FMN | April 27th, 2020

FMN | April 27th, 2020

Vol. 22 No. 9 An N.V. Publication Market News FLEX Serving The Flexographic Printing Industry In Print and Online at www.nvpublications.com ®

April 27, 2020

FTA Reveals Flexo Award Winners

Flexography In The Age Of COVID-19

by Paul Sharkey President, FLXON

reported by Greg Kishbaugh

For having such a significant impact on all our lives; it seems Coronavi-

L ast week, the Flexographic Technical Association announced the 2020 FTA Excellence in Flexography Awards, which kicked off the first of three days of Virtual FORUM 2020.

rus has happened overnight. While we were aware of a new strain of virus taking place in China in ear- ly January, it wasn’t until mid-February when Italy reported its first cases that I became aware of the term: coronavirus. A

Paul Sharkey

few weeks later, in mid-March a col- league operating a flexo related busi- ness in Milan told me about travel restrictions and stay-at-home orders taking place there. In This Together By March 15 cases in Italy jumped to 24,000. At that point, distribution systems and delivery services in Italy were not working. Pressrooms were struggling to get inks, substrates and

(Cont’d on Page 11)

A total of 91 awards were given in this year’s competition, in- cluding: 32 gold awards; 30 silver awards; 28 bronze awards; and 1 self-promotion award. From the pool of gold award-winning prints, six were recognized as Best of Show: iTek Packz’s Himalaya Ayurveda Clear Skin Soap Carton was awarded Best In Show in the Narrow Web category.

For exclusive content and breaking news p lease visit www.flexomarketnews.com

(Cont’d on Page 5)

([SHULHQFH WKHSRZHURI SWED/CUT ®

Columbus, OH - Booth #854

“Any defect, any mid-run press stop, can entirely eliminate margin from a job. As QA Manager, it is up to me to prevent waste before it happens. That’s why I rely on FLXON’s products and support

to gain our competitive advantage. ” QA Manager, Wide Web Pressroom

SWED/CUT ® PERFORMANCE DOCTOR BLADES

Meter More Precisely Print Cleaner Dots Longer Protect Anilox Investment Avoid Mid-run Press Stops Experience No Break-in Time Receive Fewer Customer Complaints Reduce Your Annual Doctor Blade Spend

FLXON INCORPORATED 8531 Crown Crescent Court, Charlotte, NC 28227 (800) 756-6474 I (704) 844-2434 I ZHFDUH#ȵ[RQFRP ASK ABOUT OUR 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE!

ZZZȵ[RQFRP

EskoWorld Goes Virtual For 2020

IoPP Announces Scholarship Winners

The Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) has announced the recipients of its 2020 Scholarship. This year’s IoPP scholarship winners, include: • Mackenna Payne, a packaging student at Michigan State University (class of 2020) has been awarded the PepsiCo R&D Scholarship worth $5,000. • Margaret Kendhammer, a packaging student at the University ofWisconsin-Stout (class of 2021), has been awarded one of the $2,500 IoPP Packaging Education Scholarships. • Jennifer Kallman, a packaging science student at the Rochester Institute of Technology (class of 2021), has been awarded one of the $2,500 IoPP Packaging Education Scholarships. • Alanna Fallone, a packaging science student at the Rochester Institute of Technology (class of 2020), has been awarded the brand new $1,000 IoPP Packaging Education Scholarship, sponsored by IoPP’s Central Ohio Chapter. • Tu Chung, a packaging student at San Jose State University (class of 2020), has been awarded the $500 IoPP Packaging Education Scholarship, sponsored by IoPP’s New England Chapter.

Esko, a global supplier of integrated hardware and software solutions to brands and their packaging sup- ply chain partners, is taking its annual technology-fo- cused event EskoWorld online this year. Over the course of two weeks startingApril 27,Virtu- al EskoWorld will give brands and their packaging and print supply chains the opportunity to discover the latest techniques and solutions in packaging and label artwork management, prepress workflow automation and digitization. The first week of sessions will begin on Monday, April 27, 2020, and the second week will begin on Monday, May 4.A total of 20 dedicated sessions will be covering everything from color management, Crystal Screening for flexible packaging and the latest inno- vations in trapping, through to optimizing corrugated production, proofing for digital presses and the latest in structural design tools. The event was originally scheduled to be held this month in Dallas,Texas, but following the global coro- navirus crisis Esko made the decision to take the event online.The sessions will be held live at 11am and 2pm each day (Eastern Time).

AFTER 80 YEARS, We’ve got innovation down to a science.

We’re proud to celebrate 80 years of working with press builders, converters, and ink makers to develop ink circulating and conditioning systems which meet their unique requirements. With a new 125,000 square foot factory outside of Chicago, Illinois and over 80 years of experience serving the global market, Graymills continues to lead the industry in innovation, quality and sustainability.

Flexo Market News April 27, 2020 3

www.nvpublications.com

AWA Hosts Global Release Liner Conference The annual Global Release Liner Industry Conference and Exhibition, hosted by AWAAlexanderWatsonAsso- ciates, was one of the last few industry events to take place this spring before the coronavirus lockdown. It took place in Amsterdam at the end of February and attracted around 180 delegates, who spanned the re- lease liner supply chain all the way to end use markets. The program addressed the major items of interest and concern surrounding this industry. The opening session focused on opportunities and growth in key release liner markets. Corey Reardon, AWA President and CEO, opened the event with an overview of current market trends and status. Still dominated by labelstock, the market segments in which release liner takes a role also include hygiene, medical, industrial, envelope, tapes, and food and bak- ery applications, among others. Glassine and SCK paper are still the first choice for release base, with a 36 percent share of the market, with PET film — a 16 percent share — now claiming second place.Asia remains the fastest-growing region- al market followed by the developing market in Africa and the Middle East. The value chain as a whole has, as AWA research shows, also experienced extensive merger and acqui- sition activity, which has led many companies to con- sider themselves within the global bracket. One of the areas of concern in recent years in the pressure sensitive label industry has been recycling — particularly of release liner by-products. As Rear- don showed, there has been considerable activity in this arena, as 74 percent of companies approached by AWA researchers now have a working recycling pro- gram, and the packaging industry as a whole now has access to appropriate recycling facilities that are, for release liner, offering real second life opportunities for the substrate.Other ongoing areas for concern include increasing costs – particularly for transportation and energy. Sourcing Transparency, Sustainability Robyn Buma, Vice President of Global Procurement at Avery Dennison, addressed the impact of the in- creasing demands for transparency on material sourc- ing in the label industry, with particular emphasis on the need for sustainability. “Sustainability is not just a hot trend or buzzword; it is a shift in global behavior,” she said. She detailed the positive sustainability trends be- ing exemplified by major brands, including Procter (Cont’d on Page 8)

4 April 27, 2020 Flexo Market News

www.nvpublications.com

FTA Awards (Cont’d from Page 1) • In the wide web category, Perfection Packaging’s Eta Uppercuts Corn Tapas Bag; • In the mid web category, Sunshine FPC’s Eton Mess with Chargrilled FigsWrapper; • In the narrow web category, iTek Packz’s Himalaya Ayurveda Clear Skin Soap Carton; • In the combined corrugated category, Great North- ern Corp’s 3M RockYour Workday Box; • In the preprinted linerboard category,Atlantic Pack-

smart SOLUTIONS

Sustained solutions to your most pressing pressroom concerns.

We begin with an investigation that benchmarks the most common causes of waste/downtime andtheircostsincluding:

Job Changes Mid-run Press Stops Customer Complaints Excess Blade Consumption Inadequate Best Practice SOPs

Anilox/Cylinder Wear and Damage Print Defects Like Dirty Print, Streaks Lack of On-going Compliance Training After careful ROI analysis, wehelpyoudevelop and implement a sustainable solutions plan.

Exceptional Quality. Superior Results. Guaranteed.

Ask About Our Proven Track Record!

FLXON INCORPORATED (800) 756-6474 7ROHDUQPRUHYLVLWZZZȵ[RQFRP

Sunshine FPC’s Eton Mess with Chargrilled Figs Wrapper won Best of Show in the Mid Web category.

Web Blast

aging’s Erie Meats Chicken Breasts Poitrines de Poulet Box; and • In the envelope category, Encore Group’s Sky Cin- ema Announcing Our Christmas 2019 Animation Ex- travaganza Envelope. President’s Award FTA announced the three recipients of a 2020 FTA President’s Award, given to individuals selected by the Association’s president for displaying an unwavering commitment to aiding it in its endeavors. This year’s honorees are: • Kim Madigan, Director of Corporate Color Manage- ment at Smyth Companies. Madigan has been a pro- ponent of FIRST Individual and Company Certifica- tion since the programs’ inception, serves on the FTA Board of Directors and FFTA Board ofTrustees, and has judged the Excellence in FlexographyAwards multiple times. In a pinch, she assumed the role of FORUM 2020 co-chair to see through the planning and preparation for this year’s (now virtual) event. • Keith Nagle, Global Director of Business Develop- ment at Phoseon Technology. Nagle has chaired FO- RUM sessions and Fall Conference 2019, carries FIRST (Cont’d on Page 7)

Reach thousands of potential customers by sending a targeted web blast to the entire online readership of Flexo Market News .

To take advantage of this opportunity contact:

Greg Kishbaugh / 317-306-1060 / [email protected]

Robyn Smith / 910-553-4055 / [email protected]

Flexo Market News April 27, 2020 5

www.nvpublications.com

COVID-19: Print Added As Essential Workforce

Everything gets dirty.

Following a major advocacy effort by Printing In- dustries of America, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber Security and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) released guidance on April 17 officially listing printers and packagers as part of the nation’s essential critical infrastructure workforce. Specific mention of printed material, packaging material, specialty signage, and references to print media in relation to communi- cations, election services, and postal/shipping services are also contained in the guidance. Earlier versions of the CISA guidance implied print- ing and packaging companies were essential as part of critical manufacturing supply chains, but absent an explicit definition, PIA member companies have faced confusion or work stoppages as individual states and municipalities issued a patchwork of stay-at-home or- ders. In several cases, print was excluded by certain states, and the industry was forced to petition gov- ernors to amend the original order. This process has created havoc for the industry, its employees, and cus- tomers. Importance of the New CISA Guidance More than 40 states and numerous localities have enacted stay-at-home orders, many of which direct closures of non-essential businesses.While CISA’s guid- ance is not law nor a binding government regulation, it serves as an important benchmark by providing a standard definition of essential workers and encourag- es adoption by governors, county officials, and mayors. CISA estimates that approximately 75 percent of states have adopted its guidelines to create a more harmoni- ous approach to determining which types of business- es remain open. This clarification will help keep print production pro- viding support to multiple critical infrastructure sectors. Many states are extending stay-at-home orders through May or June.Localities have enacted stay-at-home orders in conflict with their own states.This guidance is also helpful as it sets a precedent for any future declarations by CISA in times of national emergency. Case Paper Acquires Midwest Facility Case Paper has acquired the assets of the former API Laminating operation of Steel Partners in Osgood, Indi- ana.The deal closed onApril 1, and the General Manag- er of the facility, Jonathan Hummer, as well as most of the office and plant employees, have joined the Case family under the new name “Case Makes.”

ŴH[RZDVKXVFRP 888-493-5396 7XUQWRWKH only FRPSDQ\LQWKHZRUOGZLWK LQQRYDWLYHFOHDQLQJV\VWHPVIRUŴH[RJUDSKLF DQGJUDYXUHSULQWHUVō every QHHG Ř 7KHRQO\FRPSDQ\LQWKHLQGXVWU\ZLWK DPRQH\EDFNJXDUDQWHH Ř 6HUYLQJRYHUIDFLOLWLHVDFURVV 1RUWK$PHULFD 5HGXFHRU(OLPLQDWH&RVWV7RGD\ How you clean it makes the difference.

&OHDQ(YHU\WKLQJ

6 April 27, 2020 Flexo Market News

www.nvpublications.com

FTA Awards (Cont’d from Page 5) Implementation Specialist Certification and will join FTA and FFTA’s Boards later this year. • Corey Arnold, President and CEO of Bars and Tone Media Productions. Arnold has been at the forefront of FTA’s audiovisual presentations at FORUM and Fall Conference for some 20 years. FTA Hall of Fame The newest member of the FTA Hall of Fame is Greg Collins, the 58th flexographer to join the group. An FTA supporter since the premiere edition of Flex- ographic Image Reproduction Specifications & Toler- ances (FIRST), Collins’s well-known preparedness and engineering background were instrumental in build-

ing out systems and processes the Association continues to use. Chief among them: the inception of the FORUM Oversight Committee to suc- cessfully iterate on the annual event with each passing year. His compo- sure and measured guidance were es- sential as a member of the FTA Board of Directors and FFTA Board of Trust- ees, and during his tenure as Board of Directors Chair.

Greg Collins

Throughout Collins’ 26-year career at C-P Flexible Packaging, he was eager to stand at the edge of flex- ography’s capabilities, look past its boundaries and see what else could be possible. 2020 Technical Innovation Award FTA has announced three recipients of a 2020 FTA Technical Innovation Award, which recognizes dis- ruptive and innovative technologies working to affect change in the package printing industry. The companies recognized are: • HYBRID Software, one of two winners in the Pre- press - Graphics category, for its CLOUDFLOW Patch- planner.The web-based production tool minimizes ma- terial use and saves operators’ time by consolidating and optimizing design file layout. • Miraclon Corp, one of two winners in the Prepress - Graphics category, for its Kodak Flexcel NX Ultra Solution featuring Ultra Clean Technology. The plate making system is both solvent- and VOC-free, and can deliver a press-ready plate in less than one hour and 32 plates across an eight-hour shift. • Paper Converting Machine Co (PCMC), winner of the Prepress - Pressroom category, for its Meridian Elite. The cleaning system uses laser ablation to remove inks, coatings, varnishes and residue from anilox and appli- cation rolls, requiring no cleaning liquids or chemicals (Cont’d on Page 9)

Flexo Market News April 27, 2020 7

www.nvpublications.com

AWA Conference (Cont’d from Page 4)

& Gamble, Nestlé, Danone, Nike, and Coca-Cola, and moved on to examine how the value chain is reacting to the challenges these initiatives present — for both converters and suppliers. It is, she underlined,essential for the industry to respond positively. “The time is now, to collaborate, innovate, and do,” she said.“It’s from our materials, and from the contri- butions of the bold innovators behind them, that we’re creating solutions to the sustainability challenges that matter most — and ensuring a thriving future for our business.” Leadership Panel An executive leadership panel discussion moderat- ed by Corey Reardon followed, featuring Loparex CEO Simon Medley, Dow’s Massimo Rebolini, and Panoval CEO Wilco Van Zwieten, who among them explored the real-life impact of many of the current business challenges round the world — from COVID-19 to Brex- it,US/China trade relations, and the need to attract and retain young graduate professionals to this industry. Market-Focus: Labels, Graphic Arts The agenda for the label and graphic arts session was prefaced by AWA Associate Anum Javed Beg’s market overview. Pressure sensitive labels, she said, claim no less than 48 percent of the global market, and Jules Lejeune, Managing Director of FINAT, detailed trends and developments, both in markets and materials and in the association’s strong activity in the field of recy- cling and sustainability. Going beyond self-adhesive labels,he indicated many label converters today are also printing flexible pack- aging, shrink sleeves, and wraparound labels to broad- en their offering to the brand owners — whose agen- da also demands of converters shorter print runs, fast turnaround, and the ability to print variable-informa- tion-printed logistics labels. Jan ‘t Hart, Senior Director, Innovation, Sustainability and Compliance, Avery Dennison Label & Packaging Materials Europe, detailed current and future process- ing of liner by-products — mainly glassine papers but also, increasingly film release base. “It will take all of us to solve the challenge,”he said,de- scribingAvery Dennison’s pursuit of success through its strong, active recycling partnership with Cycle4Green, Lenzing Papier, Ecor, and Romei Replastics. What paper can do in terms of design for recycling in label applications was discussed, with a case study on curling control, by Mikko Rissanen, UPM Specialty Pa- pers’ Director, Business Intelligence and Development. More value from release liner can be gained through a

In addition to its bi-weekly print edition, Flexo Market News also offers unprecented online reach for advertisers, as well. * Every ad in our print edition appears in our online edition, which includes a link back to your company’s website. • Banner ad opportunities exist at both www.flexomarketnews.com and www.nvpublications.com.

• Exclusive online sponsorships allow your company to have sole ownership over online content, in addition to your ad on a web blast that goes to our readers. • Web blast sponsorships that reach our entire

readership with your exclusive content. FlexoMarketNews.com

NVPublications.com

Get your company in front of the flexo industry’s key decisionmakers. Flexo Market News ’ readership is comprised of Presidents, Owners, VPs and General Managers of flexo operations — the key people who make decisions on equipment purchases. An ad in Flexo Market News is a direct sales meeting with thousands of the industry’s best thinkers and most influental leaders. Reach the Decisionmakers

(Cont’d on Page 10)

8 April 27, 2020 Flexo Market News

www.nvpublications.com

ganizing and publishing a list of members that opt-in to participate in a COVID-19 support group. Participa- tion in this group will simply require a commitment to supporting other FLAG members if needed due to po- tential unforeseen impacts of coronavirus. Participat- ing will allow those members to communicate a plan of action to their customers. FLAG has instituted this contingency plan as a proactive step in preparation. Hub Labels Achieves SGP Certification Hub Labels, Inc. of Hagerstown, Maryland, has been certified as a Sustainable Green Printing Partnership Printer. Hub Labels is the second facility in Maryland to become certified. Early on, Hub Labels recognized the benefits of becoming a more sustainable operation and was certified throughTLMI’s Label Initiative for the Environment (L.I.F.E.) program in 2007.TLMI endorsed SGP in 2018 and has since become an SGP Resource Partner. Many former L.I.F.E. facilities have applied for SGP certification and Hub is the third facility to com- plete that migration. Hub Labels, Inc. is a manufacturer of pressure sensitive and linerless labels with a fleet of flexographic printing presses, and a flexographic-digital hybrid press with expanded color gamut.

FTA Awards (Cont’d from Page 7)

Sustainability Excellence Awards The FTA awarded its 2020 FTA Sustainability Excel- lence Award to two companies.The companies recog- nized are: • Hub Labels,winning the Sustainability Programs cat- egory, for its landfill-free initiative, and for completely eliminating landfill waste since October 2019; and • Labelcraft Products Ltd, winning the Innovations in Sustainability category, for its Recyclable Enviroliner made with 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper. Additionally, Emmerson Packaging received an hon- orable mention in the Innovations in Sustainability category, for its recyclable Nature’s Touch Dark Sweet Cherries pouch. FLAG Offers Coronavirus Contingency Plan The Flexo Label Advantage Group (FLAG) has been closely tracking the recent outbreak and spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). In response to the uncer- tainty coronavirus is causing for businesses, employ- ees and customers, FLAG has made a host of solutions available to members. In an effort to support its members, FLAG will be or-

The Best And The Brightest Are Waiting To Hear From YOU

An ad in Flexo Market News is a direct sales meeting with thousands of Presidents, Owners, VPs and General Managers of flexo operations — the key people who make decisions on equipment purchases.

Greg Kishbaugh 317-306-1060 [email protected]

Robyn Smith 910-553-4055 [email protected]

Flexo Market News April 27, 2020 9

www.nvpublications.com

Flexo Market News

AWA Conference (Cont’d from Page 8)

combination of improved paper yield, lower raw ma- terial costs in silicone coating, improved processing, and higher efficiency in downstream converting and customer service. The voice of the customer was heard in the last pre- sentation fromThe Coca-Cola Company. Jerome Labie, R&D Innovation Manager, EMEA, discussed consumer trends and packaging sustainability, and how the com- pany views both as innovation opportunities. Smart packaging, premiumization, and consumer engagement with packaging are all fields where Coca-Cola and oth- er beverage manufacturers have actively experimented with on-shelf product visibility to promote sales. On the first evening of the event Reardon present- ed the AWA Release Liner Industry Leadership Award, given annually to an individual who has demonstrated singular dedication, service, and leadership to the re- lease liner industry. Alex Knott of Dow was declared this year’s winner. TAGA 2020 To Host Free Digital Conference The Technical Association of the Graphics Arts (TAGA), part of Printing Industries of America (PIA), is bringing together keynote speakers from the recent- ly cancelled TAGA Annual Technical Conference for a free online event. The TAGA Technology & Innovation Series will be held April 27–30, 2020, and offer insights from leading industry experts on the latest print technologies and trends.Topics to be discussed include sustainable pack- aging, technological advances in industrial printing, techniques to boost innovative thinking, and the future implications of digitized manufacturing for print. Event speakers include: Todd Fayne, Principal Engi- neer, PepsiCo; Juanita Parris, Global Director of Materi- als,Applications and Analytical Science, Sun Chemical Corporation; David Crawley, Professor of Practice, Col- lege of Technology, University of Houston; and Craig Reid, Founder, CTR Resources, LLC Topics will be presented in one-hour segments from 2:00–3:00 p.m. EDT daily. All sessions can be viewed from a computer or tablet and will provide an oppor- tunity for participants to ask questions of the speaker. Following the event, recordings will be made avail- able to those who registered in a digital resource cen- ter for on-demand viewing. The TAGA Technology & Innovation Series is free to PIA members and non-members. Learn full details and register for the event at https://www.printing. org/tagaseries .

Adheso-Graphics, Inc. www.adheso-graphics.com

AGI manufactures, distributes and converts current WHFKQRORJ\ ÁH[R PRXQWLQJ WDSHV DQG EDFNLQJ V\V - WHPV IRU FRUUXJDWHG SODWH PRXQWLQJ )OH[VWLN KDUG YLQ\O)OH[6RIWELHVVHEUDQG*ROG6HULHV   7KLQ WDSHV IRU VOHHYH DQG 1DUURZ ZHE SODWH PRXQWLQJ6SHFLDOW\WDSHVWKDWFRYHUWKHYDVWWKLFN - QHVV UDQJH UHTXLUHPHQWV DQG VSHFLILF DGKHVLRQ V\VWHPV IRU DOO ÁH[R PRXQWLQJ UHTXLUHPHQWV :H SURYLGH WHFKQLFDO VHUYLFH DQG SUREOHP VROYLQJ VHU - YLFHVIRUXQLTXHFXVWRPHUV DSSOLFDWLRQV $ 9PDQXIDFWXUHVDFRPSOHWHOLQHRISKRWRSRO\PHU SODWH SURFHVVLQJ V\VWHPV DQG LV D OHDGLQJ GLVWULEX - WRU RI ÁH[RJUDSKLF SODWHPDNLQJ PDWHULDOV $ 9 DOVR VHOOVGLJLWDOLPDJLQJV\VWHPVDQGVRIWZDUHVSHFLÀFDO - O\GHVLJQHGIRUÁH[RJUDSK\ ARC International www.ARCInternational.com Anderson & Vreeland, Inc. www.andersonvreeland.com $5&,QWHUQDWLRQDOLVDZRUOGOHDGHULQWKHPDQXIDF - WXULQJ RI UROOHU SURGXFWV IRU ÁH[RJUDSK\ 7KH ODWHVW nanotechnology laser engraving in our Charlotte and /DV9HJDVPDQXIDFWXULQJ IDFLOLWLHV HQVXUHV VXSHULRU TXDOLW\DQGFRQVLVWHQF\LQDQLOR[UROOHUV DuPont Packaging Graphics www.cyrel.com/na  'X3RQW3DFNDJLQJ*UDSKLFV LV WKHZRUOG·V OHDGLQJ VXSSOLHU RI ÁH[RJUDSKLF SULQWLQJ V\VWHPV LQ GLJLWDO and conventional formats; including Cyrel® brand SKRWRSRO\PHU SODWHV &\UHOŠ )$67 SURFHVVLQJ HTXLSPHQW&\UHOŠURXQGVOHHYHVPRXQWLQJDQGÀQ - LVKLQJSURGXFWV )RUPRUHWKDQ\HDUVEHJLQQLQJZLWK&\UHOŠWKH ÀUVW SKRWRSRO\PHU SULQWLQJ SODWH WKURXJK WR WRGD\·V GLJLWDOZRUNÁRZ UHYROXWLRQ'X3RQWKDVEHHQGULYLQJ LQQRYDWLRQ LQ WKH )OH[R DQG SDFNDJH SULQWLQJ LQGXV - tries. 7KH'LJLWDO&\UHOŠ )$67 LPDJLQJ V\VWHP KDV EHHQ EURDGO\ UHFRJQL]HG IRU LWV HIILFLHQF\ SURGXFWLYLW\ SULQWSHUIRUPDQFHDQGHQYLURQPHQWDOEHQHÀWV

10 April 27, 2020 Flexo Market News

www.nvpublications.com

Age Of COVID-19 (Cont’d from Page 1) essential process ingredients including doctor blades. At the same time,U.S. cases had increased to 3,600.Un- certainty about the future had arrived here.The stock market began it’s drop. A number of our customers began asking if we could guarantee blade availability for the foreseeable future while others increased or- der sizes. In this respect, FLXON is fortunate that our supply pipelines require a majority of our orders be placed with our factory in Sweden 6 months in ad- vance of when blade material will be needed by press- rooms across North America. FLXON reacted by asking every customer what doctor blades they expected to purchase over the remainder of the year.A majority increased their fore- cast through year end and asked for earlier shipments. Based on these customer commitments, we doubled existing inbound orders with SWEDEV and added ad- ditional shipments. Fortunately, SWEDEV had recently finished a major expansion giving them the ability to boost production on short notice. Essential Business Because so much of the packaging and labeling used by the food, medical, and pharmaceutical industries is

produced by flexography; producers and their supply chain providers are classified as essential and there- for exempt from the stay-at-home orders.While this is true for FLXON; we are operating in a whole new way as are most printers and every other business across America and around the world. For the past four weeks, FLXON’s sales and technical teams have been grounded while remaining electron- ically connected to provide troubleshooting to press- rooms. Our office staff is working from home (I’m typ- ing this sitting home at our dining room table) while our order fulfillment teams at our Charlotte distribu- tion center practice all virus preventative measures in accord with CDC and WHO guidelines. Everyone has stepped up.We are in this together. A New Normal As of mid-April, we are accustomed to the United States leading the COVID-19 world charts with 680,000 cases, and growing.As of this writing, the United States has surpassed 850,000 cases. At the same time, it ap- pears the curve is flattening,meaning fewer new cases and fewer deaths. Yet for the first time I’m speaking with pressrooms who are reporting COVID-19 cases forcing them to change the way they operate. (Cont’d on Page 13)

The Best And The Brightest Are Waiting To Hear From YOU

An ad in Flexo Market News is a direct sales meeting with thousands of Presidents, Owners, VPs and General Managers of flexo operations — the key people who make decisions on equipment purchases.

Greg Kishbaugh / 317-306-1060 / [email protected]

Robyn Smith / 910-553-4055 / [email protected]

Flexo Market News April 27, 2020 11

www.nvpublications.com

PIM Announces Award Winners

Flexo Market News

Printing Industry Midwest (PIM), the not-for-profit trade organization representing the Midwest’s leading print service providers, has announced the results of the 2020 Star Awards.This year’s competition featured 130 entries submitted to be evaluated, but only 15 were awarded the desired Best of Category honor. The following companies have been awarded 2020 Star Awards: AWT Labels & Packaging — 1 Best of Category, 1 Award of Recognition and 2 Certificates of Merit. Bolger LLC — 2 Best of Categories, 1 Award of Rec- ognition and 2 Certificates of Merit. Carlson Print Group — 3 Awards of Recognition and 3 Certificates of Merit. Cedar Graphics Inc. — 1 Award of Recognition and 2 Certificates of Merit. Daily Printing, Inc. — 1 Best of Category, 1 Award of Recognition and 5 Certificates of Merit. Embossing Plus — 1 Award of Recognition and 3 Certificates of Merit. Flexographic Tech — 1 Best of Category, 1 Award of Recognition and 2 Certificates of Merit. GLS/ NEXT PrecisionMarketing —3 Best of Catego- ries, 6Awards of Recognition and 4 Certificates of Merit. Graphic Finishing Services — 1 Award of Recog- nition and 1 Certificates of Merit. Ideal Printers Inc. — 2 Awards of Recognition and 3 Certificates of Merit. The John Roberts Company — 4 Best of Catego- ries,2Awards of Recognition and 3 Certificates of Merit. The Meyers Printing Companies, Inc. — 3 Cer- tificates of Merit. Mittera — 4 Awards of Recognition and 8 Certifi- cates of Merit. Nahan — 1 Best of Category, 2 Awards of Recogni- tion and 12 Certificates of Merit. Panther — 1 Award of Recognition and 8 Certifi- cates of Merit. Quantum Graphics — 1 Award of Recognition and 8 Certificates of Merit. SeaChange Print Innovations — 1 Best of Catego- ry, 2 Awards of Recognition and 7 Certificates of Merit. Streamworks — 3 Certificates of Merit. Visions, Inc. — 1 Best of Category, 5 Awards of Rec- ognition and 3 Certificates of Merit. PIM will celebrate all 19 companies during the 2020 Star Awards Banquet, which is scheduled for later in the year. The Best of Category winners will be on display at the awards banquet,where attendees will have the op- portunity to vote for a special People’s Choice winner.

Eaglewood Technologies, LLC www.eaglewoodtech.com

(DJOHZRRG7HFKQRORJLHVSURYLGHVWKHDZDUGZLQQLQJ 6LWH[FR /DVHU 6\VWHPV 6DQLOR[ ™  6\VWHPV DQG 6DQL Blast ™ 0RELOH6HUYLFH6LWH[FR/DVHU6\VWHPVDUHWKH ODWHVWWHFKQRORJ\LQDQLOR[UROOFOHDQLQJDQGDUHSHUIHFW IRUSDFNDJLQJDQGODEHOSULQWHUV6DQLOR[ ™ 6\VWHPVDUH the global standard of reliable, environmentally safe DQLOR[ UROO FOHDQLQJ 6DQL%ODVW ™ cleaning service has been cleaning rolls for over 20 years and offer several FOHDQLQJRSWLRQVWRPLQLPL]HGRZQWLPH Flint Group ZZZÁLQWJUSFRP   )OLQW*URXS )OH[RJUDSKLF3URGXFWV GHYHORSVPDQ - XIDFWXUHUV DQG PDUNHWV DQ H[WHQVLYH SRUWIROLR RI SULQWLQJ FRQVXPDEOHV LQFOXGLQJ Q\ORÁH[ ®  SKRWRSRO\ - PHU SULQWLQJ SODWHV DQG SURFHVVLQJ HTXLSPHQW DQG dayCorr ®  GLHFXWWLQJ EODQNHWV DQG DQYLO FRYHUV:LWK a strong customer focus, unmatched service and VXSSRUW DQG VXSHULRU SURGXFWV )OLQW *URXS VWULYHV WR SURYLGH H[FHSWLRQDO YDOXH FRQVLVWHQW TXDOLW\ DQG FRQWLQXRXVLQQRYDWLRQWRFXVWRPHUVDURXQGWKHZRUOG Harper Corporation of America www.harperimage.com  :H·YHPDGH FHUDPLF DQLOR[ UROOV ORQJHU WKDQ DQ\ - RQH LQ WKH ZRUOG DQG SULGH RXUVHOYHV RQ EHLQJ WKH EHVW LQ WKH ZRUOG:KHWKHU ZLGH ZHE QDUURZ ZHE QHZVSDSHU RU FRUUXJDWHG PDUNHWV +DUSHU FRQWLQX - RXVO\VWULYHV WREULQJQHZÁH[RJUDSKLFSURGXFWVDQG VHUYLFHVWRWKHSULQWLQJ LQGXVWU\WKDWZLOO LPSURYH WKH

TXDOLW\RI\RXUJUDSKLFV J I MacWilliam Co., Inc. www.jimacwilliam.com

  8VHG HTXLSPHQW IRU ÁH[LEOH SDFNDJLQJ IROGLQJ FDUWRQ SDSHU ÀOP IRLO DQG QRQZRYHQ LQGXVWULHV 3URIHVVLRQDO NQRZOHGJHDEOH VHUYLFH IRUPRUH WKDQ 30 years.

KBA-Flexotecnica – Get the Edge ZZZNEDÁH[RWHFQLFDFRPHQ

  )OH[RWHFQLFD·V SDWHQWHG 6DIH 6OHHYH &KDQJH ® V\VWHP DQG 6SHHG\ &OHDQ ®  DXWR ZDVKXS V\VWHP DUH GHVLJQHG WR JLYH FRQYHUWHUV D FRPSHWLWLYH HGJH WKURXJK)OH[RWHFQLFD·V FRPPLWPHQW WR UHVHDUFKDQG GHYHORSPHQW 6DOHV VHUYLFH DQG VXSSRUW IRU )OH[R - WHFQLFD SUHVVHV LV SURYLGHG E\ .%$1RUWK $PHULFD ,QF LQ'DOODV 7H[DVZLWK86 UHVLGHQW WHFKQLFLDQV DQ H[WHQVLYH VSDUH SDUWV LQYHQWRU\ DQG DQ H[SHUL - enced, dedicated service staff.

12 April 27, 2020 Flexo Market News

www.nvpublications.com

Age Of COVID-19 (Cont’d from Page 11)

Labelexpo Southeast Asia 2020 September 10-12, 2020 Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre Bangkok, Thailand TAPPI/AICC CorrExpo September 14-17, 2020 Orange County Convention Center and Omni Hotel Orlando, FL Industry Events

Our management team meeting this week via vid- eo conferencing included a question about how we will know when its OK to return to the office? When will our sales and tech teams be welcomed back into pressrooms? The answer is uncertain. I guess we will know it when we see it.Yet,America’s essential infra- structure continues to operate. FLXON continues to receive shipments from SWEDEV, to process orders and ship doctor blades to flexographic pressrooms across North America. Those pressrooms continue to print flexible packaging, labels and folding cartons to meet the everyday needs of consumers.They continue to tightly manage their process to assure quality while eliminating waste. FLXON and other supplier partners continue to provide troubleshooting assistance re- motely. In a sense – LIFE GOES ON – just differently! When the dust settles,we will likely return to a new normal.There are things we are learning about how we operate our everyday lives we may want to hold onto. I hope our leadership will develop a Corrective Action based on what could have been done to be better prepared for this pandemic. We know it will happen again. In the meantime, we appreciate how fortunate we and others in the flexo industry are compared to the millions of Americans laid off from jobs in non-es- sential industries. Color-Logic Expands Online Training Program For seven years, Color-Logic has provided licensed Color-Logic printers around the world with web-based training, suitable for their captive designers, external designers, agencies, and brands. Color-Logic developed these training programs for two primary reasons:Time, because print personnel are often too busy during the day to learn new techniques, and thus need an effective means of learning at their own pace, and Location, because with licensed printers in more than 60 countries, the designer could well be in a different city or country,enabling licensed Color-Logic printers to expand markets in any direction. While it remains unclear how design will evolve be- yond the COVID-19 outbreak, online training and web based training will remain, which is why Color-Logic has expanding online resources for licensed printers and their captive and external designers. Color-Logic has added Master Class Tutorials for Adobe PhotoShop, Illustrator, and InDesign to provide extensive instruc- tion about how to add embellishments into artwork and make it truly stand out from the competition.

Labelexpo Americas September 15-17, 2020 Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Rosemont, IL Brand Print Americas September 15-17, 2020 Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Rosemont, IL FTA Fall Conference October 4-7 Cincinnati Marriott at RiverCenter Cincinnati, OH TLMI Annual Meeting Oct 11-13, 2020 The Broadmoor Colorado Springs, CO Labelexpo India October 28 - November 1, 2020 India Expo Centre

Greater Noida, Delhi NCR Pack Expo International November 8-11, 2020 Chicago, IL TLMI Converter Meeting March 21-23, 2021 Windsor Court Hotel New Orleans, LA FTA InfoFlex 2021 May 3-4, 2021 Kansas City, MO FTA Fall Conference October 4-6, 2021 Frisco, TX TLMI Annual Meeting October 17-19, 2021 Naples Grande Beach Resort Naples, FL

Flexo Market News April 27, 2020 13

www.nvpublications.com

&ODVVLÀHG$GYHUWLVLQJ

People & Places Anderson & Vreeland Paul Lewis has been named Account Manager for An- derson & Vreeland, manufacturer of flexographic print technologies.

Rates: Boxed Ads: Print: SHUFROXPQLQFK . On-Line: LISODFHGZLWKSULQWDG 7RSODFHDGFDOO  RUHPDLOÁH[R#QYSXEOLFDWLRQVFRP

Lewis will offer technical sales and support to A&V customers through- out Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Montana,West Virginia,Western Idaho and Reno, Nevada. Lewis originally served as a firefight- er in the United States Air Force and worked in law enforcement before moving on to the printing industry.

Flexo Market News® is published bi-weekly by NV Business Publishers Corporation, in association with Board Converting News®, Corrugated Today® Recycling Markets®, International Paper Board Industry®, Folding Carton Industry®, and Board Converting News International. Marketing and Circulation offices: PO Box 802, Manasquan, NJ 08736-0802, Phone: (732) 245-3702. Subscription Rates in U.S. and Canada $60 per year or $105 for two years. Overseas rate per year $80 USD. Current issue single copies (pre-paid only) $5.00 in U.S. (elsewhere $7.50); add $5.00 per order for shipping & handling. No part of this publication may be trans- mitted or reproduced without permission from the publisher. Eaglewood Seeks Sales Reps (DJOHZRRG 7HFKQRORJLHV D OHDGLQJ VXSSOLHU RI 6$)( 60$57683(5,25SURGXFWVIRUWKH)/(;2PDUNHWVHHNV ,QGHSHQGHQW )/(;2 VDOHV UHSUHVHQWDWLYHV LQ WKH (DVWHUQ DQG :HVWHUQ UHJLRQV RI WKH 86 WR UHSUHVHQW RXU JURZLQJ SURGXFWSRUWIROLR Please send your inquiries to [email protected] Subscriber Services For change of address, missed issues and other subscription questions call: (317) 306-1060 or email: [email protected]

Paul Lewis

His most recent position was with Daetwyler as its West Coast Regional Manager, focusing on doc- tor blades, anilox rolls and improved ink metering processes. Lewis is a Six Sigma Certified Green Belt and FIRST Certified as an Implementation Specialist Level III through the FTA. PMMI Nancy Wilson, a champion of growing and develop- ing women and the next generation in the workplace, PMMI board member and CEO of Morrison Container Handling Solutions has been selected as a 2020 STEP Ahead honoree.

Convened by The Manufacturing Institute, the annual STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Produc- tion) Ahead Awards recognizes wom- en in science, technology,engineering and production careers who exempli- fy leadership within their companies. Wilson currently serves as the CEO of Morrison Container Handling Solu- tions, in Glenwood, Illinois.

Robyn Smith - President/Publisher Len Prazych - Vice President

Nancy Wilson

Miraclon Brad Vette has been named Strategic Accounts Manag- er for Miraclon for the United States and Canada. In his position,Vette will support the wider regional sales team with building and nurturing relationships with key cli- ents, while also helping to identify new business oppor- tunities and untapped areas of growth for Miraclon. In addition, Garry Gunter, Regional Sales Manager, has expanded his responsibilities to include the West- ern United States and Canada territories, while Jason Beauleau, Flexo Packaging Sales Manager, takes on re- sponsibilities for the Midwest region, including Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

Greg Kishbaugh - Editor/Co-Publisher Phone: (317) 306-1060 email: [email protected]

Michelle McIntyre - Circulation Christine Eckert - Accounting Manager Jackie Schultz - Contributing Editor T.J. Vilardi - Webmaster/Social Media Coordinator

Tom Vilardi (1961-2018) Chairman Ted Vilardi (1933-2013) - Founder ©2019 NV. Publications All Rights Reserved

www.nvpublications.com

14 April 27, 2020 Flexo Market News

www.nvpublications.com

Partners In Flexo Innovation.

XEIKON 3500

XEIKON CX3

XEIKON PX3000

XEIKON CX500

AndersonVreeland.com/ Xeikon 866.282.7697 EVERY GREAT LABEL DESERVES A XEIKON LABEL PRESS

Small footprint Bigger performance

Same Koenig & Bauer quality

The Evo XC is a brand-new compact and ¥§¡¥ʀʖ͠À͹º–
(
ģ–ëÀ
Ê͖ÑÑɤ

The new 8-color press with one of the smallest footprints in the industry is available in two ’§ –Í–º×
å–ÍѧÀºÑ
æ§×¥

¹ë§¹Ü¹
͖ʖ×
´–º¡×¥
of up to 850mm and printing speeds up to 400 m/ ¹§ºɤ
V¥–
åÀ
j
§Ñ
ʖ͠–×
 ÀÍ
ģ–만´–
ʁ²¡§º¡
Êͧº×–ÍÑ
æ¥À
Í–
і–²§º¡

Ñʁ–ʀс姺¡
ÑÀ´ÜקÀºɟ
×¥–
¥§¡¥–Ñ×
Ì܁´§×ìɟ
º’
ÀºÑ§’–́Œ´–
–º–Í¡ì
с姺¡Ñ
×
×¥–
с¹–
ק¹–ɤ

Àº××
ÜÑ
×À
´–Íº
¹À͖ɤ Koenig & Bauer +1 (800) 522-7521 [email protected] koenig-bauer.com