TLMI

VIDEO: The Domino Difference

Domino has created a brand-new video to kick off the new year… VIDEO: The Domino Difference .  

For converters who are considering implementing digital printing for the first time, or adding additional digital printing systems to their business, this video is a must see.   

The Who.

Watch as 28 individuals from 21 companies – a wide cross-section from small to medium to large organizations – and job titles – including Owner, President, CEO, General Manager, Vice President, Operations Manager, Pressroom Supervisor, Press Operator, Technician, Engineer, Account Executive and more – discuss why they chose Domino, their experiences, and what they consider the Domino difference.

The What.  

Bill Myers, Marketing Manager – Domino Digital Printing North America says, “We’ve known that Domino digital printing solutions help our customers make money, grow their business, and succeed.  This video provides further understanding from a wide array of customers of what is most important to them. 

And what is revealed may surprise many in the industry.  

Myers explains, “What will quickly become apparent to viewers of this video, is that the feedback and responses are not solely focused on the equipment.  Yes, there is mention of the Domino press and printers, but more so the conversations you’ll witness speak to important factors beyond the machine… such as our In-House Leasing program, our service & support, our sales & marketing, our people, our brand… all of the nuances and distinctions that we call ‘The Domino Difference’.”

The When.

This video highlights interviews mostly from present day, but also spans back over the past few years to illustrate longevity.  Several companies in this video have purchased from Domino multiple times.  Others are first-time, brand-new customers.  In either case, the common denominator is these interviews illustrate and allude to a business relationship which exceeds expectations, as they describe their partnership with Domino. 

The Where.

Converters in North America… east to west, north to south, coast to coast are highlighted in this video.  Shot at their facility, industry professionals tell their story in various settings… from offices, lobbies, hallways, conference rooms, plant & production environments.  Every location is different, making all unique.

The Why.   

Organizations considering an investment in equipment want to understand as much as they can about the company they are investing in, and the type of experience they can expect to have. 

Myers says, “We know that much time, energy, and thought is involved in the due diligence process when a converter is considering adding digital printing equipment to their business.  For them to be able to view a video in which similar-type companies to theirs describe why they chose Domino, or their experiences in being a Domino customer… that is very is powerful and impactful.  It helps prospective digital printing users answer a very important question… ‘If all these converters trust Domino and have success with Domino… why shouldn’t I?”

The How.

How does the video end?

Myers concludes, “While producing this video, one of the highlights for me personally is best described as a wonderful walk down memory lane… reliving these special moments.  I was reminded of these visits to customer facilities, their smiles, their hospitality… as far back as nine years ago when I joined Domino.  Even virtual visits during the pandemic.  And in thinking about that, I wanted to end the video with a look back at many of those customers in reverse chronological order… a quick montage of memories, if you will… from most recent to the past… including some of the very first converters I visited with.  Our customers are everything to us. I certainly enjoy the fun we have together, and I look forward to creating many more great memories in the future.”

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 2,900 employees worldwide.

For more information on Domino digital printing, please visit dominodigitalprinting.com  

Reflex Label Plus Acquires Second Nilpeter FA-Line

From right to left: Nick Hughes of Nilpeter UK with Shaun Hanson, Reflex Label Plus, holding the Best Print Award from the 2021 FlexoTech International Print & Innovations Awards

Our next investment will most definitely be another FA from Nilpeter, with more features and added embellishment options.” That statement, made by Shaun Hanson of Reflex Label Plus in July 2019, was spot on. The Leeds-based printer has just acquired their second Nilpeter press, a new, fully loaded FA-22.

Easy and Stress-Free Installation
“We decided to invest in another Nilpeter press because of our previous positive experience with them, and their reputation for world-class customer service, and they did not disappoint,” Shaun Hanson, Keighley Site Manager of Reflex Label Plus, begins.

“The team supported us at every stage of the purchase journey. From outlining our specific needs right at the beginning, to liaising with the four other machinery suppliers involved in the project, to see it through to fruition,” he adds. “The time and attention taken by the team at Nilpeter meant that installation was easy and stress-free, with any challenges handled quickly and professionally by their engineers.”

Quality is Second to None
“The press quality is second to none, and this, coupled with the excellent follow-up training means that we have already produced some of the most technologically advanced labels in the world. This machine has been built to last and will be serving us for many years to come – I’m excited to see what more we can achieve,” Shaun Hanson concludes.

Intuitive User Interface
Built around the modern printing operator, with an intuitive user interface and fully mobile print controls, the Nilpeter FA-Line provides a maximum level of stability, the tightest register tolerance, and excellent printing results on multiple substrates: All normal self-adhesive materials, including flexible packaging films, polymer films, metallic films, and paper.

About Reflex
The Reflex Group was formed in 2002 with the goal of being “the world’s most sustainable packaging company” – a goal still entrenched at the heart of operations. Reflex seeks to be on the forefront of innovation, investing in technology and people for continuous improvement. Today, Reflex is one of the largest companies of its kind in the UK, and with an international customer-base, Reflex serves a broad range of customer sectors.

Products include self-adhesive labels, shrink sleeves including R.O.S.O., liner-less labels, flexible packaging, in-mould labels, artwork, and design. The company prints high-end labels in combination for many bespoke brand owners through their Reflex Label Plus division.

www.nilpeter.com

Roll Flex Label Company Plans for the Future with New Durst Tau RSC-E

Rochester, NY – Growing and adapting to their customers’ needs has always been a specialty of Roll Flex Label Company. As a three-generation family-owned company, Roll Flex has been able to grow their business while watching their customers grow too, many of which have been loyal customers since the beginning. This is why Margaret Zink-Boyle, CEO of Roll Flex Label Company, invested in the Durst Tau RSC-E.

Roll Flex Label Company, located in Hackensack NJ, is a custom label producer. Established in 1983, Roll Flex has held customer service, quality, competitive pricing, and quick turnaround time as their highest priority and promise to their customers. With a specialty in Safety and Warning, Food and Beverage, Product, Barcode, and Coverup Labels, Roll Flex has continued to grow and expand their product offerings. “We started with a Primera Digital Press, which was fine in the beginning, but as our digital business increased, we needed something faster with better quality” Margaret Zink-Boyle stated. By partnering with Durst, they have added 1200dpi UV inkjet technology to their production portfolio.

The Durst Tau RSC-E operates at speeds of up to 170ft/min (upgradeable to 262ft/min) with native 1200dpi native resolution and available with up to 8 colors. Durst RSC high opacity white ink delivers a smooth white which is ideal for printing on metallic and clear materials. Best in class quality and productivity, combined with highest uptime, result in a competitive package with lowest total cost of ownership. Equipped with Durst Workflow Label software solution and the monitoring tool Durst Analytics, this printer is a production unit from day one. Steve Lynn, Director Label & Packaging for Durst North America, offered, “We are delighted to welcome Roll Flex into the Durst family and look forward to a great partnership as they transform their business with Durst 1200dpi inkjet production capabilities.”

In the competitive label industry, adding a Durst Tau RSC-E was an easy decision for Margaret, who said “We did an extensive search and decided that the Durst RSC-E fit all of our current needs. In the future, as our needs change, the RSC-E can be upgraded to a higher speed, so the press can grow as we grow. 1200 dpi was attractive to us as it provides the highest level of quality currently available that ensures we are competitive now and in the future,  and we really felt Durst offered the best press on the market. We also heard such positive feedback from current users, which made our decision even easier.” The competitive edge Durst technology offers combined with the world class service Durst is committed to providing ensures Roll Flex will be able to continue to meet their customer’s high expectations and continue to grow their label business for many more decades to come.

About Roll Flex Label Company:
Roll Flex specializes in custom printed self-adhesive labels, offering Flexo and Digital Printing, Thermal Barcoding, Graphic Design, and excellent Customer Service. With both Digital and Flexographic presses, their highly skilled staff can guide you through a wide variety of projects. Offering long runs, short runs, as well as, multiple copies, Roll Flex can ship all over the world. 

Phone:  201-489-3330  

Website: https://www.rollflex.com/

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

www.durstus.com

Ahlstrom-Munksjö extends its dye sublimation portfolio by launching EcoJetTM Transfer S Series

Ahlstrom-Munksjö introduces EcoJetTM Transfer S Series for digital-transfer printing applications. The new product series consist of high-quality transfer papers that offer excellent printing and transfer resolution, fast ink drying, and high ink acceptance, especially suitable for hard surface image transfer.

Digital printing is an effective and economical method that reduces lead time compared to traditional printing methods. It is also a more sustainable method as it uses less water and produces less waste. In digital sublimation printing, the printed transfer paper is placed onto a surface, after which the paper and the soft or hard surface are pressed together at high temperature to adhere the ink on the paper to the surface.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s multipurpose EcoJet™ range offers trusted and innovative solutions for digital transfer printing for garments, household, technical and visual communication, including both Transfer Paper (Dye Sublimation) and Protection Tissue (used to protect and increase the lifetime of the printer, while preventing ink penetration). The EcoJet™ range is produced from responsibly sourced wood pulp, certified according to Forest Stewardship Council® standards.

“We believe that our EcoJet™ S Series is an excellent fit to the market, where the need for on-demand printing and timely deliveries are growing. Together with the EcoJet™ Protect, the new product series makes our offer complete,“ says Eva Thunholm, VP, Insulation business.

“EcoJet™ S Series product portfolio consists of high-quality transfer paper for high ink coverage, with excellent printing/transfer resolution, fast-drying, and no reverse sublimation. The S Series complements the M Series dedicated to the fashion industry and the J Series more focused on sportswear,” adds David Gustafsson, Sales Manager for Dye-Sublimation and Protection Tissue.

To learn more about our EcoJet™ portfolio visit www.ahlstrom-munksjo.com/dye-sublimation-paper or contact us at dye-sublimation@ahlstrom-munksjo.com

For more information, please contact:

David Gustafsson, Sales Manager for Dye-Sublimation and Protection Tissue, +46 73 980 55 51

Eva Thunholm, VP Insulation business, eva.thunholm@ahlstrom-munksjo.com, +46 70-510 92 40

Ahlstrom-Munksjö in brief
Ahlstrom-Munksjö is a global leader in fiber-based materials, supplying innovative and sustainable solutions to its customers. Our mission is to expand the role of fiber-based solutions for sustainable everyday life. Our offering includes filter materials, release liners, food and beverage processing materials, decor papers, abrasive and tape backings, electrotechnical paper, glass fiber materials, medical fiber materials, diagnostics and energy storage solutions, as well as a range of specialty papers for industrial and consumer end-uses. Our annual net sales is about EUR 2.7 billion and we employ some 7,800 people.

Read more at www.ahlstrom-munksjo.com

Supply Chain Update, Part 2

TLMI TechConnect newsletter article by Ed Dedman, TechConnect sub-committee co-chair, Zeller+Gmelin Corp.

We had a great response to our first Supply Chain article a few months back – to spur your memory, here are the key takeaways from that article:

  • Shortages of several critical feedstocks and subsequent raw materials are causing delays and/or allocations in supply of a wide range of printing industry consumables.

  • Those shortages are driving up costs throughout the product cycle, ultimately resulting in increases for converters.

  • A lack of available shipping containers globally has severely exacerbated the shortages mentioned above, creating an inability to move available materials to meet demand. Read this article from Hillebrand for a lot more detail, and some factors you probably didn’t know were in play – Where are all the containers? The global shortage explained (hillebrand.com)

  • Add to this mix of circumstances a growing – and ongoing – shortage of truck drivers, which just adds fuel to the fire. If you’ve experienced delays in deliveries from firms like UPS, FedEx, an assortment of LTL carriers, and even those Amazon guys, this is likely the reason why. I spoke with a FedEx driver this week who told me that here in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, they have held three separate “FedEx Career Days,” with ZERO attendees! Here’s a link to an article from The Tribune-Star in Terre Haute, Indiana reported on yahoo!news with more details and some disturbing trends –Truck driver shortage aggravated by pandemic (yahoo.com)

Even back those few months, there was some very cautious optimism that the situation might begin to level out by now, but as I’m sure you’ve noticed, things are still very much in turmoil, with no apparent end in sight. As of this writing, the recent discovery of the COVID-19 Omicron variant appears poised to scramble the situation even further, depending on how the various global governments and industry chooses to respond. New shutdowns and restrictions could easily add to the bottlenecks already in place, which would slow down the already slow recovery process.

With all that doom and gloom clearly stated, I’d like to focus instead not on a collection of information of which you’re already aware, but on some advice and suggestions from several sources with steps you can take to help mitigate the impact of the supply chain issues on your business, both short- and longer-term.

6 Steps to Handle Supply Chain Disruption from MIT Sloan School of Management

 6 steps to handle supply chain disruption | MIT Sloan

How to Strategically Approach the Supply Chain Balancing Act of 2021 from Thomasnet

How to Strategically Approach the Supply Chain Balancing Act of 2021 (thomasnet.com)

Supply Chain Issues: Minimize Supply Chain Disruption from ShipWorks 

Supply Chain Issues: Minimize Supply Chain Disruption | ShipWorks

And finally, Overcoming the Challenges of Supply Chain Disruptions from DICentral

Overcoming the Challenges of Supply Chain Disruptions (dicentral.com)

As you’ll notice, most of these articles offer many of the same suggestions, but there are a few juicy tidbits to be found as you read through them. Probably the single theme we should take away is that we need to approach the current situation from both a short-term survival aspect, as well as a longer-term strategy.

I wish I had a better answer to these challenges we’re all facing – but I also have the utmost confidence that this amazing TLMI family will continue to push through, utilizing an industry filled with talented, experienced, knowledgeable people. Find strength in this famous quote:

“If you’re going through hell, keep going.”
― Winston Churchill

 

AWT Labels & Packaging, Inc. acquires MacArthur Corporation

Minneapolis, MN – AWT Labels & Packaging Inc. (AWT), a leading provider of specialty labels and packaging for the healthcare, personal care, food & beverage, and durable end markets, today announced the acquisition of MacArthur Corporation.

Headquartered in Grand Blanc, MI, MacArthur is a world-class manufacturer of innovative labels, tags, decals, and functional film components for the mobility, electronics, health technology, and industrial sectors. MacArthur serves Global 500 customers and their suppliers with custom-engineered solutions built for challenging environments, and the company integrates enhanced features including serialized barcoding, RFID, anti-counterfeit, anti-tamper, and anti-microbial technologies into its products. The business will continue to operate under the MacArthur Corporation name.

“We are incredibly excited to have MacArthur join the AWT family,” said Bruce Hanson, CEO of AWT. “Christie and Tom Barrett have built an outstanding business that shares our core values of providing innovative solutions, industry-leading service, and the highest degree of quality to our customers while creating an environment for our employees to develop and thrive. MacArthur is the first acquisition made by AWT under the ownership of Morgan Stanley Capital Partners, and we are excited to continue acquiring great businesses and partnering with great teams across the Labels and Flexible Packaging space.”

AWT’s acquisition of MacArthur will broaden the Company’s end market knowledge, engineering expertise, and manufacturing capabilities, expanding the product mix and further building on the Company’s value proposition for existing and new customers.

“We are thrilled with the opportunity to become part of AWT to continue growing and expand the range of solutions offered to our customers. Our cultures align in delivering lasting value to our customers and a positive working environment for our team,” said Christie Wong Barrett, CEO of MacArthur. “With AWT’s strong operations expertise, broad facility network, and national resources, we will continue to enhance our manufacturing and engineering capabilities,” said Tom Barrett, President of MacArthur.

The combined business will provide a full suite of Label and Flexible Packaging solutions to customers both in North America and Internationally.

About AWT
Founded in 1991, AWT is a narrow and wide web converter of labels and flexible packaging focused on the Healthcare, Personal Care, Food, Beverage, and Durable end markets. AWT’s primary business is converting film and paper substrates into pressure-sensitive labels, shrink-sleeves, extended content labels, digital labels, flexible packaging, and other specialty products for a variety of applications and end markets. The company uses the latest in flexographic and digital printing equipment, and currently operates facilities in Minneapolis, Minnesota (HQ), South Elgin, Illinois, and Hauppauge, New York (Citation Healthcare Labels). More information about AWT can be found at www.awtlabelpack.com

About MacArthur Corporation
MacArthur Corporation manufactures innovative labels, tags, decals and functional film components for the mobility, electronics, health technology, and industrial sectors.  For over 50 years, MacArthur has engineered flexible solutions for many of the largest global brands. The company serves customers in more than 20 countries from operations in the US, Poland, and China. More information about MacArthur can be found at  www.macarthurcorp.com

BillerudKorsnäs to acquire Verso to ignite growth in North America

Creates one of the largest providers of virgin fiber paper and packaging with a cost and quality advantage

BillerudKorsnäs has entered into a merger agreement with Verso Corporation (Verso) under which BillerudKorsnäs has agreed to acquire Verso, a leading producer of coated papers in North America, for a purchase price of approximately USD 825 million in cash. Verso’s Board of Directors, acting upon the recommendation of a special committee, has unanimously approved, and resolved to recommend the transaction to Verso’s shareholders. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2022.

  • BillerudKorsnäs has entered into an agreement to acquire Verso for a purchase price of approximately USD 825 million in cash, corresponding to USD 27.00 per share.

  • Verso is a leading producer of coated papers in North America with reported net sales for the last twelve months ended 30 September 2021 of USD 1 264 million and adjusted EBITDA of USD 158 million.

  • The purchase price corresponds to an enterprise value / adjusted EBITDA multiple of approximately 6x for the last twelve months ended 30 September 2021. The acquisition will immediately be accretive to earnings per share and create significant shareholder value over time with a more profitable product mix.

  • BillerudKorsnäs will build one of the most cost-efficient and sustainable paperboard platforms in North America by converting some of Verso’s assets into paperboard machines with an estimated capex of up to SEK 9 billion.

  • The acquisition and transformation will be financed through a combination of a rights issue of up to SEK 3.5 billion, additional debt and operating cash flow.

  • The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2022, subject to the approval of Verso’s shareholders as well as the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

Strategic rationale: Profitable and sustainable revenue growth

The acquisition of Verso is fully in line with BillerudKorsnäs’ strategy to drive profitable growth in paperboard, and the ambition to expand into North America. BillerudKorsnäs aims to build one of the most cost-efficient and sustainable paperboard platforms in North America by converting several of Verso’s assets into paperboard machines while maintaining its position as quality and cost leader in speciality and coated woodfree paper.

Verso’s strategic assets are positioned in a region with abundant and cost-effective fibre supply suitable for production of premium packaging materials. Verso’s location also presents favourable export opportunities to both Asia and Europe. Verso will become the platform for BillerudKorsnäs’ future expansion in North America and is expected to provide continuous growth opportunities over the next ten years and beyond. The combined company will be one of the largest providers of virgin fibre paper and packaging with a cost and quality advantage.

“The combination of BillerudKorsnäs’ expertise in high-quality virgin fibre packaging materials and Verso’s attractive assets creates an excellent platform for long-term profitable growth. We will obtain cost-effective production of coated virgin fibre material in the Midwestern United States. We also plan to sequentially transform part of the business into paperboard production while continuing to serve the U.S. customers. Our investments will create new US-based jobs in a growing market and accelerate the transition from plastic-based packaging materials to renewable sources,” said Christoph Michalski, President and CEO of BillerudKorsnäs.

Converting assets into board production

The plan is to convert Verso’s largest facility, its Escanaba mill, into a world-class, sustainable, fully integrated paperboard production site. One machine is estimated to be converted by 2025, a second machine by 2029, to a total capacity of around 1 100 ktonnes. BillerudKorsnäs estimates that the investment for the conversion project will be up to SEK 9 billion, whereof around two thirds to be invested up to 2025 and the remainder up to 2029. The increased net capacity of around 400 ktonnes compared to today together with a more profitable product mix will create significant shareholder value over time.

In addition to continued paper production in Escanaba during the conversion, BillerudKorsnäs plans to continue operating the Quinnesec mill. It has an annual capacity of around 400 ktonnes of paper and 200 ktonnes of market pulp and is a cost and quality leader in graphical paper, specifically in coated woodfree and specialty papers. BillerudKorsnäs is committed to continuing to serve Verso’s existing customers.

The acquisition

The acquisition will be effected pursuant to a merger agreement under which Verso will merge with a wholly-owned subsidiary of BillerudKorsnäs. BillerudKorsnäs will pay holders of Verso’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock, subject to certain exceptions, an all-cash price of USD 27.00 per share, corresponding to an enterprise value of approximately USD 970 million (approximately SEK 8 770 million1 inclusive of Verso’s cash, net debt and other debt-like items as of 30 September, 2021.

The consideration corresponds to a premium of 26% compared to Verso’s volume-weighted average share price during the last 30 trading days and a premium of 35% compared to the closing price of Verso’s shares on 17 December 2021.

Combined net sales for BillerudKorsnäs and Verso for the twelve months ended 30 September 2021 amount to approximately SEK 36.7 billion and combined adjusted EBITDA for the same period is approximately SEK 5.0 billion (pro forma, 1 October 2020–30 September 20211).

A special meeting of Verso’s shareholders is expected to be convened following the mailing to Verso’s shareholders of a proxy statement for the transaction. Verso’s Board of Directors, acting upon the recommendation of a special committee, has unanimously approved and resolved to recommend the transaction to Verso’s shareholders.

The transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2022, subject to the approval of Verso’s shareholders, as well as receipt of applicable regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Closing of the transaction is not subject to any financing condition.

Financing of the acquisition and the conversion

The acquisition and transformation will be financed through a combination of rights issue, additional debt and operating cash flow.

BillerudKorsnäs has entered into a new credit facility of SEK 6 000 million, provided by Danske Bank and SEB, intended to be utilized for this purpose. This credit facility is planned to be refinanced by issuance of debt instruments and an equity rights issue.

After the completion of the transaction and prior to the rights issue, BillerudKorsnäs’ interest-bearing net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio (pro forma twelve months ending 30 September 2021) is estimated to be around 2.7x, temporarily higher than its target level of below 2.5x.

BillerudKorsnäs’ Board of Directors intends to propose to a general meeting of BillerudKorsnäs’ shareholders that the Board of Directors be authorized to resolve upon a rights issue of up to SEK 3 500 million. The rights issue is planned to be carried out in 2022 following completion of the transaction. BillerudKorsnäs’ four largest shareholders, AMF Pension and Funds, FRAPAG Beteiligungsholding, Swedbank Robur Funds and The Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund, which together hold around 37.7% of BillerudKorsnäs’ share capital, support the acquisition and have expressed their intention to vote for the rights issue and subscribe for their pro rata share.

Danske Bank and SEB, acting as financial advisors to BillerudKorsnäs in relation to the rights issue, have confirmed their commitment, subject to customary conditions and subject to BillerudKorsnäs obtaining binding subscription commitments for at least 25% of the rights issue, to enter into an underwriting agreement in connection with the rights issue. The rights issue will, by way of the shareholder commitments and the underwriting by Danske Bank and SEB, be fully covered.

Financial targets remain

BillerudKorsnäs will maintain its financial targets as communicated at the Capital Market Day in November 2021. The long-term targets are: Net sales growth of 3-4% per year, EBITDA margin >17%, Net debt / EBITDA <2.5x and Dividend >50% of net profit.  

Acquisition-related costs of around SEK 135 million will be reported in the fourth quarter results of 2021 as an item affecting comparability.

Advisors

BofA Securities serves as exclusive financial advisor. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP serves as U.S. legal counsel and Cederquist serves as Swedish legal counsel to BillerudKorsnäs. Rothschild & Co serves as exclusive financial advisor and Kirkland & Ellis LLP serves as legal counsel to Verso.

About Verso Corporation
Verso Corporation (Verso) is a leading American producer of graphic, specialty and packaging paper and market pulp, with a long-standing reputation for quality and reliability. Verso is headquartered in Miamisburg, Ohio, and have two paper mills in Michigan, a roll to sheet converting facility in Wisconsin (paper production idled), and two distribution centres in Sauk Village, Illinois and Bedford, Pennsylvania. The production facilities are strategically located within close proximity to major customers, and the annual production capacity totals around 1.1 million tonnes of paper. Verso has around 1,700 employees. For the twelve months ended 30 September 2021, Verso’s net sales amounted to USD 1 264 million. Verso is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

For more information, see www.versoco.com

Macaran Printed Products Announces Senior Leadership Transition

Nick VanAlstine

Cohoes, NYMacaran Printed Products, a third-generation supplier of high-quality label and packaging solutions, announced today that Nick VanAlstine will transition the role of President to current Executive Vice President Tom Sargent. Mr. VanAlstine will remain as CEO. The change in leadership is effective January 1, 2022.

Mr. VanAlstine joined the family business in 1974 and was named president and CEO, succeeding his father Bill VanAlstine, in 1992. Under his leadership, Macaran has grown to become an industry-leader, providing label and packaging solutions to some of the world’s best known, mid-market brands.

Mr. Sargent joined Macaran in 2020 bringing more than 30 years of experience and leadership success in the flexible packaging and label-printing industry.

During his time with Macaran, Mr. Sargent has worked closely with Mr. VanAlstine gaining valuable insight into the financial, business and operations of the company. More recently, Sargent has led the development of an overarching growth strategy currently being implemented across the enterprise.

“Long-term leadership succession has been an important area of focus since my Father took over for my Grandfather in 1952,” offered Nick VanAlstine.  “Facilitating a smooth and thoughtful transition will ensure our employee-owned company continues to grow and prosper,” he added.

In his new role as President, Sargent will oversee the executive management team including Finance, Sales and Operations. He will be responsible for setting the vision and mission of the company, ensuring financial stability and continued growth. He will also be appointed to the board of directors

“This change in leadership marks the first time in our history a VanAlstine has not been President of Macaran. I can attest to the vision and passion Tom brings to the company, and have full confidence he is uniquely qualified to lead Macaran moving forward,” VanAlstine commented.

As CEO, VanAlstine will retain his corporate leadership role and remain Chairman of the Board of Directors.

About Macaran Printed Products
Macaran Printed Products is a third-generation, employee-owned supplier of high-quality label and packaging solutions for the spirits, craft beer, non-alcoholic beverage, household products, health, beauty and medical markets. Headquartered in Cohoes, NY, the company provides a “cradle to grave” product development system, and the latest in label printing and converting technology to ensure your brand image is delivered to the market just as you intended. As the “custodians of your brand” we take the time to understand your vision, ensuring consistency and reliability across every project, every time! Our offerings include pressure sensitive labels, extended content labels, peel & seal labels and promotional labels.

www.macaran.com

Resource Label Group Acquires Boston-based QSX Labels

Franklin, TN – Resource Label Group, LLC (“Resource Label”), a full-service provider of pressure sensitive label, shrink sleeve and RFID/NFC technology for the packaging industry, announced it has acquired Everett, MA-based QSX Labels expanding its regional strength in New England and leading position in the label and packaging industry. QSX Labels represents the twenty-third acquisition for Resource Label.

QSX Labels was founded in 1957, as New England Industrial Supply. The company expanded to offer pressure sensitive labels as The Quik Stick Label Company.  As they continued to grow and modernize, they became QSX Labels and have increased their current offerings to include digital, flexographic, and screen-printed custom labels, including state-of-the-art finishing capabilities. In addition, QSX Labels offers durable labels such as graphic overlays, domed labels, and nameplates.  

Robert Karess, Owner of QSX Labels, stated “We are excited to be a part of the Resource Label Group family. Their focus on delivering a strong network of capabilities and services for customers has established them as an industry leader and the right partner for QSX.”

Mike Apperson, President and CEO of Resource Label, added, “The team at QSX Labels has built an impressive business and will add significant expertise in New England. Their focus on service and exceeding the needs of customers make them a welcome member of the Resource Label Group family.”

About Resource Label Group
Resource Label Group, LLC is a leading pressure sensitive label, shrink sleeve and RFID/NFC manufacturer with diverse product offerings for the food, beverage, chemical, household products, personal care, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, medical device, and technology industries. With twenty-two manufacturing locations across the U.S. and Canada, Resource Label Group provides national leadership and scale to deliver capabilities, technologies, systems, and creative solutions that customers require. Headquartered in Franklin, TN, Resource Label Group employs over 1600 associates in the U.S. and Canada. Resource Label Group is a portfolio company of Ares Management Corporation. 

For additional information, visit www.resourcelabel.com