Schaumburg, IL – Great Lakes Brewing Company in Cleveland has successfully defended their title and won the third annual Colored by INX Can Design Contest. Their entry for TropiCoastal Tropical IPA beer follows on the heels of last year’s victory with their design for another craft beer, Crushworthy Lo-Cal Citrus Wheat.

This year’s competition is the first to be determined by an independent panel of six judges. Before selecting Great Lakes as the winner, they reviewed all of the submitted entries and chose five finalists. The others considered for this year’s title included Founders Brewing Co., Molson Coors, Saint Arnold Brewing Company and TUPPS Brewery. Each entry was created by designers who produced a commercial can design before December 31, 2021, using the INX Metal Color Catalog.

“The INX Color Catalog continues to be instrumental in serving the beautiful illustrations and designs on each of our cans, and appealing to customers with exciting visual appeal on the shelf,” said Jameson Campbell, the creative manager for Great Lakes Brewing Company.

“It helps us best match color, opacity and transparency of inks to maximize the boldness of each can’s final appearance. We want them to look just as good as the beer inside tastes. INX has helped us to deliver each beer’s unique story and flavor promise to our customers, reach new drinkers and build even stronger brands.”

Great Lakes Brewing Company offers a sophisticated and diverse selection of beers. They’ve been in business since 1986 and helped revive the Ohio City neighborhood of the city. Campbell said his team took a different approach with this year’s winning entry.

“With TropiCoastal Tropical IPA, we broke a few of our conventions and moved away from our typically detail-oriented illustrations to a slightly more simplistic, yet still expressive scene. That means color was even more important, particularly as this brand appeals directly to the drinker’s appetite and hints at its flavor cues with the color palette. The INX Color Catalog helped us consistently deliver the intended colors across all of our packaging. It gave us an extremely helpful point of reference for our suppliers to ensure efficiency and satisfaction throughout the approval process.”

Renee Schouten, INX’s Vice President of Marketing who manages the competition, said Great Lakes Brewing Company will be receiving their engraved trophy soon.

“I congratulate Great Lakes on their repeat victory. We received an outstanding group of entries this year, and I know it was a tough decision for our judging panel when they voted,” she said. Two INX executives, INX Color Perfection Manager Sarah Jacks and Eduardo Ribeiro, Commercial Manager for INX International South America, led the six member voting team.

“I want to thank Scott Drucker, Mike Grady, Laura Perryman and Ronald de Vlam for their time and opinions as this year’s independent judging committee. They truly are very creative people and did a terrific job. We plan to rotate our panel of judges and they have set the bar extremely high for next year’s group.”

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.

Label Leaders, the South African converter based in George, has built its business on a long-term relationship with Mark Andy. Most recently, it has installed its sixth flexo press from the American manufacturer, delivered and commissioned by Sarepco, which has been the Mark Andy representative in southern and central Africa for more than three decades.

Speaking for Label Leaders, co-owners Theo Raubenheimer and his sister Rene Koen commented: “Our philosophy is based on establishing close relationships with all business partners, both customers and suppliers, and Mark Andy has been a strategic partner since my parents first started the company.” Highlighting this, is the fact that all the Mark Andy presses at the George plant have been delivered by Sarepco in what Raubenheimer describes as a relationship that guarantees good advice to ensure every project is successful.

Recipe for success
”Our values have not changed since we started. We focus on high quality products and service. Developing close working relationships allows us to make strategic decisions faster, and as a privately-owned company, our flexibility is appreciated by our partners,” he stated.

The same philosophy forms the basis of cooperation with suppliers. Whether it’s a press, substrate, or ink, Label Leaders needs the suppliers’ support. This has been especially important recently with the issues caused by the pandemic and supply shortages.

Despite the difficulties, it has been a successful period for the company, which has made further investments, including the Evolution Series E5. The company has also built up a stock of various substrates to ensure customers get their labels on time.

Time for a new press
It was during a visit to Labelexpo 2019 in Brussels that Theo first saw the Evolution Series. “It attracted us from the start with its short make-ready time, high speed and simplicity of operation,” he said. With the likelihood of a second shift looming, which the company wanted to avoid, the decision was made to invest in an E5, and it was installed in August 2021.

The new press is equipped with eight flexo printing units and the new QCDC die-cutter. “As it’s a Mark Andy, we can use the plates, cylinders, and dies that we had already, which allows us to optimise costs and streamline the machinery park,” he explained. The new E5 joins other Mark Andy presses at Label Leaders, including a Performance Series P5, a 2200, a Scout, and an 830 that has been there since the beginning. Asked why it wasn’t in the company’s museum, Theo quipped: “Because it still works and earns money!”

Wider web – higher capacity
The new E5 brings much-needed additional capacity to Label Leaders and offers shorter delivery times. “Labels are special products that will always be needed. To develop new designs with new substrates we needed a press that was fast to make-ready and changeover, and with its wider web width it’s a very effective tool.”

Label Leaders supplies three main market sectors: retail, dairy, and wine, and while each has its own specific requirements, Theo says that print quality and reliable delivery are common to all. In the case of the wine industry, it’s vital that labels are delivered the same day the wine is bottled so as not to affect the alcohol level.

With the current global shortage of substrates and more than 500 different labels to manufacture, the company needs to maintain a high stock level in its warehouse to keep customers happy, but also find optimum production parameters to preserve margins. Longer runs is one solution, even if paper prices have risen fourfold since December 2021. “This is where having such as flexible press as the Evolution works well and fits with our business philosophy,” he said.

Sarepco – a long-term business partner
Theo Raubenheimer sees Sarepco as an ongoing stimulus to his company’s business. In addition to delivery, assembly, and staff training, Sarepco takes care of many future-proofing actions, including annual preventative maintenance and repair. “We like the fact that Sarepco technicians are always available – it gives us a feeling of security and comfort knowing that our Mark Andy equipment is in good hands,” he added.

Paul Bouwer, Director of Sarepco commented: “I remember the beginnings of Label Leaders and signed the original contract for a Mark Andy 830 with Ben Raubenheimer, Theo’s Father. What’s interesting is that this press is still in daily use here!”  Bouwer is also impressed with the way that Label Leaders has managed the large distances between the main cities in South Africa and credits the management team of what has become one of the biggest privately-owned label printing house in the country. “We’re delighted that this development is based on Mark Andy technology. The recent installation of the E5 confirms the quality of the equipment and underlines the trust in Sarepco as Mark Andy’s local dealer,” said Bouwer.

Speaking for Mark Andy, Executive VP Tom Cavalco concluded: “We’re happy that Label Leaders’ management follow the same principles that we do at Mark Andy. This close working partnership began in the 1980s and we are proud that the Raubenheimer family continues to invest in Mark Andy technology. I’d like to add a special word of thanks to Sarepco who have been with us for 35 years and have been fundamental to Label Leaders’ success.

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.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö now takes the next step in its strategy execution. Through a clearly defined purpose, sharper strategic focus and ambitious sustainability targets, the company is accelerating its pace of execution with the vision to become the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company. Following the ownership reorganization of its Decor business, estimated to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2022, Ahlstrom-Munksjö plans to change its business name to Ahlstrom.

In the last five years, Ahlstrom-Munksjö has tripled in size through acquisitions, mergers and organic growth. In early 2021, Ahlstrom-Munksjö launched a number of initiatives to unlock the full potential of the company and build strong capabilities. These initiatives have successfully improved the company’s competitiveness and performance, resulting in a strong 2021 with pro forma net sales of EUR 3.1 billion (2020: EUR 2.7 billion) and comparable EBITDA of EUR 398 million (2020: EUR 334 million).

Ahlstrom-Munksjö is uniquely positioned to capture additional value from the growing markets for fiber-based specialty materials and make a larger contribution to society through its strong market position. Megatrends such as higher air/water quality requirements, restrictions on use of harmful chemicals, increasing health awareness as well as plastic-to-paper substitution and e-commerce in packaging will create growth opportunities. Furthermore, the pandemic has demonstrated the contribution Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s medical products can have to people’s wellbeing and underlines the importance of healthcare as a market for the company.

“We are now accelerating the pace of strategy execution to build a stronger company for a sustainable future and capture the significant opportunities both to grow and improve profitability. Our strategic ambition for 2025 is to become the leader in combining fibers into performance materials that serve our purpose to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. Sharper strategic focus, more ambitious sustainability targets, and a tailored operating model will enable us to effectively address attractive and distinctive end markets to further enhance our competitive advantages and value creation for our stakeholders,” says President and CEO Hans Sohlström.

A more ambitious sustainability strategy with corresponding targets is also launched. We aim for all new product introductions to serve the purpose to Purify and Protect and be sustainable by design. While the strategy spans across environmental, social and governance factors, special focus is on immediate improvements in climate performance. Ahlstrom-Munksjö commits to the 1.5°C Science Based Target initiative towards 2030 and to Net Zero emissions by 2050 the latest.

The company will continue to successfully manage a broad portfolio of attractive niche businesses, supported by a tailored operating model. Effective as of July 1, 2022, the Group will serve five growing and distinctive end markets, also forming the basis for five divisions, allowing for significant organic and inorganic growth. The divisions will be supported by global functions and centers of excellence for scale, synergies, and excellence. 

The five end markets and corresponding divisions are presented below, and their relative size in terms of net sales and comparable EBITDA are illustrated on the company’s website. The five end-markets and corresponding divisions are:

Filtration – Mission-critical air and liquid filtration applications. Market growth is driven by higher purity and emission standards in automotive and industrial processes. Daniele Borlatto with a background in Filtration and Performance Solutions will continue as EVP of the Filtration division.

Food & Consumer Packaging – Solutions for improved food safety, product preservation, and bacteria prevention, helping extend product life and protect human health. Market growth is driven by a shift towards home delivery and e-commerce, and sustainable substitution of plastic with paper. Mark Ushpol with a background in the paper and packaging industry will continue as EVP of the Food & Consumer Packaging division.

Healthcare – Technologies serving essential societal uses in medical, laboratory, and life science settings including diagnostics, bioprocessing, and medical performance barriers. Market growth is supported by increasing health consciousness, at-home-testing, and the development and use of advanced bioprocessing. Markus Westerkamp will serve as interim EVP of the Healthcare division until a new appointment is made.

Building Materials – Highly engineered building material applications for every face of the building. Market growth is driven by urbanization and increasing demand for sustainable building materials. Daniele Borlatto will serve as interim EVP of the Building Materials division until a new appointment is made.

Technical Materials – Highly technical applications including protective materials such as insulation, precision coating, tape, and others. Market growth is driven by increasing performance characteristics in demanding technical applications, emission reductions, and substitution of plastics to paper. Sophie Haan with a background in process and specialty industries will lead the Technical Materials division as EVP starting in September 2022 when current EVP, Dan Adrianzon, retires.

“I am happy to welcome Sophie Haan as the new EVP of Technical Materials. I also want to thank Dan Adrianzon for his valuable and successful work for the company for more than two decades, as he has decided to retire from his position as EVP of Technical Materials. His engagement and dedicated leadership has contributed to building a better and stronger company. I wish Dan all the best for his well-deserved retirement,” says President and CEO Hans Sohlström.

Furthermore, a new COO function is established to support the decentralized operating model and drive plant performance improvements. Markus Westerkamp, with a background as EVP of Advanced Solutions at Ahlstrom-Munksjö, will take on the role as Chief Operating Officer, effective as of July 1, 2022. New EVP appointments for Healthcare and Building Materials divisions will be communicated later.

As announced on May 23, 2022, the company will divest the majority share of the Decor business, which will operate under the Munksjö name in the future. The Decor business has operated under the Munksjö brand for more than 25 years, and although in recent years under the Ahlstrom-Munksjö brand, the business is most commonly known as simply “Munksjö”. The planned divestment is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2022, following which Ahlstrom-Munksjö plans to change its business name to Ahlstrom.

Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this announcement may be statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, all statements other than statements of historical facts, including, without limitation, those regarding Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s future financial position and results of operations, strategy, plans, objectives, goals and targets and future developments in the markets where Ahlstrom-Munksjö participates or is seeking to participate. Any forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s control, that could cause Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s actual results and performance to differ materially from any expected future results or performance expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö in brief
Ahlstrom-Munksjö is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable and technical advanced specialty materials. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. Our vision is to be the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. We serve five growing and distinctive end markets, which form the basis for our five divisions: Filtration, Food & Consumer Packaging, Healthcare, Building Materials, and Technical Materials. Our annual net sales 2021 amounted to EUR 3.1 billion and we employ some 8,000 people.

Read more at www.ahlstrom-munksjo.com

Leading global manufacturer of print and packaging technologies, BOBST, has announced that it will showcase its latest machinery and peripherals at the returning PACK EXPO International.

After a four-year hiatus, the best of the packaging and processing industries will once again gather at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. The four-day trade show will run between October 23-26.

The most comprehensive global event of its kind, PACK EXPO International enables businesses to explore packaging solutions from creation to delivery, participate in educational sessions and networking opportunities with over 40 vertical industry sectors.

Emilio Corti, Market Director at BOBST said: “We continue to create solutions which match market demands for faster delivery times, and more sustainable operations. The needs of converters are at the heart of everything we do, and an investment in BOBST machines not only promises pure reliability and performance, but it also affords significant competitive advantages.

“As consumers grow their knowledge about sustainability, investment in proven solutions from the BOBST portfolio activate the ability to effectively communicate packaging stories.

“PACK EXPO International will be a great opportunity to talk to converters through our comprehensive range of folder-gluers, one of the most diverse and high performing portfolios available to today’s packaging printers and converters.”

Two of the newest innovations include NOVAFOLD launched in January of this year and designed to address the real-world needs of the industry, while MASTERLINE DRO, which combines digitalization, connectivity, and automation like never before.

Engineered to boost capacity and end-product quality, NOVAFOLD 50, 80 and 100 folder-gluer models can produce a wide variety of box styles, across a range of substrates, and at speeds of up to 300m per minute.

NOVAFOLD solidifies the brand’s folder-gluer range as one the of most diverse and high performance available to today’s packaging printers and converters. It boasts a blank aligner for folding precision, enhanced quality assurance with ACCUJECT technology, fast and easy carton collection, can facilitate rapid changeovers and job recall, as well as the versatile production of straight-line, crash-lock and 4- and 6- corner boxes. It is the essence of BOBST expertise, user-friendly ergonomics, waste reduction and superior quality performance.

MASTERLINE DRO, a new rotary die-cutting solution that sets a gold standard for inside-outside printing, represents another highly sought-after full line proposition.

BOBST MASTERLINE DRO, which is capable of productivity reaching an output of more than 40 million square meters per year, equips converters with the most versatile, most automated, connected, and ergonomic solution on the market. From pre-feeder to palletizer, it heralds a new era in box making, with high-quality inside-out printing in a single pass, complex die-cutting capabilities and quick full-line changeovers.

Both solutions marry BOBST quality and efficiency converters have come to expect with robust design and set a new benchmark in the industry.

Perfectly complementing these solutions, BOBST also offers a high-performance range of CI flexo printing presses, including VISION CI, EXPERT CI, MASTER CI and MASTER CI 90SIX. Combining cutting edge technology and exceptional manufacturing standards, the BOBST range supports effective premium print quality and class-leading lifetime value. Information on the impressive BOBST range of CI flexo press solutions will be available at PACK EXPO, with the team on hand to answer any questions.

PACK EXPO International will take place October 23-26, 2022, at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois.

For more information or to arrange a meeting with the BOBST team on stand 25029 please contact katie.graham@bobst.com.

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

Fedrigoni Self-Adhesives will attend the World of Wipes Conference

June 27 – 30 in Chicago, IL.

Graham, NC – Fedrigoni Self-Adhesives’ range of Open & Close solutions includes Polypropylene and Polyethylene films with a top-performing removable adhesive for high tear resistance, clean removability, good conformability and top reliability. The range is designed for hand wipes, baby wipes, cosmetic wipes, household wipes and more – making opening easier, and ensuring secure product closure.

According to Melissa Harton, Marketing Manager, North America, “The latest market trends suggest adopting a mono-material approach (PE or BOPP) for both the flex packs and the Open & Close labels. Our range of PE and BOPP constructions ensures full compatibility with this trend for soft and semi-rigid Open & Close labels. Thanks to the adhesive technology and film thicker facestocks, semi-rigid Open & Close labels are a more sustainable alternative to rigid plastic lids that are widely used by this application. Being thinner and lighter, they also reduce the quantity of waste. “

To make semi-rigid Open & Close labels more similar to rigid plastic lids, Fedrigoni Self-Adhesives has developed a patent that allows the label to remain open during use to facilitate the removal of the wet wipes from the flexible packaging. The combination of new mono-materials for semi-rigid labels with the company’s patented multi-layer Open & Close labels makes this a unique offer for the market. Just like a rigid plastic lid, this label stays open during use, which makes removing the product from the packaging easier.

Visit us in Chicago to learn more:

World of Wipes International Conference

Marriot Marquis Chicago
2121 S. Prairie Ave
Table # 105
June 27 – 30, 2022

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 labelling 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

Mayfield Heights, OH— OMNI Systems Inc. of Mayfield Heights, Ohio, has announced that Mike Murton will take over the role of president and chief operating officer upon the June 30 retirement of current President and COO Andy Macek. OMNI Systems is the largest privately-owned label converter in the United States.

Murton joined OMNI Systems in 2019 as General Manager and took on an expanded role of Director of Sales and Operations in early 2022. Prior to that, he served in a variety of leadership roles across different functional areas including operations, supply chain and procurement at Swagelok Inc., a Cleveland-based manufacturer of industrial valves and fittings.

Murton said preparations for this transition have been underway since he joined the company, and he expects it to be seamless for customers and suppliers.  

“As president, Andy implemented the operation system we use today. It has helped us grow and has allowed our expansion into prime labels,” Murton said. “Organizationally, you aren’t going to see a lot of changes that we haven’t already been working on. We’re launching the prime label product our customers have been asking for, and we’re wrapping up the project to bring all of our production into a single, state-of-the-art facility. We talk a lot at OMNI about aggressive execution, and that’s not going to change. Our focus is always on the quality, capabilities, service and value that we offer to our customers.”

Murton was born and raised in the Cleveland area and currently lives in Willoughby, Ohio, with his wife and two children.

Macek said he has been honored to work with OMNI Systems’ employees, customers and supply partners over the past 11 years, and he’s confident the company is well-positioned for the future.

“We’ve always had a philosophy here of removing obstacles and facing challenges head-on,” Macek said. “I think we maneuvered pretty well through the pandemic, and I’m proud of the accomplishments we’ve made over the past 10 years. People saw the passion I have for the business, and I’ve tried to spread that across the entire team. As a result, we’ve seen some fantastic growth and it has been very rewarding.”

About OMNI Systems
Founded in 1989 by CEO Adam DeFrancesco, OMNI Systems provides secondary and prime label engineering, design, printing and distribution services to Fortune 500 companies in retail, food production, consumer packaged goods, distribution and other major market sectors. With 150 employees, it has won numerous awards for customer service, technology, and workplace environment.

The U.S.-based manufacturer also offers customers critical supply chain advantages that can help reduce risk and minimize lead-time.

North Kingstown, RI — Toray Plastics (America), Inc.,will highlight its PEF Division’s advanced precision-engineered, irradiation-crosslinked, polypropylene and polyethylene foam technologies for automotive and flooring applications at Foam Expo 2022, June 28-30, booth 1303. Foams for industrial applications, including gasket, tape, and composites, will also be displayed. Toray’s foams include ToraSoft®, TorayPEF®, ToraPRO™, and XLPE. The company will also share with expo visitors the important supply chain benefits to be gained by working with a reputable U.S.-based manufacturer, as well as the competitive advantages provided by its parent company, Toray Industries, Inc. The global enterprise is committed to contributing to society through the creation of new value with innovative ideas, technologies, and products. The PEF Division is a state-of-the-art research and manufacturing facility located in Front Royal, Virginia.

The ToraSoft and ToraPEF brands are recognized worldwide as the premier foam for luxury haptics in automotive applications. OEMs, trim component processors, and Tier 1 suppliers specify it for manufacturing door and instrument panels, consoles, armrests, glove boxes, seat backs, and knee bolsters, among other parts. More than 160 automotive brands worldwide use Toray foams. The ToraPRO foams are specified for flooring applications. These polypropylene-based foams deliver excellent sound dampening and higher compression resistance at lower density than traditional polyethylene-based underlayments. They are used for glue-down, floating, and nail-down installations on roll-out and pre-attached pad applications and can be customized in widths ranging from 1,000mm to 2,200mm. Toray’s XLPE foams are specified by gasket, tape, and composites manufacturers. These foams provide end users with the consistent density, thickness, and uniformity that are essential for successful applications. Toray offers XLPE in a range of densities and thicknesses.

“The PEF Division is eager to return in person to Foam Expo and present to visitors its high- quality foams, share information about its expertise in manufacturing excellence, address supply challenges with solutions, and discuss its next generation of automotive foam products that are in development,” says Jack White, Director of Sales, PEF Division. White explains that the new products in development are being designed to meet the evolving requirements of interior trim manufacturing processes and new quality standards.

“We’re also looking forward to telling visitors about our affiliation with our parent company, Toray Industries, Inc.,” says White. “Toray Plastics America is recognized as a manufacturer of the highest quality foam. But what many in the industry don’t know is that our parent company, Toray Industries, Inc., provides us with a depth and breadth of global resources that are essential for innovation and success today and in the long-term. They also have a steadfast commitment to sustainability, which is important to our customers.”

About Toray Plastics (America), Inc.
Toray Plastics (America), Inc., is a leading manufacturer of polyester, polypropylene, and metallized films, and polyolefin, 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.

To support its rapidly growing sales numbers in the US, leading surface treatment manufacturer Vetaphone has added Mid-Atlantic Associates to its long list of agents.  Headed up by John Gresh, who has 32 years of experience in the converting and web handling industries, the agency offers Vetaphone specialist knowledge of the paper, film, foil, extruding, coating, printing, converting, and web handling sectors of the US market.

According to Ted Wolski, Vetaphone’s Sales Manager for the Americas: “John came highly recommended by our other successful agents in the States and plugs an important gap in our coverage of the Mid-Atlantic states, including Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and parts of New York.  I’m pleased to say that he has really hit the ground running in terms of sales production, which shows the benefit of his years of experience and contacts in the business.”

Along with other strategic appointments that include The Harman Company in the southern Midwest, as well as both Dotray & Associates and Jeff Messenger Industrial Sales across the northern Midwest, the addition of Mid-Atlantic Associates based in Pittsburgh, PA, gives Vetaphone direct representation in 45 of the lower 48 States, making its sales network second to none in the surface treatment sector.

www.vetaphone.com