Press release submitted on behalf of Mohawk Fine Papers, Inc. and the Fedgrigoni Group

Mohawk Fine Papers, Inc. and the Fedrigoni Group are pleased to announce that effective today August 01, 2023, Mohawk will be the distributor of Fedrigoni’s Specialty Fine Papers for North America.

Mohawk is North America’s largest privately owned manufacturer of fine papers and envelopes, and Fedrigoni is the leading global player in the manufacture of high-added-value specialty papers for luxury packaging and other creative applications.

Mohawk’s distribution partners and community of creatives and printers will have full access to the Fedrigoni creative portfolio (with the exception of Fedrigoni digital papers, distributed by GPA). Mohawk and Fedrigoni have committed to bringing both inventory support and marketing focus to bolster the growing luxury packaging and creative solutions print segments.

Fedrigoni’s collection of beautifully crafted, responsible, and innovative papers are the perfect complement to Mohawk’s legacy of paper brands. Fedrigoni Materica, Woodstock, Freelife Cento, and Sirio Pearl are just a curated sampling of what is possible to create with Fedrigoni specialty papers. Fedrigoni Paper offers tailor-made solutions for print and packaging customers, alongside a collection of more than 3,000 items available from stock.

“We are delighted to evolve our strategic partnership agreement by bringing together Mohawk’s trusted and valued relationship with the North American market to expand Fedrigoni’s capability to promote its specialty papers in the creative community and better meet all needs of image-conscious clients for all the ways they print, says Melissa Stevens, Chief Revenue Officer of Mohawk.

“The alliance with Mohawk will accelerate our geographic expansion in the US in the increasingly promising sector of specialty papers for luxury packaging and other creative and technical solutions,” states Ilan Schinazi, Chief Commercial Officer of Fedrigoni Paper. “We are determined to grow our market-leading position by leveraging the reshoring trend in the US and our deep customer partnerships with top luxury brands in Europe, and developing our relationships with US brands.”

Shared core values of craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainability make this distribution partnership both a natural extension of their existing agreements and a valuable opportunity for our mutual customers to strengthen their brand identity and ESG strategies for all their specialty print. Mohawk and Fedrigoni will be actively working together in the market to promote the value of specialty papers and the unique and creative solutions paper-based materials can bring to a brand.

Press release submitted on behalf of Messe Düsseldorf North America

The special area drupa next age (dna) sets the scene for newcomers and young talents from the print and packaging sector in a targeted manner. With Deborah Corn and Frank Tueckmantel, drupa has enlisted two strong partners with longstanding industry expertise for organizing and designing this show-in-show for cross-sectional technologies. 

Big ideas, small budgets – many young companies find it hard to make the right contacts and establish their exciting and forward-looking solutions on the market. For this target group, drupa has created a special platform: drupa next age (dna). Here, newcomers, young talents, start-ups and long-established companies can network on a level playing field, find matching cooperation partners and exchange innovative business ideas. For some participants, this is the opportunity to present themselves to an international professional audience for the first time ever.

“In today’s digital age, there is one thing technology can’t replace: personal communication,” explains Frank Tueckmantel, who, together with Deborah Corn, is responsible for designing the dna program. “Here’s why Face-to-Face marketing matters: no Tweet, Snap, or chat can ever replace a real human connection. Face-to-face marketing is all about visibility and trust. Moreover, in-person interaction fosters engagement. For this reason I’m honored and excited to work together with drupa on the 2024 drupa dna program, hopefully engaging with many of the attendees that will participate in the largest get together our industry has to offer.”

Participation made easy thanks to Plug-and-Play
To make participation easy, drupa focuses on a transparent stand concept with flexible modules and Plug-and-Play at drupa dna. Presentations, panel discussions and interviews on the dna Stage complement the exhibition area in Hall 7.0, providing the ideal forum for attracting  investors with new business models, product solutions and technologies. The focal themes at dna will include: Additive Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence, Business Intelligence, New Materials, Platform Economy, Predictive Maintenance, Printed Electronics, Remote Services, New Business Models and Process Design. At present, interested companies can still register for participation at the dna Forum – and there are even several ways to get involved: as an exhibitor, sponsor or speaker.

“drupa dna is the ‘Big Bang’ for new companies, new ideas and fresh perspectives that will form and define the future of print,” confirms Deborah Corn. “Our curated program is designed to provide a global stage for global conversations focused on the technology, tools and people who are pushing the industry forward and enabling unique business opportunities for the graphic communication value chain. I encourage everyone to stop by Hall 7.0 during their time at drupa and get a head start on creating a profitable future.”

Companies interested in exhibiting or taking part as sponsors at the trend forum dna will be assisted by Benedikt Salmen from the drupa team (SalmenB@messe-duesseldorf.de). Companies interested in taking part as speakers can obtain more information from Deborah Corn (deborah@printmediacentr.com) and Frank Tueckmantel (tuecki@mac.com).

About Deborah Corn:
Deborah Corn is the Intergalactic Ambassador to The Printerverse, providing printspiration, education and resources to print and marketing professionals around the world, helping them achieve creative and business success through their printed materials. She is the host of Podcasts from The Printerverse playing in 146 countries, producer of ProjectPeacock.TV, founder of International Print Day, Print Across America and Girl #1 at Girls Who Print – the largest independent, global organization for women in the industry. Through her website PrintMediaCentr.com, content endeavors and social channels, Deborah engages with more than 250,000 printing professionals, print buyers, marketers and students worldwide.

About Frank Tueckmantel:
Frank Tueckmantel, Ambassador of Face-To-Face Marketing, spent his entire career in the print industry. In his last role at EFI he served as the VP of Corporate Marketing. In this role he and his team oversaw all worldwide face-to-face marketing activities, like trade show and customer events activities.

About drupa:
Under the umbrella of the megatrends sustainability and digitalization, the  international print and packaging sector will meet at the drupa from May 28 May – June 7, 2024, at the fairgrounds 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. For more information: www.drupa.com

Press release submitted on behalf of BOBST

BOBST has presented its annual Inventor Awards, given to innovators and their patents within the business that have pushed the boundaries of technology to enhance print and packaging workflows for customers.

For 2023, BOBST has issued two awards for the first time. The main Inventor Award has been presented to Patrice Chatry and Maude Steiner, inventors of the Non-Stop with Automatic Swords Selection innovation, while a Special Jury Award has been presented to Rene Heinze, inventor of an intermediate dryer in particular for rotary printing presses.

“We believe in expanding the boundaries of converting & printing efficiency, and each year we see BOBST engineers going above and beyond.” said Leonard Badet, Chief Technology Officer at BOBST. “Around the globe, our business is home to some of the industry’s most experienced and forward-thinking minds, making our customers production workflow more effective. This year we are thrilled to award 2 inventions supporting our Automation & Sustainability pillars. .

The Non-Stop with Automatic Swords Selection, created by Inventor Award winners Patrice Chatry and Maude Steiner, is a sheet pile supporting assembly. The device automatically selects which swords are used to temporarily sustain the pile of blanks in the separation station. With efficiency central to printing success, the key advantage of this patent is that job-dependent blank separation structures can be avoided, meaning a replacement pallet of blanks can be swapped in without stopping the machine and disrupting productivity. The innovation offers packaging converters a valuable time saving of six minutes per job, creating valuable gains throughout the workflow.

Presented with the Special Jury Award, Rene Heinze’s Dryer is a new geometry of intermediate rotary printing press dryer. The design features areas of both high and low pressure and comprises a novel system of nozzles and openings for the discharging of heated gas in exchange for cooled gas. In judging, the dryer was noted for presenting a 15% performance increase over conventional dryer designs, improving the yield of the overall drying process and making efficient use of hot air.

Christian Zeller, Head of Marketing BU Printing & Converting at BOBST, adds: “The printing and packaging supply chain is under pressure to deliver heightened quality, speed and sustainability. To meet these evolving demands, we must be bold in our innovation and find new ways to boost efficiency – and that’s what our Innovation Award platform is all about. We’re celebrating the talented minds of the BOBST team and the novel technology patents that make a real difference for our customers, which ultimately signpost the future of effective printing workflows.”

Press release submitted on behalf of IST METZ

At the UV Days, which took place from July 4 to 6 in Nürtingen, organizer IST METZ welcomed around 1,000 guests and 40 exhibitors from a total of 32 countries.

More than 30 impulse and short lectures,18 company tours as well as 21 live demonstrations at the in-house excimer laboratory system and simulations of the UV measuring device UV Analyzer, a multifunctional in-house developed champagne packaging and a Swabian wine village – these were the eleventh UV Days of IST METZ, market leader in the field of UV and LED curing systems. “We are pleased about the great success of the eleventh edition of our in-house exhibition – especially after the pandemic-related break of several years. With around 1,000 visitors and 40 exhibitors, UV Days was nearly as well attended and as broad in terms of applications as before the break,” said Tim Sterbak, managing director of IST METZ GmbH & Co. KG.

Premium packaging with added value presented at UV Days
Together with PrintCity Allianz and Benz Catering, IST METZ has developed an outer packaging for the sparkling wine bottles from Germany’s oldest sparkling wine producer, Kessler. The high-quality produced and finished packaging experiences a double benefit in that it can be further used as a bottle cooler. The outer packaging was designed as a container for the transport and presentation of sparkling wine from Kessler in Esslingen am Neckar. The packaging is designed as a two-part box, so that after transporting it can also be used for attractive presentation of the bottle at the table. The special feature here is an integrated cooling system consisting of a cardboard container that can be filled with ice and is made of water-repellent coated material. This means that the bottle can remain at the table and is cooled at the same time.

Industry partners enrich UV Days
With ten industry partners, industrial applications were particularly well represented at this year’s UV Days. Even outside the printing industry, the possible applications of optical systems are almost limitless. Therefore, IST METZ offers customized systems and solutions as well as professional support and laboratory services with UV, LED and excimer systems for industrial applications. IST METZ systems are used in the processing of materials such as glass, plastic or wood and wood-based materials.

Press release submitted on behalf of Scodix

Scodix, the leading provider of digital embellishment solutions for the graphic arts industry, announces the successful completion of its latest recyclability tests, further reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainability. The results demonstrate that Scodix embellishments can be repulped during the recycling process, allowing products enhanced with Scodix embellishments to carry the recyclable symbol.

Scodix EVP Global Sales & Marketing, Mark Nixon, comments, “Sustainability is a core pillar of our business operations. As such, we are thrilled to share our latest test results which underscore the positive impact Scodix products can have on building a more sustainable future.  With our repulpability and recyclability certification coupled with our Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) findings, Scodix users can confidently embrace data-driven sustainability practices.

FTC guidelines require third party independent testing to allow manufacturers to use a recyclable symbol. Scodix worked with Western Michigan University (WMU) to implement the SBS Equivalency (WMU SBS-E) testing protocol, which models the Fiber Boxboard Associations (FBA) wax coating replacement protocol.

The testing was performed on 16pt SBS Printkote C1S paper with a fifteen percent coverage. Sheets were taken through the process of repulping, screening and cleaning to ensure that the digital embellishment would not inhibit the recycling process.

The tests produced positive results showcasing the recyclability of Scodix digitally embellished sheets. Passing the WMU SBS-E protocol proved that sheets with Scodix embellishment would qualify for recycling and could be repulped during the process. Brands and manufacturers using Scodix embellishment under this control protocol are able to use the FTC recycling symbol as long as the substrate used is also certified as recyclable.

“Today is a momentous day for Scodix, but our journey towards sustainability doesn’t end here,” affirms Nixon. ” Coupled with the commissioned LCA that clearly states that Scodix is over 7 times less harmful to the environment than the traditional foiling process, we believe the time is now to remain steadfast in our commitment to driving continuous improvements in sustainability – equipping manufacturers with the necessary data to accurately measure their processes.”

For more information about the testing process or to learn more about Western Michigan University standards, visit their website at http://wmupilotplant.com. The verifying documents for Scodix can be requested for download at www.scodix.com/sustainability.

Press release submitted on behalf of FUJIFILM North America

FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Graphic Communication Division, announces Miamisburg, Ohio-based Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems (Kongsberg PCS), as its supplier of digital cutting table solutions for the sign and display, packaging production, and manufacturing markets. Through this partnership, Fujifilm will distribute and sell all Kongsberg PCS digital cutting systems across the United States and Canada.

“Kongsberg PCS is highly regarded as one of the most reliable, innovative finishing/cutter device manufacturers in the wide format market,” said Toyoyuki (Tommy) Katagiri, division president, FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Graphic Communication Division. “This partnership demonstrates Fujifilm’s commitment to a ‘whole solution’ approach; we are with our customers from start to finish, offering complete printing and finishing solutions in one easy-to-implement package.”

By partnering with Kongsberg PCS, Fujifilm customers will have direct access during the purchase process to Kongsberg cutting system solutions for multiple materials, including folding cartons and packaging, labels and decals, POP displays, banners, wall graphics, aluminum signs and flexo plates.  By integrating Kongsberg’s precision cutting solutions with Fujifilm’s graphic printing technologies, print service providers can maximize efficiency by streamlining their production processes, resulting in fast turnaround times, high output, and low costs. Additionally, Kongsberg PCS’s commitment to research, development, and listening to customer needs will keep Fujifilm customers at the forefront of cutting system technology.

As part of this partnership, Kongsberg PCS will not only provide Fujifilm and its customers with sales, service, and support for the Kongsberg precision cutting platforms, but also will offer ongoing training and technical support to Fujifilm customers throughout the lifecycle of their cutting system.

“Kongsberg digital finishing solutions are designed to meet the increasing demands of the packaging, sign and display, graphics, and corrugated industries,” said Matt Thackray, vice president & general manager – Americas, Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems. “With their advanced features and capabilities, Kongsberg’s digital finishing/cutting platforms will help provide Fujifilm customers with elevated accuracy and versatility while maximizing productivity.”

Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems are now available for FUJIFILM Graphic Communication Division customers. For additional information, visit www.print-us.fujifilm.com.

Print Media Centr announces the launch of Print Across America. Join us on October 25, 2023, to create a unified celebration of print by facilitating, fostering, and supporting open house events at print and sign shops and in-plants from coast to coast.

The Print Across America mission is to share the power of print as a viable and effective sales, marketing and communication channel at the local level by inviting customers and prospects, university, high school and technical program students and faculty to open house events. This initiative creates community engagement, provides education about printed products, cultivates new business opportunities, and contributes to workforce development.

Participation in Print Across America is free! The official Print Across America logo, icons, and files for marketing materials, social media and electronic communications, apparel production, signage templates and more are posted at printacrossamerica.com and are available to download. A store to purchase swag and open house materials is in development.

“Print Across America gives print, sign shops, and in-plants a unique opportunity to open their doors and show guests the cool and amazing things we can create with print, the printing technology that makes it possible, and meet the people who make it all happen,” said Deborah Corn, intergalactic ambassador to the Printerverse at Print Media Centr, and the founder of Print Across America.

“Participants can host an event for an hour or host an all-day event that includes design classes, a career fair, presentations about what is new in print… and more. I will share ideas for the open house events and help promote all of them – I may even attend a few!”

Printers who are members of our industry organization partners will be included in the “Find an Open House by You” directory, enabling interested attendees to locate their local open house events easily. Nonmembers can pay a small fee to be listed on the open house directory.

“The National Print and Sign Owners Association (NPSOA) is encouraging our 400+ members to open their doors and participate in this unique national event,” said Nathaniel Grant, chairman of NPSOA and president of GAM Graphics and Marketing.

Additional associations committed to promoting and participating in Print Across America include The Print and Graphic Communications Association (PGCA), Printing Industries of New England (PINE), the Graphic Media Alliance (GMA), the Florida Graphics Alliance (FGA), Printing Industries of MidWest (PiM), Printing Graphics Association of MidAtlantic (PGAMA), the Printing Industry of the Carolinas (PICA), In-Plant Printing and Mailing Association (IPMA), International Sign Association (ISA), and the Graphics Communications Education Association (GCEA) with more joining every day.

In conjunction with Print Across America, Print Media Centr will produce a 10-hour online conference celebrating International Print Day on October 25, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. The free conference will feature industry experts from around the world and is open for everyone to join.

America’s Print Show, in partnership with the Graphic Media Alliance, is planning an exclusive event at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio to celebrate Print Across America, International Print Day, and kick off the countdown to APS2024 on May 8 and 9 in Cleveland.

“APS shares the vision of industry unity with Print Across America. We are pleased to support this initiative and participate in the online conference for International Print Day” said Jim Cunningham, president of Americas Print Show. “We will join the online broadcast live from our APS2024 launch event with Graphics Media Alliance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and provide an exciting preview of our upcoming show in May. Anyone who wishes to join us in Cleveland on October 25th can reach out to me, or to Andrew Schall, president of GMA. We look forward to this unique celebration of print and celebrating the printing community that makes it all possible.”

To stay informed about Print Across America and the International Print Day Conference, please join the mailing list at printacrossamerica.com.

For International Print Day Conference speaking opportunities and inquiries about conference sponsorship packages, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Deborah Corn at deborah@printmediacentr.com.

Print Across America promises to be an exhilarating celebration of print, connecting industry professionals, enthusiasts, and communities nationwide. Join us on October 25, 2023, and be a part of this momentous occasion!