BC Partners has agreed to enter into a partnership with Bain Capital to drive the next chapter of growth for the business

Graham, NC – Bain Capital Private Equity, a leading global private investment firm, has signed definitive documents to enter into a joint ownership agreement for Fedrigoni, a leading global producer of self-adhesive labels and fiber-based packaging products, with BC Partners, a leading international investment firm.

Bain Capital acquired Fedrigoni in 2017. Under Bain Capital’s ownership, Fedrigoni has more than doubled Adjusted Sales and nearly tripled Adjusted EBITDA through a combination of organic growth acceleration and M&A execution.

This new partnership will support Fedrigoni’s management team as they look to build on their successful track record of M&A. BC Partners’ owner-manager mindset has helped its portfolio companies execute over 400 add-on transactions over the last decade, and as such is the natural partner for Fedrigoni and Bain Capital to help drive value-creation opportunities.

Together with Bain Capital, the Fedrigoni Group has carried out an ambitious transformation journey that rested on five pillars: a distinctive and premium offering; superior customer intimacy and experience; operational excellence; attraction of the best talent, and development of its 4,500 people, while creating an inclusive and safe environment; acceleration in acquisitions aimed at geographical expansion; and product portfolio diversification.

Fedrigoni has also embedded sustainability into its business strategy, including ongoing efforts to reduce its environmental impact and to support customers in tackling their transition towards ecological practices and an increasingly circular business. From the research on increasingly sustainable materials to the development of products to help brands in their plastic-to-paper transition. From the reuse of waste from customers’ production processes to the development of mono-material solutions. Through its 2030 sustainability roadmap, Fedrigoni committed to reduce by 30% its carbon emissions by 2030 and to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 in line with the Science-Based Targets Initiative, with 95% recovered water and 100% industrial waste recovery across its operations. It has this year received a Platinum EcoVadis sustainability rating this year, which places Fedrigoni in the top 1% of companies in the same industry worldwide.

BC Partners has developed a thematic focus on sustainability-driven growth in packaging, investing in IMA Group in February 2021, the world leader in the production of automatic packaging machines. BC Partners has long viewed Fedrigoni as a leader in this attractive and resilient end market, addressing the need for greater sustainability in packaging.

“We are excited to welcome BC Partners as a new partner in Fedrigoni” said Ivano Sessa, Chairman of Fedrigoni Holding Limited and Co-Head of Industrials at Bain Capital Private Equity Europe. “We have partnered with Marco Nespolo and the rest of the management team over the last 4 years to transform Fedrigoni and create a global leading platform in luxury packaging and labels. In this next phase of the journey, we will work with all our partners to continue building on the great success that Fedrigoni has achieved, with a focus on strengthening its global leadership and delivering sustainable packaging solutions to an outstanding set of global luxury and consumer brands.”

Stefano Ferraresi, Partner at BC Partners, said: “We are delighted by this opportunity to invest in Fedrigoni, a leader in sustainability-focused packaging. We have long admired the quality of the Fedrigoni management team, and its operations built under Marco Nespolo’s leadership. We are confident that this partnership with Bain Capital will create significant growth opportunities across the business. We share Marco’s vision and ambitious growth agenda and view Fedrigoni as the ideal platform to invest in this attractive segment of the market, with scope to continue to build on its leading positions in luxury packaging and labels and broaden its product portfolio through acquisitions and strategic partnerships.”

“The whole Fedrigoni leadership team and I are thrilled to continue our very ambitious growth path in partnership with Bain Capital and BC Partners”, said Marco Nespolo, Chief Executive Officer of Fedrigoni. “The last 4 years have seen Fedrigoni undertake a very comprehensive and successful transformation, on product portfolio, geographic footprint, go-to-market, operating model, culture, and governance. This has been possible thanks to the great partnership with and strong support by Bain Capital. We look forward to sharing the next leg of the journey with an additional, very relevant investor and partner, whose trust makes us feel honored.”

This new partnership, a combination of reinvestment by Bain Capital and investment from BC Partners, which results in a change of control of Fedrigoni to joint control between Bain Capital and BC Partners, will support Fedrigoni’s management team as they look to build on their successful track record of M&A. The Fedrigoni family, already a partner of Bain Capital as a minority shareholder, will remain invested in the business as the entire management team.

The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2022, subject to approvals by relevant regulatory authorities. A group of financial institutions has committed to provide a debt financing package in support of the transaction. Fedrigoni’s existing senior secured notes are expected to be refinanced at the closing of the transaction.

Bain Capital and Fedrigoni were advised by Rothschild, Morgan Stanley, Latham & Watkins, Pirola Pennuto Zei e Associati, Kirkland & Ellis, New Deal Advisors and Bain & Company. Goldman Sachs acted as financial advisor to Fiber Bidco.

BC Partners was advised by Canson Capital Partners and Nomura as lead financial advisors, as well as by advisors including JP Morgan, Afry Capital, White & Case, PwC, Studio Legale Tributario Facchini Rossi Michelutti and Bain & Company.

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

Sticker Mule’s Purchase of the SurePress L-6534VW UV Press Marks Epson America’s 100th Unit Sold

Los Alamitos, CA – Epson America today announced it has sold 100 SurePress® digital label presses in North America. The 100th unit was a SurePress L-6534VW UV press purchased by custom printing company Sticker Mule for its Amsterdam, N.Y. location. The SurePress portfolio is engineered to meet the production, quality and service and support demands of label converters, specialty printers and vertical manufacturers.

“Epson helped us take over the online label market and it’s a great honor to install the 100th Epson SurePress printer sold in North America,” said Anthony Constantino, co-founder and CEO of Sticker Mule. “No one can touch the combination of Sticker Mule magic and Epson print quality. Not only is the SurePress a great machine, but the Epson team behind it is an innovative powerhouse. They deserve a big congratulations for reaching such a major milestone. I only wish we owned all 100.”

Continuing its legacy as a trusted digital label and packaging press provider and innovator, Epson recently introduced two new SurePress digital label presses with fine-tuned feature sets for prime label converters and commercial printers. The SurePress L-6534VW with Digital Varnish or optional Orange Ink delivers reliable and repeatable high-speed printing of up to 2.0 million square feet per month.2 The new SurePress L-4733AW is the only digital press in its class with White Ink1 for prime labels and thin films.

“Our 100th SurePress installation in North America is a testament to the acceptance in the market of Epson technology for high-end digital inkjet label production,” said Victor Gomez, director, Industrial Labels, Epson America. “We have installed presses at label converters of all sizes, as well as at promotional products printers, print-for-use sites, and many other traditional and non-traditional label and packaging providers. It’s appropriate that this milestone was reached with the SurePress L-6534VW UV press at Sticker Mule, who coincidentally also bought the very first SurePress L-6534VW.” 

Epson SurePress digital label presses are engineered for flexibility and reliability, and with a remarkable color gamut, are designed to deliver accurate spot colors and gradients required for brand-quality color prime labels and packaging. SurePress presses are designed as a system with Epson manufactured components including ink, printheads, LED pinning and curing, offering stable, predictable production.

For additional information, visit www.epson.com/surepress. For inquiries in North America, contact:

–        Western Region: Mark Elsbernd, (818) 620-2730 or mark.elsbernd@ea.epson.com

–        Central Region: Bob Ochalla, (630) 710-6005 or bob.ochalla@ea.epson.com

–        Eastern Region and Canada: Frank Connelly, (615) 585-9058 or frank.connelly@ea.epson.com

About Epson
Epson is a global technology leader dedicated to co-creating sustainability and enriching communities by leveraging its efficient, compact, and precision technologies and digital technologies to connect people, things, and information. 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 around 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).

1 Compared with similar digital label presses priced at $250,000 (USD) or less as of May 2022.

2 Verified by Epson Remote Management System.

EPSON and SurePress 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.

North Kingstown, RI — Toray Plastics (America), Inc., announces that Mark Turano is now the Senior Director of Sales of the Lumirror® Polyester Film Division. Turano will oversee sales, contribute to long-term planning, and coordinate scheduling and logistics. Turano most recently served Toray as the Division’s Director of Sales. He joined the company in 2016 as the Lumirror team’s National Sales Manager. Prior to that, Turano worked with RKW Danafilms, Consolidated Container Company, Polycel de Mexico, and Printpack.

“Mark has been very important to Toray’s success,” says Matt Brown, General Manager of the Lumirror Division. “He possesses tremendous knowledge of the PET film industry, markets, film manufacturing, and converting, has been instrumental in the Division’s growth during challenging times, and is a thoughtful, respected leader. We’re grateful for his service and wish him continued success.”  

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 two 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 Brenda Ockun, Brand Manager, at brenda.ockun.w9@mail.toray or 315-916-3272. 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.

On booth 3015, Hall B, HYBRID Software focuses on virtual mockups, workflow automation, and variable data for digital label printing 

HYBRID Software, the innovative software solutions provider for labels and packaging, will showcase its recent acquisition of iC3D by showing 3-D visualization throughout the entire prepress process at Labelexpo Americas 2022, September 13-15 in Rosemont, IL. On booth 3015, Hall B, HYBRID Software and iC3D will join a number of their Hybrid Software Group sister companies, including Global Graphics Software ColorLogic, Xitron, and Meteor Inkjet.

One of the highlights will be the integration of PACKZ and iC3D, allowing HYBRID Software users to visualize 3D packaging in real time, from labels and flexible packaging to shrink wrap products. iC3D is an all-in-one visualization software package that lets users generate live 3D virtual mockups on-the-fly. At the booth, people can see how easy it is to model and drive a design, whether it’s a label or flexible package. High end effects, embellishments and lighting will be shown.

Other highlights are: 

• Version 8 version of PACKZ, HYBRID Software’s native PDF editor: Enhancements include complex layered artwork that can now be viewed in color and wired modes simultaneously, and object-based screenings can be inspected per separation. The Smart Flattener guarantees artwork quality and consistency, professionally managing spot color and transparency interactions as well as press gamut conversions. Pactions is a programmed toolset with action lists, responding to customer needs for advanced automation. It reduces the amount of operator time needed to edit, approve, and print a new package design.

• STEPZ 8, an interactive software package based on the award-winning technology of PACKZ, allows for the preparation and execution of step-and-repeat and variable data tasks for high-speed digital printing of labels.

• Variable Data Printing (VDP), an InterTech Technical Award recipient, highlighting the ease of use and capabilities of the variable data preparation and execution of files, while providing customers the use of any open output device they require.

• CLOUDFLOW will be highlighted to demonstrate workflow management controlled from a web-browser. Featured CLOUDFLOW components include PACKZFLOW, PROOFSCOPE, CLOUDFLOW RIP, and the plug-in suite that facilitates interaction with the workflow, from the desktop or from Adobe Illustrator and PACKZ.

• SmartDFE combines products from all Hybrid Software Group companies to provide a turnkey digital front end (DFE) for high-speed digital presses.  It combines Harlequin Direct, the world’s fastest RIP, along with Meteor Inkjet’s printhead electronics, ColorLogic color mapping, and CLOUDFLOW’s workflow automation tools into a powerful DFE that is fast to integrate and efficient in its hardware requirements. SmartDFE will be featured by key OEM partners at Labelexpo Americas 2022.

“The conference’s theme is ‘Turn your converting playbook from good to great.’ HYBRID Software believes it has been doing that for its clients for years—and we continue to build on PACKZ, the standard for PDF editing and the CLOUDFLOW enterprise packaging workflow system,” comments Mike Agness, HYBRID Software executive vice president, Americas. “While we have always worked well with complementary systems—including MIS/ERP—we now have a roster of new sister companies including iC3D and ColorLogic. HYBRID Software is in an ideal position to combine our label and packaging print expertise to build all-encompassing systems for any printer or converter. We believe Labelexpo attendees can benefit from a visit to our booth, and look forward to meeting them.”

About HYBRID Software
With offices in Belgium, Germany, US, UK, Spain, France, Italy, and China plus a global partner network, HYBRID Software is an enterprise software development company focused on innovative productivity tools for the graphic arts industry.

HYBRID Software’s CLOUDFLOW workflow, PACKZ and STEPZ editors, and print quality solutions offer a unique set of advantages that include native PDF workflows, enterprise cloud solutions, scalable technology with low cost of ownership, and direct integration with leading MIS solutions and output devices. These products are used by thousands of customers worldwide in all areas of prepress and print, including labels and packaging, folding cartons, corrugated, wide format and digital printing. HYBRID Software is a subsidiary of Hybrid Software Group.

www.hybridsoftware.com

Schaumburg, IL – The marketing team at Great Lakes Brewing Company in Cleveland recently received their trophy for winning the third annual Colored by INX Can Design Contest. An independent panel of judges determined their TropiCoastal Tropical IPA craft beer entry featured the best design of this year’s entrants, allowing them to claim back-to-back titles after winning in 2021.

All submitted entries required designers to use the INX Metal Color Catalog to produce a commercial can design before December 31, 2021. Jameson Campbell, creative manager for Great Lakes Brewing Company, said the catalog inspires his team to find the right combination of colors to deliver each beer’s unique story, create shelf appeal and build strong brands.

“Our goal was to expand our IPA portfolio with a year-round offering that delivers big, ripe tropical fruit aromas,” he remarked. “So how do you achieve that feeling visually, especially when your beer is primarily sold in regions where a plane ticket is required to capture those vacation vibes? With immersive, enveloping splashes of color.”

Acknowledging his team took a different approach with the TropiCoastal Tropical IPA entry, Campbell explained the steps they took to achieve the winning design.

“With illustrator Sam Hadley, we set out to create the invigorating feeling of discovering your own tropical oasis. It draws the can holder into a warm, beachfront sunset scene amidst cool, green and teal foliage that extends beyond the can’s front face,” he said.

“To deliver on our promise of a liquid getaway, TropiCoastal received its own tiki inspired type from Sam, which influenced the voice and style of the brand’s supporting materials. Our primary logo, generally shown in black, white and gold, also received a brighter color treatment. We did it to better align with the lightness of the scene and break the traditional convention of our year-round brands.”

Great Lakes Brewing Company will be eligible to defend its contest title next year. Look for 2023 contest details to be made available on the INX website in either January or February.

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. 

Two BOBST Open Houses taking place simultaneously will enable even more people to see our sustainability-ready technology first-hand

On BOBST stand (hall 4/A39) at K 2022, taking place in Düsseldorf, 19–26 October, BOBST are proud to announce “we are ready” to make sustainability in packaging a reality.

At the heart of this new reality is oneBARRIER – a family of new alternative and sustainable solutions that BOBST is developing with its partners. These solutions have the potential to be transformative for the packaging industry.

oneBARRIER PrimeCycle is an EVOH-free, top-coat free solution for full PE barrier and is an alternative to metallized polyester film. As a polymer-based mono-material, it is recycle-ready while retaining excellent barrier qualities, making it a potentially groundbreaking development for sustainable packaging.

BOBST’s partners involved in oneBARRIER PrimeCycle include Dow, Michelman, Sun Chemical and Zermatt, who will all be present during K 2022 to demonstrate their vital contributions to this exciting development. Many other partners are involved in the overall oneBARRIER initiative.

“The solutions we are showing at K 2022 speak to the power of partnerships,” said Sara Alexander, Marketing & Communications Manager Flexible Packaging at BOBST. “True innovation and meaningful progress in such a challenging area requires all the experts in the different fields to come together and bring their expertise to the table. oneBARRIER is testament to what is possible when there is a collective desire to unite and collaborate on something bigger than all of us – sustainability.”

PrimeCycle is the first of several exciting oneBARRIER solutions. Following a shift in demand in the industry for more paper-based packaging options, oneBARRIER FibreCycle has been developed as a paper-based packaging solution. oneBARRIER FibreCycle is a full paper, mono-material, recycle-ready solution created together with partners Michelman and UPM, and will also be on show at K 2022.

BOBST and its partners are also actively working on a range of other solutions, including the development of a home compostable packaging option.

“Sustainable packaging is one of the great challenges of our age, but we are here at K 2022 to say we are ready,” said Sara Alexander. “Come and see us at Stand hall 4/A39 and we will show you what the future of sustainable packaging looks like.”

Better connected

Also on show at K 2022 is BOBST Connect, the user-centric platform which connects converters and brand owners to a digitalized and automated workflow, giving them clear visibility and control of the production process. By linking different steps of the process, BOBST Connect improves efficiency, control, and data knowledge, driving quality and productivity across the value chain.

Bobst Bielefeld Open House (19-22 & 24-26 October)

BOBST Connect helps elements of packaging production become “one complete solution” to users – from application management guidance, pre-press set up, to printing, laminating, and quality control. At the Bobst Bielefeld Open House, attendees will be able to see the full chain for flexible packaging in action, with the example of two flexo presses – the VISION CI and the MASTER CI – as well as the solventless NOVA SX 550 LAMINATOR.

Bobst Manchester Open House (18 October)

At the Bobst Manchester Open House, attendees will have the opportunity to see BOBST`s latest vacuum metallizing solutions in person.

“Our Competence Centers have been central to our sustainability efforts, providing essential locations for research and development work to be carried out by BOBST and its partners,” said Sara Alexander. “We look forward to opening the doors to our Bielefeld and Manchester Competence Centers and demonstrating the progress we have made not only in sustainability but across all the other elements of the BOBST vision – connectivity, digitalization and automation.”

To find out more about the BOBST innovations register and follow-us under www.bobst.com/k2022.

About BOBST
We are one of the world’s leading suppliers of substrate processing, printing and converting equipment and services for the label, flexible packaging, folding carton and corrugated board industries.

Founded in 1890 by Joseph Bobst in Lausanne, Switzerland, BOBST has a presence in more than 50 countries, runs 19 production facilities in 11 countries and employs more than 5800 people around the world. The firm recorded a consolidated turnover of CHF 1.563 billion for the year ended December 31, 2021.

www.bobst.com

Essentra Packaging, based in Lublin (Poland), is part of the international Essentra Group. Recently, it has purchased its first hybrid printing press. After comprehensive market research, Essentra Packaging chose a Digital Series HD manufactured by Mark Andy. Piotr Skalecki, Plant Manager at Essentra Packaging underlined several positive aspects of his company’s co-operation with the American manufacturer: the advanced technology of the press package, smooth implementation of the press and staff training; and comprehensive advisory and experience from the vendor. He also mentioned that the benefits of the new machine have been obvious from the first day of operation. Essentra has reduced the time for sample printing and material usage for versioned work by up to 80%. It has also significantly reduced processing waste and with job proofing more streamlined, has made production more cost effective. Learn more on the video interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjwQSHwbxvY

Essentra Packaging located in Lublin, specializes in complex work for leading international brands, mainly from the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, for which it supplies printed carton packaging using sheet fed offset presses, and labels. Essentra Packaging, which includes the Lublin site, offers three kinds of products: carton packaging; labels; and leaflets. Every year Essentra Packaging manufactures approximately 270 million items of carton packaging and 1.5 billion of self-adhesive labels.

The company prides itself on being very customer-oriented with a collaborative approach and supports its customers at every stage of a project, from design, focusing on production optimisation and eco-friendliness, through manufacturing and finishing, to final delivery. Piotr Skalecki stated that a new hybrid press from Mark Andy fits all these aspects perfectly.

Digital Series HD: ‘To serve and support our customers better’
Mr Skalecki explained how the new, high resolution hybrid Digital Series HD press has enhanced Essentra’s label production capacity: “Job runs are still decreasing but customers are constantly asking for more complex and difficult labels, and in different versions. So, we needed a press that would meet their needs and expectations. Digital Series HD combines the best from digital and flexo technologies in one complementary and highly efficient production line, so it seemed an ideal solution for our current needs. When choosing the new press, we focused on key aspects: the technical capabilities of the machine; and its stability and configuration options that would fit the company’s requirements. We also researched Mark Andy’s capabilities in terms of press installation and after-sales service, with special attention on engineering responsibility, where both digital and flexo elements are supplied by the same manufacturer.”

After detailed technical research and comprehensive testing of different presses, Essentra decided that the Mark Andy fitted the criteria best of all. “In our opinion the company and its equipment will be able to support us in producing jobs for cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and healthcare industries. All these markets, especially cosmetics, are constantly increasing their demand for quality in the supply chain. Customers expect much shorter delivery times, new designs for packaging and labels as well as redesigns and versioning of older ones,

Increasing numbers of different versions of the same label for a cream or shampoo forces the beauty market customers to respond quickly and implement new designs or adapt existing ones. They also need more technically complex and detailed labels. Another factor is growing pressure on improving quality parameters – this mainly relates to repeatability on different job batches. It all impacts on the choice of the most appropriate technology for a particular job. Considering all these market challenges, the installation of a high-quality printing press became a necessity for us. It was also a huge change for Essentra, but has opened completely new opportunities for our company,” he added.

Hybrid technology: the benefits of implementation
Piotr Skalecki: “The Digital Series HD offers very good parameters for digital printing in terms of resolution and colour gamut. The configuration of print heads results in an optimum balance between 1200 dpi resolution, press stability, and life expectancy of the components. We also appreciate the spectacular print consistency, which distinguishes Mark Andy from other manufacturers because they developed both flexo and inkjet modules. This also applies to the software that drives the press. Understanding the architecture of the entire technology, the capability of exploiting the full potential of the software, and implementing the improvements suggested by customers makes Mark Andy the leader among global manufacturers of hybrid solutions in my opinion.”

The new Digital Series HD has strengthened the digital production capacity of the entire Essentra Group, supporting its business units in the UK, the USA, Spain, and Ireland. “First of all, we can offer our beauty market customers difficult and highly advanced labels, as well as short run jobs. These orders often need a combination of flexo and digital print techniques. With the Mark Andy we can significantly shorten delivery times on all jobs because of the faster approval process, and by moving some orders from flexo to digital,” he explained.

According to Piotr Skalecki, hybrid technology is the perfect answer to the challenges of the cosmetics industry in terms of customer approval of new label designs. “We see a kind of revolution in this area, partly because of the pandemic, but most of all, because of a greater emphasis on production costs. In the pre-Covid era our customers approved new designs personally by visiting our plant, but when the pandemic started, an increasing number were realised remotely. Our customers expect various options with any product, and we need to get quick responses as to which one they prefer.”

Mark Andy says its hybrid press is ideal for this. Processing is very quick with significantly reduced prepress costs. With flexo, prepress is a major cost, making it unprofitable on short run work. With a hybrid, prepress costs are significantly reduced. Skalecki added: “We really like the ease with which any modifications on the press can be implemented. After installing it, we were immediately able to combine proven and well-known flexo with the most modern digital technology, allowing us to enhance Essentra’s market opportunities and offer greater flexibility to our customers. This allows us to meet their sophisticated expectations much more easily.”

The Digital Series HD is the first Mark Andy purchased by Essentra Packaging. “The opportunities offered by a hybrid significantly increases the diversity, precision, and speed of the production process. First, it has streamlined our workflow and consumables management, and made us more flexible,” said Piotr Skalecki.

Benefits of implementation and a ‘real life’ example
Digital Series HD combines hybrid construction, inline converting and high-resolution digital printing with flexibility and high efficiency. “All these factors enable us to accept jobs from current and new customers that were not profitable with flexo. The hybrid also offers a 50% waste reduction on short- and mid-length jobs, as well as measurable savings at the design approval stage. We can use one web of material to prepare several versions of a particular label, reducing usage by 75-80%. Digital Series HD also needs only half the power required by a typical flexo press and generates minimal ink waste. This is very important for us and our customers and is in line with our sustainability targets.”

Piotr Skalecki quotes an example taken from Essentra’s daily production. “Previously, it took 4 – 5 business days to prepare five label designs for a customer. Currently we need only one day for the same task, and the customer also receives more designs to choose from and approve. The entire process has become much faster, it’s reduced material usage, and enhanced our opportunities, bringing added value to the business relationships with our customers.”

‘A perfect installation’ from Mark Andy
Piotr Skalecki underlines one more aspect concerning the Digital Series HD installation. “We were very impressed by the work Mark Andy did during the commissioning process onsite. When we compared it with other manufacturers’ approach, it was way smoother. Mark Andy’s involvement and help at every stage built our trust in the company and its employees. We now call their implementation process ‘the perfect one!” The service and after-sales care offered by Mark Andy were one of the most important factors when we chose the new press, along with the obvious technological advantages of the equipment. We are very happy with the entire level of co-operation.”

Speaking for Mark Andy, European Sales Manager Lukasz Chruslinski commented: “It’s a great pleasure to hear such complimentary comments from a customer, mentioning our technical and service support. Our business philosophy is that the sales contract is just the beginning of the entire process, in which we try to get as close to our customers as possible, helping them to open the new and exciting opportunities offered by Mark Andy presses.”

About Mark Andy Inc.
Mark Andy is a pioneer of the graphic arts and printing industry. As the world’s leading manufacturer of narrow- and mid-web printing and finishing equipment, it supplies leading global brands, including Mark Andy and Presstek printing presses, Rotoflex finishing solutions, as well as a complete line of Mark Andy Print Products consumables and pressroom supplies. All products are backed by the largest customer support team in the industry, minimizing downtime and helping customers be profitable, efficient and at the forefront of innovation. Mark Andy does what it takes to understand each customer’s unique business, the challenges they face and the pressures they feel. It strives to provide products and services that help customers solve their problems and solutions that go a step further, allowing them to excel in their day-to-day operations, ultimately increasing productivity and reaching their full potential.

For more information, visit www.markandy.com.

Minneapolis, MN – AWT Labels & Packaging has announced the addition of a fully recyclable resealable flexible package for consumer goods applications. The construction was formally introduced at the recent World of Wipes International Conference in Chicago.

The complete recycle-ready package solution, with AWT’s proprietary and internally engineered reseal label structure, is the only product of its kind in the marketplace.

“In working with various CPG companies and contract manufacturers, we have seen a steady increase in demand for a fully recyclable package, particularly for wipes products,” said Michael Scott, Sales Executive at AWT.  “It really is a game-changer for wipes packaging and other products requiring a reliable reseal capability.”

While the original project to develop the recyclable package and reseal label combination was driven by the needs of the disposable wipes sector, AWT believes other products could benefit from this structure.

For more information, contact AWT at 612-706-3700.

www.awtlabelpack.com