becky

Konica Minolta Commemorates 150 Years in Business

November 14, 2023

Press release submitted on behalf of Konica Minolta

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta) today proudly announced the commemoration of its 150^th anniversary, a significant milestone few businesses reach. Through its long-time commitment to the industry and proactive approach to shaping the future of technology, the company has not only kept pace with industry developments over the years, but consistently appeared at the forefront.

Commemoration of this milestone has centered around showing gratitude to Konica Minolta’s stakeholders and recognizing its employees—the people responsible for transforming the organization into the company it is today. They are Konica Minolta’s legacy, carrying out the company’s long-standing philosophy to ‘create new value for society.’

The company enables that philosophy by enhancing employees’ capabilities as professionals, and fully unleashing the performance and potential of individuals and teams. Konica Minolta fosters and maintains an organizational culture that promotes health and safety, encourages individuals to take on challenges, and facilitates open communication. This approach in turn garners the commitment and loyalty needed from employees to create that value and continue to shape the company.

Sam Errigo, president and CEO, Konica Minolta.

“Our people are our single greatest asset, and we work extremely hard to cultivate employees who demonstrate innovative spirit and show true dedication to drive success across the business,” said Sam Errigo, President and CEO, Konica Minolta. “We are big promoters of diversity and inclusion and making sure that as an organization, different individuals in different walks of life have the ability to prosper here. It allows us to get different viewpoints on ways to approach the business. That has helped our culture ensure an environment where people can flourish and grow their careers.”

Through its broad product portfolio, Konica Minolta transforms the workplace experience and drives dynamic business change with solutions, services and offerings built specifically around how customers and their businesses work. Konica Minolta employees have the opportunity to collaborate with clients around the world to solve society’s greatest challenges. Continually building on its rich heritage as a manufacturer of technology hardware and prominent position as an innovative technology provider, the company thrives on combining diverse perspectives with creativity to transform the future of work and innovate for the good of society and the world.

Some extraordinary milestones have paved the way for the global technology giant, since Rokusaburo Sugiura began selling photographic and lithographic materials in 1873.

1873 Konica starts business as Rokusaburo Sugiura begins selling photographic and lithographic materials at Konishiya Rokubeiten in Kojimachi, Tokyo.
1903 Konishi Honten (predecessor of Konica) markets the “Cherry Hand Camera,” Japan’s first brand-name camera.
1958 Company’s first planetarium unit completed and opened to the public
1962 The first pictures of Earth taken from space with a Minolta Hi-Matic (during John Glenn’s “Friendship 7” Space flight)
1970 World’s first color copy machine introduced: Konica Minolta’s U-Bix 480
2003 Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. is established by integrating the management of Konica Corporation and Minolta Co., Ltd.
2005 Released the world’s first Mammography to use phase contrast technology
2007 Withdrawal from photo and camera business
2011 U.S. Division acquires All Covered and begins digital transformation journey ahead of competitors
2013 Company name changed to Konica Minolta, Inc.
2015 U.S. Division launches Step Forward, an initiative to inspire women in professional excellence at all career levels.
2016 The bizhub PRESS C71cf digital press is the first of many new products that supports Konica Minolta’s strategy in the label and packaging industry market.
2018 U-Bix 480 certified as a “Copying Machine Heritage” established by the Imaging Society of Japan (ISJ).
2020 U.S. Division Launches Return to Work solution during the pandemic to assure employee safety when returning to offices
2021 Announces Status as a Microsoft Global Partner
2023 U.S. Division acquires Force Security Solutions

Konica Minolta has taken the opportunity to proudly reflect on its heritage and history since the start of its fiscal year on April 1. Earlier this year the company debuted its 150th anniversary video, in which the company reflects on its journey, having pushed the boundaries of what’s possible to make a positive impact in the world. The video launched via a global social media effort, with all regions of Konica Minolta aligning with posts simultaneously, another first for the company.

Amidst ongoing challenges in the industry, uncertainty in the market and general concerns about recession, the tenacity of Konica Minolta’s employees shines through. Despite difficulties, particularly in recent years with the pandemic and supply chain issues, the company has maintained the right culture and drive to turn things around. And with this track record of perseverance, the company is confident that alongside its employees, as well as its clients and partners, it will continue to drive positive change throughout the world.

Learn more about Konica Minolta’s rich history online.

Tech Watch: Spiral Binding’s EasyPunch from James Burn

November 9, 2023

Spiral Binding’s new EasyPunch from James Burn is a lower-cost version of existing automated punching technology. The machine provides versatile, easy-to-use operation, handling a wide array of paper stocks, covers and tabbed stock.

“This allows companies that couldn’t previously justify the expense of an automated punch to now afford this time-saving technology,” said Joe Bondonna, senior product manager at
Spiral Binding.

Bondonna said automated punching provides a faster and more cost-effective solution to mechanical binding as an operator can load the machine, press the button and walk
away to work on other tasks. The EasyPunch will punch books five times faster than an operator using a manual punch. There are many available punching die assemblies that can be used in the machine to automate the punching of Wire-O, plastic coil, round holes for looseleaf binders, plastic combs and more. Custom dies also are available.

The EasyPunch has a touchscreen control panel and format setup time of less than five minutes using the touchscreen and hand wheel. It has a cycle speed of 50 cycles per minute and punches up to 9,000 sheets per hour. It’s tooling is interchangeable with removable pins, and tool changeover takes about two minutes with storage space for one die. The machine is equipped with mechanisms to prevent paper jams and enhance operational safety. It offers mobility with lockable, heavy caster wheels.

Other specs include:
• Max sheet size – 12″ (BE) x 12″
• Min sheet size – 5.5″ (BE) x 5.5″
• Sheet weight – From 80 to 200 gsm
• Feeder and reception tray capacity – 4″ (two reams =
1,000 sheets)
• Byte thickness – .01″
• Power – 110/120 V (60Hz) 1ph
• Machine dimensions (W x D x H) – 44″ x 29″ x 41″
• Net weight – 370 lbs.

“We received a lot of customer feedback on design and improvements that could be made, and our engineering team has taken that information to refine our design. We are proudly introducing this new machine at the PRINTING United show in Atlanta this year,” Bondonna said.

The Label Printing Industry, an Ever-Evolving Market

November 7, 2023

This article is from the drupa Essentials of Print article series

by Chiara Bezzi editor-in-chief of Rassegna Grafica

The label printing sector has always been a dynamic market. Brand owners are looking for increasingly innovative labels to differentiate themselves and convey current and targeted messages to consumers. The current trends are leading suppliers and converters towards solutions that focus on sustainability and innovation. In the last years label converters felt the need for automation at various product life cycle stages.

Photo created through artificial intelligence

A printed label is the visiting card of a product, the primary step in communication between the brand owner and the consumer. On the shelf, the label contributes to the buyer’s perception of a product. Looking at a product label, the customer can be caught by graphic design, colors or embellishment, and certainly the label has an impact on his purchase choice.

But how do papers and embellishments influence the perception of a product? What elements of a label can visually express and summarize its essence? We know that for the same price and brand, it is the label that is most liked and able to create positive expectations about the product that is chosen. To explore the role of this communicative tool in wine purchasing, UPM Raflatac, leader in sustainable labelling, commissioned a neuromarketing research from research and consulting firm SenseCatch, in partnership with Argea, the largest Italian wine group, KURZ, world’s leading manufacturer of hot stamping and cold stamping technology, and Krämer Druck, one of Germany’s leading printers in the sector of wine labels.

The study was conducted in Germany, an attractive market for wine exporters. A group of German consumers was shown 32 labels on the shelf, with the same design but different from each other in terms of paper type and refinishing. The entire customer journey was reconstructed, from shelf observation and wine choice to product tasting. After choice, participants could observe, touch, and evaluate the bottles one at a time. Throughout the entire decision-making process, from the shelf choice of the bottle to the moment of tasting, consumers’ experience was analyzed using neuromarketing methodology.

In the first “moment of truth,” in front of the shelf, the results showed that during the choice in the first five seconds of observation, the bottles that attracted consumers’ attention the most were those characterized by visual, color, or material juxtaposition contrast, such as those with dark paper and shiny, metallic ennoblement. On the other hand, the most observed labels were those characterized by light-colored paper with gold or bronze ennoblements. In addition, consumers’ attention focused on bottles labelled with rough and textured papers, with obvious texture to the eye and embossed embellishments with a glossy effect.

During the second “moment of truth,” which is when the consumer physically interacted with the bottles, labels with textured papers and embellishments of the same color actually enhanced the embellishments themselves and were considered interesting and mysterious. The study found they stimulated the “tactile imagination” that anticipates the interaction experience.

The thicker, embossed paper and the embossing made the lettering more visible and enhanced the design, changing the perception from an empty and unattractive label – in the case of an embellishment of the same color as the paper, devoid of embossing – to a label that was instead curated and intriguing, enhancing expectations about the product. In this case, consumers imagined a higher quality wine, a premium product.

Finally, the results showed that the combination of paper and embellishing influences expectations and has a positive effect on the perceived liking and taste of the wine. The same wine served from the bottle with the most appreciated label obtained a higher rating than when it was served from the bottle with the least appreciated label.

The effect also occurred at a subconscious level; in fact, the emotional involvement measured through psychophysiological parameters was higher (+13%) when tasting the wine served from the bottle with the preferred label. In addition to influencing the likeability of the wine, the label also influenced perceived taste.

Market trends in label printing

According to Mordor Intelligence, the print label market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% over the forecast period 2023 – 2027. Different factors are driving the growth during the forecast period, such as an increasing demand for more attractive brands from print label customers, and a rising demand for manufactured goods. The growth of the e-commerce industry is another significant factor that is expected to fuel the adoption of printed labels over the forecast period. Challenges that the sector is facing are evident: a reduction in average job lengths and life cycles for mass-produced products, and an increase in the regulatory content on the label. In the last years, digital printing has been entered in this sector. This technology enhanced the possibilities to provide new applications in label design, meeting a growing market demand.

Today printing technology suppliers are developing hybrid solutions, at drupa 2024 new developments in hybrid presses will be shown. In the last years label converters felt the need for automation at various product life cycle stages. Because of less labor available for the industrial sector, human intervention becomes the bottle neck in the production chain. Automation and interconnectivity turn from a cost saving topic into a necessity for the industrial survival. In the area of workflow, the trend will be toward a cloud-based ecosystem. Today automation and digitalization in the printing processes are a must have. Automation means integration of the systems into the factory production processes that allows remote service, real-time machine monitoring and reporting production data. Among the advantages of automation there are waste reduction, fast set-up, automated color management, and reduced manual interventions. Other possible steps in advancing technology will happen through the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning. For example, AI tools and programs make the design procedure autonomous; at the same time those tools can help by enabling identification of defective products so they can be easily removed from the final product.

Sustainability factor

The biggest challenge facing brand owners is meeting the changing landscape regarding packaging sustainability, and in particular embracing the complexity of emerging directives if operating across different countries and regions. Just thinking about the recent updates of the Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation in Europe that has brought new challenges which will clearly need to be addressed in the coming years. The introduction of design for recycling requirements will draw attention to label and container compatibility, in terms of material, inks, adhesive, and size coverage.

Following customers’ requirements, self-adhesive label manufacturers are approaching and developing new solutions that are more ecological, but at the same time are also more economical and efficient. In order to achieve these goals, the main way is to reduce the amount of material used. Release liner, that is used as carrier for labels, fulfil a crucial role in the production, conversion, and application of self-adhesive products. But after fulfilling their role in this process, used liners still have a role to play as valuable feedstock for new processes and products. Currently, many projects based on release liner recycling have been developing, in order to collect proportion of spent release liner for reuse or recycling. Release liner recycling is environmentally friendly: it contributes to the reduction of the ‘footprint’ of the label company.

During the last edition FINAT European Label Forum, it emerged that label waste has been a challenge for the labelling industry for decades. Each year, millions of tons of label waste are sent to landfills and incinerators. Recycling programs like CELAB can reduce label waste. But the best solution – for our industry and for the planet – is to ultimately eliminate liners altogether. Particularly in the food sector, designers and printers are facing another challenge regarding the finite space limits of labels. In fact, international health and safety legislation will require space on labels. This will encourage the use of multilayer leaflet labels and clear-film labels on clear-container substrates, giving products the ‘no-label’ look and making back-printing on the label possible. Label printing is reflecting the important role of digital technology in everyday life.

From May 28 to June 7, 2024 in Düsseldorf, Germany, exhibitors at drupa will present new printing and finishing systems for labels production. Visitors will discover sustainable and innovative solutions for the future of the label industry.

Monadnock Paper Mills Appoints Dr. Heather Starkey as Research Scientist

November 7, 2023

Press release submitted by Monadnock Paper Mills

Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc., the oldest continuously operating paper mill in the United States, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Heather Starkey to the role of Research Scientist.

Starkey will leverage her wide range of professional and academic expertise to work closely with the manufacturing and sales departments in developing the next generation of sustainable and durable materials for the printing and packaging industries.

“Dr. Starkey is an ideal choice to help drive Monadnock’s efforts in introducing highest-quality materials for our growing customer base,” said Rajan Iyer, Vice President of Research Development and Technical Service, Monadnock.

Starkey has worked at Georgia-Pacific, Chung Hwa Pulp Corporation, and most recently Ingredion, where she led cross-functional product teams developing new starch technologies for adhesive applications and barrier coatings. She earned bachelor of science degrees in Pulp and Paper Engineering and Chemical Engineering from North Carolina State University, where she also earned her doctorate in Forest Biomaterials.

“I’m delighted to join my new colleagues and get to work crafting 21st century solutions that meet the high reputational standards of the marketplace – I’m up for this new and exciting adventure,” said Starkey.

Muller Martini Introduces the Antaro Perfect Binder Platform

October 29, 2023

Press release submitted on behalf of Muller Martini

Muller Martini, a pioneer in print finishing solutions, is proud to unveil the Antaro perfect binder, available in two versions. This groundbreaking new binder platform redefines efficiency and versatility within a smaller footprint.

A Perfect Binder for Every Need
Muller Martini’s Antaro binder is designed to meet the evolving demands of the print industry for both on-demand and conventional, offset applications:

· Antaro Digital: For digital finishing applications, the Antaro Digital stands in a class of its own, producing print-on-demand books at an unparalleled rate of up to 2,000 cycles per hour – an industry-leading achievement, while requiring minimal staffing.

· Antaro: For offset print applications, the Antaro delivers at an impressive rate of up to 4,000 cycles per hour. Its robust performance makes it the perfect choice for short-run offset production in small spaces.

Unparalleled Flexibility and Investment Protection
The Antaro platform brings flexibility and investment protection to the forefront. Its modular, expandable design caters to both digital nearline/inline production and conventional production environments:

· Antaro Digital: This version takes single book production to a new level, offering automation with manual feed or inline connection to the SigmaLine Compact digital book production system. With six clamps, it achieves an impressive output of 2,000 books per hour. Plus, its compact design delivers the same output with fewer than half the operators required by current single-book production solutions.

· Antaro: When combined with a gatherer and equipped with 12 clamps, the Antaro shines in offset runs, delivering an output of 4,000 cycles per hour.

Efficiency through Automation
Both Antaro models feature a continuously running swing clamp system, ensuring the smooth horizontal transport of book blocks through the machine. The Antaro Digital’s unique clamp design enables the continuous production of brochures with varying block thicknesses of up to 20 mm, all at the highest performance level. These thickness variations are changed automatically, ensuring an unsurpassed productivity rate of up to 2,000 copies per hour for digitally printed products.

Exceptional Quality Guaranteed
The Antaro is equipped with two spine preparation stations, guaranteeing the highest quality book binding. The system utilizes EVA and PUR adhesives, backed by a glue monitoring system in the PUR nozzle for precise glue application. Replacing the gluing units is straightforward, enhancing maintenance efficiency.

The Antaro Digital features a newly designed drum coverfeeder coupled with a cover buffer wheel for reliable separation of covers and uninterrupted production through continuous feeding. Its barcode reader ensures a exact 100% match between book blocks and covers. The system’s buffer wheel creates sufficient distance for barcode reading, enabling automatic responses in case of mismatches without interrupting the binding process. Together with the standard cover reject feature positioned in front of the scoring device, this system achieves a new level of productivity through waste reduction.

Unrivaled Versatility
The Antaro platform flawlessly combines trusted technology from Muller Martini with innovative features. It accommodates all conventional types of book blocks, including signature stacks, pre-glued or thread-sewn book blocks, as well as single-sheet stacks. Even without an inline connection, manual feeding is ergonomic and efficient. The platform surpasses other systems available today with its exceptional end-product delivery capabilities, spanning softcover brochures, hardcover book blocks, flex brochures, glued book blocks, and layflat brochures. Set to redefine the print finishing landscape, it offers unmatched efficiency, quality, and adaptability.

AmericaPack Summit Returns in February 2024 Following a Remarkable Success in October 2023

October 29, 2023

Press release submitted on behalf of AmericaPack Summit

The AmericaPack Summit, one of the premier events in the packaging industry, is set to return in February 2024 after achieving resounding success in its previous edition held in October 2023 in Chicago. This eagerly awaited event promises to once again bring together leading professionals, innovators, and industry experts in the field of packaging.

The AmericaPack Summit, a significant platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration, is known for setting new industry standards and shaping the future of packaging. The upcoming event, scheduled for February 2024, is expected to be even more remarkable, building on the accomplishments of the previous edition.

The February 2024 AmericaPack Summit is expected to build on this strong foundation and deliver an event of even greater magnitude. Attendees can look forward to:

Informative Sessions: Expert speakers will discuss the evolving landscape of the packaging industry, emphasizing sustainability, circular economy practices, and emerging trends. Attendees will gain valuable insights to keep their businesses competitive.

Unrivalled Networking: The summit will offer extensive networking opportunities, enabling participants to forge new connections, meet potential partners, and expand their professional horizons.

“AmericaPack Summit was a great experience and covered relevant packaging industry topics and concerns. We were afforded quality/time to have more meaningful conversations and to build our professional networks. Highly organized and highly professional. I definitely recommend.” – Director, Packaging Development, Beautycounter

The AmericaPack Summit in February 2024 will be held in San Antonia on February 1-2.

For more information and to register for the event, please visit the official AmericaPack Summit website here.

About AmericaPack Summit:

The AmericaPack Summit is a premier event in the packaging industry that provides a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and collaboration among professionals, innovators, and experts in the field of packaging. The summit aims to set industry standards, foster innovation, and address the challenges of the packaging industry.

HERA Printing Buys Gamma502 Pro Automated Delivery at Printing United Expo 2023

October 23, 2023

Press release submitted on behalf of palamides GmbH

palamides GmbH, the leading provider of automated delivery solutions for the printing industry, announced today that HERA Printing of Puerto Rico purchased the palamides gamma502 pro Automated Delivery system at the Printing United Expo 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.

(L-R) Bob Conboy, president, palamides USA; Ricardo Garcia, president, HERA Printing; and Miguel Garcia, plant manager, HERA Printing at PRINTING United 2023.

HERA Printing Corp., a leading printing company in Puerto Rico since 1979, has a reputation for delivering top quality prints with an unwavering dedication to excellence. With this strategic investment in the palamides gamma502 pro, HERA Printing is poised to further elevate its postpress production capabilities and ensure customers receive exceptional results and service.

“We are thrilled to see HERA Printing recognize the potential of the palamides gamma502 pro Automated Delivery system,” said Bob Conboy, president, palamides USA. “This technology is designed to streamline postpress operations, improve efficiency, and enhance the overall print finishing process. We are confident that HERA Printing’s decision to embrace this innovation will position them as a frontrunner in the industry, and we are excited to support their journey towards excellence.”

“The gamma502 will be part of our continuous commitment to deliver quality prints,” said Ricardo Garcia, president, HERA Printing. “We believe this investment will allow us to better serve our valued customers by providing even higher standards of excellence in our final products. We look forward to the opportunities this technology will unlock for us.”

The gamma502 pro automated delivery is designed to enhance productivity while reducing labor costs, making it an indispensable addition to any printing operation. Its compact and mobile design allows for seamless integration with various finishing machines, including folding machines and other print-finishing equipment.

Scodix and Ricoh Establish a Strategic Partnership

October 22, 2023

Press release submitted on behalf of Scodix

Scodix, the leading provider of digital print solutions for the graphic arts industry, is pleased to announce that Ricoh USA, Inc., a digital information services provider and major print industry player, has become a distributor for Scodix in the United States. This strategic partnership will strengthen and support Scodix in its goal of expanding market presence and providing economic and sustainable embellishment solutions to a larger network of print providers.

Scodix and Ricoh celebrate the new partnership at Printing United, Atlanta.

“This partnership is a deliberate step forward in providing maximum value to our customers, empowering them to increase the worth of their printed products,” says Gavin Jordan-Smith, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Head of Global Sales Strategy Division & RICOH Graphic Communications North America Sales, RICOH Graphic Communications. “Including Scodix embellishment solutions within our portfolio supports our competitive approach, delivering applications to the market that can catapult printers in their quest for competitive differentiation and heightened brand awareness.”

Scodix offers a variety of tools that enable brands to achieve a high level of luxury and customization in their print products and packaging. With an extensive range of top-tier embellishment options, including Smart High Definition (SHD) quality, and independently verified sustainability practices, Scodix has the capability to enhance the consumer experience, while also providing measurable economic and environmental benefits.

“Ricoh has a stellar reputation of understanding market needs in the graphic communications space, making them a perfect partner for Scodix,” said Mark Nixon, EVP Global Sales & Marketing at Scodix. “This collaboration allows us to work together to meet customer needs and create a portfolio that stands out with the goal of increasing profits through embellishment. Scodix has an easy go-to-market solution that supports the graphic arts community in providing printed products that effectively engage their audiences. With the wide range of embellishment effects achieved on a single Scodix press, we are able to offer businesses an opportunity for embellishment that was once considered too expensive. With Scodix, production costs and waste are minimized through the most sustainable methodology in the market.”

With an impressive 90%[1] of commercial printers anticipating that embellishment will play a vital role in their digital print growth strategies, Scodix’ Ultra series of digital presses presents an opportunity for both in-plant and commercial print operations including book publishers, direct mail printers, prototypers, trade finishers, packaging, and folding carton printers.

The Scodix range of digital enhancement solutions seamlessly aligns with Ricoh’s award-winning sheet-fed digital press portfolio. This ensures that adding Scodix to a Ricoh digital press delivers top-quality embellishments for high-end luxury prints designed to captivate attention, bolster commercial print profits, and rival both the economics and quality of conventional methods.

[1] taktiful REPORT: Digital Embellishment Trends in a Covid World 2022

9th drupa Global Trends Report

October 17, 2023

Press release submitted on behalf of drupa

Global print industry shows increasing confidence across almost all markets and regions despite economic headwinds

The 9^th drupa Global Trends Report, to be published middle of November 2023, is a clear statement of increasing confidence across almost all regions and markets. For the coming year, printers and suppliers alike expect an even better development. Good signs for drupa 2024.

The results come from the extensive online survey of the 9^th Global Trends Report, which was conducted this spring by Printfuture (UK) and Wissler (Switzerland). More than 600 international decision-makers took part.

Globally, 32% more printers and suppliers described their company’s economic condition as “‘good” compared with those reporting it as “poor”. Among printers, almost all regions and markets were more optimistic than in 2019, i.e. before the Covid pandemic.

Richard Gray, Operations Director at Printfuture, stated: “While positive forecasts might be expected from Packaging and Functional printers, what was pleasing was the increasing confidence amongst Commercial and Publishing printers.” It seems that commercial and publishing printers have overcome the greatest impact of digitization and are now more optimistic about the future.

Higher prices bring more confidence

The reason for the increased confidence across all markets can be seen in the financial performance figures. Globally, 50% more printers raised prices in 2023 than lowered them, continuing last year’s trend after seven years of falling prices. This results in improved revenues and margins. This pattern can be observed across all markets, although there are regional differences.

Digital adaption is growing

The resilience of Sheetfed offset print volume across all markets is remarkable. This also applies to growth in flexographic printing among packaging printers. Digital toner cutsheet color remains the volume leader among digital printing technologies. Globally, the digital adoption – printers generating more than 25% of their turnover from digital – is growing from 26% in 2014 to 29% in 2023. At first glance, this is only a modest growth. However, various industry sources show that volumes have grown significantly since 2014 even though the digital adoption rate appears to be slowing down.

Good prospects for investment

Capital expenditure fell during the Covid pandemic, recovered a little last year and increased this year with 27% more printers investing more in 2023 than those who reduced expenditure; a better global figure than in any year since 2017. An even higher investment rate is forecast for 2024, by both printers and suppliers. In general, the most significant investments are in printing technologies and finishing, with sheetfed offset and digital toner cutsheet color being the most popular technologies globally, though there are significant differences depending on the market.

Strong industry growth forecasts must of course be put in relation to economic challenges, with the risk of recession or at least damaging inflation now outweighing the impact of the pandemic and a wide variety of specific regional socio-economic concerns.

Sabine Geldermann, Director drupa and Global Head Print Technologies at Messe Duesseldorf, commented: “Printers and suppliers know they must innovate to succeed in the longer term. I am confident that drupa 2024 will be the ideal opportunity to explore how best to achieve this objective.”

Infographics and obtaining the full reports

Infographics showing the key findings are available online at https://www.drupa.com/cgi-bin/md_drupa/lib/pub/tt.cgi?oid=49939&lang=2&ticket=g_u_e_s_t. The full report in English will be released by middle of November and will be available for sale at www.drupa.com. The executive summary will be available free of charge in German, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Chinese.

About drupa

Focusing on the megatrends sustainability and digitalization, the international print and packaging sector will meet at drupa from 28 May 28 – June 7, 2024 in Düsseldorf, Germany. The world’s leading trade fair for print technologies is synonymous with inspiration, innovations, high-caliber knowledge transfer and intensive networking. This is where the international top decision-makers of the industry meet and exchange ideas on current technology trends and ground-breaking developments. Tickets for drupa 2024 are now available in the ticket shop at www.drupa.com

For information on visiting or exhibiting at drupa 2024, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America; Telephone: (312) 781-5180; E-mail: info@mdna.com; Visit www.drupa.com and www.mdna.com.

For hotel and travel information, contact TTI Travel, Inc. at (866) 674-3476; Fax: (212) 674-3477; E-mail: info@ttitravel.net; www.ttitravel.net

A New Logo and Extended Brand Strategy for Channeled Resources Group

October 16, 2023

Press release submitted on behalf of Channeled Resources Group

Channeled Resources Group (CRG), an industry-leading manufacturer of release liners, blank shipping labels and pressure-sensitive roll label stock, as well as one of the world’s largest suppliers of reprocessed, coated, treated, and laminated papers and films, recently unveiled the company’s new logo as part of an extended brand strategy. This move symbolizes the company’s unwavering commitment to first-quality manufacturing.

Since its inception in 1978, CRG has transformed and adapted to meet the needs of the industry. Starting as a company purchasing and processing paper fibers, CRG became a world leader by the late 1980s, creating alternatives to landfills and incineration for non-recyclables, specifically focusing on pressure-sensitive adhesive laminates and silicone-coated release liners.

With facilities in Chicago, Wisconsin, and Ontario, CRG has evolved into a state-of-the-art release liner and pressure sensitive label material manufacturer. Earlier this summer, they announced the addition of a new coater at their Marathon, WI facility, which more than doubles their release liner capacity and will allow them to offer tailored solutions to more customers in the tape, envelope, industrial, medical, automotive, and construction industries.

CRG’s mission remains steadfast: to deliver reliable, versatile, and cost-effective products that adhere to the highest standards of quality. The new logo captures the essence of this mission, symbolizing a renewed dedication to exceptional customer service, support, and the innovative spirit that has driven CRG for over four decades.

CRG President Cindy White shared, “This new logo represents our commitment to evolving as the needs of our customers and the industries we serve evolve. With the third generation of our family now deeply involved in the company, it was the ideal time to update the brand image with a more sophisticated and modern feel. It’s a testament to our journey, our values, and our vision for the future. ”

« Previous Page