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Jefferson Smurfit to Sell 300 Million (USD) Sr. Notes

Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. recently announced that Jefferson Smurfit Corp. (US), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Smurit-Stone, has entered into an agreement to sell $300 million (US) of 7.5 percent senior notes due 2013 (identified as "the Notes").

'Business as Usual Isn't an Option' for 900 Flexographers at FFTA

No blame, no excuses," was some of the advice imparted by the Foundation of the Flexographic Technical Association's keynote speaker at FFTA's annual forum held earlier this month in Salt Lake City, UT.

Appleton Launches Line of Thermal-Transfer Security Papers for On-Demand Labels

Appleton recently announced the development and release of a new line of thermal-transfer label security papers that include its TechMark taggants and Read/Write threads.

Riverwood Graphic Packaging International Name New Co.

Riverwood Holding Inc., parent company of Riverwood International Corporation, and Graphic Packaging International Corporation recently announced they will take the name of Graphic Packaging Corporation upon completion of their merger.

Exopack Signs to Buy Plassein Flex-Pack Plants

Exopack LLC and Plassein International Corp. recently announced the companies have signed letters of intent with respect to Exopack's acquisition of Plassein's flexible packaging facilities in Thomasville, NC; Longview, TX; and Newmarket, Canada.

Bosch Rexroth Choosesei3 for Customer Calls

Bosch Rexroth Corp. reports it has entered into an agreement with ei3 Corp., which Bosch (a drive and control manufacturer) says says will "provide call-receiving and forwarding functions for Bosch Rexroth's customer service center."

Packaging Summit to Cover "Creating the Nimble Enterprise"

The Envelope Manufacturers Association's (EMA) Foundation for Paper-Based Communications will be hosting a Packaging Summit, June 12 and 13, 2003, at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI. The summit is "Creating a Nimble Enterprise."

Industry Responds to California Plastic Bag Tax

The formation of a national Plastic Bag Coalition is underway to fight California legislation that would place a tax on all plastic bags used by retailers in the state, says The Society of the Plastics Industry Inc. (SPI). According to SPI, the coalition is being led by the Film and Bag Federation, which is a business unit of SPI and the California Film Extruders and Converters Association (CFECA).

Packaging Jobs Trackable with Dalim Web-Based Software

Dalim Software reports it has launched DALiM FiCELLE ProPack, a web-based program aimed at those within the packaging supply chain.

Creo KBA Sign Reseller Agreement

Creo reports a new reseller agreement between Creo and Koenig & Bauer (KBA) for the sale of Brisque workflow solutions and related products for the KBA 74 Karat digital offset press in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

SPI Examines Plastics Trade "China Factor"

The China "Fly-In," a special forum planned by The Society of the Plastics Industry Inc. (SPI)—in response to growing member concerns regarding business with China—will address the impact of US-China trade relations on the plastics industry.

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.

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