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    An N.V. Publication

    The Bi-Weekly News Publication Serving The Flexographic Printing Industry

    ExecutiveOutlook

    Atlas Converting Bobst Color Resolutions Esko

    DuPont Flexotecnica FLXON Mark Andy

    2012

    Market News

    FLEX

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    2012DuPont. All rights reserved. The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont and Cyrel are registered trademarks or trademarks of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company or its affiliates.

    DIGIFLOWTHE NEW DUPONT CYREL

    WORKFLOW.

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    Introducing DuPontTM Cyrel DigiFlow, the latestfexographic platemaking innovation rom DuPontPackaging Graphics. Cyrel

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  • 8/2/2019 Fmn Exec Outlook

    4/204 2012 Executive Outlook Flexo Market News www.nvpublications.com

    Executive Outlook

    Brian StiffSales Manager

    The constant quest for improved productivity and

    profitability through reduced machine downtime and

    reduction of waste remain the most important priori-

    ty of any converter in todays flexible materials mar-

    ket. Whether wide web flexo, gravure printing,

    coating & laminating or slitt ing/rewinding, all

    processes must strive to achieve an acceptable re-turn on investment and capital employed.

    After printing or coating, most flexible materials

    proceed to the slitting department for further pro-

    cessing. Enter Titan slitter rewinders.

    The next generation Titan SR9 Series slitter

    rewinders from Atlas Converting Equipment Ltd.

    (UK) not only introduce a new technology platform

    for higher performance and improved productivity,

    but also provides a more flexible and sustainable

    solution in slitting & rewinding.

    Atlas Converting Equipment Ltd. launched its new

    Titan SR9 Series slitter rewinder technology at the ICEEurope exhibition in Munich, Germany, in November

    last year with the new Titan SR9-DT Dual Turret

    rewinder. A Dual Shaft (DS) module will be available

    later this year followed by a Single Turret (ST) module.

    The concept of the Titan SR9 Series technology

    platform features 3 separate machine modules of un-

    wind, slitter & rewind sections. The idea being that a

    converter only need change the rewind section of the

    slitter from a Dual Shaft (DS) to a Single Turret (ST)

    or Dual Turret (DT) configuration, without the need to

    change the existing unwind and slitting modules.

    Innovative engineering design has led to applica-tion for four patents on the Titan SR9-DT model, one

    of which, the Turret Support Device (TSD), has al-

    ready been granted. These advanced designs have

    led to significant improvements in quality of slit

    reels, reduction of set-up time and increased pro-

    ductivity. As an example, the Linear Tracking Slitter

    (LTS) section ensures the shortest and a constant

    web length between the knives and the rewind

    shafts for improved web control giving the highest

    possible side wall quality of rewind reels and also

    reducing the possibility of waste material.

    Between all three versions of the Titan SR9 plat-form, many new features provide exceptional perfor-

    mance and productivity at

    speeds of up to 3,300

    ft/min (1,000 m/min).

    Acceleration Speed

    Control (ASC) and Predic-

    tive Stopping Control

    (PSC) ensure the fastest

    acceleration and stopping

    to minimize machinedowntime.

    Knife Positioning Systems (KPS3) from a manual

    Positive Positional Device to semi-auto and fully au-

    tomatic (male & female) knife positioning meet all

    production demands. A pre-setting system ensures

    all running parameters are ready from the first set,

    reducing operator intervention.

    The time required for reel set changes is greatly

    reduced with the Rewind Core Positioning (RCP3)

    system using either laser, servo or a fully automated

    system. The Rewind Clamp Cut-off mechanism

    (RCC) automatically cuts all slit web tails, saving op-erator intervention for either the DS or DT rewind

    modules. Automatic Tape Down (ATD) then secures

    all tails to the reels and new rewind cores, enabling

    a fast re-start.

    To maintain focus on its objectives for sustainabili-

    ty, the Titan SR9 Series has many features for

    achieving reductions in the use of energy and reduc-

    tion of waste materials.

    The Guider Knife Positioning (GKP2) system not

    only saves time in setting up the knives but also sig-

    nificantly reduces the amount of wasted material

    pulled through the slitter for alignment.The SR9 Series features a Moving Splice Table

    (MSTV) which is ergonomically positioned at the un-

    wind to enable fast, accurate and minimal waste re-

    moval, with precise splicing.

    Elimination of all hydraulics on the SR9 Series has

    helped to provide a cleaner environment and a con-

    siderable reduction in energy consumption. The use

    of high efficiency motors and regenerative braking

    makes the SR9 Series the most energy efficient slit-

    ter in the Titan range.

    The Titan SR9 Series is set to smash all productiv-

    ity records and provides a genuinely flexible andsustainable new approach to slitting and rewinding.

    Atlas Converting

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    Atlas Converting Equipment Ltd., Bedford MK42 7XT, UKT: +44 1234 852553 E: [email protected]

    Atlas Converting North America, Inc., Charlotte, NC 28273T: +1 704 587 2450 E: [email protected]

    www.atlasconverting.com

    Rewind to the Future

    The new

    TITANSR9-DT

    raises thebar in slitterrewinderproductivity

    SEE US AT

    STAND12-D67

    SEE US AT

    BOOTH 735

    The latest generation TITAN SR9 Series slitter rewinderplatform saves valuable seconds - and minutes - during

    the entire slitting and rewinding process.

    And its new modular design concept means the TITANSR9 can be configured to meet current productiondemands, with simple bolt on options for changingfuture requirements.

    A host of other new TITANSR9 Series features provide exceptionalperformance & productivity at speeds ofup to 1,000 m/min (3,300 ft/min).

    Reduced waste

    Linear Tracking Slitter (LTS)

    Guider Knife Positioning (GKP2)

    Moving Splice Table (MSTV)

    Reduced downtime

    Acceleration Speed Control (ASC)

    Predictive Stopping Control (PSC)

    Knife Positioning Systems (KPS3)

    Reduced set change time

    Rewind Core Positioning (RCP3)

    Rewind Clamp Cut-off (RCC)

    Automatic Tape Down (ATD)

    Reduced downtime + Reduced set change time + Reduced waste = more $$$ Profit

    EVERY SECOND COUNTS!EVERY SECOND COUNTS!

    KPS3

    RCP3

    GKP2

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    6/20www.nvpublications.com6 2012 Executive Outlook Flexo Market News

    Executive Outlook

    Michael DAngeloVice President

    I never think about the future. It comes soon

    enough. This quote by Albert Einstein is appropriate

    for us to consider as the flexo industry enters 2012.

    We have weathered the storm and many companies

    have flourished. There is still a lot of uncertainty,

    economic and political, both at home and abroad.

    Meanwhile, time marches on, regardless of whether

    we want to take a breath or leap ahead. The future

    arrives daily. Leading companies look confidently to

    the future. This is why the Bobst Group continues to

    make vital investment in new developments for our

    entire product range.

    Thomas Paine famously said, Lead, follow or get

    out of the way. Fischer & Krecke (F&K) has chosen

    once again to lead. Backed by the strength of the

    Bobst Group, the development program of F&K

    brings a new flexo press solution, the 20SIX to the

    market. Intelligent Design. Intelligent Economics.

    Flexo converters wanted a press that was designed

    to carry out a wide variety of printing jobs and pro-

    vide an impressive return on their investment. They

    also required a press that could be customized to

    their own needs. F&K delivered.

    The 20SIX is designed to perform, improves print

    quality, improves operator interface and information

    and offers impressive versatility. Intelligent Design.

    Intelligent Economics. This criteria goes into everyfeature of the 20SIX. With trust in the F&K name,

    more than 130 years of satisfying customers and an

    unparalleled reputation in quality innovation, the mar-

    ket has responded impressively to the 20SIX with

    multiple orders already booked around the world.

    Offering optimum press technology is not solely

    where F&K success is found. Driven by a philoso-

    phy that the press should print, our engineers have

    been moving changeover activities more and more

    off press. During 2012 F&K will introduce moresmart ways to improve press efficiency and uptime

    by moving non-printing make-ready functions off

    press. While this philosophy is best exemplified by

    our award winning smartGPS, now the industry

    standard for precise registration and impression set-

    ting, there are far more opportunities to allow the

    press to print even more. Those of you going to

    Drupa will have much to see and hear from

    Bobst/Fischer & Krecke in Hall 10, at stand A04.

    Those of you not going to Drupa, we will also be at

    the FTA Forum 2012 Infoflex and at CPP Cleveland.

    Wherever you may be going, please put us in your

    visit plans.

    This annual issue of Flexo Market News is entitled

    Executive Outlook. So, whats our outlook? We at

    Bobst/Fischer & Krecke are naturally optimistic. Our

    technical and engineering teams are optimistic be-

    cause they know that they design and build one of

    the best flexographic printing presses in the world

    and are in an environment where they can keep im-proving. Our commercial, marketing and service

    teams are optimistic because they are in front of

    customers daily and they know that F&K equipment

    exceeds demands in an incredibly demanding envi-

    ronment.

    We continue to invest in you, our customers, by

    having the resources and spending the development

    monies necessary to bring innovation and big ideas

    that can make an immediate impact in your press-

    room and on your bottom line. Intelligent Design. In-telligent Economics. This can bring a bright outlook

    for you.

    Bobst Group

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    2OSIX

    Bobst Group North America, Roseland New Jersey, 1-888-226-8800

    [email protected]

    www.bobstgroup.com

    Intelligent Design. Intelligent Economics

    Hall 10 Stand A04

    The NewBenchmarkfor

    Flexible Packaging

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    8/208 2012 Executive Outlook Flexo Market News www.nvpublications.com

    Executive Outlook

    George SickingerPresident & CEO

    There are bright, colorful days ahead

    The economy is improving, and there have been a

    great deal of capital investments among converters.

    We are seeing converters adding or replacing flexo-

    graphic presses to become more efficient, which

    usually means running faster with more consistent

    quality and less down time. Change can always

    spell opportunity, and this has certainly been the

    case for Color Resolutions International (CRI). New

    equipment almost always requires new ink formula-

    tions to maximize the capability of the new equip-

    ment. At CRI, we love converters who are

    aspirational and wish to achieve new, higher levels

    of graphic reproduction to differentiate themselves.

    We feel very blessed to be a part of the dynamic

    packaging industry.

    Helping converters grow their business

    Converters usually grow by offering something

    their competitors cant or wont do. Quality printing,

    produced efficiently, is always part of the equation.

    The printing impression is like a fingerprint at a

    crime scene. CRI has highly qualified technical ser-

    vice people who can identify root causes of printing

    that is less than the best. With that knowledge, com-

    bined with our proprietary ink and coating chemistry,

    CRI can solve problems at the pressroom level and

    make any converting operation more efficient.

    CRI makes a point of knowing our co-suppliers

    and their capabilities. That is how we have learned

    over the years to understand the whole printingprocess and the myriad of things that can impact a

    printed job. Converting companies could benefit

    greatly from forming their own co-supplier team cho-

    sen from the best of the best. Such a team of pro-

    fessionals can be called upon for consultation for

    continuous improvement projects or for advice on

    new, often bold initiatives involving capital expendi-

    tures to go after a new market.

    Typically, converters keep suppliers in silos, thus

    losing some valuable input that could make for a

    more costly implementation. I believe this occurs be-

    cause the various suppliers call on different levelswithin the organization, and the top person doesnt

    know many of them. Ink and color are the most visi-

    ble, and poor printing can

    often be a manifestation of a

    number of issues going on in the process. Ink, pre-

    press, plate, cutting die, substrate and equipment

    suppliers at a converters operation should know

    each other for the betterment of their mutual cus-

    tomer.

    Growth markets for Flexo converters

    Flexo printing is and has been well represented in

    packaging, but there is still plenty of room for

    growth. Flexographic print quality has so vastly im-

    proved over the years leaving the offset market as

    a prime target for growth. Also, flexography is an

    ideal process for the developing and growing shrink

    market.

    CPCs and consumers are leading Flexo

    printing

    The buzzwords from CPCs are retail ready.

    CPCs and the retailers want packaging that is ready

    to grab consumers attention on the self without hav-

    ing too much product handling at the store. Every-

    one in the supply chain should learn to think like a

    consumer. Converters need to be very active in the

    packaging design phase, including their suppliers in

    the process so they can efficiently print the final de-

    sign. All packaging components need to be integrat-

    ed so the brand identity is supported from the

    shipping container to the bag, box or label on the

    shelf.

    What would we like you to know about

    CRI?

    What we say about ourselves is far less important

    than what our customers and co-suppliers say about

    us, but if you were to ask any of them, I think that

    they would say that we are problem solvers with a

    deep knowledge of the flexographic process.

    Color Resolutions

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    Optimize Your Color Gamut with CRIs TrueColorBalanceTM

    Better Process Control

    TrueColorBalanceTM is a unique color management

    system that helps achieve the largest possible color

    gamut in the visible color spectrum when printing withprocess inks. CRIs technical specialists combine

    custom formulated ink chemistries with color

    management expertise to optimize your process

    colors to a neutral gray.

    TrueColorBalanceTM gives your operators and

    pre-press suppliers a precise target for process image

    reproduction, resulting in reduced waste, shorterset-up times, lower ink costs and no more color toning

    on press. CRIs TrueColorBalanceTMis compatible with

    FIRST 4.0.

    www.colorresolutions.com800.346.8570

    Enhance Your Bottom Line

    Let CRIs color management experts optimize your

    capabilities and maximize your level of printing quality

    and press uptime.

    Request a no obligation consultation from a CRI technical specialist.

  • 8/2/2019 Fmn Exec Outlook

    10/2010 2012 Executive Outlook Flexo Market News www.nvpublications.com

    Executive Outlook

    Simon JamesVP Marketing

    There is likely no argument from anyone that flexo

    offers many advantages for the package printer. The

    cost-effective print process, with polymer plates, will

    make as many as a million impressions on virtually

    any absorbent or non-absorbent substrate. Fast-dry-

    ing inks assure that the print quality is not smeared

    from as many as a dozen ink units, preservingbrand colors.

    And now, with HD plate quality, highlights and

    shadows are held as well as with offset or gravure.

    Vignettes are easily reproduced from zero to a hun-

    dred, with strong density and no pinholes.

    The entire flexo converting industry benefits when

    flexo improves as long as brand owners can see

    its visible and economic advantages. This is no

    more evident than the migration, slowly but surely,

    from gravure and offset.

    Esko sees flexo growing faster in every country

    than any other print process. Even in China, where

    most printers rely on gravure for billions in U.S. dol-

    lars of not very environmentally sustainable print,

    the most competitive printers who want to differenti-

    ate their printing are those who are investing in

    flexo. In fact, worldwide, digital (CtP) flexo is grow-

    ing 2-3 times faster than analogue flexo and

    gravure.

    Flexo innovations have benefitted everyone. Inthe round printing assures seamless printing and

    plates that can be used for reorders. Meanwhile, just

    about everyone touts the ability to print flat top dots.

    This is leading, somewhat, to apparent standardiza-

    tion in production.

    This is no clearer than with the proliferation of

    Esko HD Flexo-certified printer providers. Starting

    from zero just one and a half years ago, there are

    now 160 companies that tout their proficiency in

    high definition flexo and that number is increasing

    at a rate of 45-50 percent per year. Higher screen

    rulings, ink laydown, registration with high technolo-

    gy flexo print systems? Its all achievable.

    If every vendor can offer a quality solution of one

    kind or another, then where is the exposure of differ-

    entiating oneself? With increasing commoditization

    of flexo quality, how does a flexo print provider as-

    sure its getting its share of an expanding market?The next battleground will not be in the hardware,

    but the integrated workflow driving all the equip-

    ment. For example, to offer compatibility between

    flexo, digital, and other forms of printing, you need

    color control across all print processes. With web to

    print, digital printing significantly reduces the time to

    print to as little as a few minutes. And, with in-house

    digital platemaking, it is not hard to produce plates

    from an incoming order in as little as 1.5 to 2 hours.

    Of course, to do this, workflows have to be simpli-

    fied to one or two, rather than 15-20.

    Tying software to the back end of printing delivers

    the value of any process. The future health of flexo

    is assured because there are workflow solutions that

    can manage the complete complexities of flexo,

    from the brand owner and designer throughout the

    supply chain to the retailer. They can also replace

    other printing methods, and control colors to match

    any process. At Esko, wed like to think we offer the

    premier workflow to do just that.

    What a time it is to be invested in flexo.

    Esko

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    ww.esko.com

    [email protected]

    The new qu litybe inflex printing

    D Flexo combines high resolution imaging with advanced screening.

    he result is a digital fl exo plate for superb printingquality and stability.

    nally, fl exo is able to match offset printing.

    enefi ts at a glance...

    Outstanding tonal range, detail & contrast

    Smooth vignettes & gradients - print to zero

    Reduction of image correction & retouching

    Simplifi ed conversion from Offset & Gravure

    D Flexo is one of EskoArtworks many

    ew technological innovations.

    iscover today how EskoArtwork

    an boost your fl exo print quality.

  • 8/2/2019 Fmn Exec Outlook

    12/2012 2012 Executive Outlook Flexo Market News www.nvpublications.com

    Executive Outlook

    Tom JacquesSales Manager

    If you could advise a converting company

    to focus immediate attention on ONE specif-

    ic area of opportunity, what would it be and

    why?

    Converters need to focus on reducing costs, which

    translate into higher profits. The goal is to find meaning-

    ful ways, through process improvement, product re-

    design and the elimination of waste streams, to movetheir fixed costs downward, while innovating to improv-

    ing their quality and consistency to grow revenue.

    Flexotecnicas new low waste set-up system is just

    one example of a game-changing tool that has cut set-

    up waste to a fraction of what it used to be for many of

    our latest customers who chose this option.

    What specific changes do you see occur-

    ring in the flexo industry in the coming years

    that might open new business avenues for

    printers?

    Larger companies, like Bemis and others, are consoli-dating the industry, which is still relatively fragmented,

    due to low barriers to entry and the importance of physi-

    cal location, as it relates to quicker service and lower

    transportation costs.

    The dichotomy of ever larger companies versus

    smaller, more regional converters, will continue to exist

    in this industry. As larger converters focus on building

    scale and increasing efficiency as ways to lower costs,

    the more typical converters with one or a few locations

    are keeping pace with investments in new technology,

    in order to allow them to compete effectively in their

    local areas.

    Do you see any developments in the retail

    environment that printers should be focused

    on? And do you foresee CPCs demands and

    expectations for printers changing in any

    way?

    The continuing trend of eating more meals at home

    will benefit the industry going forward. New products

    are being developed to capture the imagination of the

    consumer, while the retail food space is morphing into

    an experience, with the Whole Foods model being

    emulated by other regional chains.Consumer product companies (CPCs) are under a

    significant amount of pressure to capture their fair share

    of this continued growth by

    building the next multimillion

    dollar brand, either through

    line extensions or new prod-

    ucts. Most of the newer

    products today focus on

    health benefits (so-called

    nutraceuticals) and sus-

    tainable packaging.

    The push for more recycledcontent and better recyclable or compostable package

    materials will not abate. Flexotecnica presses have al-

    ready successfully printed some bio-based films, which

    need to be further developed to be impactful during

    their life cycle by minimizing landfills or becoming truly

    biodegradable.

    The CPCs will continue to ask converters for new

    ideas to help sell their new products, which will drive

    lots of short run, test marketing work.

    What specifically is important for flexo

    printers to know about Flexotecnica as theylook into opening new opportunities for their

    businesses?

    Flexotecnica can provide converters with Something

    Special to give them a competitive edge, providing

    solid, reliable presses with proven production capability.

    Flexotecnicas customers benefit by getting a better

    return on investment (ROI) at a better value.

    Our success is merely a reflection of our customers

    success which has come by focusing on profitability.

    By making our presses easier to run and maintain than

    ever, we attract todays tech-savvy workers and give

    them the high degree of automation they expect withour latest technology.

    It is noteworthy that the vast majority of our latest

    press orders are from repeat customers, who have

    grown with Flexotecnica as their businesses grow.

    Our core beliefs are to do the right thing, be proactive

    and to insure that our customers presses perform, and

    that focus will never change.

    Also: Watch this space!

    Flexotecnica is coming out with some new innova-

    tions at Drupa 2012 to provide even more consistent,

    repeatable and reliable production! These novelties will

    be unveiled at Stand BO3-1/BO3-2 in Hall 16 at Drupain Dsseldorf this May, and all interest parties are invit-

    ed to visit us see you there!

    Flexotecnica

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    Serviced and Supported by:

    North American Cerutti Corporation

    15800 West Overland Drive

    New Berlin, WI 53151

    Tel: (262) 327-1667

    Fax: (920) 499-2291

    www.flexotecnica.it

    How Tempo PlasticsGot the Edge

    Get the Edge.

    The versatility we get from having three Flexotecnicapresses, along with Flexotecnicas service and support, has

    given Tempo Plastics a definite competitive edge.

    - Michael Bannon, Vice President, Tempo Plastics

    Randy OHara, Michael Bannon and Mike Thompson

  • 8/2/2019 Fmn Exec Outlook

    14/2014 2012 Executive Outlook Flexo Market News www.nvpublications.com

    Executive Outlook

    Paul SharkeyPresident

    Once Again improving and controlling a

    process leads to sustained profit and

    growth.

    FLXON INC, like many engaged in the flexo print-ing industry, had a good 2011 and 2012 is lookingeven better. Just about all of the printers and indus-try support companies we spoke with report im-proved revenue and profit. While plant closings arestill happening, they happen far less frequently thanin the past few years and they are usually the resultof big companys mergers, not poor performance.At the same time, a recent article in the NY Times re-

    ports trends in the retail sector are very positive. Wal-Mart reported 2011 sales were $443.9 billion (up 5.9%)with an operating income of $26.6 billion up 4.0% fromthe prior year. Interestingly, in the same period, highend retailers like Sakes Fifth Avenue and Blooming-dales reported even stronger year-end results withmargins above 40% compared to Wal-Marts 24.3%.

    Analysts report sales improvements were largely a re-sult of improving consumer confidence and less a re-sult of special incentives that can lower profit.

    While I am sure to some extent positive news inthe retail sector and our industry is related, improve-ments for many of the flexo printers I have recentlyvisited are also a result of a new, smarter way ofdoing business.

    Heres why even though the economy began toslow in 2007 and 2008, few of us were prepared forwhat followed in 2009 and 2010. For many, businessand profits just declined. It took time to realize whatwas happening and then decide how to react.Changes were aimed first at cost cutting but eventu-ally a new reality sank in. To survive and even thrive,every process in a business needs to be optimized.

    More than ever, flexo printers are being driven todrive waste out of their production process. Newfocus is given to simplifying the print process by un-derstanding basic set points for each process vari-able and establishing tighter tolerances. Printers arepartnering with key process element suppliers toprovide more in-plant assistance to establish andverify tighter tolerances are being met.

    To assist customers wanting to improve their

    process, FLXON now of-fers pressroom opportuni-ties assessments gearedto finding often simple, yetoverlooked process ad-

    justments that can reduceprint defects, prevent mid-run press stops, increaseoperating speeds, and re-duce downtime between jobs and more. Our find-ings may include recommendations for changes toSOPs and operator best practices training, which weprovide.

    While some are investing in new high performancelabel and flexible packaging presses, others find up-grading existing presses can lower waste and in-crease output with less cash outlay and an evengreater ROI.

    Until recently, references to best practices per-tained primarily to a production or manufacturingprocess. But in todays environment, companies arelooking to make all aspects of their business moreefficient. This includes sales.

    Gone are the days when sales people fromFLXON just stop-in to touch base. Today, our salesand technical service teams visit printers with a pre-itemized and agreed upon agenda centered onadding value to their operation. Our expertise cen-ters on making improvements to the ink transferprocess. Based on our experience and earlier suc-cess, how can we help a printer to improve? If wecan, its a winwin scenario. If we cant, we partfriends. Our commitment is to only engage peopleand companies we can genuinely help. We will notsell a product or provide a service unless there is arecognizable and calculable gain. We feel stronglyabout this process and we guarantee results.

    You cant sit still and wait for success to happen. Itdoesnt work that way. Instead, all of us need to stayengaged in every step of the process governingwhat we do from start to finish. Only by constantlyasking what changes need to be made to bettercontrol and improve the process, will we make sus-tained improvements leading to profit and growth.

    Todays good news is what all of us have alwaysknown. Change is inevitable. Are we going to be outin front of it or stuck reacting to it?

    FLXON

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  • 8/2/2019 Fmn Exec Outlook

    16/2016 2012 Executive Outlook Flexo Market News www.nvpublications.com

    Executive Outlook

    Steve SchulteVice President, Sales & Marketing

    Surviving in flexo

    - Is it time to change to survive?

    The past few years have been daunting, to say the

    least, for all of us in the label and package printing

    industries. As Ive traveled around, printers and con-

    verters are telling us what they are facing ahead,

    and beginning to discuss their options for managing

    their businesses and achieving success. Here is

    what the majority are thinking about

    - Consolidation & Conglomerates

    - Cost Cutting/Cost effectiveness

    - Sustainability whether you want to or not!

    Consolidation & Conglomerates

    Consolidations are happening more readily at

    every level of the industry as expanding conglomer-

    ates are either acquiring local printing businesses or

    the bigger players are using their size and investing

    in technology for efficiency and a competitive advan-

    tage. This will be challenging for the smaller con-

    verter. In order to compete, they must also invest in

    technology and use their nimbleness as their value

    proposition. Also, they will need to either diversify

    their product and service offerings or find unique,

    protected niches to remain viable and carry a strong

    book of clients and business.

    Cost Cutting & Cost Effectiveness

    In addition to consolidation and larger sized com-

    petitors, material, ink and other raw materials contin-

    ue to experience double digit price increases, with

    no end in sight. This is forcing printers to carefully

    plan their material usage and more closely monitor

    how they manage their time and waste to maintain

    profits and sustain their businesses. Modernizing

    and investing in key areas can make vast improve-

    ments, and affect future profits, if analyzed and im-

    plemented correctly.

    Sustainability

    A buzzword or new demand? The buzzword is

    now becoming a demand. Some major print buyers

    are demanding green and that demand is growing.

    Not everyone is seeing this demand yet, but at a

    certain level sustainability is here. Demand, no

    doubt, will continue to increase. With that said, con-

    verters and suppliers like Mark Andy must put more

    emphasis on sustainability. Some feel this can be an

    expensive endeavor. There is a silver lining for con-

    verters, however. Results of reducing waste and

    streamlining efficiencies (i.e. becoming more sus-

    tainable) can really help a business succeed. Sus-

    tainability can be a win-win for all of usbut it will

    take some effort.

    Reviving Business Strategies

    The above, coupled with the need to survive in a

    new era of a global economy, are challenging. All of

    us should take a hard look at our businesses and

    how they are run. It is a difficult task to dissect your

    business and operational models, making open,

    deeply thorough assessments to uncover areas of

    real improvement and sometimes uncomfortable

    root causes.

    I can speak from personal experience at Mark

    Andy Inc. We began digging into our business and

    operational strategies in late 2010, uncovering some

    really good ideas for improvement but also a few,

    dare I say, bad habits that are not in tune with new

    philosophies and approaches. Throughout 2011, we

    have implemented new ideas and processes

    through employee empowerment and have already

    begun seeing measurable results.

    In the end, the world is a different place and it is

    time to roll up our sleeves and explore the many op-

    portunities that are out there to foster positive

    change and future success. It may be time to

    change to survive, and to be successful.

    Mark Andy

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    Make everysecond count.

    Its the ultimate in workflow acceleration, driving

    higher margins and slashing waste. Short run flexo

    now makes sense. Its efficient. Its profitable.

    Go to markandy.com/secondscount

    www.markandy.com

    Awarded for Technical Excellence

  • 8/2/2019 Fmn Exec Outlook

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    Executive Outlook

    profound impact it will continue to have on all

    packaging segments.The idea of sustainability is

    now ubiquitous,with seminars and web casts tak-

    ing place nearly weekly.A great many equipment

    supplier companies have been extolling the

    virtues of sustainability for years, advising print-

    ers that it is not only the right thing to do but the

    prudent thing to do, as well, for sustainable pack-

    aging solutions are going to surge over the com-ing years. Eventual ly, the demands of the

    retailers (Walmart specifically) and some enor-

    mous CPGs like Proctor and Gamble and John-

    son & Johnson helped drive the importance of

    sustainability home.

    The good news is that in the past years convert-

    ers have becoming increasingly aware that the

    pursuit of sustainability in their packaging prod-

    ucts is much more a win-win situation than they

    may previously have imagined. The fact is: a

    strong and well-defined company-wide environ-

    mental initiative not only has a profound positive

    effect upon the world, but it can also have a pro-

    found positive effect on converters bottom lines,

    as well.By doing good, they can do well.

    The companies in this years Special Report Atlas Converting, Bobst Group, Color Reso-

    lutions, DuPont, Esko, Flexotecnica, FLXON

    and Mark Andy understand the changinglandscape of flexo printing and know that the

    key to staying ahead is to stay informed.And that

    change is just another word for opportunity.

    Editorial

    QUALITY WORTHEXAMINING CLOSER.

    2012 DuPont. All rights reserved. The DuPont Oval Logo is a registered trademark of E. I. du Pont

    de Nemours and Company.

    (Contd from Page 3)

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    2012 DuPont. All rights reserved. The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont and Cyrel are trademarks or registered

    trademarks of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company.

    Take a closer look and see how DuPont Cyrel ofers higher print quality at

    high-speed, with shorter turn-around times and a smaller environmental ootprint.

    Look closer! For higher quality at high-speed.

    HIGHEST SPEED AND QUALITYIN THE FINEST DETAIL.

    www.cyrel.com/na

    Grand Hyatt &

    Henry B Gonzalez

    Convention Center

    San Antonio, TX

    Booth #525

    March 18-21, 2012

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    Executive

    Outlook

    Atlas Converting Bobst Color Resolutions Esko

    DuPont Flexotecnica FLXON Mark Andy

    NVP 2012