Skip to main content

Label Industry Awards.

Name: Company:
Neil McDonough Flexcon Neil McDonough has been a force for innovation within the label industry for a quarter century. Since 1990, he has served as President of FLEXcon, a global polymeric coater and provider of pressure-sensitive films and adhesive products. In the previous nine years, he held a variety of manufacturing, sales, and management positions with FLEXcon, including Director of Marketing. Among the innovations he fostered as President was the "no-label-look" label for glass bottle labeling with Clearly Canadian in the 1990s - a concept that is now a staple of the labeling industry. Mr. McDonough's industry involvement includes participation in Labelexpo, TLMI (for which he chairs a committee), and other organizations. He continues to benefit the labeling industry by maintaining FLEXcon's distinctive focus, which is to work closely with customers to jointly develop custom pressure-sensitive solutions. This approach has helped inspire longstanding relationships between FLEXcon and the labeling customers it serves. In recent years, Mr. McDonough has also led the effort to provide more choices to label converters and other customers through development of FLEXcon's Value-Better-Supreme (VBS) product offering, which features the industry's widest selection of proven, readily available products for the most popular labeling applications.
Ron & Katherine Harper Harper Corporation In 1971, Ron and Katherine Harper founded Harper Corporation, which has become a global leader in anilox roll manufacturing, restoration, research and development. Apart from revolutionizing flexography repeatedly, with thermal flame spraying; 60-degree hexagonal cells; Echocel(tm); Platinum(R);
Platinum(R) XLT(tm) and Platinum(R) XVR(tm), Ron and Katherine have continually devoted their time to the betterment of flexography through intensive involvement with industry associations and committees. Along with Harper companies, Ron and Katherine have invested millions to furnish scholarships, equipment and instruction at over 50 high schools, colleges and universities, as well as free WalkingSeminars(tm) and Flexography Road Shows. Their environmental consciousness has placed Harper Corporation at the forefront of green transformation with innovative processes that eliminate chrome-nickel discharges; reclaim metals, powders and paper waste; and more. Ron and Katherine's enterprising, progressive and humanitarian spirit, make them true role models of business success and personal generosity. The imprint of the Harpers on today's Flexo industry is evident in many ways. But perhaps more important, is their legacy -- both the vision and funding to ensure Flexo advancements for decades to come.
Gary Smith Rotometrics Gary Smith has been serving the industry for over 35 years. His narrow web career began in 1973 as a sales representative for Avery Label Company. In 1979, Gary was promoted to Region Sales Manager. He was deeply involved in pioneering the sales of ultra-clear pharmaceutical labels, battery labels, four-color process and multi-layered promotional labels, products which were key to the industry's growth and diversification. Gary joined RotoMetrics in 1991, and serves as Vice President of Sales. Directing sales and marketing efforts both domestically and in key international markets, his leadership both internally and in the market with customers and co-suppliers were key to RotoMetrics attaining its position as the world's leading rotary tooling manufacturer. His ability to assess market requirements has facilitated RotoMetrics' development of value-added products and services geared specifically toward converter needs, including development of the flexible die market in North America, industry-leading technical support services, and specialized accessory products. Gary draws on his experience and knowledge of narrow web applications to give back to the industry via his current term on the TLMI Board of Directors and past service on the Membership Committee.
Mike Buystedt Flint Group Narrow Web Mike Buystedt's career in the ink industry began at Werneke Ink in 1978. During his 30-year career in the printing ink industry, Mike has worked in several areas; Formulator, Chief Operations Officer, Technical Director, Product Manager, Director of Market Development, and is now in the position of General Manager. As a result of his wide range of experience, Mike is involved with most every aspect of the company and the industry. Some key contributions and industry involvement include; TLMI Awards judge since 1985; TLMI Technical Chair for over 10 years, recently co-chairing this function; World Label Association judge in North America for over 10 years and now the North American Representative for the World Label Awards; Chaired several FTA forum sessions; supported and chaired various leading label events; recipient of the first ever TLMI Supplier of the Year Award.
Ferdinand Rueesch Gallus Group Ferdinand E. Rüesch jr. IV is the grandson of the founder of the Swiss Gallus Ferd. Rüesch AG, the leading global partner for labelprinters. Holding a degree in engineering as well as an Executive MBA from the University of St.Gallen, Mr Rüesch joined the company in 1982 and took over the company from his father in 1991. He looks back at more than 25 years of industry insight. Together with his wife Karin and their three children, Mr Rüesch spent 10 years of his career at Gallus' US headquarters in Philadelphia. As Gallus is also celebrating its 85th year anniversary, Mr Rüesch is thrilled about his nomination: having been awarded as "TLMI Supplier of the Year 2005", the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award by Labels & Labelling would be the crown on his career."
back to top
Continuous Innovation Award 2008
Company:
Mark Andy Corporation For over 60 years, Mark Andy, Inc. has provided the most innovative and progressive technologies in the narrow- and mid-web marketplace. Significant advancements have been made not only in the design of our converting, printing (Comco, Mark Andy) and curing (UVT) technologies, but even more significantly in our partnerships with our converters. We are a pioneer in the film market where our industry-leading chill drum technology and in-line lamination capabilities have solidified us as market leaders. Our development and perfection of changeover drawers on presses make our equipment more ergonomically friendly, as well as provide easy access for tool-less installation and removal of anilox, inks and plates. Through our Voice of the Customer (VOC) program, we maintain a synergetic relationship with our most valuable asset - our customers. As a result we are delivering such forward-thinking technologies as exclusive proprietary SERVO systems on a majority of our presses, the most state-of-the-art and productive package printing technology (Comco C2), as well as the latest in inspection and rewinding equipment (VSR). We continue to move forward by investigating a variety of high productivity advancements and the integration of gravure technologies, as well as focusing on emerging applications such as printed electronics and photovoltaics. We strive for continuous innovation to assure success in the future.
3M Corporation Every day, 3M people find new ways to make amazing things happen. Wherever they are, whatever they do, the company's customers know they can rely on 3M to help make their lives better. 3M's brands include Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command and Vikuiti. Serving customers around the world, the people of 3M use their expertise, technologies and global strength to lead in major markets including consumer and office; display and graphics; electronics and telecommunications; safety, security and protection services; health care; industrial and transportation. For more information, including the latest product and technology news, visit www.3M.com.
Sun Chemical Sun Chemical, the world's largest producer of printing inks and pigments, is a leading provider of materials to packaging, publication, coatings, plastics, cosmetics, and other industrial markets. Sun Chemical sees the label market moving rapidly toward inkjet printing. As part of our innovation strategy, we introduced SolarJet ̢㢠at Label Expo 2007, a web-to-web UV single pass inkjet press for printing self-adhesive labels which offers printers an economically viable solution for print runs of up to 10,000 labels, freeing up their flexo presses for the higher-volume jobs. In the current challenging market conditions, Sun Chemical solutions are designed to help customers operate more efficiently without sacrificing quality or service to their customers.
ExxonMobil Chemical As a global leader in the development and manufacture of specialty and value added oriented polypropylene (OPP) films, the Films Business of ExxonMobil Chemical offers a broad range of labelling solutions. Building on over 25 years of innovation, ExxonMobil Chemical continues to add to their Label-LyteTM portfolio of synthetic label films, offering new innovations and new benchmarks of performance and durability for pressure sensitive, MD shrink, roll fed, and wet glue labels.
CCL CCL Industries Inc. is a world leader in specialty packaging and labeling solutions for the consumer products and healthcare industries.
We manufacture pressure sensitive, shrink sleeve and in-mould labels, aluminum containers and plastic tubes, providing state-of-the-art specialty packaging solutions to global producers of consumer brands in the home and personal care, healthcare and specialty food and beverage sectors. With headquarters in Toronto, Canada, CCL Industries employs approximately 5,500 people and operates 55 production facilities in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Austalia.
For over 50 years customers from Procter & Gamble, Gillette and Unilever, to Nabisco, Schering-Plough and Johnson & Johnson have turned to CCL for novel solutions that can move products off the store shelves - quickly, cost effectively and with eye-catching consumer appeal. This is what we do best, and in a highly competitive marketplace it is a defining strength to have. Our extensive capabilities give customers a range of options for enhancing brand image, security and functionality. CCL is a focused specialty packaging company. With clear, well-defined strategy, we invest in the businesses with the greatest potential for growth and leadership positions. We continue to expand our presence around the world to meet the needs of our customers. With a global platform, state-of-the-art facilities, a solid international management team, and strong balance sheet, CCL is well positioned to deliver on our stakeholders' expectations.
Harper Corporation Since 1971, Harper Corporation has been an innovator in anilox roll manufacturing, restoration, research and development. We revolutionized the industry on multiple occasions -- with thermal flame sprayed ceramic coatings; 60 degree hexagonal cells; Echocel(tm) ceramic engraving; Platinum(R) surface technology; Platinum(R) XLT(tm); Platinum(R) XVR(tm); and fully-embraced sleeved technology. Our commitment is evidenced by three distinct divisions:
1) Anilox specializes in rolls for narrow web, wide web, corrugated and coating.
2) HarperScientific offers environmentally-safe, roll-safe cleaners; proofers; and auxiliary products.
3) GraphicSolutions' flexography specialists provide broad-ranging expertise to help clients improve plant efficiency and expand into new markets. Harper companies have invested millions in our Education Initiative to furnish scholarships, equipment and instruction for students, plus WalkingSeminars(tm) and Flexography Road Shows at absolutely no charge. Abundant testimony to our green transformation includes the adoption of environmentally-sensitive processes and controls; elimination of chrome-nickel discharges; and recycling programs to reclaim metal, powder and paper waste. For over 35 years, we have advanced flexography and become a global leader by ardently serving its needs. This continues to be the mission of Harper Corporation.
Mactac Founded in 1959, MACtac is a pioneer of the self-adhesive label industry, and has always opened new business opportunities for roll- and sheet label printers thanks to innovative and added value labelling solutions. Its wide range of filmic constructions, removable adhesive formulations with unique properties developed sooner than that of competition, and its safety labelling solutions for the pharmaceutical industry launched in the early eighties paved the way to new applications for PSA products in the packaging industry. MACtac has been continuously exchanging new ideas and business opportunities with all types of printers as we serve the world market with manufacturing facilities and labs in North America and in Europe and with subsidiaries and distribution centers all over the world.
back to top
New Innovation Award 2008
Company: Reason:
EFI Jetrion Jetrion, a business unit within EFI, is a leader in the development of custom and off-the-shelf industrial inkjet inks and systems for the label, packaging and direct mail markets. With changes in market dynamics for printing, EFI focuses on innovation in the ever-expanding inkjet market. Jetrion pioneered a number of direct-to-package custom integrated print solutions for large packaging converters and is leading the digital revolution in this space. By leveraging EFI's core capabilities, Jetrion incorporates sophisticated workflow and world-class color capabilities into its products, enhancing productivity, quality and profitability. Jetrion melds well into EFI's focus on environmental sustainability.
Tailored Solutions/Label Traxx The nomination of Tailored Solutions/Label Traxx for the New Innovation award does not involve new innovation so much as the constant evolution of label business management software designed to streamline operations, eliminate operational errors, and reduce overhead. The success of Label Traxx depends entirely upon the success of the label and packaging industry, and new Label Traxx features stem not from innovation within the company so much as from the needs of users as they respond to changes in the marketplace. Recent cases in point include permitting label customers to do online order entry, the ability to handle digital printing in addition to flexo and other conventional processes, and new features which accommodate the environmental requirements of the European community. Tailored Solutions aggressively partners with other suppliers to reduce supply acquisition costs and reduce order entry errors. Tailored Solutions is a company which innovates constantly.
BST Pro Mark BST International is a global specialist in process control systems for label printing and converting applications with more than 20,000 inspection and over 100,000 guiding systems installed worldwide. For Process Management, Premius Digital comprehensive print inspection system provides automatic inspection and identification of print defects, monitors color consistency and verifies bar code quality. Shark 100% systems inspect 100% of the print 100% of the time for on-press or rewinder applications. Shark systems are available for both narraw and medium web applications. The integrated Lector Work Flow System provides information for print defect management. BST International offers the world's best selling line of visual inspection systems that provide exceptional image quality, ease of operation and great value. BST International is a leading supplier of web guiding systems for edge, center or line guiding of paper, film, foil and non-woven substrates on presses, bag machines, extruders, slitters and many more applications.
Punch Graphix/Xeikon A pioneer in digital printing, Xeikon designs, develops and delivers high-end digital color printing systems for the global commercial, document printing and industrial market segments. Xeikon is a true trendsetter in the digital printing arena. The new Xeikon press, to be introduced at drupa, will be based on these technological advancements and is an addition to the current portfolio of label presses. Xeikon's digital print technology will allow business owners to run their production facilities with higher efficiencies and serve the growing market demand for shorter runs. True benefits of the Xeikon presses lie in full rotary printing, use of conventional stocks, short set-up time and the ability to offer complete solutions (roll to roll - roll to converter) maintained by Xeikon engineers.
back to top
Sustainability/Environment Award 2008
Company:
Overnight Label Established in 1987, Overnight Labels, Inc. is firmly committed to reducing its impact on the environment. The company has established a solid waste reduction program (including quality control measures to reduce press waste as well as recycling procedures for further waste reduction), an energy savings project (nearly 50% savings in lighting energy usage alone), and the use of environmentally friendly cleaning products for press clean-up. The company offers VOC-free printing solutions and earth friendly stock options in addition to traditional labels, shrink sleeves, and flexible packaging. Shrink sleeves are available in PLA (compostable), as well as OPS and PETG, which offer better recyclability than PVC. Flexible packaging goes green with PLA film, while labels are available in PLA (compostable), semi-gloss (made from 30% post-consumer fiber), and tree-free (made from bamboo, bagasse, and cotton linters). Water-based inks, coatings, and adhesives (contain no VOCs - volatile organic compounds), and PLA lamination are also offered. Overnight Labels, Inc. has been awarded honors for print excellence from the FTA (Flexographic Technical Association), Print Solutions Magazine's PEAK Awards, the IAPHC International, Print Professional Magazine's Design Awards, as well as being awarded for environmental excellence by the FTA. The company is proud to be members of the FTA and the Organic Trade Association, and supporters of Nourish America. The company is ISO compliant.
Dion Label John Dion founded the company in 1969 in his basement, using two printing presses, a paper cutter, a plate maker, and a small label maker. Nearly forty years later, Dion Label Printing, Inc. is operated by the late John Dion's two sons, John Dion Jr. and David Dion, the company now owns many digital and conventional presses and the present facility boasts 30,000 square feet. Dion Label Printing, Inc. has installed new lighting throughout the entire building to be more energy efficient. Over 90 percent of Dion's waste is transported to a facility which transforms it into energy pellets used in conjunction with and as a substitute for coal. The company offers water-based adhesives, water-based and solvent-free inks, and a biodegradable material called PLA film made from corn and the digital stock is coated by a company that uses 100 percent renewable energy, including wind power. Dion offers bulk shipping for customers to cut back on shipping waste. Reporting is mostly done utilizing PDF documents rather than printing on large amounts of paper. The company established a safety committee to oversee the company infrastructure and maintain employee safety, as well as make sure Dion meets all state and federal safety regulations.
Pazazz Founded in 1992, Pazazz is a full-service independent printer and has taken several steps to enforce its commitment to the environment. Pazazz digital and conventional presses support the environment by reducing paper waste, using vegetable based and recyclable inks. We focus on green packaging using corn based shrink wrap, 100% corrugated boxes and FSC certified boxboard and are looking into becoming a carbon neutral printer. Pazazz is continuously implementing new environmental strategies to uphold its corporate responsibility to support environmentally-appropriate, socially-beneficial and economically-viable management of the world's forests and natural resources.
Metro Label Group Metro Label was established in 1974 and we have grown to become the largest pressure sensitive label manufacturer in Canada and the second largest label company based in Canada. Our sales team manages relationships across North and South America. Metro Label has cultured a strong environmental philosophy and this commitment demonstrates our leadership and differentiates us from others in the industry. When planning the relocation of our Toronto printing facility, we made a commitment to create a building that meets stringent environmental standards as well as provide a superior indoor work environment for our employees. Not only was the building designed to improve upon standard construction practices, but also pays particular attention to minimizing the impact of our printing processes. The resulting building design is remarkably energy efficient, with estimated annual energy savings of 34%. Building highlights include: reduction of VOC emitting inks; press conversion from solvent to waterbase; process exhaust air is filtered by MERV 13 filters to reduce particulate emissions - these filters result in a reduction of particulate exhausted to the outdoors by 85%; solvent based plate making process was replaced by a digital imager and thermal developing unit; greater than 50% of construction waste was diverted from landfill; more than 20% of building material value comprised of recycled content; press exhaust captured, filtered and reused to heat the building; T8 lighting with occupancy sensor controls in office and HID plant lighting; no CFC's or halons used in the HVAC&R system or fire suppression equipment; a 10.9 m3 rainwater collection cistern to reduce municipally supplied potable water for flushing toilets - rainwater collected from the roof is directed to the building's toilets, resulting in a 77% reduction in water use for sewage conveyance; all panel fabrics made from 100% recyclable materials; all substrates made from wheatboard. This has all culminated in Metro Label becoming one of Canada's first LEED® Certified manufacturing facilities. To ensure a holistic approach to reducing our environmental footprint, our Toronto facility has also implemented a recycling program of consumer waste within the company (paper, plastic, cans, and glass) and we are in the process of implementing ISO 14001:1996 "Environment Management System (EMS)" .

Comments