Forum 2014 Spotlights Emerging Flexo Markets

Forum logoJan. 16, 2014—Flexographic Technical Association’s (FTA’s) 2014 Annual Forum, themed “Breaking New Ground,” aims to do just that in myriad ways over the course of four days, April 27-30, in Baltimore, MD. One session in particular, Emerging Flexo Markets, will help attendees break their own new ground into markets and opportunities previously untapped.

Chaired by industry experts Penny Holland, Sun Chemical Corp. and Mark Mazur, DuPont Packaging Graphics, the session will explore new opportunities for flexo printers/converters to consider as they seek to diversify their offerings, expand their capabilities and increase their revenue streams.

“A critical ingredient for continued success is to always think beyond what you are currently doing,” said Holland. “There are many growth opportunities out there to seize, you just have to be diligent in tracking them down and recognizing when you come across a promising opportunity. This session brings the opportunities straight to the attendees, giving them a unique chance to get in front of the trends.”

Among the highlights, the session will focus on key trends that are driving changes in packaging design/creation from the consumer and brand-owner perspective and the implication for flexographers. The session will also discuss anti-counterfeiting and brand protection strategies in today’s global market, and will present ideas on how printers can work with their CPCs to protect their brands.

Also on the agenda: process improvements with variable data printing via laser markable coatings and the associated benefits for both the brand owner and the converter. Finally, printed electronics, an emerging market that presents additional—and new—revenue opportunities for converters will be presented by a converter who is exploring the market potential and will speak to the opportunities.

Session presenters and their topics include:

  • Lynn Dornblaser, Mintel: “Groundbreaking Design: What’s Next for Packaging?”
  • Jim Reiman, Sun Chemical Corp.: “Protecting Brand Integrity”
  • Chuck Pemble, Datalase: “Breakthrough Process Efficiencies in Laser Marking”
  • James Lee, Jones Packaging: “Printed Electronics-Tomorrow’s Packaging, Today”

Mazur summed it up like this; “The goal of the Emerging Flexo Markets session is to provide thought-starters for the audience on market trends, emerging opportunities and the implications to their businesses. It also allows the audience to have proactive conversations with their customer to propose new solutions to meet consumer demand.”