By investing in the modernization of its Center of Excellence in Annemasse, Siegwerk once again underlines the great importance of the French site for the EMEA region. An official opening ceremony was held to celebrate the reopening together with employees and local authorities end of May 2023. 

Annemasse, France, June, 7, 2023. – Siegwerk, one of the leading global providers of printing inks and coatings for packaging applications and labels, today announced the successful completion of modernization activities at its Annemasse site, the company’s second largest Center of Excellence for packaging inks and coatings in Europe. End of May 2023, employees and local authorities came together to celebrate the reopening of the revamped facility, shining in a bold and modern look now.

“We are happy to finally present our new building design to our employees and partners here in Annemasse,” says Christopher van Laack, Vice President Business Units Paper & Board EMEA and Liquid Food Packaging at Siegwerk. “Next to our headquarters in Germany, Annemasse belongs to our most important sites in Europe. By investing in our locations, we do not only keep our production and laboratory facilities up-to-date in terms of technology and safety, but we also give our buildings a modern look.” Apart from large-scale modifications to the administration building including the modernization of offices, meeting rooms and sanitary facilities, the recent renovations in Annemasse also included the renewal of the façade, showcasing the bold Siegwerk branding. The entire renovation project already started in November 2021, but had to be partially paused due to the pandemic.

The Annemasse site is one of 15 Centers of Excellence worldwide that manufacture Siegwerk’s basic inks and coatings in a standardized process. With a production capacity of more than 25,000 tons per year, it accounts for 10% of the Siegwerk group’s annual output. Today, the French site is home for 275 employees and counts as Siegwerk’s European leading location for water-based and inkjet solutions. As a modern technical center, it combines R&D, production and testing capacities under one roof. “Today, Annemasse already belongs to the state-of-the-art industrial printing facilities in Europe and we will continue making every effort to also stay at the forefront going forward,” adds Christopher van Laack, who works closely with local colleagues as country sponsor for Siegwerk France. From an automated Blending Center for the production of solvent- and water-based inks to laboratory and production facilities concretely dedicated to the development and production of inkjet solutions – Siegwerk has already invested millions of euros over the last decade to build up a sustainable, efficient and competitive Center of Excellence for the region.

About Siegwerk
Siegwerk is one of the leading global manufacturers of printing inks and coatings for packaging applications and labels. Based on 200 years of expertise, we provide customized solutions for all types of packaging needs – from functional and eye-catching to safe and sustainable. As a sixth-generation family business, we have long been aware of our responsibility for future generations. Under the motto “rethINK packaging”, we are therefore actively driving the transformation to a circular economy by developing eco-friendly solutions that enable packaging circularity. Here, 30+ country organizations and ~5,000 employees worldwide ensure consistent high-quality products and customized support around the world. Learn more at www.siegwerk.com

Media Contact:
Nathalie Müller-Samson
Manager Corporate Communications
Tel.: +49 2241 304-237
E-mail: press@siegwerk.com

(UPM Raflatac, Mills River, NC, USA, June 6, 2023 at 18:00 EET) – UPM Raflatac’s OptiCut™ Direct Thermal (DT) Linerless product line is now qualified on the Epson® TM-L90II liner-free compatible thermal label printer. This will enable the global supplier of innovative and sustainable labelling materials to offer improved linerless label performance for quick service restaurants, fast casual establishments, and other brands in the hospitality segment.

“Our incredible ongoing partnership with Epson allows for more end-users to benefit from the efficiencies, high performance, and sustainable design of our OptiCut products,” stated Brinder Gill, Director, Paper Laminates, UPM Raflatac Americas.

With its OptiCut solutions for all major end use environments, UPM Raflatac is poised to meet the strong growth in demand for DT Linerless material, despite supply chain disruptions still common in many markets.

“Our high production capacity and global distribution network enables us to face the fast transition to DT Linerless in the market,” said Gill.

Customers can also make informed choices as the carbon footprint of the UPM Raflatac Linerless product range is certified as CarbonNeutral® product by Climate Impact Partners. Additionally, the range’s carbon footprint calculation is certified by the Carbon Trust.

“Packaging trends have evolved and businesses need to choose from different label options that provide a wide variety of adhesive patterns and strengths,” said Ian Livesay, associate product manager, Thermal Labels, Epson America, Inc. “Epson’s goal is to enable partners, such as UPM Raflatac, to expand compatibility and options for their customers by ensuring solutions like the Epson TM-L90II are optimized to support a broad portfolio of media.”

Click here to read more about UPM Raflatac’s linerless labels »

To download photos, click here.

For more information, please contact:

Stephen Abel
Senior Communications Specialist, UPM Raflatac
Mon-Fri 8.00-15.00 ET
tel. +1 828-290-4954 
Stephen.Abel@upmraflatac.com

UPM, Media Relations 
Mon-Fri 9:00-16:00 EET
tel. +358 40 588 3284 
media@upm.com

UPM Raflatac 
UPM Raflatac offers high-quality self-adhesive paper and film products including label materials, graphics solutions and removable self-adhesive products. We operate 12 factories and deliver our sustainable and innovative products through our global network of distribution terminals. We are one of UPM’s growth businesses and employ around 3,300 people. Our sales reached almost EUR 2 billion (USD 2,1 billion) in 2022. Find out how we are labeling a smarter future beyond fossils at www.upmraflatac.com.

As part of its ongoing process of product development, Vetaphone, which invented the corona process back in the 1950s, took surface treatment to the next level when it introduced the M-model for the narrow web sector of the market in 2019.  Still ahead of the game, the VE1A-M corona station brings all the benefits you would expect from a market leader committed to supplying leading-edge technology.  As new and more complex substrates are introduced, and printing and finishing processes make greater demands on the quality of the web, the VE1A-M brings a raft of new features that boost productivity and increased flexibility.

Mark Andy has installed one on a hybrid line in its European showroom facility in Warsaw, Poland, where Demo Room Manager, Lukasz Kaczynski commented: “The M station is one of three Vetaphone corona treaters fitted to our Digital Series HD press.  Because of the intricate work we are doing with quite complex substrates on this press we needed the extra power that it offers.  We also like the easier top access for cleaning and maintenance, and the improved ergonomics for sliding the cartridge in and out.  I’d say the upgrades are well worthwhile and it’s just as reliable and simple to run as the previous Vetaphone treaters we have.” 

The VE1A-M model has a modular design to allow for easy upgrading, but still has the same compact footprint as its predecessor with identical mounting holes – it is of course also fully CE and UL approved.  It is available with 2, 4, 6, and 8 high-power ceramic electrodes in treatment widths of 292 – 872 mm and higher running speed of up to 300 m/min.  It is fitted with an embedded rotation sensor, easy turning roller with low energy requirement, and an HP connector isolated from dust and ozone for longer life. 

Midlothian, TX. June 2, 2023 – Ennis, Inc. (the “Company”), (NYSE: EBF), announced its acquisition of the operating assets of UMC Print in Overland Park, Kansas. UMC Print has been a leading trade-only printer and provider of commercial printing services since 1936. As one of the largest sheet-fed commercial printers in the area, UMC Print’s capabilities serve a wide range of distributors and trade sales organizations throughout the Midwest and beyond.

“The addition of UMC Print continues our commitment to adding strategic locations and capabilities to drive growth with our distributor partners,” said Keith Walters, Chairman, President & CEO of Ennis, Inc. “For more than 85 years, UMC Print has been serving this same industry. Their expansive capabilities are in demand by our customers, as well as our recent acquisition School Photo Marketing.”

Upon closing, UMC Print will continue its normal operations at its current location in Overland Park, Kansas and can be reached at 800.524.5860 or umcprint.com. 

About Ennis:

Since 1909, Ennis, Inc. has primarily engaged in the production and sale of business forms and other business products. The Company is one of the largest private-label printed business product suppliers in the United States. Headquartered in Midlothian, Texas, the Company has production and distribution facilities strategically located throughout the United States to serve the Company’s national network of distributors. The Company manufactures and sells business forms, other printed business and commercial products, printed and electronic media, presentation products, flexographic printing, internal bank forms, secure and negotiable documents, envelopes, tags and labels, advertising specialties, adhesive notes, plastic cards and other custom products. For more information, visit ennis.com.

For Further Information, Contact:

Ennis, Inc.

2441 Presidential Pkwy

Midlothian, TX 76065

Phone: 972.775.9801

Fax: 972.775.9820

ennis.com

R&D, Sales, Service and Repair Center will increase customer support for growing market

Mumbai, India – Maxcess International, a global leader in automated web handling solutions, is pleased to announce the opening of its new state-of-the-art facility strategically located just west of Mumbai. The facility will house Sales and Service support, Global R&D resources, a repair center, and administrative offices for the APAC region supporting the Maxcess’ portfolio of brands, including RotoMetrics, Fife, Tidland, MAGPOWR, Webex, Componex and Maxcess Vision Systems.

“I wanted to be here to celebrate this important Maxcess milestone and we are thrilled to invest in our new Maxcess R&D, Sales, Service and Repair Center in Mumbai,” said Odd Joergenrud, CEO of Maxcess, in Mumbai for the opening ceremony. “India and the Asia Pacific market are of great strategic importance to Maxcess, and this expansion allows us to bring our industry leading end-to-end web handling solutions to more people in the region. Additionally, adding to our global R&D team locally brings us closer to our customers to create even better solutions. With this facility, we aim to further enhance our sales and technical support, improve regional response time, create new innovations, and achieve greater productivity and efficiency for our customers.”

The new multipurpose facility is designed with a focus on delivering world-class services to the Maxcess customer base. The new offices will have over thirty dedicated employees for the India and Asia Pacific region. Equipped with the latest technologies and staffed by skilled professionals, the facility is poised to meet the growing demands of the region’s web handling segments, including printing, tag and label, packaging, medical, towel & tissue, tire and rubber, metals, and many other converting applications.

“The Mumbai R&D, Sales, Service and Repair Center will offer a wide range of services tailored to meet the needs of customers in the region,” said Niraj Muni, General Manager of Maxcess India. “Our customers will notice faster turnaround time on repairs, increased tooling efficiency and durability, which reduces scrap and waste to be more sustainable, improved technical and support in the places our customers do business. I am excited to help Maxcess grow in this important part of the world.”\

By combining Maxcess’ extensive product portfolio with an exceptional customer service experience, the center will function as a hub for collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing in the region.

Maxcess has a strong commitment to ensuring customer success through a global network of sales, service, and support centers. The addition of the Mumbai facility now has expanded the footprint, complementing existing centers across the world.

Visit www.Maxcessintl.com or call 1-844-MAXCESS to learn more about our solutions to help you work better, faster, and smarter

Press Contact:  Keith Laakko – Global Vice President Marketing & Business Development

klaakko@maxcessintl.com 

About Maxcess: Maxcess saves you time and money by optimizing your peak output performance. We do this by leveraging the world’s best web handling brands, offering customized, automated, end-to-end sustainable web handling solutions. Maxcess helps its customers maximize productivity through innovative products and services worldwide by combining global service and support across the storied product brands of RotoMetrics, Fife, Tidland, MAGPOWR, Webex, Valley Roller, Componex and Maxcess Vision Systems, Maxcess offers an unrivaled network of application experts and end-to-end web handling solutions to help you work better, faster, and smarter. Visit them online at www.maxcess.com

 Irvine, Calif., June 1, 2023 – Roland DGA Corporation, a leading provider of wide-format inkjet printers, vinyl cutters, 3D milling machines, and other digital imaging technologies, has announced three key personnel changes within its Service Department.

Jack Pozorski, a sign and graphics industry veteran who has held several different service and support positions at Roland DGA since joining the company in 2004, has been promoted to Director of Service. In his new role, Pozorski will be responsible for overseeing Roland DGA’s entire service department, ensuring that customers and resellers throughout the Americas continue to receive the level of world-class support the company is known for. He will also serve as the main contact with Roland DGA’s third-party service providers, looking for new ways to optimize those relationships and increase customer satisfaction.

Francisco Alvarado, who has held a variety of positions at Roland DGA over the past 25 years, serving most recently as Roland Care Support Manager, has been promoted to Roland Care Manager. Alvarado’s responsibilities will be centered around establishing new ways the company can support end users as well as the dealer channel.  In addition, he will oversee the company’s network of Roland Care Engineers throughout North and South America.

Kevin Rosen, who worked for Roland DGA from 2015 to 2021 – starting out as a Technical Support Representative and later serving as Application Specialist – has been rehired and will replace Alvarado as Roland Care Support Manager. In his new position, Rosen’s primary responsibilities will include oversight of Roland DGA’s team of technical support specialists and day-to-day management of the service depot.

“These experienced, talented individuals will work together to make sure Roland DGA maintains its well-earned reputation for providing the best service and support in the industries we cater to,” said Roland DGA’s Vice President of Services, Ron Ball. “We congratulate them on their new, expanded roles within the company and look forward to their important contributions, which will help us continue to exceed the expectations of our customers.”

To learn more about Roland DGA Corporation, or the complete Roland DGA product line, visit https://www.rolanddga.com.

West Sussex, England – 31st May, 2023

Print industry user group Automate Print, a collection of the leading print solution providers is holding its first UK session, at the iconic Kia Oval cricket ground in London, 21st June, 2023.

The Automate Print collective, which consists of Infigo, PrintIQ, Enfocus, and Esko, was created as a platform to collaborate between print industry professions to learn how they can streamline their workflow, capitalise on personalisation and significantly reduce overheads with innovative technology.

The full day event will include interactive sessions and demonstrations as well as drinks and canapés, on the rooftop terrace, for an evening of networking with industry peers. This follows the first highly successful Automate Print held at Top Golf in Las Vegas, in October 2022

The packed day begins with an introduction to each partner (and the part they play in the workflow), including a demonstration to show how an automated web-to-print workflow can be created when the platforms are fully integrated.

This will be followed by an interactive customer panel, Q&A sessions and individual breakouts with the four partners. This means that attendees can see how the platforms work together but also gives them the opportunity to drill down into granular detail on the individual platforms.

The event will be hosted by personalisation expert, Richard Askam, the visionary behind Coca- Cola’s ground-breaking “Share a Coke” marketing campaign.

Richard said: “Personalisation is critical to consider as the print industry continues to evolve. Most consumers expect the ability to personalise their product or packaging, with the same turnaround time or faster. Automating your web-to-print workflow to accommodate this is imperative.”

In short the event will enable users to learn more about automation and integration, discover how their solutions can be integrated further, learn from other customers and get 1-1 time with their solutions provider in a casual setting. So don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to speak to the decision makers that are shaping the future of web-to-print, discover how to fine tune your automated workflow and discuss the future features you’d like to see on the platforms you use daily.

Spaces are limited, so make sure you register now.

Greg Young, Head of Customer Success, Infigo, says: “I look forward to any opportunity to meet up with customers and partners but this is one I’m particularly excited about.

“To get all these experts and our users in the same room is an achievement in itself but to have the entire day for customers to ask whatever they want about the individual platforms is a highly unique opportunity.

“When we first held a similar event in Vegas last year, we were blown away by the feedback, so we’re highly excited that our UK and European customers will be able to get the same insight and grill the leading providers in print automation.

“The fact that there is such a variety of sessions, run by those that are the forefront of developing and integrating the platforms and driving print automation, I think we are all going to learn a lot about the current and future opportunities around web-to-print and where the industry is going.”

George Folickman, Sales Director, Phoenix Software, for Esko, says: “The key to any successful technology company is a keen awareness of the underlying challenges their customers face. More sophisticated automation and integration is required to enable the short runs and fast turnaround times being demanded of our industry, all while strictly managing their overhead.

“Yes, it takes investment, but when you integrate the right platforms, then all of this is possible. We can’t wait to hear more from our clients and how we can help them thrive in challenging conditions. It’s an honour to follow up our event in Las Vegas with our partners who all prioritise automation, open platforms, and connectivity – three drivers that we see as being a requirement for modern technology.”

Rachel Keenan, Channel Manager for DistributorX Solutions Ltd, the Enfocus distributor for the UK & Ireland, says: “The print businesses that have met the challenges over the last few years, have been the ones that have implemented and experimented with automation.

“When you have these different platforms that can be integrated, it reduces the need for rekeying information, cuts down on unnecessary phone calls and emails with clients, reduces errors across the workflow and speeds up the overall turnaround of jobs.

“This is an incredible opportunity for users of all our products to get together, compare notes, share what’s working for them and obviously ask us experts about how different software providers work together and specific points around each platform.”

Rob Thurston, Sales Manager, for PrintIQ, said the day would provide invaluable information for printers in a range of sectors.

He said: “The ability to be flexible with your offering, and your workflow, is imperative to growth. Not only does integrating these platforms help reduce overhead, streamlining the workflow and provide a quicker turnaround than ever before, but it also gives you better oversight and control of how efficiently your business is running.

“With these different platforms you can really drill down into the products, sectors and geographies that are proving to be most popular (and the ones that aren’t) to take a more strategic approach and maximise opportunities.”

For more information about the event, please visit https://www.automateprint.net/.

Irvine, Calif., May 30, 2023 – Large-format imaging leader Roland DGA has announced the addition of two new, uniquely designed media offerings – SoftSign™ Fabric Banner and HeatSoft™ GLAM heat transfer material – to the wide selection of substrates it currently offers for print professionals.

New SoftSign Fabric Banner (RCM-SSFB) is an addition to Roland DGA’s current SoftSign textile line. It’s a heavyweight, 15-mil, 100 percent polyester fabric with an Oxford weave that’s perfect for a variety of banner and décor applications. Compatible with eco-solvent, UV, and resin inks, this 10-ounce fabric allows for a higher-end look and feel than a standard glossy scrim vinyl banner. It’s also easy to work with, hangs beautifully, and doesn’t curl in retractable banner stands. Available in 20” x 75’, 30” x 150’, and 54” x 150’ rolls.

New HeatSoft GLAM (ESM-HTGLM) is a 7.5-mil heat transfer vinyl that is made of white polyurethane film with silver sparkle flecks encapsulated in the film for a smooth, printable surface. It features a heat-activated adhesive that allows for application to different types of fabrics, including cotton, polyester, and poly/cotton blend. As HeatSoft GLAM is a thick, heavy media, it’s best applied to thicker fabrics and garments like sweatshirts, denim, aprons, caps, hats, and tote bags. This media can also be used on T-shirts, but it’s recommended that T-shirt application be limited to small sections or as an accent piece. Designed for use with eco-solvent inks, HeatSoft GLAM is CPSIA certified and Proposition 65 compliant. It’s offered in 20” x 30’ and 30” x 30’ rolls.

“In the case of SoftSign Fabric Banner, customers asked for it and we listened,” said Lily Hunter, Roland DGA’s Senior Product Manager. “We now have an environmentally friendly fabric banner to satisfy a wide range of Roland DG printer users – from owners of VersaSTUDIO desktop devices to TrueVIS large-format customers. We’re equally excited about adding HeatSoft GLAM to our popular HeatSoft heat transfer family. It’s a truly unique media that’s sure to add a little ‘bling’ to your life.”

New SoftSign Fabric Banner and HeatSoft GLAM heat transfer material are available for purchase with a few clicks of the mouse at the Roland DGA Online Store, or through authorized Roland DGA resellers.  

To learn more about Roland DGA Corporation, or the complete Roland DGA product line, visit https://www.rolanddga.com.

About Roland DG Americas

Roland DG Americas serves North and South America as the marketing, sales, distribution, and service arm for Roland DG Corporation. Founded in 1981 and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Roland DG of Hamamatsu, Japan is a worldwide leader in wide-format inkjet printers for the sign, apparel, textile, personalization and vehicle graphics markets; engravers for awards, giftware and ADA signage; photo impact printers for direct part marking; and 3D printers and CNC milling machines for the dental CAD/CAM, rapid prototyping, part manufacturing and medical industries. 

For Immediate Release

SATO Holdings Corporation announces that its consolidated subsidiary SATO International America, Inc. has acquired Stafford Press, Inc., a Redmond, Washington-based company. Stafford Press is a pioneer and market leader in the on-demand tag and labels business for inkjet color on-demand horticulture tag and labels market in North America. The acquisition positions SATO to deliver on-demand tag and label solutions to other industries as well.

Established in 1992, Stafford Press is a pioneer in the field of inkjet horticulture tagging and labeling, boasting the highest market share and a strong customer base in the United States. The retail vertical market, which includes horticulture, is a key focus for SATO’s U.S business, and the company has been providing barcode labels and printers to this segment since 2006.

The acquisition aligns with SATO’s investment strategy within its current medium-term business plan to solidify its business footing in overseas markets for sustainable growth. There are three main objectives to the deal. Firstly, SATO aims to further expand its horticulture label business in North America. Secondly, SATO aims to add inkjet printing as a new option to its existing range of thermal, laser and RFID-based horticulture labeling and tagging solutions.  Lastly, SATO will further grow its auto-ID solutions business by establishing a labeling manufacturing base on the west coast.  

Steve Sundstrom said, “Stafford Press is an excellent addition to the SATO family. They complement SATO America’s business, provide new avenues & markets for growth, and provide us coverage on the west coast. Dave and Kim Long have built a great company with a great team at Stafford and I believe they will fit well with our business and provide significant growth opportunities.”

Stafford Press, which comprises label and tag printing brands SameDay and WestHort, will be operated alongside SATO America, LLC, as it is integrated into SATO. SATO America president Steve Sundstrom will oversee the newly acquired company. 

About SATO

SATO (TOKYO:6287) is a global auto-ID solutions provider for leading companies in manufacturing, logistics, retail, food & beverage and health care. SATO tags every ‘thing’, making them knowable in real time for a connected world of productivity, safety, reassurance and sustainability. An industry pioneer with a focus that is grounded on site, SATO engineers hardware and integrates solutions to streamline the entire supply chain and capture and visualize data from factory to consumer. SATO has 83 years of expertise and a presence in 26 countries with a workforce of 5,637. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, it reported revenues of 142,824 million yen ($1.05 billion*).

 More information about SATO can be found at www.sato-global.com