in technology, superiority in quality, and excellence in customer service.”
Acquisitions
Wide Web Press Giant Expands into Narrow Web Niche
GREEN BAY, WI, USA—Paper, Film & Foil CONVERTER was privileged to conduct an exclusive interview with the new sales and marketing team heading up Paper Converting Machine Co.'s recently acquired Webtron/ZIGZAG brands. The acquisition was made March 1 to complement the company's businesses in sanitary tissue/towel converting and wide web, CI presses.
Spokesman Mark Gillis, VP of the Special Products Div., said, “We didn't have a lot of time to prepare for the transition of how to get the business up and under control from the bankruptcy problems that the Webtron/ZIGZAG organization had…. So we immediately turned our attention to the customer service area, the integrity of the drives, and other intellectual property to get our arms around how we start taking care of customers.”
With machinery manufacturing of the new in-line systems moved to PCMC's headquarters in Green Bay, along with commitments to stocking some machinery, Gillis feels it's time for the global narrow web industry to become familiar with the PCMC name. To facilitate this endeavor, he has named a new marketing team: Kim Tanis (a 25-yr Webtron/ZIGZAG veteran) as senior sales engineer with sales responsibilities in the Eastern US and Canada; Andrew Gillis, sales engineer with responsibility in the Midwest and western US and Canada; Debbie Hanson, who will act as marketing analyst with responsibility to understand customer needs and trends in the marketplace; and Steve Kanter, who will lend his support to the team as marketing services manager as well as for all divisions in the company.
Visit PCMC at pcmc.com.
