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Heidelberg Open House Attracts More Than 250

Heidelberg reports it hosted a very successful "Technology Days" open house (May 1, 2) in its Mt. Prospect, IL (near Chicago), technical center. According to the printing industry equipment manufacturer, more than 273 attendees "experienced the latest in prepress, press, direct imaging, and digital workflows" at the event.

Brady Corp. Buys German Barcode Manufacturer

Brady Corp. reports it has acquired Etimark GmbH, a provider of bar code solutions, including labels, printers, applicators, and software for the German market. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

NPE to Offer Extensive Range of Education at Expo

Citing the largest selection of educational programs ever offered to visitors at an NPE plastics exposition, the Society of Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI) reports it has published the complete agenda for the NPE 2003 Conference. SPI says it has outlined "an unusually diverse range of other business and technical sessions," which will be concurrent with the NPE 2003 trade expo.

FTA Awards Exemplify High-End Flexo

Reaching New Heights, the theme selected for the Foundation of Flexographic Technical Association’s 2003 Annual Forum, proved highly pertinent at FTA’s 2003 Excellence in Flexography Awards competition.

CFPA Recognizes Cascades or Environmental Efforts

Chlorine Free Products Association (CFPA) recently announced "the continuing success of efforts to certify pulp and paper-making facilities according to the standards provided within Sustainable Manufacturing and Marketing Initiative (SMMI). According to the association, the Cascades Tissue Group has expanded SMMI certification to three additional facilities in Rockingham, NC, USA, Mechanicville, NY, USA, and Lachute, QC, Canada.

Appleton Buys Two Wisconsin Packaging Manufacturers

Last week, Appleton announced it has acquired two privately held comanies, C&H Packaging Company Inc., Merrill, WI, and American Plastics Company Inc., Rhinelander, WI, USA.

First Quarter Performance Mixed

First quarter results are in, and statements received at PFFC indicate mixed performance for converting industry-related companies.

Gutenberg Festival 2003 Features Flexo Showcase

The Graphic Arts Show Company's West Coast printing and publishing show opened Thursday. Among the highlights at GASC's Gutenberg Festival 2003 are the FLEXOTEK Showcase.

Gallus to Show New Label Combo Press

Gallus Inc. reports it will demonstrate its EM410 combination press at an upcoming full-day seminar at its Philadelphia headquarters. According to the narrow web press manufacturer, the "flexible EM410" will be shown on June 17, 2003, printing pressure-sensitive labels. The company also recently introduced the EM 280 Basis label press.

AIMCAL Summer School: Focused Tech Sessions

The Association of Industrial Metallizers, Coaters, and Laminators announces the dates for its "highly rated" AIMCAL Summer School. Slated for June 9-12, 2003, the event includes one-, two-, and four-day courses "designed to provide 'practical usable solutions to converting challenges.'"

Polytype Battenfeld Partner in POLYCOAT

Battenfeld Gloucester Engineering, USA, and Polytype, Switzerland, announce a strategic alliance "to integrate advanced extrusion coating and laminating technology into complete converting systems for the converting industry."

AIMCAL Calls for Papers for Fall Tech Meeting

According to AIMCAL, the technical committees currently are accepting abstracts for consideration for the AIMCAL Fall Technical Conference, slated for October 27 - 29, 2003.

CMM Tops 22K; Product Debuts; Show-Floor Sales

CMM International 2003: Attendance more than 22,000. Products, sales, & Chris Hanson is named "Converter of the Year."

Pressure Points of Opportunity

The Association of Independent Corrugated Converters (AICC) recently held its annual spring meeting at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort, San Antonio, TX, USA.

SARS Concerns Delay PACex in Canada

The Packaging Association of Canada recently announced the rescheduling of PACex International 2003 due to growing concerns about Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Show organizers say the show now will open September 30 and run through October 2, 2003, instead of the original run dates of May 6-8, 2003.

X-Rite Acquires Centurfax Line Reports Positive Q1

X-Rite Inc. reports the acquisition of the ccDot meter product line of Centurfax Ltd., a "successful, London-based company that develops and distributes products serving the prepress and printing industries." Additionally, the company reports net sales are up for Q1 2003 12.7 percent compared to last year.

Industry Comes Together to Fund High School FFTA Flexo

Some high school students in North Carolina and Wisconsin soon will be able to get hands-on flexo training thanks to a few members of the flexographic printing industry.

Daetwyler Gets Clemson University Awards

Max Daetwyler Corp. (MDC) reports it recently was presented with the Clemson University Graphic Communications Corporate Appreciation Award.

Harper Flexo Ctr. Appealing to High School Students

Harper National Flexographic Center says it's placed a renewed emphasis on attracting more area high school students for future study. Based at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) in Charlotte, Harper's Flexo Center provides students with hands-on training in prepress and flexo printing utilizing two Mark Andy flexo presses and one Comco (a div. of Mark Andy) press.

Black Clawson to Exhibit at PTSC in May

Black Clawson Converting Machinery Inc. reports it will be exhibiting at the upcoming PTSC Tech XXVI. The converting equipment manufacturer says it will exhibit on May 8 from 11 am to 2 pm, booth #117, at the Washington Hilton & Towers venue.

Customers Like Upgrades to IP Bleached Board Biz

International Paper says "a major effort" by IP's bleached board business to improve customer service is paying off. According to the company's latest customer satisfaction tracking survey, the effort, which includes enhancements to the IP web site, "shows that customers recognize and appreciate the efforts."

Ahlstrom Flex Pack/Label Prices Up May 1

Ahlstrom's LabelPack division, "one of Europe's main producers of specialty papers for flexible packaging and labeling," announces a price increase of EUR 100/tonne for all paper grades.

MeadWestvaco Seals Deal with Women in Packaging

Women in Packaging Inc. (WMPKG) and MeadWestvaco Corp. report the two entities recently sealed a new corporate partnership "that promises to expand the frontiers of possibility for generations of packaging professionals."

FPA Prez Says Flex Pack Faces Challenges and Opportunities

The realities of the flex pack converter's future were part of FPA president Marla Donahue's presentation at a CMM luncheon sponsored by Bobst Group and Rohm and Haas Adhesives and Sealants, Wednesday, April 16, 2003.

CMM Opens: Creo Esko Imaging Upgrades Push Flexo

Converting Machinery/Materials (CMM) International 2003 opened this morning in an unusally warm and sunny Chicago. While foot traffic was moderate on the four-day show's first day, there are unconfirmed reports of large equipment sales.

EPA Packaging Design Winners to Display at Pack Expo LV

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Solid Waste, in partnership with McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) reports it will display the winners of the first ever "Cradle to Cradle Design Challenge for E-Commerce Shipping Packaging and Logistics" at Pack Expo Las Vegas, October 13-15, 2003.

PSTC Seminar Aimed at 'Mastery' of Adhesion Science

TECH XXVI and Tape University: "Learn to Succeed": Two complementary programs aimed at mastery of the science of adhesion. May 5-9, 2003, Washington Hilton and Towers, Washington D.C.

Drupa 2004 Sells All 17 Halls

Messe Düsseldorf North America (MDNA) reports that all 17 halls for Drupa 2004 are already sold out—more than a year before the start of the print media trade fair. Slated for May 6-19, 2004, at the Düsseldorf, Germany, fairgrounds, Drupa's 17 halls include more than 1.7 million sq ft of net exhibit space.

BST Pro Mark Inspection Sales Up

BST Pro Mark reports its sales of web inspection and print management systems were up 21 percent last year versus the previous year. According to the company, it shipped more than 1,000 combined units last year and now has 11,000 installations worldwide.

NPTA Celebrates 100 Years

This year marks 100 years since he National Paper Trade Association (NPTA) was founded in 1903. According to the industry group, it begins a year-long celebration of its founding and a salute to the rich history of the industry.

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