Converting Industry News
- Published: March 01, 2001
Covering the Full Spectrum of Industry News, Events & Activities
Supplier News
Enercon Improves Laboratory Operation
MENOMONEE FALLS, WI, USA—Enercon Industries has installed a dancer on consignment from Dri-Tec Inc., Milwaukee, WI, in its corona treating laboratory.
The dancer includes low-inertia extruded aluminum and graphite composite rollers for ultra-low-tension applications. As a result, the laboratory now can run rolls to 36 in. dia and web widths from 12-60 in., at speeds from 10-10,000 fpm, and provide a hard roll of substrate with even edges.
Supplier Information
Dri-Tec Inc., Milwaukee, WI; 414/354-3540
Acquisitions
Dow Completes Merger with Union Carbide
MIDLAND, MI, USA—Dow Chemical Co. has completed its merger with Union Carbide Corp., which is now a wholly owned sub. of Dow. The combined product portfolio reportedly improves Dow's position in the global PE marketplace.
According to Dow's Len Azzaro, global VP of PE, “The PE industry has been in a state of consolidation for some time. This merger will help Dow remain competitive globally. Competition is still fierce, with more than a dozen major producers of PE resin in the fight for their share of the potential market.”
Avery Dennison Buys Dunsirn
PASADENA, CA, USA—Avery Dennison Corp. has acquired Dunsirn Industries, Neenah, WI, which will become a separate business unit within Avery Dennison's Fasson Roll Worldwide div. Company founders Brian and Duane Dunsirn will continue to manage the operation.
According to Philip M. Neal, chairman and CEO of Avery Dennison, “Our global reach will enable us to grow the business by introducing Dunsirn products to international markets, while our Fasson customers will benefit from the convenience of purchasing roll materials, both pressure-sensitive and non-pressure-sensitive, from a single source.”
Jefferson Smurfit Acquires Corrugated and Printing Operations
DUBLIN, IRELAND—Jefferson Smurfit Group has increased its holding in Nettingsdorfer Papierfabrik AG from 75%-100%.
Based in Austria, Nettingsdorfer's operations consist of a kraft liner mill with annual production capacity of 420,000 tonnes and a corrugated plant with annual production capacity of 45,000 tonnes. The company also has a stake in four corrugated plants in Italy and one in Malta.
Jefferson Smurfit also will acquire a 25% stake in Leefung-Asco Printers Holdings Ltd., which has printing and packaging interests in Hong Kong and China.
Vitek Packaging Buys Genesis Converting
SUFFOLK, VA, USA—Vitek Packaging Group, part of New York-based The Riverside Co., has acquired Genesis Converting Corp., Itasca, IL.
According to Riverside's managing partner Robert Fitzsimmons, “Genesis is an excellent addition to our group because of the complementary product lines, the high-end flexo printing capability, and the advanced converting of pouches and bags. This transaction highlights Riverside's tradition of focusing on market leaders regardless of their industry.”
Stan Budzinski, founder of Genesis, will continue in his role as president.
Filmquest Buys Panaflex Packaging
ST. CHARLES, IL, USA—Through its Plystar affiliate, Filmquest has acquired Panaflex Packaging, Cuthbert, GA, a manufacturer of plastic bags for institutional, consumer, and industrial markets. The business, including manufacturing equipment, will be moved to Plystar's Columbus, GA, facility.
This is the fourth acquisition by Filmquest in the past year and is part of its corporate strategy to become a full-service, value-added merchant converter of polyester film. The company reports more deals are being negotiated.
Paperloop.com Buys RISI
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, USA—Paperloop.com has acquired Resource Information Systems Inc. (RISI), Bedford, MA, a provider of forecasts and analysis of the international paper and forest products industry.
According to Tom Fazio, president and CEO of Paperloop, “RISI adds substantial strength to our already leading position as the primary information provider and community to the forest products industry, and complements our existing product lines by adding to our portfolio of high-end economic forecasting.”
Association News
PPC Fall Meeting Looks at E-Commerce
AMELIA ISLAND, FL, USA—Held at the sunny Ritz Carlton Resort in Amelia Island, October 11-14, the fall meeting of the Paperboard Packaging Council focused on the equally bright future of e-commerce in the folding carton industry.
Dennis McGinnis, director of e-business services for PriceWater-house-Coopers, led a seminar on how e-marketplaces and exchanges can be used to aid communication between converters and their customers, increase turnaround times, and offer up-to-the-minute cost information.
Kevin Costello, managing partner for digital market solutions at Arthur Andersen, said that, currently, marketplace trade accounts for 14% of US B2B trade, with the remainder being direct trading between companies. With the planned expansion of e-marketplaces, Costello foresees marketplace trade increasing to 53% of total US B2B transactions. This increase will lead to a consolidated pricing range and decrease the time between product orders and shipping. The increased speed of information trading will create a need for dynamic lead times, capacities, yields, and costs.
According to Dale Hayes, VP of customer relationship management and business development for United Parcel Service, the average US business loses half of its customers every five years. Improved communication among supplier, converter, distributor, retailer, and end-user could help each level maintain its relationship and increase its appeal to new markets. Supply chains tend to flow in one direction, with little feedback from the retailer or end-user reaching the suppliers and converters, Hayes said. He told of a chain that integrated the converter, distributor, and retailer, allowing the retail store to state its needs directly to the converter, eliminating products that do not meet their expectations and creating designs that will satisfy the retailer while giving the converter an additional value to offer other prospects.
The PPC honored J. Edward Woods, CEO of Gulf States Paper Corp., with the 2000 Robert Gair Award, which is presented to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the folding cartonindustry, his/her company, the PPC, and the community.
For more information contact PPC at 703/836-3300; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
PSTC to Meet in Florida
NORTHBROOK, IL, USA—The Pressure Sensitive Tape Council (PSTC) will hold TECH XXIV, Sharing Global Pressure-Sensitive Tape Innovations, May 2-4 in Orlando, FL. The conference will present 24 papers on key topics influencing the global tape industry and will include an exhibit showcase and a special poster session.
The association also will offer a training course designed to provide an overview of the technologies of the PSA tape industry. Tape University Course 102, Fundamentals of Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Tapes, will be held May 1-2 and will provide 12 hours of classroom learning.
For more information contact PSTC, Box 609, Northbrook, IL 60065; ph: 877/523-7782; fax: 877/607-7782; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; pstc.org.
Common Footprint Standard for Corrugated Announced
ROLLING MEADOWS, IL, USA—The Fibre Box Assn. (FBA) and the European Federation of Corrugated Board Mfrs. (FEFCO) now share compatibility between their respective corrugated produce container standards.
The FBA and FEFCO standards establish both recommended uniform footprint dimensions and interstacking container features for corrugated containers. These features facilitate efficient loading, handling, storage, and shipment of fresh fruits and vegetables on industry-standardized pallets in the US and Europe.
For technical specifications on the common footprint standard, contact FBA, 2850 Golf Rd., Rolling Meadows, IL 61188; 847/364-9600; www.fibrebox.org; or FEFCO, 37, rue d'Amsterdam, 75008 Paris, France; +33-1-53-20-6680; www.fefco.org.
IADD Releases Wage and Benefits Survey
CRYSTAL LAKE, IL, USA—The Intl. Assn. of Diecutting and Diemaking (IADD) has released the results of its 2000 Wage and Benefits Survey.
The survey was completed by companies actively involved in the design and manufacture of cutting dies or the conversion of various materials using cutting dies.
The analysis covers four areas: General Information, Hourly Wages, Personnel Policies, and Vacations.
Copies are available to members for $50; $125 for nonmembers. Contact IADD, Box 1587, Crystal Lake, IL 60039; 815/455-7519
Print Seminar Sees Growth Opportunities in Packaging
RESTON, VA, USA—The Assn. for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies (NPES) held its Print Outlook® 01 economic and marketing conference December 4-5 at the Omni-Shoreham Hotel, Washington, DC. PFFC was in attendance.
The sessions addressed four major areas that impact the printing industry — technology, economics, politics, and the Internet.
One point that came out: Although the Internet has become a viable competitor to print, one growth area for the printing industry is likely to be packaging materials and labels (particularly as regulations continue to require new and different labeling). There is no electronic competitor to packaging, and as consumer consumption increases, so will the demand for packaging.
Complete proceedings of the conference are available in CD-ROM format. For information contact NPES, 1899 Preston White Dr., Reston, VA 20191; 703/264-7200; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. web site: www.npes.org.
Conference
SVC Holds Technical Meeting
ALBUQUERQUE, NM, USA—The Society of Vacuum Coaters (SVC) will hold its 44th annual technical conference April 21-26 at the Philadelphia Marriott Hotel, Philadelphia, PA. The program will provide 15 technical sessions, 25 courses, and nearly 200 exhibits.
For more information contact SVC, 71 Pinon Hill Place NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122; 505/856-7188
E-Business
Materials Web Site Goes Live
CHICAGO, IL, USA—A web site for buyers and sellers in the specialty converting industry is up and running.
The site, www.selecterra.com, is designed to provide converters with the resources needed to specify, select, and order the tapes, label stocks, foams, films, inks, and plastics needed to meet customer application needs. These resources are said to include extensive multi-vendor catalogs; simplified product selection; on-line order entry, processing, and tracking; and a directory of specialty converters for OEMs and other end-users.
Ty Silberhorn, president and CEO, says, “Finding the right materials to meet customer requirements has long been a time-consuming and difficult challenge for converters, especially those in the small to mid-market where there may be limited access to suppliers and their technical resources. Selecterra provides a solution that helps level the playing field by making material and specification information from industry-leading material suppliers, as well as on-line transactions, instantly available for registered users.”
Web Site to Debut at CMM
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, USA—ConvertingLoop.com, an on-line community said to provide converting and packaging professionals with an array of business tools and information, will debut at CMM Intl., April 23-26. Created by Paperloop, parent of CMM, the site will feature converting technology centers, e-marketplaces, news, and a scrolling news feed.
CMM visitors can preview the site at Paperloop's booth in McCormick Place and at the e-Business Seminar being held April 23-25 at the Hyatt McCormick Place.
Expansions
ExxonMobil to Expand Plant
MACEDON, NY, USA—ExxonMobil Chemical Co. plans to expand its OPP manufacturing plant in Shawnee, OK. With the addition of a new, specialty, 6.6-m orienter and related equipment infrastructure, the US facility will add more than 30 million lb of capacity annually.
The new line is expected to come onstream in late 2002 and reach full capacity the following year.
Fusion Expands in China
GAITHERSBURG, MD, USA—Fusion UV Systems has expanded its presence in China by opening a representative office in Shanghai to provide direct contact for its growing customer base.
Contact area manager Xiao Dong “Rudy” Shi, at Fusion UV Systems, c/o Spectris China Ltd., Rm. 1805/06 Central Plaza, 227 N. Huang PI Rd., Shanghai 200003, P.R. China; +86-21-63758137
Companies Expand Joint Sales/Service Operations in Europe
CHICAGO, IL, USA—Graymills Corp. and Brookfield Engineering Laboratories, Middleboro, MA, have expanded their joint sales and service operations throughout Europe. The alliance now is providing turnkey ink pump and circulating systems and viscosity measurement and control systems to the converting and graphic arts markets in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and other countries.
Industry Education
Learn the ABCs of IML
SCOTTSDALE, AZ, USA—RBS Technologies will present “The ABCs of IML: A Basic Course” on March 22 at the Double Tree Hotel North Shore, Skokie, IL.
This seminar provides a basic grounding in in-mold labeling as well as the fundamentals of in-mold label production, current markets, growth opportunities, and more.
For more information contact RBS Technologies, 8912 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., #609, Scottsdale, AZ 85255; 480/473-0301; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. rbstechnologies.com.
Ion Systems Hosts Seminar on Static Neutralization
WINDSOR LOCKS, CT, USA—On December 5, Ion Systems conducted the first in a series of free seminars focusing on web static neutralization in hazardous locations. The program included reviews of electrostatic hazards in coating operations in the atmosphere of flammable vapors and discussions about rules of managing static electricity hazards.
Attendees observed demonstrations of various static neutralizers in operation on a continuous-loop machine and had the opportunity for hands-on experience with the equipment.
For a schedule of future seminars, contact Ion Systems, 1000 Old Country Circle, #116, Windsor Locks, CT 06096; 860/292-6847; ion.com/industrial.
Installations
Market Demands Spark Equipment Purchases
CHICAGO, IL, USA—Prepac (Thailand) Ltd., Klongsan/Bangkok, has purchased a Novoflex® CI flexo press from Windmöller & Hölscher, Lengerich, Germany. Prepac manufactures milk packages, bread bags, and packaging for hygiene products. According to Paradorn Chulajata, managing director of Prepac, “Fast job changes translating into short down times, excellent print quality, and cost savings resulting from the possibility of printing any repeat length — these were the main reasons we chose the Novoflex.”
Ultramark Adhesive Products, Lancaster, England, a manufacturer of self-adhesive materials for the labeling and graphic arts industries, has selected Delpro, Derbyshire, U.K., to design and build its new coating machine. The 1,600-mm-wide machine will employ advanced coating technology and the latest floatation drying systems.
New England Wooden Ware Corp., Gardner, MA, has purchased an AKU-Guide AII Tension and Web Alignment System from ADI Intl., Matthews, NC. The AKU-Guide is manufactured under license from Dücker Fördertechnik GmbH and is designed to reduce edge trim while maintaining constant web tension and full contact of the webs at the double backer. This is made possible by instantaneously repositioning the complete vacuum chamber from side to side on the corrugator to maintain alignment and tension.
ADI also reports that Machinery Net, Barnesville, GA, has received an order from Great Southern Industries, Jackson, MI, for an ADI Intl. “Onepass” two-piece gluer. Equipped with dual controls for hot/cold glue systems, split in-feed lifts, and downstackers, the machine can be set up to run two-piece boxes with square and offset panels, a single order of one-piece boxes, or a separate order of one-piece boxes simultaneously.
CTI Paper USA, Sun Prairie, WI, has installed new equipment at its converting and distribution facility in Neenah, WI, including a 54-in. guillotine trimmer from Polar-Mohr, Hofheim, Germany, and a 4000 CSL ream wrapping unit from Hayssen, Duncan, SC. The equipment will allow CTI to offer expanded cut size and digital output papers to its customers.
Eagle Nonwovens, St. Louis, MO, has installed a needle punching line and purchased a 5.5-m-wide calender with roll-deflection compensation from Fairview Machine, Chicopee, MA, to permit running a variety of products.
Prestige Display & Packaging, West Chester, OH, has installed a Model 7780 Label Laminator from Automatän Inc., Plover, WI, for mounting preprinted litho top sheets to corrugated and foam board for POP displays. The Model 7780 adds the capacity to full- and spot-mount various sized labels from 8 × 8 in. to 5 × 78 in. to substrate sheets to 60 × 100 in.
Joint Venture
Toray, Bimo Join to Make OPP Film
NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI, USA—Toray Plastics (America) Inc., a wholly owned sub. of Toray Industries, Tokyo, Japan, will join forces with Bimo S.P.A., Atessa, Italy, to develop high-barrier, metallized OPP films for sale into the worldwide packaging market.
The agreement covers the manufacture of Toray's proprietary metallized products for sale into major food companies in Europe as well as the joint development of next-generation metallized barrier products utilizing what is described as a revolutionary orientation process, Simultaneous Orientation Line (SOL), owned by Bimo. Both companies believe this process will allow for the development of significantly improved metallized OPP films.
Price Increase
Eastman Ups Price of Epolene
KINGSPORT, TN, USA—Effective January 1, 2001, Eastman Chemical Co. has increased the price of emulsifiable and non-emulsifiable Epolene polymers by 3¢/lb due to escalating costs of raw materials.
Representatives
AapexX to Rep Italian Press Manufacturer
HOT SPRINGS, AR, USA—AapexX Corp. is the exclusive manufacturer's representative in Canada and the US for Italflex, Pombia, Italy. Italflex manufactures CI flexo presses. For information contact Hans or Mark Heuchert at 501/922-6611; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
