FLEXO Features
An article in the January issue invited suppliers to give their perspective on the state of the industry at the start of 2019. They agreed that progress, evident in the quality and consistent packaging produced daily, would continue unabated. Included in their top 10 list of targeted areas to address were brand owner expectations, quality control, automation and flexo’s transition from art to manufacturing through statistical process control.
That same month, FTA printer members were asked to offer input on 2019 business practices. They still identified downtime as the No. 1 obstacle and pledged to automate, integrate, pursue efficiency, boost productivity, control variables and enhance the quality of product put out. They also identified these challenges:
In March, a Future Market Insights report tracked the corrugated box market and reported increased demand for bulk packaging, higher recyclability, fluctuations in kraft paper cost and more. The study estimated the corrugated boxes market would grow at 3.9 percent year-over-year in 2019 and beyond.
Beginning with the May issue, Shawn Oetjen of Flexo Tech penned a series of articles on workers in the print industry, focusing on the current labor shortage and what companies can expect, how to solve immediate employment needs and how to create an on-the-job training program.
A Flash Poll in July asked FTA member premedia service providers for their top business priorities and where they are spending money. Those priorities included building business, allocating assets efficiently, standardizing processes, seizing new opportunities and speeding production to market. In addition, 77 percent of premedia service providers described flexible packaging as the fastest growing and dominant force in their business. Here is where the categories ranked:
September saw FLEXO’s 11th Annual Press Buyer’s Guide, and featured manufacturers’ input on buying decisions and contract negotiations for both narrow web and wide web machines, install and first runs, maintenance and training, and promoting a new machine.
The 2019 FLEXO Magazine Cover Project was presented in the October issue, with an image captured at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This year’s project showcased flexo’s ability to match offset quality and consistency while aiming at the CRPC6 standard. Its completion required strict adherence to FIRST methodology and tenants, and the job became the focal point of FTA’s Fall Conference 2019.
Three FLEXO Tech Talks were held. Giving written articles a voice, they focused on innovations shaping flexography, versatile inks and overprint varnishes, and a softer plate that provides smooth ink laydown.
Honors & Awards
One-hundred-twenty-four prints were honored at the 2019 FTA Excellence in Flexography Awards. Among the recognized prints were 39 gold awards (six of which were also named Best of Show), 41 silver awards, 40 bronze awards, three self-promotion awards and one non-traditional flexo award. “It is becoming more and more difficult to choose a winner,” said awards judge and FTA Hall of Fame member Mark Mazur. “I don’t think the best samples are any better than the best samples we have seen in the last few years. It seems we have reached a plateau, but everyone is coming up to that plateau.”
Dave Nieman, president/CEO of All Printing Resources Inc (APR), became the 57th inductee into the FTA Hall of Fame. A 30-year FTA supporter, Nieman is known for investing in his employees, supporting and enabling their personal and professional growth.
Katie Graham, then the marketing and communications manager at Pamarco, and Dr. Danny Rich, senior color physicist in the Color Research Laboratory of the Sun Chemical Corp, both received an FTA President’s Award. Graham, now FTA’s marketing and communications manager, was recognized as an active member in FTA committees over the years, while Rich was singled out for being an integral part of the Flexo Quality Consortium (FQC).
Three companies were honored with an FTA Technical Innovation Award:
- Esko, for its Print Control Wizard (PCW), which automates the role of a color expert
- Koenig & Bauer Flexotecnica, for its DataGlass Remote Support, which enables technical support to see and hear, in real time, what a press technician is seeing and hearing
- Paper Converting Machine Co, for its SteadyPrint, which uses a combination of hardware and software to reduce press bounce
Two companies received an FTA Sustainability Excellence Award:
- Comexi, for its Life Cycle Analysis, which examined the environmental, social and economic impacts of its F2 MC flexographic press in order to make across-the-board improvements, as well as promote healthier working conditions
- IGT Global Solutions, for implementing a volatile organic compound (VOC) reduction program in its flexographic printing operation, transitioning from using solvent inks to a full water-based ink system
University of Wisconsin-Stout was named the overall winner in The Phoenix Challenge College Competition, its team consisting of Abbegail Lee, Mia Bartel, Bridget Johnson, Janessa Gould and Matthew Smith.
Alexandria Gray Odom of Clemson University was awarded the first-place FFTA Rossini North America Flexographic Research Scholarship for her proposal on a comparative study between screens on low-intensity bank lighting, high-intensity bank lighting and high-intensity UV LED. Anissa Mollett of Clemson University was awarded second place.
Signature Events
FORUM & INFOFLEX 2019 took place May 5-8 in New Orleans, LA, returning to the city after more than two decades. Over the course of four days, flexographers sat in on technical sessions and took advantage of networking opportunities. While FORUM 2019 lived up to its theme of “All Flexo, All of the Time,” INFOFLEX 2019 attendees witnessed the newest technologies at the second-largest installment in the show’s 37-year history.
FORUM was chaired by Ann Michaud of 3M and co-chaired by Hank Welter of TC Transcontinental Packaging. Attendees praised the event for its educational content and technical information. Additional feedback indicated:
- 92 percent found the entire event to be good or excellent
- 90 percent rated the speakers as good or excellent
- 89 percent rated the topics presented as good or excellent
Attendees also had positive things to say about their experiences at INFOFLEX 2019. One commented, “INFOFLEX is always an essential event for us to participate in. It’s a great way to network with prospects and co-suppliers early in the year. We have found that INFOFLEX yields immediate results, while it also opens the door to new prospective customers.” Other feedback revealed:
- 100 percent said they were able to network and conduct business effectively at the exhibits
- 87 percent said their presence at INFOFLEX was a benefit to them and their organization
- 84 percent met new prospects/customers while 94 percent were able to connect with existing customers
INFOFLEX’s new Innovation Central offered in-depth briefings on 14 of the latest groundbreaking package printing technologies, covering topics such as: digital imaging, solvent recycling, capped surface plates, white ink transfer improvements and automation.
The Gary Hilliard Memorial Golf Tournament took place Oct. 7 at the Prestwick Golf Club in Woodbury, MN. A total of 40 golfers attended to pay tribute to Gary Hilliard, a longtime industry supporter, and contribute to the Gary Hilliard FQC Scholarship.
Nearly 300 flexographers attended Fall Conference 2019, which took place Oct. 28-30 at the Sheraton Charlotte Hotel in Charlotte, NC. Keith Nagle of Phoseon Technology chaired the event, which was themed “Time Is Money.” Across its eight technical sessions, attendees learned how the October 2019 cover of FLEXO Magazine was printed. More than 60 companies set up shop at the event’s tabletop exhibit, enabling attendees to have one-on-one discussions with solutions providers.