Marks 5th Add-On Transaction Since Being Acquired by Sole Source Capital in August 2021

Sole Source Capital LLC, an industrial-focused private equity firm, has announced that its portfolio company, ID Images (“IDI”), a premier provider of product identification solutions, has acquired Lebanon, Tennessee-based Hickman Label. The acquisition marks the fifth add-on investment for IDI since it became a Sole Source Capital portfolio company in August 2021. Terms of the transactions were not disclosed.

Founded in 2016, Hickman Label is a provider of highly-customized label solutions for the on-demand inkjet market. On-demand inkjet labels enable customers to print small batch, prime labels via their own desktop printers. In addition, Hickman’s robust ordering platform has the unique capability of integrating into its distribution customers’ websites utilizing a plug-in tool. The company sells to a mix of distributors and end users with more than 2,000 active customers across North America.

“We are thrilled to partner with the team at Hickman Label. Hickman’s impressive online ordering platform and expertise in the rapidly growing on-demand label market introduces a compelling new growth avenue for IDI’s platform,” said Scott Sussman, Partner and CIO of Sole Source Capital.

“IDI and Hickman Label share similar commitments to the success of their customers and employees. We look forward to working with the Hickman family and the entire Hickman Label team,” said Jeff Fielkow, President and CEO of IDI. “This acquisition will greatly increase IDI’s omnichannel presence. We look forward to providing Hickman’s products to our customer base while simultaneously extending our product line to Hickman’s customers.”

“IDI is the perfect fit to maximize Hickman Label’s potential,” said Neil and Frank Hickman of Hickman Labels. “Our unique approach to providing quick turnaround for labels will complement IDI’s resources enabling us to meet an even wider variety of customer needs. We are excited to partner with Jeff and his team.”

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 Transportation and Logistics, Food and Beverage, Consumer Durables 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 Hickman Label
Hickman Label is a provider of short-run, highly customized label solutions specializing in high quality label media for on-demand inkjet printers, servicing the blank variable prime market. The Company is headquartered in Lebanon, TN. For more information, please visit www.hickmanlabel.com.

On what would have been their Father’s centenary, Nick Coombes speaks with Frank and Jan Eisby about the man who invented corona treatment

NC: Take me back to the very beginning

JE: Verner had always had an interest in things electrical.  At school he and his friend Tage were building amplifiers and speakers to take to teenage parties, and this subsequently developed into ‘ship to shore’ two-way communication technology, which was a hot topic at the time.  In fact, that’s where the company name comes from: ‘Ve’ from Verner, ‘Ta’ from Tage and ‘phone’ from phonics – hence Vetaphone!

NC: How did that have a relevance to the packaging industry?

FE: The years after the Second World War saw the advent of plastic materials in packaging, and brand owners were keen to have their products displayed in bright colours on this new material.  This was especially true in the food industry, where the extra shelf-life that plastic packaging offered was a significant advantage.  It was, I suppose, the early days of ‘best before’ and ‘sell by’ labelling that is common on food packaging today.

NC: How did Verner become involved?

JE: It was a chance meeting with a printer who was having difficulty getting the ink to adhere securely to this new plastic material without smudging on contact.  He asked Verner for help, and after testing the ink and material in his small home workshop, he found that it all related to incompatible surface energy between the liquid and the solid.

NC: And this went on to become corona treatment?

FE: To cut a long story short, yes it did!  Verner found that by passing an electric discharge over the plastic at close range he could change the molecular structure of the surface and improve adhesion.  There is much more to that story than we can go into here, but fundamentally what he was doing back in 1951 is what we, and all other corona manufacturers, are doing today.  And it all started on his work bench!

NC: What were the early days like?

JE: Chaotic!  Dad was an inventor and Mum tried to manage the finances as well as bring up two boys.  They worked all hours, and we travelled extensively trying to explain and convince a sceptical market that the technology really worked, even if it was difficult to explain how.  Family holidays were based around a tour of potential customers and Verner spent many years visiting universities and institutes discussing his newly developed process.  Frank and I saw a lot of Europe in those days, and it was a great educational experience for two youngsters.

NC: What was he like as a person?

FE: He was passionate about most things scientific – always keen to know how things worked and find ways to improve them.  His interests included designing sophisticated communication systems for the Danish fishing fleet, to developing automated watering systems for greenhouses – he was a boffin!  His background was electrical engineering and the transmission of power.  This is what gave him the knowledge to develop a system that applied an electric discharge at close range to a potentially flammable substance – heat and plastic don’t mix well!  What Verner did was learn how to control the power generation via the transformer, and 70 years on it’s what we do today but with 21st century electronics.

NC: How did he get into manufacturing?

JE: He was already manufacturing radios and two-way radios for the local fire department, so after coming up with corona treatment invention he produced them side by side.  But demand for treatment systems was overwhelming, so the production of radios soon stopped.  In the mid 60’s he moved the business to our current location, initially renting part of a factory but soon taking it over completely.  Vetaphone was still a small company but was beginning to make its mark in the world and by careful recruitment of sales and production personnel Verner could continue to focus on R&D, which in a market that was changing rapidly with improved living standards and improved transportation, was an essential for company growth.

NC: How did the company grow?

FE: When I re-joined in the mid 1980s, I could see huge potential for growing the business in various markets but only by improving the organisation of production and sales.  I also have an electronics background so could help to improve efficiency and act as a technical salesman for the company.  It was the period when technology moved from valves to transistors, and Vetaphone was the first company to supply solid-state power generators, and later high-power units that were modular to allow different functionality and improved reliability.

NC: What was driving this growth?

JE: Verner was always pushing for greater integration of Vetaphone technology.  He wanted our equipment to be viewed more as an intrinsic component of the production line rather than as an ancillary.  We have continued this ethos by developing and bringing machines to the market that have minimal negative impact on production and resources.  Our aim is single person operation of the entire production line, and you can only achieve this by integrating technology so that it improves reliability and increases output.

NC: What have been the major milestones along the way?

FE: Creating the electrical discharge reliably was key to the concept becoming a practical reality.  Verner’s lifelong quest was to understand what he called ‘E-Norm’, but we know now as the ‘watt/density’ or ‘corona dose’ required to achieve the desired result.  Once he’d mastered the technique, he had to sell it as a commercially viable process and continue to refine and develop its efficiency.  In many ways, nothing has changed – we continue to invest heavily in R&D to allow the new complex substrates to match the packaging requirements demanded by today’s brand owners.  It’s definitely a market where demand drives the technology.

NC: How do you think Verner would like to be remembered?

JE: To know that he is acknowledged as ‘the Godfather’ of surface treatment would both delight and amuse him – he was passionate about what he did, but very much a backroom scientist not an upfront salesman.  That he pioneered an industry and founded what has become a world-leading company is, we think, a very satisfactory epitaph for him.

NC: And what would he think of Vetaphone and the surface treatment market today?

FE: We hope and believe he’d be very proud of how we have continued and developed his legacy.  To be acknowledged as a world leading company is way beyond his imagination when he started back in 1951, and he’d be fascinated by how electronics and computer technology has been applied to basic science.  Today’s market is highly complex both in terms of the materials being used and the applications they are required to fulfil – without his inquisitive nature and passion for invention, the packaging market as we know it today could have been so different!

In memory of Verner Eisby – 1922-1993

www.vetaphone.com

Glendale Heights, IL (November 11, 2022): Twen Machinery is proud to announce that we have entered into a strategic partnership with All Printing Resources Inc.

All Printing Resources is a leading flexo printing solutions provider in the USA that focuses on offering solution-oriented products from respected industry leaders who prove to reduce both cost and time to their clients.

We strongly believe that combining TWEN´s most innovative and safest anilox laser cleaning solutions in the market and APRs dependable service and world-class technical support will bring unique and actual value to our clients.

Mr. David Nieman, CEO of APR, quoted: “Although laser anilox roll cleaning has now been available for a few years, the industry has still been looking for a truly safe and effective solution. After doing extensive due diligence on the TWEN technology, we are convinced it is the right solution for the market. We are very excited to be selected as TWEN’s partner to market and support in the U.S. and look forward to their continued technology advancements.”

Mrs. Julia Pedreira, Managing Director at TWEN quoted: “Twen and APR share a common goal in providing the most innovative and cost-effective solutions that enable our customers to solve their most critical issues and add value. We are looking forward to further exploring our partnership, and we’re so optimistic about the impact it will have on the daily operations of our current and future clients.”

The two biggest challenges today´s flexo businesses face are the lack of qualified operators and a growing number of printing variables. Flexo companies recognize the need to accelerate the development of automated solutions that help them eliminate variables to remain in the competitive front. As such, machine automation and standardization are increasingly critical in every aspect of their business.

The TWEN-APR partnership combines deep business and technology strategy skills and automated technology solutions, to help support clients through successful transformations.

About Twen
Twen is a privately-owned Spanish company that was created in 2017 with a clear objective in mind: “Eliminate ink transfer as a variable in the printing process.” Its team has more than 20 years´ experience in the flexographic industry and has worked over the years with the major anilox manufacturers in the market. This has enabled them to deeply understand how anilox are manufactured and closely analyze their performance to gain the required vision and “Know-how” to tackle complex problems with real solutions. The result is anilox laser cleaning solutions that tick all the boxes: Safe, efficient, profitable, and environmentally friendly.

About All Printing Resources, Inc. (APR)
All Printing Resources, Inc. (APR) is a proven resource for solutions, trusted service, and support to the flexographic printing industry. APR delivers measurable performance enhancements and total cost reductions, including the after sale attention needed to see optimal results. APR represents some of the most innovative product lines worldwide and takes a “team” approach to deliver process improvement and innovative solutions.

www.teamflexo.com

The group seeks to achieve a sustainable future for plastic packaging through innovative change and solutions

Mentor, OH – Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials announced today that the company has joined the U.S. Plastics Pact, an organization that provides solutions that aim to drive change and create a path toward a circular economy for plastics in the United States by 2025.

As part of the U.S. Plastics Pact, members like Avery Dennison recognize that significant, systemwide change is imperative to realize a circular economy for plastics. As such, the U.S. Pact is convening more than 110 businesses, retailers, not-for-profit organizations, government agencies, and research institutions across the plastics value chain to bring one voice to U.S. packaging through national initiatives and innovative solutions for rethinking products, packaging, and business models.

“Joining the US. Plastics Pact offers us an opportunity to be at the forefront and drive advancements toward circularity, as well as use our deep technical expertise to work with other members to move our industry forward and make a difference,” said Jeroen Diderich, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Avery Dennison Label and Graphic Materials North America.

“Together through the U.S. Plastics Pact, we will ignite system change to accelerate progress toward a circular economy,” says Emily Tipaldo, Executive Director of the U.S. Plastics Pact. “The U.S. Pact will mobilize system-wide change through support for upstream innovation and a coordinated national strategy. This unified framework will enable members to fast-track progress toward our ambitious 2025 sustainability goals. Our members’ full participation is vital to reaching our shared goals.”

Avery Dennison is committed to reaching its sustainability goals by the year 2030 to help pave the way to a more sustainable future. The goals were developed based on the company’s existing commitment to waste diversion, enabling plastics circularity and providing products that contain recycled content. In signing the U.S. Plastics Pact, Avery Dennison will gain more insights into the market, driving innovations designed to reduce the environmental impact of its products and operations.

Achieving this vision will require new levels of accountability from all facets of the plastics supply chain. The U.S. Plastics Pact emphasizes measurable change and as such Avery Dennison is committed to transparent, annual reporting which will be used to document annual progress. The U.S. Plastics Pact’s “Roadmap to 2025” identifies key milestones and national solutions to achieving the U.S. targets and realizing a circular economy in which plastic never becomes waste.

To learn more about Avery Dennison’s sustainability initiatives, visit label.averydennison.com/sustainability.

Further information on the U.S. Plastics Pact: https://usplasticspact.org/.

About Avery Dennison
Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE: AVY) is a global materials science company specializing in the design and manufacture of a wide variety of labeling and functional materials. The company’s products and solutions, which are used in nearly every major industry, include pressure-sensitive materials for labels and graphic applications; tapes and other bonding solutions for industrial, medical, and retail applications; tags, labels and embellishments for apparel; and radio frequency identification (RFID) solutions serving retail apparel and other markets. The company employs approximately 36,000 employees in more than 50 countries. Reported sales in 2021 were $8.4 billion. Learn more at www.averydennison.com.

Louisville, KY – With lead times growing in this current delayed supply chain economy, Flexo Wash is pleased to announce that it has several new narrow web cleaning systems available NOW for immediate delivery before the end of the year.

 Current inventory onsite:

2 Liquid Anilox Cleaners

1 Laser Anilox Cleaner

1 Plate Washer

2 Parts Washers

1 Recirculation Unit

1 Screen Washer

All machines are brand new from 2022 and available for immediate delivery.

In addition, purchasers can take advantage of the current 2022 tax law that offers 100% bonus depreciation with no cap on amount of equipment purchased. This will be the last year for 100% bonus depreciation unless Congress makes changes; 2023 bonus depreciation is only 80%.

Please visit our website for more details here https://www.flexowashus.com/machines-available-now

North Kingstown, RI — Hygiene poverty—the inability of an individual to secure basic hygiene products—is a significant concern that affects the finances, health, and well-being of Rhode Island residents who struggle economically. To help address the problem, Toray Plastics (America), Inc., recently made a financial contribution to Amenity Aid Rhode Island, which serves vulnerable populations by improving access to essential hygiene items. Toray’s donation focused on helping Rhode Islanders and enabled Amenity Aid to purchase period products in bulk at a significant discount. The supplies were brought to Toray’s headquarters, where employees gathered on November 2 at a “period packing” event and bundled the products for Amenity Aid’s partners—people in need and nonprofit organizations that serve those populations.

“We are very grateful to Amenity Aid for the important work it is doing to help solve this problem,” says Christopher Roy, President of Toray. “My thanks also go to the Toray employees who volunteered to bundle goods for Rhode Island residents.”

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.

At the recent TLMI Annual Meeting in Phoenix, AZ, the association announced newly elected Board Members and Officers. New converter board members include John Abbott, President of Abbott Label, and Nye Hornor, President of Amherst Label. The newly elected supplier Board Member is Kristen Shields, President of Graymills Corporation.

At the meeting in Phoenix the association also announced the new Executive Committee including Tim McDonough, President & CEO of Flexo-Graphics, as TLMI Chairman; Mark Glendenning, CEO of Inland Packaging, as Governance Chair; and Lori Campbell, President of The Label Printers, as Vice Chair (Past Chair). David Ellen, Global Divisional Director of Domino, will remain on the Executive Committee as the Senior Supplier.

TLMI President, Linnea Keen, comments, “I would like to extend the warmest welcome to TLMI’s newest board members. It’s both a tremendous honor and an achievement to be elected to the association’s Board and our newest members have all demonstrated a diligent commitment to TLMI and have established and longstanding careers in the industry. I look forward to working closely with them and am confident that they will each bring unique insights and ideas to their new positions as TLMI continues to serve its members and the greater industry.”

Grace Label will be the very first to install the NEW Domino N730i digital UV inkjet label press in North America.  The Domino N730i made its worldwide, in-person debut in September at Labelexpo Americas 2022, and Grace Label decided at the trade show they wanted that press.  They are extremely excited and can’t wait for what’s next.

We caught up with Steve Grace, President of Grace Label to learn more.

Winning with digital against COVID and supply chain challenges

Founded in 1975, Grace Label is a full-service narrow web label and packaging converter located in Des Moines, Iowa offering pressure-sensitive, roll-fed, and cut & stack labels; shrink sleeves; pouches; flexible packaging; and more. They are an existing Domino customer with the industry-leading Domino N610i digital UV inkjet label press, installed at their facility three and a half years ago. And the N610i has been a game changer for their business, especially during the challenges of COVID and Supply Chain. Steve explains, “Grace Label saw an increase in business, we saw an increase in demand. Our customers got busier. The Domino was able to turn around orders we had not had before. We were able to develop new customers. And right now during the Supply Chain disruption, the Domino is fantastic because we are able to put something on there, move it over from our flexo presses and we are able to adapt and keep our customers rolling.”

What are the reasons or drivers for adding another digital press?

“Our digital business has been the fastest growing segment of our business and we have come to the point where we needed additional capacity to continue the growth.”

Why Domino?

“Ever since we started looking seriously at digital, Domino stood out in terms of reputation, service and support. Our relationship started with an old friend, Chuck Stone, and expanded to the entire Domino team. The service over the years has been great, the performance of the Domino press has absolutely delivered the results we were hoping to achieve. In today’s world, when you find the right partner, you stick with them.”

Why N730i?

“When we saw the N730i at Labelexpo we knew that it had the features we needed not only to expand our digital production capacity, but the added capabilities that come with the more rugged frame, servo drive and most importantly the 1200 dpi print engine. The more modular and robust framework will make it more adaptable as our digital needs continue to evolve.”

The Domino N730i digital UV inkjet label press utilizes 1200 dpi BITSTAR™ printhead technology. The press is configurable in up to 7 colors (CMYKOVW). It has an ergonomic design, and automated roll lifts standard at the unwind and rewind, supporting media rolls up to 1 meter in diameter. An optional flexo priming station (pre-digital) optimizes print quality on challenging media types, and an optional flexo station (post-digital) provides for varnishing, brand spot color, or cost-effective flood white for shrink sleeve applications.  These flexo stations can be retrofitted as business needs change.

What is the level of enthusiasm & excitement in anticipation of the Domino N730i?

“We are in process now of getting prepared to receive the N730i. My sales team is excited and already telling customers and prospects about our new digital capabilities. Based on the feedback I am getting, I don’t think we can get it running too soon.

We know that the Domino N730i will help us continue to manage our business through this uncertain supply chain and inflationary economy and will guide our business to the next level, positioning us well for the future.”

Learn more about Grace Label and their partnership with Domino in this VIDEO: Grace Label & Domino

Domino is a leading manufacturer and distributor of digital printing and product identification solutions.Celebrating its 44th year in business, Domino is a global organization with world headquarters in the UK, and North America headquarters in Gurnee, IL.Domino has 25 subsidiaries, representation in over 120 countries, and over 3,000 employees worldwide. And as of June 2015, Domino is a Brother Group company. For more information on Domino digital printing, please visit dominodigitalprinting.com.