Fedrigoni’s Graham, NC Facility is now ISO 9001:2015 Certified

Graham, NC – Fedrigoni Self-Adhesives, former Acucote brand, part of The Fedrigoni Group, a global leader in the production of premium labels and self-adhesive materials, announced that their Graham, NC facility has been certified by DQS Inc. to the ISO 9001:2015 standard.

According to Terri Brown, Technical Manager, “At Fedrigoni, we are committed to manufacturing excellence. To strengthen this commitment, our Graham facility has been granted ISO 9001: 2015 certification by DQS Inc. In addition to consistent, reliable product quality, working in the ISO 9001:2015 standard supports our continuous improvement mission. We look forward to maintaining the high level of performance that being certified to the ISO 9001:2015 standard affords us.”

ISO 9001:2015 is a globally recognized quality management standard developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The certification provides a model for companies of all types and sizes to use in building an effective quality management system. The standard is based on several quality management principles, including having a strong customer focus, involvement of high-level company management, an outlined process-based approach, and ongoing improvement.

The Fedrigoni Group encourages each entity to have ISO 9001 certification, this allows the Group to service their customer base with continual support and improvement. While the Graham facility already complied with many of the requirements of ISO, going through the formal certification process ensures that customers have a similar experience with materials shipped from the Graham facility as with other Fedrigoni-Self Adhesives locations.

About Fedrigoni
Since 1888 Fedrigoni has stood for excellence in the manufacture of specialty papers. It is one of Europe’s largest players in the production and sale of various types of high value-added paper for packaging and graphics, premium labeling products, and other self-adhesive materials. With more than 4,000 employees in Italy and abroad and 25,000 products, the Group sells and distributes in more than 130 countries and has become the third global player in the self-adhesive materials sector also thanks to recent acquisitions. The Paper business unit includes the Cordenons Group and the historic Fabriano brand, and the Self-Adhesives business unit includes Arconvert, Manter, Ritrama (since February 2020), IP Venus (since December 2020), Acucote and Ri-Mark (since June 2021), Tageos (March 2022). The American distributor GPA is also part of the Group.

For more information: www.fedrigoni.com

Epson ColorWorks and BarTender by Seagull Scientific Software Deliver Streamlined Label Management to Provide Accurate, Consistent and Durable GHS Labels for Polysciences

Los Alamitos, CA – Legally compliant Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) labeling requires a precise number of unique red icons per each formulation. Polysciences, a global manufacturer of specialty chemical materials for industrial, consumer, academic research, and biotechnology applications, prints 1,000 to 3,000 product labels per day and needed a comprehensive and compliant labeling solution that meets GHS requirements. To help ensure high-quality, accurate, consistent, and durable labels, they turned to Epson ColorWorks® on-demand color label printers.

After using a “two ribbon” thermal transfer printing system, Polysciences’ label production manager, Kim Doherty, recognized they were spending entirely too much time compensating for the inefficiencies of their label data management and printing system. Thermal transfer printers required precise setup and registration and frequently encountered misalignment of red and black text, broken characters and illegible small fonts. With a backend makeover designed to eliminate disconnected databases, Integrated Productivity Systems (IPSi) helped Polysciences revamp its label management system to include ColorWorks C6500A color label printers and BarTender enterprise label software.

“The waste with the thermal label printer was tremendous – in terms of materials, consumables and time spent. It is a vast improvement to have a printer that does not require ribbon changes or manual adjustments of print heads by way of a screwdriver,” said Doherty. “We expect we will save between 350 to 400 man-hours over the course of a year by using the ColorWorks over the thermal transfer printers due to the automation and ease of use.”

Polysciences worked with Rick Schilling, owner of IPSi, to integrate the new labeling solution. “It’s really quite simple – people enjoy not having to deal with issues when it comes to workflow and technology,” said Schilling. “The potential of a system that works in the businesses’ favor to make it easier for people to do their job should not be understated.”

Durable labels are critical in the chemical industry. The labels must withstand harsh conditions including freezing temperatures and chemical exposure. Before switching to the Epson ColorWorks printers, Doherty and her team evaluated the printer and put the Epson labels to the ultimate durability test by exposing them to chemicals and more than two months in a CRYO freezer. “Nothing we did compromised the quality of the print on the label,” noted Doherty.

Polysciences has over 4,000 SKUs, all of which require very small 3- or 4-point fonts and color icons included on labels. For its contract packaging operations, labels must have precise color matching and branding information. With the ColorWorks color label printers and BarTender software, Polysciences cut its label inventory from 10 sizes to just four and now only requires six or seven BarTender Intelligent label templates. “The impact has been felt across the departments,” said LeeAnn Everitt, director of business technology, Polysciences.

“Legacy monochrome printers are simply not suitable to meet today’s GHS labeling needs,” said Andy Scherz, senior product manager, Commercial Labels, Epson America, Inc. “ColorWorks printers enable companies like Polysciences to generate high-definition color labels on-demand at an advantageous cost per label, which can improve operational efficiency and reducie label waste.”

A full case study on Polysciences’ use of ColorWorks can be found here. For additional information about Epson’s ColorWorks color label printers, visit www.epson.com/colorworks.

About ColorWorks
Epson’s ColorWorks desktop color label printers are designed for businesses that require the flexibility of on-demand, color label printing in-house, helping to increase productivity and eliminate the costs and waste associated with pre-printed labels. The ColorWorks line is used by a range of businesses for applications for color labels: GHS-compliant labels, healthcare, pharmacy, retail, food and beverage, industrial labels, and more. For more information, visit www.epson.com/colorworks.

About Epson
Epson is a global technology leader whose philosophy of efficient, compact and precise innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson’s goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050.

Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of more than JPY 1 trillion. global.epson.com/

Epson America, Inc., based in Los Alamitos, Calif., is Epson’s regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (facebook.com/Epson), Twitter (twitter.com/EpsonAmerica), YouTube (youtube.com/epsonamerica), and Instagram (instagram.com/EpsonAmerica).

EPSON and ColorWorks are registered trademarks and EPSON Exceed Your Vision is a registered logomark of Seiko Epson Corporation. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. Copyright 2022 Epson America, Inc.

As the global market slowly recovers from the effect of the Covid pandemic, Danish surface treatment manufacturer, Vetaphone, reports another record year for sales

Although travel became easier than in 2021, this year has brought other challenges for manufacturers in all sectors of the industry.  So Vetaphone is delighted to report a record sales performance that saw its target for the year surpassed shortly into the final quarter, making a fitting tribute to its founding father Verner Eisby, whose centenary occurred earlier in the year.

Speaking for the company, VP Sales & Marketing Kevin McKell explained: “Despite ongoing trading conditions that have been testing, to say the least, we are proud of the way we have coped with delays and component shortages and managed to maintain our customary high level of customer support.  The inherent reliability of our technology is a result of our commitment to ongoing R&D and it’s at times like this that it stands us and our customers in good stead.”

Supporting its bold decision in 2021 to forego trade shows as an exhibitor, the level of enquiries and sales this year has been at a record high across the company’s extensive portfolio of corona and plasma treaters.  Vetaphone’s Showroom and unique Test Lab facilities at the company’s HQ in Denmark have allowed customers to have full demonstrations of the Vetaphone equipment, something that has been well received in 2022. 

Marketing Director Jeannette Woodman explained: “We have taken the demonstration of our products a step further by having powered-up equipment in the showroom.  This has not been possible until now and it offers new and exciting ways to showcase our technology and, in many ways, – be it as one-to-one online customer meetings, Masterclasses, or in person demonstrations”.  The Test Lab adds a new dimension by offering customers the chance to test the performance of substrates prior to a commitment to commercial production.

By adopting a more focused approach to the promotion of its technology and reaching a larger customer base, Vetaphone says it has made better use of resources.  Jeannette Woodman added: “We have an extensive product portfolio that spans a wide range of applications, and our customers are located all over the world.  By analysing the different requirements of each industry sector and geographical region we can be far more specific in our marketing – so it now has a greater relevance to the intended audience.”

Following last year’s record sales total, Vetaphone has exceeded expectations with another bumper year that has confirmed its pre-eminence in the global market for surface treatment.

Kevin McKell puts it into perspective: “We have a great team here that really pulls together when times are tough – and the record year we’ve have enjoyed is testimony to the hard work that has been put in across all departments from sales to production and support – everyone deserves credit!”

www.vetaphone.com

North Kingstown, RI — The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp returned to the iconic Tavern on the Green restaurant nestled inside New York City’s Central Park to celebrate its 31st Annual Big Apple Bash on Saturday, November 12th. The event raised $1.8 million to support the Camp’s programs. Toray made a financial contribution to the Camp’s fundraiser and Franco Chicarella, Director of Sales at Toray, joined in the celebration.

More than 450 guests gathered for the bash and enjoyed a bountiful assortment of food and beverages and a variety of activities, performances, music, and dancing. The Camp’s CEO, Jimmy Canton, kicked off the evening by sharing some Hole in the Wall updates. Camper Shariah shared her challenging journey with undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver and described how Hole in the Wall programs provided her family with community and support. Andrew, a first-time camper, talked about the fun and friendship he found at the Camp this past summer and brought the crowd to their feet with his awesome dance moves.

“We look forward every year to the Camp’s Big Apple Bash, so it was extra special to get together again in person,” says, Chicarella. “The campers are an inspiration and remind us to have a grateful attitude every day. It’s a privilege to be a friend and supporter of The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.”

About Toray Plastics (America), Inc.
Toray Plastics (America), Inc., is a leading manufacturer of polyester, polypropylene, and metallized films and polypropylene and polyethylene foams. The company is committed to environmental, social, and corporate governance and aims to contribute to society through the creation of new value with innovative ideas, technologies, and products that help address global issues. R&D is focused on the development of materials that are fossil fuel-free, compostable, biodegradable, and/or recyclable. The company’s sustainability initiative, launched in 2004, includes the operating of three solar farms and two cogeneration systems, energy and water conservation, recycling, and zero landfill.

Toray Plastics (America) is a subsidiary of the Toray Group, which believes that materials can change lives and provide real solutions to the challenges the world faces. The Toray Group is the world leader in synthetic fibers and textiles, carbon fibers, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and high-performance films and has annual sales exceeding US$18.4 billion. For more information about Toray Plastics (America)’s products, contact James Ota, Torayfan Product Manager, at james.ota.e7@mail.toray or 401-594-5837. Toray Plastics (America), Inc., headquarters is located at 50 Belver Avenue, North Kingstown, RI 02852-7500; telephone 401-294-4511, fax 401-294-3410. Visit the Toray Plastics (America), Inc., website at www.toraytpa.com.

Rochester, NY – Icon Digital, a leading omni-channel marketing agency based out of Toronto, Ontario, has spent the past 25 years cultivating a strong and future-forward company. Dedicated to staying ahead of the ever-changing innovation curve, Icon invested in Durst P5 technology and welcomed a P5 350 HS into their facility.

Icon Digital specializes in All Things Visual, a summation of the numerous services they offer. With multiple divisions, Icon can help brands bring to life immersive environments through display graphics and also create the ultimate experience through digital signage and content strategy. To do this, and help their customers realize their vision, the team at Icon knew that the P5 350 HS was the right solution to bring into the mix. “Beyond the productivity potential, which is critical to us, the versatility that the P5 350 HS brings to the table is what helps us to continue to go beyond our clients’ expectations. The ability to deliver whatever it is a client needs and the ability to consistently deliver it on time is what sets us apart.” Commented Juan Lau, President, Icon Digital.

Durst and Icon Digital have partnered together for almost 15 years, with the P5 350 HS being the fifth Durst press installed at Icon. In conjunction with Durst hardware, Icon also operates on Lift Software, an ERP system offered by Durst. “It is a true testament to Durst innovation when a customer continues to turn to us for the latest technology. Our relationship with Icon is built on trust, collaboration, and our commitment to providing best-in-class production technology so they can continue to offer the best to their customers,” said Tim Saur, CEO and Managing Director of Durst North America, of the relationship. “We are proud to have Icon Digital as a partner and friend, and look forward to the future together.”

The high-performance P5 350 HS has proven to be the most efficient hybrid printer on the market, designed specifically to increase efficiency and production capacity. Winner of the 2022 EDP awards, this all-in-one hybrid solution for roll and board media has a printing width of up to 11.48 feet (3.5 meters) and reaches a productivity up to 7,000 sq.ft/h. Equipped with Durst Print Workflow software and exclusive Durst Analytics, the P5 350 offers enhanced production efficiency from day one.

About Icon:
Icon Digital focuses on integrating digital signage and content with large format displays and print as an omni-channel marketing agency to help create remarkable moments and connect with their audiences in both physical and digital spaces. Through strategy, content ideation, innovation, and technology, Icon transforms spaces into unforgettable experiences. With a commitment to keeping their partners updated on today’s latest trends and to staying ahead of the ever-changing innovation curve – Icon continues to provide All Things Visual.

www.icondigital.com/

About Durst:
Durst Group AG is a leading manufacturer of professional digital imaging systems. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Brixen, Italy, and Lienz, Austria, and has major offices in North America, France, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, and Singapore. Durst’s reputation for quality, precision, innovation, sustainability, and reliability spans more than 80 years.

www.durstus.com

Schaumburg, IL – Following a 49-year career in the industry, John Hrdlick has announced his retirement as President and CEO of INX International Ink Co., effective April 30, 2023. At that time, Bryce Kristo will be promoted and serve as the new President and CEO.

Hrdlick was elevated to his current title in April 2018 when Rick Clendenning retired. Kristo was promoted at the same time to Executive Vice President and has worked at INX since 1991. The two will work together the next several months to ensure a smooth transition.

“I am honored that SAKATA INX and INX have trusted me to serve as President and CEO, especially since I followed Rick Clendenning. He was a strong force and leader in our company and industry for so many years,” Hrdlick said.

“I could not have achieved what I did without the many dedicated co-workers that I’ve been blessed to work alongside. They are the core reason for the success of our company. I am confident with Bryce transitioning into my role and the changes we agreed to move forward with the past few years, INX is positioned for continued growth and success.”

Kristo became familiar with SAKATA INX while working in public accounting at KPMG. In his 31 years at INX, he has worked with and at the executive management level learning and impacting every facet of the company’s financial and operations culture to prepare him for this next challenge.

“The last 31 years have been a tremendous learning and growth experience,” Kristo said. “INX has given me the opportunity to contribute to the company’s success from its inception as a newly acquired entity of SAKATA INX, to the present. I have had the great pleasure to learn from many long-term co-workers about the business, and I look forward to applying that knowledge and helping others to lead the company into the future.”

About INX International Ink Co.
INX International Ink Co. is the third largest producer of inks in North America, with full-service subsidiaries in Europe and South America and is part of Sakata INX worldwide operations. We offer a complete line of ink and coating solutions technology for commercial, packaging and digital applications. As a leading global manufacturer of inkjet inks, we provide a full palette of digital ink systems, advanced technologies and integrated services. To stay in touch with the latest developments, follow INX on Facebook and Twitter and visit www.inxinternational.com

ID Images Continues to Add Prime Label Capabilities with 6th and 7th Add-On Transaction Since Being Acquired by Sole Source Capital in August 2021

Dallas, TX – Sole Source Capital LLC, an industrial-focused private equity firm, today announced that its portfolio company, ID Images (“IDI”), a premier provider of product identification solutions, has acquired Summit Labels and Precision Label in separate transactions. The acquisitions bring the total number of add-on investments for IDI to seven since becoming a Sole Source Capital portfolio company in August 2021, with the company’s most recent acquisition of Hickman Label announced just last month. Terms of the transactions were not disclosed.

Jointly-owned Vancouver, Canada-based Summit Labels and Calgary, Canada-based Precision Labels are both manufacturers of prime labels for the food & beverage, industrial, and nutraceutical end markets. The companies’ Canadian facilities expand IDI’s presence across Canada while increasing its exposure to digital printing and prime label offerings. In addition, the companies’ design and marketing teams often collaborate with clients to help create branding strategies through custom labeling.

“The teams at Summit and Precision have done an outstanding job creating a best-in-class prime label business. We look forward to adding their strong digital and flexographic capabilities to the IDI platform,” said Dewey Turner, Partner, and President of Operations at Sole Source Capital.

“These acquisitions augment our prime labeling capabilities with high-quality digital and flexo expertise, expanding the IDI footprint throughout Canada,” said Jeff Fielkow, President and CEO of IDI. “Our new partners share our spirit of customer-centric focus and collaboration, offering customized label solutions to support our customers’ innovation and growth.

“We are pleased to announce the partnership with ID Images and Sole Source,” said Matt Sauder, President of Summit Labels and Precision Label. “There is a clear fit between the companies, and we expect this relationship to bring value to our employees, customers and stakeholders.”

About Sole Source Capital
Founded in 2016 by David Fredston, Sole Source Capital is a private equity firm that thematically invests in fragmented, high-growth industrial subsectors. Sole Source seeks founder-owned businesses or corporate carve-outs that will benefit from the team’s operating and M&A capabilities. The Firm has a strong operating heritage that enables it to execute a buy-and-build strategy with significant downside protection. The Firm is headquartered in Dallas, Texas with an additional office in Santa Monica, California. For more information, please visit www.solesourcecapital.com or contact investor.relations@solesourcecapital.com.

About ID Images
ID Images, a leading manufacturer of converted label products, specializes in providing label solutions from supply chain management to brand protection. The company serves a variety of end markets including food and beverage, transportation and logistics, consumer products and healthcare and has facilities in Ohio, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Oregon, California, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Canada. For more information, please visit www.idimages.com.

About Summit Labels
Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Summit Labels is a manufacturer of prime labels for the food & beverage, grocery, cosmetic and nutraceutical end markets. The company collaborates with clients to help create branding strategies through custom labeling. For more information, please visit www.summitlabels.ca.

About Precision Label
Founded in 1992 and based in Calgary, Alberta, Precision Label produces prime labels for the food & beverage, nutraceutical, cosmetic, agricultural and retail end markets. For more information, please visit www.precisionlabelltd.com.

Certificate is world’s most recognized for quality management

Stow, OH – Mactac® is pleased to announce that the company’s Minneapolis manufacturing site has earned ISO 9001:2015 quality management certification.

The ISO 9001 certificate is the world’s most recognized international certification standard for a quality management system. It provides guidance for companies that aim to ensure products and services consistently meet quality requirements.

As an ISO 9001:2015 certified site, Mactac Minneapolis has a systematic quality management system in place and is committed to cost and waste reduction, continuous improvement, regulatory compliance and more. 

“At Mactac, we believe quality is key to a successful business and our sustainable quality culture is at the core of everything we do,” says Jennifer Zenar, Director of Quality, Mactac. “Our quality foundation begins and ends with our management systems. Receiving this certification is yet another affirmation to our customers, suppliers and partners that Mactac has trained, knowledgeable and experienced operators who take great pride and care in producing quality products.” 

Consistently meeting the needs and expectations of customers, the Mactac quality management system follows standardized policies and processes. It incorporates comprehensive review and measurement processes, a rigorous improvement process, robust corrective action processes when needed, and ongoing customer feedback.

The Mactac Minneapolis site, at 72,000 square-feet, is the latest Mactac facility to earn the recognition. Mactac also holds the ISO 9001:2015 certificate at its Columbus, Ind. and Scranton, Pa. sites.

For more information on the Mactac quality management system or the company’s commitment to high-quality products and services, call 866-622-8223, email mactac.americas@mactac.com or visit www.mactac.com.

FLEXcon® optiFLEX® THIN ecoFOCUS™ Supports Sustainability and Cost-Effectiveness

Spencer, MA – FLEXcon Company, Inc., an innovator in adhesive coating and laminating, today announced the expansion of its sustainable packaging line with FLEXcon® optiFLEX® THIN ecoFOCUS™. Designed with sustainability in mind, optiFLEX® THIN ecoFOCUS™ is a line of downgauged versions of the company’s other optiFLEX® ecoFOCUS™ products. The white and silver BOPP products and both PE products are the first thin products on the market to be recognized by the APR. Applications include food and beverage, personal care and cosmetics, and household chemical. By expanding their product portfolios with optiFLEX® THIN ecoFOCUS™, printers can offer their clients solutions that will help them achieve their sustainability goals without sacrificing performance.

Just like their heavier-gauged cousins, the BOPP films, designed for use on PET containers, utilize FLEXcon’s new V-52RE adhesive system which separates from the PET flake during the reclaim process, allowing for the collection of the rPET for use in new PET containers or other items such as clothing and shoes. The PE films, which utilize FLEXcon’s V-127RE adhesive, offer superior conformability, making them ideal for rigid, semi-squeeze and full-squeeze HDPE containers without concerns about label darting during use. They also offer a benefit over other film types for HDPE containers by pairing like polymers that more easily traverse the recycle stream, resulting in less waste.

“optiFLEX® THIN ecoFOCUS™ offers all the same benefits of our other optiFLEX® ecoFOCUS™ products while also providing more labels per the same diameter roll to yield fewer changeovers. This enables printers to gain productivity,” says Melissa David, product manager, FLEXcon. “The reduced total weight allows them to save on shipping costs while also reducing their carbon footprint by a reduction in total plastic usage.”

All products in the optiFLEX® THIN ecoFOCUS™ line are cross-platform printable, supporting a variety of print methods to help reduce SKUs. They are also compliant with FDA 175.105 for indirect food contact.

Wide web rolls are available from Quick-Ship inventory – clear and white BOPPs in 76” masters; clear and white PEs in 60” masters.

About FLEXcon
FLEXcon Company, Inc. is a global leader in coated and laminated films and adhesives used as functional components in manufactured goods and in graphics applications. A family-owned company for over 65 years, FLEXcon provides a collaborative, consultative approach to deliver unique solutions that help customers achieve better business results. FLEXcon is a trusted partner to a wide range of companies, from printers and fabricators to engineers and designers, developing products for existing and emerging markets. Headquartered in Spencer, MA, the company has operations throughout North America and Europe with distribution worldwide. For more information, visit www.FLEXcon.com follow FLEXcon on LinkedIn, or call +1-508-885-8200.