Reporter Clips

Published: October 01, 2000, By Edward Boyle, Contributing Editor

Narrow Web Converting Industry News

Comco Seminar Will Address ''Total Concept Packaging''
MILFORD, OH, USA—Comco International, a manufacturer of flexographic printing and converting technology, announces the continuation of its ongoing Industry Education Program with the offering of three 1-day seminars from Dec. 5-7, 2000, in the Advanced Technology Center at corporate headquarters. Building upon the success of its previous folding carton and flexible packaging seminars, Comco reports that the focus of the latest discussion will be its "Total Concept Packaging" model. The information will cover the running of folding cartons, flexible packaging, and cut-and-stack labels on Comco's ProGlide MSP Multiple Substrate Printing and Converting System. For more information, contact Wes Harrington at 800/UVFLEXO; markandy.com

Custom Tape & Label Now Buckley Graphics
DENVER, CO, USA—Custom Tape and Label Co. Inc. has changed its name and logo to Buckley Graphics Inc. Explains Randy Buckley, "While Custom Tape and Label has been in business for more than 35 years, the company has not printed tape for more than 22 years. Additionally, over those years we have diversified our product line to include more than just labels. We have produced many other packaging needs for our customers. Changing the name and logo exemplifies more clearly who we are today."

De La Rue, LG Intl. Form Partnership
BASINGSTOKE, HAMPSHIRE, U.K. & PORTLAND, OR, USA—De La Rue Holographics and LG International are working in partnership to provide anti-counterfeit and anti-tamper solutions for major brand owners in the US and Canada. The combined approach offers track-trace capability with an emphasis on branded products. De La Rue Holographics is a major hologram manufacturer. LG Intl. is a long-established, high-end label manufacturer that, through its Secur-icon Div., offers a range of specialized anti-counterfeiting and track-trace product solutions.

Double-Sided Transfer Tape Provides Temporary Bond
WINDSOR, CT, USA—Scapa Tapes North America announces a new double-sided acrylic transfer film, Scapa 4406, for temporary bonding applications. The tape consists of an acrylic adhesive film coated onto a siliconized paper liner. According to co., the film is engineered with a permanent adhesive on one side for long-lasting adhesion and a low-tack adhesive on the other side for easy removal without residues or substrate damage. Product is recommended for mounting signs, posters, and merchandising displays that eventually will be removed, as well as for posting information that may be relocated numerous times. The transfer film also is suitable for web-to-core splicing where, reportedly, even the last winding can be used without damage.

Fusion UV Systems Offers On-Line Ordering
GAITHERSBURG, MD, USA—Fusion UV Systems has added spare parts ordering to its web site, www.fusionuv.com. A spare parts order form allows customers that have either phoned or faxed an order in the past to go on-line any time to place their spare parts order. The company has added a database of parts with graphics to make ordering even easier. Other updates to Fusion UV's web site include information about its six worldwide customer application laboratories and a links page. Web site visitors will find information about the capabilities and UV curing equipment available in each customer application, as well as information on how to schedule a visit.

Harper's Anilox Roll Inventory Sets Records
CHARLOTTE, NC, USA—Harper Corp. of America reports it now maintains the world's largest and most comprehensive inventory of anilox rolls in its EchoExpress Rapid Delivery Program for narrow web flexographic printers. The program guarantees shipment to the customer within 48 hr. The company inventories anilox rolls for a variety of press models, including Allied Gear, Arsoma/Gallus, Chromas (Webtron and Aquaflex), Comco, Mark Andy, Nilpeter, and Roto Press. Orders placed by noon can be laser engraved and shipped within 24 hr, with 48-hr shipment guaranteed. (Up to two rolls are guaranteed. CO₂ constant wave laser engraved rolls only; additional rolls available in less than ten days.)

Kraton Polymers Business Acquires New Plant
WESSELING, GERMANY—The Kraton Polymers Business, a manufacturer and supplier of styrenic block copolymers (SBCs), has become the official owner of SBS production facilities in Wesseling. According to Kraton, the copolymers offer a range of benefits for a diversity of applications, including adhesive labels. The move follows transfer of ownership from Elenac, the PE joint venture company operated by Shell and BASF. The new plant was officially inaugurated May 3. The acquisition also marks the official launch of Kraton Polymers GmbH, which is the latest step in the establishment of an independent global structure for the Kraton Polymers Business.

lnkontrol System Installed on Narrow Web Press
PLOVER, WI, USA—Automatan Inc. announces its first installation of an lnkontrol system on a narrow web press. The six-color lnkontrol was installed on an Arsoma press at Gintzler Graphics Inc., Buffalo, NY, to control automatically pH and viscosity of the ink used to print flexographically on label stock. Automatan reports the lnkontrol system can be installed on any flexo press and automatically checks, monitors, and adjusts ink pH and viscosity during the entire print run to ensure they are maintained. Visit Automatan at automatan.com

Market Study Examines Roll-Label Market in Russia
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS—The market for self-adhesive labels in Russia is growing at more than 25%/annum, according to a new study from AWA Alexander Watson Associates. Entitled The Russian Self-Adhesive Roll Label Market, the study is the first in a new series of focused Awareness Reports that will provide "executive summaries" on a variety of topics relating to the packaging and converting industries. The report on Russia is designed as an aid for companies involved, or wishing to be involved, in the fast-growing Russian label industry. It provides practical information on key trends that currently define the Russian market, including heightened competition, low prices, and overcapacity in label printing. The report also examines trends in material usage; maps out the structure of the industry; and assesses prospects for the future, which remain encouraging. A prospectus on the report is available at +31 20 676 2069; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; awa-bv.com

Sleeve Labels Are the `Icing on the Cake'
FARMINGDALE, NY, USA—Seal-It has created decorative, full-sleeve labels for Betty Crocker's "Easy Flow Decorating Icing." The heat-shrink PVC label is reverse-printed in rotogravure in six to eight colors. The ability of the label to shrink to the contours of the can allows the cap to be sealed to the can before it is sold to the consumer. Included in the cap are free decorating tips, which the consumer can see at a glance. When the "T" perforation is broken, the seal is removed and the label remains on the can. The label indicates to consumers in a printed message where they can tear the perforation. The label also provides a 360-deg image area for graphics, ingredient listing, nutrition facts, bar codes, and decorating tips.

Web Label Acquired by Management-Led Group
MINNEAPOLIS, MN, USA—Web Label Ltd., a diversified label converter, has been acquired through an asset purchase by a management-led group of investors. The investment group, Web Label Acquisition Corp., is headed by John (Kip) Colwell, chairman; Jeff Tobias, who has been president of the firm for the past nine years; and Dave Olson, VP of sales. Web Label specializes in high quality, custom label production. Key customers are from the medical device, manufacturing, retail, and food industries. Capabilities include one- to seven-color web flexo printing, in short or long runs, on a variety of substrates.