Reporter Clips
- Published: April 01, 2001, By Edward Boyle, Contributing Editor
Narrow Web Converting Industry News
Dunsirn Adds Small-Roll Converting Capability
NEENAH, WI, USA —Dunsirn Industries has installed a slitter in its Neenah facility that accelerates to a web speed of 2,200 fpm and converts a large range of glassine, paper, and paperboard stocks, including specialty stocks such as extensibles and creped stocks.
Said to be perfect for the digital print market, the machine produces rolls with outside diameters of 18 in. or less, up to a maximum rewind core of 6 in. Minimum slit width is 2 in., and maximum roll width is 60 in.
Avery Dennison Business Group Targets the Medical Industry
MENTOR, OH, USA—Avery Dennison Corp. has established Avery Dennison Medical, a new organization in the company's Worldwide Specialty Tape Div. The new global business is headquartered in Mentor, with operations in both Mentor and Turnhout, Belgium. Avery Dennison Medical will dedicate its expertise in self-adhesive materials and adhesives (along with its extensive converting capabilities) to develop advanced technologies and products for the growing $350 million worldwide wound care and skin therapy medical marketplace.
The demand for advanced wound care management products is expanding at 15%-20%/yr. Key factors driving this growth are an overall worldwide population base that is older and living longer — leading to increased incidences of chronic diseases and surgical procedures, combined with rapid development and demand for “lifestyle” drugs aimed at solving obesity, arthritis, and impotence, among other conditions.
Avery Dennison Medical reports it will operate as a full-line supplier. It plans to build on its core competencies in mfg., converting, and R&D to create specialized adhesives such as hydrocolloids, which have unique absorbency and barrier properties; hydrogels, advanced dressings that absorb fluids or act as delivery systems for cosmetic or pharmaceutical ingredients; films and foams that offer a range of performance capabilities, such as breathability, flexibility, and conformability; and laminates that combine unique layers of materials into a single application.
Labels Help Hobby Flower into Successful Business
WHITEHOUSE, NJ, USA—As a child, Andrea Fowler learned about the benefits of herbs and flowers in the meadows and woods of her native Germany under the careful tutelage of her grandmother. When, at the age of nine, she created her first bar of all-natural soap from herb and flower extracts, she had no idea her hobby would one day become a successful business, Country Herbals by Andrea.
The fledgling company soon enlisted the help of representatives to sell the product line. “Everyone loved our products and packaging but hated our labeling,” says Fowler, “so we decided it was time for a change.” The company turned to Label Graphics Inc., a Whitehouse, NJ, manufacturer of high-end labels for the cosmetic, personal care, OTC pharmaceutical, gift, wine, and food industries, for help.
The original ivory-on-brown labels lacked the distinction to really “pop” when applied to the line's cobalt blue bottles, so Label Graphics helped redesign the labels, adding a more upscale appeal yet retaining the line's signature country allure.
The new labels are constructed of durable 2-mil, white, polypropylene stock and feature a light “noise” screen in the background that gives a parchment effect. The label was flexographically printed in three colors with 100% ink coverage. The noise background was one Pantone color, while the copy and the brand's cameo-shaped logo were treated separately. “This provides a higher level of quality overall and makes changes easier,” explains Jake Ritz, sales director at Label Graphics.
Label Graphics also addressed how each label would reflect the various fragances in Andrea's line. To give each label a distinct identity, each is designed with a pattern UV feature onto which a second changeable “capsule” label can be affixed so each fragrance name can be changed easily according to its run. This is important, because the capsule labels will not adhere long-term over the matte LTV varnish.
“Early on,” says Fowler, “certain stores carried my line because the clerks were believers in my products and could convince their customers likewise, but now, due to our new label, we can be positioned on the shelf next to other like products and compete successfully for consumer attention.”
