Kennesaw, Ga. May 11, 2023 – Producing work for some of Canada’s most notable brands, Proprint, a self-described “very small, big company” has flown under the radar as one of Canada’s most proficient print providers throughout much of its thirty-year history. But over the last decade of building up its in-store retail display and folding carton business,the company is looking to move to the next level of long-run folding carton production. The Scarborough, Ontario based company, who prides itself on fast turnaround times with exceptional customer service, recently installed a new Speedmaster CX 104-6+L from HEIDELBERG to complement its current six-color Speedmaster CD 102. Proprint’s new press is one of five CX 104s to be installed in Canada in the last 12 months – making it the new “go to” press for Canadian commercial and packaging printers alike. 

Previously equipped with only one offset press, Proprint shied away from what it deemed “longer” run folding carton jobs that could monopolize time on press. “We like to be able to react on a dime for our customers,” said Richard Krakower, CEO of Proprint. The company’s average turnaround time from receiving a print-ready file to live production on press is usually only 24 hours. Wanting to maintain this exceptional speed-to-market while doubling its offset print capacity, Proprint completed installation of a six-color Speedmaster CX 104 earlier this year. Now, according to Krakower, with the new “beast” CX 104, “If we get a run that’s 100,000 or 200,000 sheets, we’ll be able to accommodate the job without interrupting our core business.” To fully maximize its overall efficiency, Proprint is also planning a complete refurbishment of its CD 102 once the new CX 104 is running at full capacity.

Proprint, whose retail kits require printing on a variety of different materials in varying quantities, is looking forward to the flexibility of having two Speedmaster presses on the shop floor. “Our CD 102 still prints magnificently,” said Krakower, “and with the efficient makereadies of the new CX 104, we get to decide where we print each job – regardless of run length.” The new press is fully equipped with HEIDELBERG’s latest technology, which includes autonomous Push-to-Stop technology, AutoPlate Pro, and a completely new operating philosophy, the HEIDELBERG User Experience (UX). Coupled with the patented Intellistart 3 and other assistance systems, HEIDELBERG UX ensures short makeready times and the best possible support for press operators throughout the press run. “Our entire team is very excited about this new technology and proud to have it on the plant floor,” said Krakower. 

While Proprint’s CD 102 is equipped with Prinect Image Control for color measurement, the company opted for the completely inline Prinect Inpress Control 3 for its newest press. Purchasing the CX 104 without Inpress Control – the industry’s leading inline spectrophotometer that measures and controls color and registers on the fly at any speed, delivering the first measurable result in less than 60 sheets – was not an option for Krakower. “From a makeready perspective, Inpress Control takes offset printing to almost a digital press level.” Continuously scanning sheets for color deviations as they run through the press, Inpress Control’s automated technology not only saves makeready time and waste sheets but also is helpful as the company brings on new press operators. “Inpress Control enables us to take someone with a digital printing background and train them to run an offset press in a much shorter period of time,” said Krakower.

Proprint, who originally began as a print broker and later transitioned into production, purchased its first HEIDELBERG press in 1999. “The first sheet we ran through our first HEIDELBERG press was on Valentine’s Day,” said Krakower. “Since then, I’ve never had a doubt that HEIDELBERG is the best of the best.” In addition to running HEIDELBERG presses, Proprint is also a long time Prinect and POLAR user. According to Krakower, “The longevity, quality, and heritage behind HEIDELBERG products is second to none. It’s hard to compete with perfection.”

Volatility Breeds Opportunity to Reconfigure Supply Chains for Growth

CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA – May 9, 2023 –  Manufacturing and Supply Chain Expert Lisa Anderson, MBA, CSCP, CLTD, known as the Strongest Link in Your Supply Chain® and President of LMA Consulting Group Inc., has published a Special Report – The Road Ahead: Business, Supply Chain & The World Order. LMA Consulting Group works with manufacturers and distributors on strategy and end-to-end supply chain transformation to maximize the customer experience and enable profitable, scalable, dramatic business growth.

“While the visible signs of supply chain chaos have dissipated, business volatility and disruptions remain high. With the world order in a state of flux, risk is high. Yet because everything is interconnected, companies have an opportunity to stay ahead of their ideal customers’ needs. They can do this by reconfiguring their supply chains, leveraging technology and attracting and continually developing talent to leapfrog their competitors to secure a lead position in their marketplace,” commented Lisa Anderson.

The Road Ahead: Business, Supply Chain & The World Order is a special report that captures comments from trusted advisors and experts from various disciplines about what their most successful clients are doing and what companies should do to take advantage of opportunities in 2023 and beyond. “In talking with my colleagues, it became apparent that the same challenges, issues and opportunities resonate among business disciplines. Each discipline requires attention. Making required changes is not for the faint of heart. The opportunity in front of companies today is the greatest since the Great Depression,” she said.  

From cybersecurity, logistics, insurance and talent acquisition to nearshoring, reshoring and friendshoring, the tasks are many, but the opportunity is significant. “The only question will be whether your company is ready to take advantage of the opportunities to grow profitably or if you’ll struggle for survival. I hope that our Special Report sheds light on these opportunities,” she concluded.

 Ms. Anderson also recently released: SIOP (Sales Inventory Operations Planning): Creating Predictable Revenue and EBITDA Growth to help organizations understand the value of a proven process.  The book is complimentary on the LMA Website at: https://www.lma-consultinggroup.com/siop-book/. It can also be found on Amazon digitally and on-demand print at:  SIOP at amazon.com and on iTunes: Apple. Ms. Anderson also provides supply chain updates through Supply Chain Chats, a series of short videos that address current topics, issues and challenges related to supply chains.

• Project includes installation of new and upgraded machinery to improve energy and production efficiency at Mondi Dynäs in Sweden.

• Investing in the future of the mill to meet customer demand for sustainable packaging solutions.

10 May 2023 – Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, is upgrading its Dynäs pulp and paper mill in Sweden. The modernisation programme will increase efficiency and further improve the overall environmental performance of the mill, positioning it well to continue meeting customer demand for sustainable paper and paper-based packaging solutions.

The Dynäs mill produces high-quality sack and speciality kraft papers, used for a variety of paper-based packaging solutions for industrial and consumer industries, and is an important part of Mondi’s Flexible Packaging business. The project includes the installation and upgrade of machinery and equipment such as a new cooking plant and bark boiler, which will improve the mill’s energy efficiency. Upgrades will also further reduce air and water emissions, and result in better wood utilisation at the mill.

Roman Senecky, COO Mondi Kraft Paper, says: “The modernisation programme at Dynäs represents a significant investment in the future of this well-established mill. By producing sustainable sack and speciality kraft paper, we continue to contribute to our MAP2030 goals and meet customer demand with innovative solutions such as Advantage StretchWrap, an alternative to plastic film pallet wrapping, and Advantage MF EcoComp, used for high strength packaging like paper bags for wet organic household waste. The mill supplies paper across Europe and plays an important role in the local community.”

The Swedish Land and Environmental Court (Mark-och Miljödomstolen) approved Mondi’s works application in March 2023. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

About Mondi

Mondi is a global leader in packaging and paper, contributing to a better world by making innovative solutions that are sustainable by design. Our business is integrated across the value chain – from managing forests and producing pulp, paper and films, to developing and manufacturing sustainable consumer and industrial packaging solutions using paper where possible, plastic when useful. Sustainability is at the centre of our strategy, with our ambitious commitments to 2030 focused on circular driven solutions, created by empowered people, taking action on climate.  

In 2022, Mondi had revenues of €8.9 billion and underlying EBITDA of €1.8 billion from continuing operations, and employed 22,000 people worldwide. Mondi has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange (MNDI), where the Group is a FTSE100 constituent, and also has a secondary listing on the JSE Limited (MNP).

www.mondigroup.com

Pittsburgh, May 7, 2023–eProductivity Software (ePS), a leading global technology provider for print and packaging companies, is proud to announce its partnership with HP, bringing forth an integrated solution that revolutionizes workflow processes and drives operational efficiency. The successful integration, first announced at Dscoop Edge Rockies in 2022, will be unveiled at the 2023 Dscoop Edge St. Louis World Expo from May 7-10 and signifies a significant step toward achieving a touch-free workflow, aligning with ePS’ commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions to its valued customers.

ePS Midmarket Print Suite, with Pace® ERP at its core, is a leading software offering purpose-built for commercial, wide-format, and in-plant printers. Recognizing the immense potential of ePS Pace ERP and HP Indigo integration, Point B Solutionseagerly volunteered to participate as an early adopter, embracing the opportunity to optimize its operations and enhance customer experiences by streamlining pre-press efforts and digital job processes.

In addition to the seamless integration between ePS Midmarket Suite and HP Indigo, Point B Solutions is embracing other state-of-the-art technologies, including Enfocus Switch and Pitstop Server. By incorporating these solutions, Point B Solutions aims to establish a comprehensive and streamlined workflow, automating pre-flighting and approval processes while eliminating manual interactions.

Bob Raus, Americas Category Manager at HP Industrial Print, emphasized the significance of automation, stating, “The level of automation is a key indicator of a print service provider’s potential for business growth and success. HP is delighted to deliver on the promise of systems integration with eProductivity Software, benefiting our customers and the industry as a whole.”

The anticipated benefits of this comprehensive automation strategy are substantial time savings and enhanced productivity. Point B Solutions estimates a potential reduction of up to three days per job in the pre-press process, with even greater efficiencies for more complex projects. This transformative automation empowers Point B Solutions to redirect resources towards higher-value tasks, delivering exceptional customer satisfaction and fueling business growth.

Looking ahead, Point B Solutions and ePS envision an era of enhanced efficiency and automation, facilitated by the successful integration of ePS Pace ERP and HP Indigo. By working backward, starting from the press and moving upward, Point B Solutions has effectively established a robust connection between these cutting-edge technologies, setting a new benchmark within the industry.

Doug Haefele, VP of Technology Solutions at Point B Solutions, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We’re thrilled to see the advantages of a more open-source world between ePS and HP. This strategic partnership opens boundless opportunities for operational efficiency and innovation for printers like us. We can’t wait to see where this collaboration can take process automation and move the industry forward.”

The partnership between ePS and Point B Solutions exemplifies a shared commitment to embracing innovation and driving industry-wide advancements. Together, they are at the forefront of delivering unparalleled printing solutions, fueled by advanced workflow automation. You can learn more about the integration between ePS solutions and HP at the 2023 Dscoop Edge St. Louis World Expo by visiting ePS at booth 507.

About Point B Solutions: Point B Solutions is a leading provider of printing, technology, and ecommerce fulfillment solutions, empowering businesses with cutting-edge solutions to enhance their operations and drive growth. With a commitment to exceptional quality and customer satisfaction, Point B Solutions continues to be a trusted partner for organizations seeking innovative printing and fulfillment solutions.

About eProductivity Software: eProductivity Software is a leading global provider of industry-specific business and production software technology for the packaging and print industries. The company’s integrated and automated software offerings and point solutions are designed to enable revenue growth and drive operating and production efficiencies. eProductivity Software is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with offices worldwide. With over thirty years dedicated to delivering best-in-class technology to the packaging and printing industries, it is the company’s deeply held philosophy that eProductivity Software succeeds when its customers thrive. For more information, please visit https://epssw.com/.

The technology is another step forward for the company in enabling recyclable, circular packaging. 

Des Moines, IA, May 2023. – Siegwerk, one of the leading global providers of printing inks and coatings for packaging applications and labels, has received an honorable mention in the Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) sustainability excellence awards. The awards are given to companies who demonstrate a commitment to and pursuit of sustainable package printing. Siegwerk entered its light block technology for consideration, as part of its commitment to providing a commercially viable printable-tunable light barrier solution that possesses all needed functional properties and is recyclable to provide a more sustainable and eco-friendly environment.

Using printable-tunable light barrier coatings, Siegwerk’s technology eliminates hard-to-recycle (white/colored) plastics to shift to clear sustainable alternatives, without compromising on light barrier performance. Currently, the technology on the market which is designed to block and light and thus preserve the shelf life of a range of goods from foods to cosmetics has the drawback of making the packaging more difficult to recycle. Siegwerk’s light barrier technology eliminates this problem, increasing recyclability and allowing recyclers to increase reclaiming rates for recyclable plastic, without sacrificing packaging performance.

In addition, printable-tunable light barrier coatings can be tailored to work with existing recycling streams, such as floatable (stay-on label inks), washable inks (deinkable shrink sleeves), and mono- material films (MDO-PE). This innovative light barrier coating solution can be tuned to block (up to 99.8%) light in the wavelength range of 200 nm – 900 nm.

“Light sensitive products need protection from UV and visible light. Today the light block packaging solutions offered in the market are not recycle-friendly. Siegwerk’s patent pending light barrier solution changes all of that by providing brands with a printable coating that can be tuned to achieve minimal light block sensitivity all the way across the light spectrum to full coverage in the highest wavelengths.  No added equipment or process change is needed. Moving from colored or opaque containers to clear recycle-friendly containers has never been easier,“ said Zack Meister, Global Business Development Manager, Flexible Packaging at Siegwerk.

Wausau, WI — Wausau Coated Products Inc., a leading manufacturer of adhesive-based label products, is pleased to announce the promotion of Juan Pablo Orozco as the New Outside Sales Representative for the Northeast Region for Wausau Coated Products Roll Label Stock Products. Prior to his new role, Juan has been participating in a Wausau Coated Products 12-month sales training program that took him through every aspect of the Wausau Coated Products business and focused on growing his industry knowledge. In his new role, Juan will help serve our customers, both new and existing in the Northeast Region. 

“We are extremely excited to have Juan represent WCP in the Northeast Region,” states, Adam Frey, Business Manager, Roll Products, Wausau Coated Products. “Juan’s passion and motivation to serve customers paired with his hands-on training experience of producing pressure sensitive products will help him succeed in his new role.” 

Oak Brook, Illinois, May 4, 2023-Maxcess, a global leader in innovative products and services for the web handling industry, today announced the launch of the Tidland RD AutoScore, the next-generation of automation for tag and label and specialty material converting. The RD AutoScore offers automatic and repeatable trim width and cut depth positioning for score (kiss-cut) blades, optimizing job setups to improve safety, reduce downtime and enable running faster with more types of material.

“We’re excited to launch the RD AutoScore, which offers a new level of automation and efficiency for our customers,” said Aaron Powers, Global Product Manager at Maxcess. “With decades of knowledge working with pressure sensitive materials through our RotoMetrics brand, we understand that reducing setup times while maximizing line speeds is paramount to a successful label or specialty converting application. We believe this product provides significant value to our customers and will enhance their press productivity and operator safety.”

The RD AutoScore provides quick and precise setup of score blades, reducing setup time and allowing for consistent scoring of all liner materials, including film liners like PET. It also improves safety by eliminating the need for operators to make regular adjustments while reaching into the press. This enables users to run faster with less downtime, solving material variation challenges and offering superior performance. The RD AutoScore offers a return on investment in less than a year when compared to manual score systems, making it a valuable addition to any tag and label or specialty material converting operation.

The RD AutoScore is the latest addition to Maxcess’ portfolio of innovative web handling products and services, providing customers with best-in-class solutions for their unique production needs. 

For more information on the RD AutoScore, please visit https://www.maxcessintl.com/product/slitting-systems-winding-systems/slitting-systems/rd-autoscore/.

VIDEO

As part of its commitment to students at the Poland-based Technical Universities and Technical Schools, Mark Andy began a series of meetings at its Technology Center in Warsaw with an Open House.  On 21st April more than 100 young people and their teachers, representing two Technical Universities (Warsaw and Lodz), and three Technical Colleges (Kalisz, Poznan, and Zgierz), visited the company’s European Sales & Service hub. They took part in three demo sessions, including one with an Evolution Series E5 flexo press and two with hybrid models, the toner-based Digital Pro 3, and the inkjet-based Digital Series HD.  All three print techniques were shown doing live production, manufacturing different kinds of labels, including POD with participants’ pictures taken during the Open House.  Mark Andy Poland personnel were on hand to answer the many questions raised about the presses and their technological aspects, as well career possibilities in the label and packaging markets.

“This was the first time we had hosted such a large group of students at our Open House,”  says Lena Chmielewska-Bontron, European Marketing Manager Mark Andy.  “It was also the first visit of students from the Technical Colleges – previously we had only University students.  We were delighted with such a big attendance as we’ve been committed to educational aspects for many years.  As a manufacturer with more than 75 years of market experience, it’s a key part of our mission and legacy to share our knowledge with the people willing to join our industry in the years to come.  These events are also important because of the ongoing shortage of skilled employees in our industry.  Considering everything, we’re happy with the involvement of our guests in the technology and equipment we demonstrated.  We answered lots of questions, and difficult ones too, so we’re very encouraged with the success of the Open House,” she added.

Before the press demos, Lukasz Chruslinski, European Sales Manager, gave a short opening speech.  He underlined that printing, especially in the label and packaging markets, has huge potential and offers many opportunities for people seeking new jobs.  He cited market research data and pointed out the technologies that have become increasingly popular in recent years, like RFID.  “As a m

anufacturer of printing presses, we’re involved in RFID and the many projects it incorporates,” – said Lukasz Chruslinski.  “This technology has been available for many years, but its popularity only started to grow recently because of the way it supports the entire supply chain, in terms of sales, warehousing, and logistics”.

Lukasz underlined that many printers and converters have recently begun to modify their operational activities.  “They are changing from being a simple print house to a one-stop-shop, offering many other services, including data management, design, fulfillment, and distribution.  It’s an important change in attitude especially in terms of more advanced projects like ‘intelligent labels’, and RFID tags.  It’s not enough to be a simple printer anymore, you must be a technology partner and advisor, with the printing press being a part of the entire manufacturing line.  We’re pleased to see so many cases of this in Poland because it relates to our customers, too,” he said.

The presses were demonstrated by Lukasz Chruslinski and Michal Mokrzycki – Print Specialist at Mark Andy.  The toner-based Digital Pro 3 was first, and Lukasz explained how easy it is to enhance its capability with additional finishing and embellishment options, like a multi-purpose flexo unit and either rotary or semi-rotary die-cutting.  Digital Pro 3 is positioned by Mark Andy as an entry level press, devoted to short runs of up to 400m. However, as was mentioned, it is quite often used for printing longer runs, as well.

The next demo was devoted to Evolution Series E5 flexo press, which is servo-driven and was equipped with a hybrid curing system, incorporating different drying techniques. “An easy-to-use cassette system enables a quick changeover from one drying technology to another,” he explained.  “It enables the use and drying of different kinds of inks, such as UV, LED and water based.” With numerous other finishing and embellishment options, E5 is a very flexible, multi-purpose, and highly efficient printing platform.

The third demo session was devoted to Digital Series HD, Mark Andy’s flagship hybrid based on inkjet technology.  “It’s our best seller, and is extremely popular with our European customers,” said Lukasz.  Digital Series HD is devoted to longer runs than the previously presented toner-based solution DPro 3 and owing to its extended colour gamut (CMYK + OVG) it can reproduce approximately 96% of CMYK colours.  With its capability of printing a highly pigmented white ink, it offers results comparable with screen printing.  Like the other two presses, Digital Series HD can be upgraded with numerous finishing and embellishment options.  “Its modularity is highly appreciated by our customers,” said Lukasz, “and many of them upgrade their original configuration as the demand from print buyers changes.”

After the demo sessions, the students had an opportunity for individual chats and discussions with Mark Andy representatives. They were very interested in the numerous print samples, including the labels printed on Digital Pro 3 with the pictures of Open House participants, taken in a real-time during the meeting.

“We’d like to thank all the students and their teachers for taking part and showing such a huge interest in our technology.  We hope the press demos and discussions with our experts become a source of knowledge and inspiration for them.  It’s worth mentioning that several participants of the Open House asked about the opportunity of an internship at Mark Andy, as well as help with thesis they are preparing.  All these signs are very positive and encourage us to initiate and support other educational opportunities,” concluded Lena Chmielewska-Bontron.

PITTSBURGH, May 3, 2023 – eProductivity Software (ePS) is thrilled to announce its participation at Interpack 2023 in Dusseldorf, Germany from May 4-10, 2023. As the premier event for the packaging and corrugated industries, the company will showcase its innovative software solutions, which are purpose-built for the packaging industry and designed to optimize complex production processes and increase efficiency.

ePS Packaging will showcase its flagship product, ePS Radius® ERP, an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution specifically designed for the labeling, folding carton, and flexible packaging markets. Radius ERP is the most comprehensive software solution of its kind available in these markets, offering tools that help companies manage their production processes from start to finish. With its newly redesigned and intuitive HTML5-based UI/UX, Radius ERP can significantly improve estimating, quoting, production planning, scheduling, raw materials, finished goods, and waste management. The software also features advanced reporting and analytics tools that provide real-time insights into production performance, enabling companies to make data-driven decisions and optimize their processes for maximum efficiency.

In addition to Radius ERP, attendees can view the company’s leading industry-enabling point solutions, including ePS PrintFlow® 4D (PF4D) and ePS Auto-Count® 4D (AC4D), which are designed to work with ePS, third-party, or homegrown ERP solutions. PrintFlow 4D is a dynamic cloud-based scheduling solution that revolutionizes how businesses plan complex, multi-site production processes by optimizing production planning up to 20 times faster than existing solutions and allowing them to improve productivity, reduce costs, maximize asset utilization, and increase profits. Auto-Count 4D is a cloud-based shop floor data collection solution that empowers businesses to collect and analyze data in real time so they can make informed, data-driven decisions anytime, anywhere, and from any device. 

ePS will also demonstrate the latest Suite releases of its eFlow Automator and Business Intelligence (BI) tools. These newly redeveloped modules provide businesses with comprehensive analytics and automation solutions. The ePS BI tool enables businesses to analyze data from all areas of their operations to build a holistic view of the company’s performance. Suite Automator automates repetitive tasks, allowing businesses to improve productivity while reducing errors and costs.

Interpack attendees can also experience ePS’ latest ERP ecosystem release for the Corrugated industry, Corrugated Business System (CBS), which offers a full range of highly flexible and modular software solutions that deliver tangible benefits to the businesses that use them.

The ePS stand will feature a range of market-leading solutions from its CorrSuite, including CorrPlan® for intelligent and adaptable planning for corrugated board manufacturers and converters, and CorrTrim® for flexible, real-time corrugated scheduling. 

Attendees can discover new features for its industry-leading ePS Escada® Corrugator Control Systems, including Smart SetPoint (SSP) process control. SSP module’s setpoint management system automatically selects the optimal process recipes and configurations based on multiple predefined factors to manufacture the best quality corrugated board. Alongside Smart SetPoint, the new Energy module will be presented. Energy is an intelligent steam management module that optimizes steam usage on the corrugator to help businesses reduce energy costs.

Aleks Zlatic, GM for the packaging segment at ePS, commented on the announcement, “We’re immensely proud to present our cutting-edge technology at Interpack 2023 in Dusseldorf, and we’re confident that our solutions will help businesses across the globe improve their productivity and reduce costs. We can’t wait to showcase our software solutions to the leading companies in the packaging and corrugated industries. These solutions highlight our commitment to providing businesses with the tools they need to become more competitive and profitable in today’s challenging times.”

Visit eProductivity Software at Interpack 2023 in Dusseldorf (Hall 8b, Stand H33) from May 4-10, 2023, to learn more about how ePS software solutions can help your business improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase profits.

About eProductivity Software

eProductivity Software is a leading global provider of industry-specific business and production software technology for the packaging and print industries. The company’s integrated and automated software offerings and point solutions are designed to enable revenue growth and drive operating and production efficiencies. eProductivity Software is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with offices worldwide. With over thirty years dedicated to delivering best-in-class technology to the packaging and printing industries, it is the company’s deep-held philosophy that eProductivity Software succeeds when its customers thrive. For more information, please visit www.ePSsw.com