Converting Industry News
- Published: July 31, 2004, By Edited by Carrie Cleaveland, Editorial Intern
Covering the Full Spectrum of Industry News, Events & Activities
Sports Drink Pouch a Showcase Closure
Hydrade sports drink showcases the first commercial application of Kapak’s QuadPAK side-gusseted, stand-up pouch featuring the company’s Smart Spout reclosable closure. Together these technologies create a new packaging form with unique shelf presence and dispensing options, the company reports.
The QuadPAK pouch provides four (vs. two) panels for showcasing the product, and the box-like shape retains the benefits of flexible packaging while increasing fills by 50%. The dispensing function combines Seaquist Closure’s valve technology and Kapak’s spout "know-how," resulting in a no-spill drinking/dispensing spout. The assembly features a three-piece design comprising a PE base fitment with a spout and a silicone valve, topped off by Seaquist’s EZ Turn Cap. The cap is described as tamper-evident, easy to turn, and swallow-resistant.
The pouch’s design is said to carry additional visual impact, with bright "electric" colors popping against the metallic background and side gussets that differentiate the product from others in the field.
Applications for QuadPAK pouches include food, beverages, pet food, nutraceuticals, health and beauty aids, household, agricultural, industrial chemicals, and lawn and garden.
Supplier News
Lab Adds Plasma Treater
MENOMONEE FALLS, WI, USA—Enercon’s laboratory facility now uses the latest in atmospheric plasma technology, reportedly delivering high-performance surface functionalization with unique high-density atmospheric plasma treatment. The company says the upgrade extends its capabilities to conduct trials for customers.
Digital Cutter/Creaser Cuts Costs at Corrugated Plant
Lewisburg Container, a business unit of Love Box, employs an Esko-Graphics Kongsberg Digital Converting Machine (DCM) for automatic cutting and creasing to work alongside its CorrJet 2000 digital printer. The company uses top-of-the-line CAD equipment and the DCM to provide clients with anything from concept development to precision, full-scale prototypes.
Based on the Kongsberg XL Series of cutting and creasing tables for packaging applications, the DCM loads sheets automatically from a stack of material to 24 in. thick, cuts and creases each sheet from a CAD file, and unloads the sheet—running virtually unattended, the company reports. No cutting die is required.
Greg Sittloh, CorrJet and DCM operator, comments, "We’re very impressed with the quality of the DCM. It provides a cleaner cut than any other machine. Because there is no sliding on the table, it’s very accurate. I’m within a millimeter every sheet—even with a 30-up job…." Sittloh describes the DCM as "very productive and cost-effective. If [samples] can use the same substrate, I’ve been able to feed a single sheet, gang the samples, and prepare them in time for express delivery. By ganging jobs, our use and cost of materials have dramatically decreased as well. I can run the press and the DCM at the same time. It virtually runs by itself."
Lewisburg Container’s Greg Sittloh reports, "The DCM is user-friendly. We have never been disappointed with any project that comes off the machine."
Supplier Information
Esko-Graphics; esko-graphics.com
Körber PaperLink Sells in China
Paper manufacturer UPM, Changshu, China, is expanding its sheeting operation with machinery from E.C.H. Will and Pemco, both companies of the Körber PaperLink Group.
UPM Changshu has ordered two cut-size lines with ream packaging lines and a folio-size sheeter. One of the systems that will be installed at UPM’s Changshu facility is a sheeting and packaging line consisting of an E.C.H. Will SLK 325, a 15-pocket sheeter that feeds two high-speed ream packaging lines manufactured by Pemco in Sheboygan, WI, USA.
In addition, UPM is investing in a six-pocket line to handle odd-size production, such as B, K, Letter Sizes, etc. The folio-size sheeter is E.C.H Will’s Model GFS, equipped with seven unwind stands with regenerative brakes. The sheeter section has a dual slitter and single stacker with the nonstop, no-waste pallet change system, said to allow pallet changeovers at full production speeds.
Supplier Information
Körber PaperLink; kplna.kpl.net
Acquisitions
Jagenberg Reports Acquisition
NEUSS, GERMANY—Jagenberg AG has acquired 60% of the shares in Pagendarm BTT, Hamburg, Germany. The latter’s managing partners, Ralph Pagendarm and Peter Belkowitz, continue to hold 40% interest. The transaction is said to strengthen the financial resources of Pagendarm to help it expand business volume in the future.
Lüscher Steps into Flexo
SURREY, UK — Lüscher AG of Switzerland, a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of electronic press equipment, acquires all the assets of the UK-based ZED Instruments from The Moore Co., Westerly, RI.
Board of directors member Lars Janneryd hopes the acquisition will help achieve wider access to the flexible packaging, label, point-of-sale display, and plastic tub printing markets.
The newly integrated group is called Lüscher Flexo and will operate from new premises in Thame, UK, under the direction of present managing director, Bruce Knox.
Industry Studies
M&A Under Review
MINNEAPOLIS, MN, USA—The Middle Market Mergers & Acquisitions Group at Piper Jaffray has published "Mergers & Acquisitions in the Packaging Industry—2003 Year in Review and 2004 Outlook." The report provides an overview of the industry, valuations of packaging companies, the level of M&A activity, financial performance metrics, and value drivers for target companies.
The review of sectors includes rigid, flexible, paper, and board, as well as label converting and packaging machinery.
The report suggests 2004 will demonstrate strong M&A activity, particularly due to the following drivers: economic recovery, improved access to capital, and higher valuation. The report also predicts continued consolidation in plastics, paper, and board packaging. To obtain a copy of the report, contact Doug Lawson at 312/920-2139.
Education
Harper Campus Dedicated
CHARLOTTE, NC, USA—September 17 will mark the dedication of the "Harper Campus" at Central Piedmont Community College. Currently known as the Southwest Campus, the area houses the Harper National Flexographic Center and serves as the site for the annual Phoenix Challenge High School Flexo Competition.
Additionally, Ron and Katherine Harper will establish a scholarship fund, favoring students studying flexography, students in need of financial aid, and Harper Corp. employees and their children.
