World View

Published: May 01, 2007, By By Deborah Donberg Associate Managing Editor

The Packaging and Label Gravure Assn. Global held its 10th Annual Operational Conference in Miami at the Radisson Hotel February 21-23. Attendance was reported to be a record-breaker at 250.

The PLGA added the word “global” to its name a few years ago, and that emphasis was much in evidence at this meeting. In fact, the theme of the event was “Operating Profitably in a Global Market.”

The Global Supply Base was covered from various aspects, including an analysis and comparison of press deliveries of five years ago with those being delivered today. Frank Passarelli of Bobst Group reminded attendees that short-run gravure not only is what many customers are looking for today, but this is not the short runs the industry has been discussing for two decades; this is very short runs, sometimes as low as 500. To survive, converters must address this need, as well as modernize their equipment and reduce waste.

Heine Heininga of Windmoeller & Hoelscher compared the technology supplied on new equipment going into different world markets. Annette Crampton of Miller Brewing Co. moderated a panel on the end-user's perspective on the global supply base.

Other sessions addressed “Thriving not just surviving in the Global Marketplace.” Kurt Oegerli of Max Daetwyler summarized his presentation in this session by noting that globalization leads to an increase in quality demands, which challenges printers and suppliers to work together more closely, suppliers to come up with innovations, and printers to be open-minded to new technology and cost-conscious but not price-driven.

Friday sessions covered hybrid presses; modem connections for outsourcing and troubleshooting; global logistics for shipping sleeves; and soft job proofing from remote locations.

The 2007 Print Quality Awards were announced at a reception held on opening night. Following are a sampling of the winners.

BEST OF SHOW & WINNER

Category: Sleeve/Tubes
Subcategory: Reverse-printed
Winner and Best of Show: Alcoa
Entry: Nielson Dairy The Ultimate Chocolate Milk

Domestic Winners

Category: Flexible Packaging
Subcategory: Paper/Film Lamination
Winner: Printpack
Entry: Community Coffee Holiday Pack

Category: Non PSA Labels/Wraps
Subcategory: Paper-topcoated
Winner: Inland Label & Marketing Services
Entry: Shiner Bock Beer

Category: Non PSA labels/Wraps
Subcategory: Film Reverse Printed
Winner: Diversapack
Entry: Aquafina Wild Berry

Category: Security
Subcategory: Stamps
Winner: Avery Dennison Security Printing Div.
Entry: World of Postage Stamps 2006

Category: Non PSA labels/Wraps
Subcategory: Heat Transfer Label
Winner: Altivity Packaging DI-NA-CAL Label Group
Entry: Publix Laundry Detergent Original Scent

Category: Non PSA labels/Wraps
Subcategory: In-Mold-Label Paper
Winner: Multi-Color Corp.
Entry: Prestige Brands Comet Spraygel Mildew Remover

Category: PSA Labels
Subcategory: Prime Label Paper
Winner: Package Service Co.
Entry: Mr. Clean

International Winners

Category: Cartons
Subcategory: Paperboard-Topcoated
Winner: Alcan Packaging (Montreal, QC, Canada)
Entry: Wrigley's Eclipse Fusion

Category: Non PSA labels/Wraps
Subcategory: Glue-Applied Label
Winner: Editorial Padilla (Dominican Republic)
Entry: Bohemia Especial Beer Label

Category: Flexible Packaging
Subcategory: Pouches
Winner: CLP Packaging Solutions (Israel)
Entry: Tesco Finest Stock

PLGA notes, “Each year, the judging of awards becomes more difficult because of the number and quality of awards submitted in each category.”

Judges for this year's awards included the following: Ron Beyer, Beyer Ink; Dick Chesnut, W.R. Chesnut Engineering; Charlie Conover, Hurletron; Dr. Sam Ingram, Clemson Univ.; Jack Kenny, Label & Narrow Web magazine; Frank Passarelli, Bobst Group USA; and Tony White, Flexo & Gravure Int'l magazine.

For more information, visit www.plga.com.