HP Sponsors Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity..

Digital printing enhances creative output in unprecedented ways. The 2011 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity “Young Lions Competition”, a weeklong event, brings together rising advertising professionals from around the world, challenging them to produce innovative campaigns in five categories – cyber, film, media, print and marketing.

"Today's brand owners turn to creative professionals for impactful, multi-channel campaigns that resonate with customers on a personal level," said Sumeer Chandra, vice president, Marketing and Strategy, Graphics Solutions Business, HP. "Our sponsorship will help more than 350 competitors use digital printing applications to deliver creative concepts that are personalized, immersive experiences that build brand preference and loyalty."

As part of this year's sponsorship, HP has created a "blank canvas" lounge, allowing competitors to experience the power of digital print applications firsthand. The HP White Space lounge in the Young Lions Zone is the ultimate "concepting" space where every single surface – from the table top, walls, and rugs to the refrigerator, chairs and even drink cans – can be drawn on. HP is encouraging competitors and Festival attendees alike to put their mark on the HP White Space. The company will then use its digital printing technology to turn the competitors' creative renderings into digitally-printed designs – whether they are on glass, metal, vinyl or cloth – transforming the "blank canvas" lounge into a vibrant room where digital and physical intersect.  

  

Consumers expect information to be accessible the way they want – anytime and anywhere. To succeed in today's market, brands owners need to capitalize on this shift, delivering their messages through multiple platforms. Digital printing can strengthen integrated marketing campaigns by connecting "the online experience" with offline content. Creative professionals can utilize digital applications to execute arresting campaigns that feature dynamic, personalized physical output.

Marcos Medeiros, senior art director of AlmapBBDO in Brazil, is well-versed in bridging the online-offline divide. A winner of 12 Lions, including the 2010 Press Grand Prix for a highly celebrated Billboard Magazine campaign, Marcos will present a master workshop in the HP White Space on Friday, June 24 at 11:00 a.m. During the workshop, he will discuss the strategy and execution behind the award-winning campaign and how the creative engineering movement led to a highly interactive campaign experience that tapped into the passion of music fans and leveraged the impact of personalization through the power of digital printing. 

More information about HP's sponsorship of the 2011 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity Young Lions Competition, including videos and photos from the event, are available at www.hp.com/go/CannesLions 

OMET opens American subsidiary..

Omet srl, Italian manufacturer of narrow and mid web printing presses and converting equipment announces the opening of its new branch in America, Omet America Inc. The new company will focus on providing high level service and parts for the company's existing and future installations in North America, the Caribbean and Latin America.  North American sales will still be handled Matik Inc. out of West Hartford, CT.

Angelo Bartesaghi, Founder and President of the Italian Company, states: "We are extremely pleased to achieve this new milestone in Company history. This move will reinforce our global presence, after establishing our facilities in Europe and Asia. The Last years have been very successful for Omet, and we consider now to be the best timing for this important step, which we believe will demonstrate our Commitment to the market".

Omet America's will operate from a Grand Rapids Michigan headquarters. This new facility is conveniently located few minutes away from Lansing International Airport, in  a 5.600 SQF building. Beside space for office and spare parts inventory, there will be sufficient space for future expansion, according to Omet's plans.

"We wanted our customer to be able to maximize the high technology of our presses. Servo technology provides extreme productivity, but we wanted to provide also th flexibility to troubleshoot," comments Jean-Pierre Penhoat - VP of Omet Americas.

Penhoat has an extensive experience in servicing printing equipments, since he has spent more than 20 years within graphic arts industry. He has knowledge into different markets, including labels, packaging films and cartons. Beside his technical background, he can provide useful support on procedures and production organization, thanks to his previous experience in production management positions. Penhoat is also fluent in French and has good knowledge with Spanish, which will be appreciated by some Canadian customers, as well as the ones from Latin America!!

Advantages for American, Carribean and South American customers will include:

• Local parts inventory, providing the shortest lead time
• Technical engineers available for immediate service response
• Provide on site support for new press installations
• Programs for periodic maintenance visits and training programs, available on demand
• Online Press service through Internet connection. 

This last feature is particularly important, because will extend service time to the entire working day (same service is available also during night time from Europe). Using this technology, problems can be detected and solved in the shortest time; also upgrade on software programs can be easily downloaded into press. Staff will include service technicians for mechanical, electric and electronics; as well as back office for the parts order's handling.

In order to provide this high level of service, US service personnel will be specifically trained on site about Omet systems by skilled European technicians. Paolo is one of them: "I'm ready to make available my knowledge and experience to my new American colleagues and customers.  I'm thrilled to have this opportunity for my company's and personal growth!" he comments.

North American markets have always been very receptive of Omet products. No doubts, this new organization will be very beneficial to sales activity, and generate interest on the Omet product line. “I am very glad and excited about this new organization. We were requested from our North American customers since our first press was sold in North America to offer this higher level of service, and I guess the Company response has been really the best one," comments Alberto Redaelli, Omet VP of Sales and responsible for North American sales activities. “I believe that Lansing location is strategically placed within North America, and we will be able to offer an high standard of service and an even closer contact with our industry partners," he added.

OMET has  a large number of installations in the Americas, including the high tech servo driven Gearless Varyflex and X-flex packaging presses, for a number of different applications, ranging from PS labels, to unsupported films and cartons. Upcoming new installations will include:

• A 10 color, 26" Varyflex packaging press, with in line lamination and cold seal for the Midwest;
• A 9 color 17" press for packaging  including inline Hot Melt coating, due for Canada.

Schawk Wins Silver at FTA Excellence in Flexography Competition..

Schawk, Inc., a leading provider of brand development and deployment services, enabling companies of all sizes to connect their brands with consumers, announced today that it has been recognized by the Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) with a Silver Award for its packaging premedia work in the Mid-Web Paperboard Category at the 2011 Excellence in Flexography Awards.

"We are honored to be a part of the team whose technical excellence has been recognized by the FTA for our work," said Bob Cockerill, regional managing director, Schawk Canada. "We take great pride in delivering the kind of world-class premedia services that enable printers to achieve the highest levels of excellence and efficiency on press."

In the Mid-Web Paperboard Category, Schawk (Toronto) was recognized for its premedia work on the packaging of:

SILVER AWARD Brand: Alpine SKU - Alpine Light 2x6 Cans Box

Printer: Master Packaging, Inc. Printed via digital photopolymer

Entries submitted to the FTA 2011 Excellence in Flexography Awards Competition were judged for their degree of difficulty and level of technical execution. Thirty-nine judges spent three days evaluating 620 submissions. Less than one in four entries received recognition.

All winning entries may be viewed at: http://digital.realviewtechnologies.com/?xml=flexomag.xml&iid=47769&pnum=2&startpage=21

Kodak announces “Price Increase” for Flexo Plate family..

Over the past year, the cost of manufacturing flexographic printing plates has risen dramatically due to rising energy and raw material costs. In an effort to protect customers from these increases, Kodak has implemented a number of manufacturing efficiencies and, up to this point, has absorbed these additional costs. However, with costs continuing to climb, Kodak announced today that it will implement a global price increase of up to 7% on all flexographic plates as of July 15, 2011 in all regions of the world. The exact amount of the increase seen by each customer and implemented in each region will be based on local market conditions.

"It's never easy to pass these kinds of price increases along to our customers, and we are committed to working with them to ensure that their plate needs and business requirements are met as effectively as possible," said Mohan Garde, Vice President and General Manager, Packaging Business, Prepress Solutions, Kodak. "The value that our plates bring to the market-high quality, efficiency, repeatability, and more-continues to make them a sound investment for flexo printers who desire the best possible results. As always, we'll continue to pursue manufacturing efficiencies that will minimize any future pricing impacts for our customer base."

Details of the new pricing structure will be communicated over the next month to all customers and dealers. All current contractual commitments will be honored.

Toray Plastics Introduces New Generation of Clear-Barrier Films

Toray Plastics (America), Inc., the only United States manufacturer of precision-performance polypropylene, polyester, and bio-based films for packaging and industrial applications, introduces to CPG's and converters new, technologically advanced Torayfan CBH and CBLH biaxially-oriented clear-barrier polypropylene films designed to be used as mono-webs and as alternatives to PVdC-coated film. New Torayfan CBH film's advanced friction properties create a low CoF, which enables faster processing on high-speed VFFS and HFFS equipment. CBH film also eliminates the need for over-lacquers used to maintain a low CoF, and therefore provides an inherent economic advantage. CBH film's low seal-initiation temperature (SIT) and broad heat-seal window further expedite processing and manufacturing.

New Torayfan CBLH film has the same characteristics as CBH film, and it offers an improved sealant layer that provides greater seal strength and a better hermetic seal. Both CBH film and CBLH film are twice as effective in protecting against moisture-vapor transmission as standard BOPP films are. Better hermetic seals and improved barrier protection help maintain product freshness and brand integrity. Applications for the new films include baked goods, crackers, cookies, and confectionery items.

"CPG's and converters are always seeking ways to improve efficiency and produce a better product, and these new clear-barrier films deliver," says Franco Chicarella, Product Manager, Torayfan Polypropylene Film Division, Toray Plastics (America), Inc. "Equipment can run faster, processing is enhanced, and the finished package maintains product freshness longer."

In addition, the new Torayfan clear-barrier films possess excellent oil resistance and an appropriate stiffness, both of which contribute to brand appeal, and their advanced mechanical properties yield significant puncture resistance.

Toray Plastics (America), Inc., is a leading manufacturer of polyester, polypropylene, and bio-based films for flexible and rigid packaging, lidding, graphic, industrial, optical, and electronic applications. The company is a subsidiary of Toray Industries, Inc., the world leader in synthetic fibers and textiles, carbon fibers, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and high-performance films, which has annual sales exceeding US$19 billion. For more information about Torayfan CBH and CBLH polypropylene films, contact Franco Chicarella at gianfranco.chicarella@toraytpa.com

IndiaMART Leaders of Tomorrow Awards

IndiaMART Leaders of Tomorrow Awards recognised the bravehearts of the SME sector in 2010. The Awards are back with its second edition. It promises to acknowledge exceptional and distinguished products and services of MSME’s in building a robust foundation for Indian economy. The true reprsentation of excellence for small businesses, the awards honors the dynamism of the MSME sector and is a symbol of the spirit of entrepreneurship in the country.

ET Now and IndiaMART.com now invite you to submit your nomination for the ET Now - IndiaMART Leaders of Tomorrow Awards 2011. This definitive business awards will recognise the contribution of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in driving India’s march to global stardom. This award will inspire future leaders to tread a path of success and triumph. It will celebrate the success stories and honour entrepreneurs who have transformed stumbling blocks into stepping stones driven by their passion, determination and undying spirit of entrepreneurship. The award will salute these entrepreneurs of substance, the business leaders of tomorrow.

To maintain transparency in its selection, the "Evaluation Process" will be conducted by Ernst & Young and who will be an independent process validation partner for evaluating the nominations. It will choose "Top 5 companies" in each category to present their success story before the Jury post from which the winners would be chosen. 

As a prelude to the Awards, a feature series of twenty seven episodes of Inspirational Success Stories will be showcased from the MSME space from across the country. These stories will celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship and narrate fascinating examples where a little courage, a sound business plan and a good product have helped an entrepreneur to make his/her mark in the world of business. 

This is the time to "Nominate your company" to be one of the Leaders of Tomorrow and also stand a chance to be featured as a success story on ET NOW. 

LMAI to conduct its first ever stay in conference in Goa in July..

Organised on the lines of the Asian Flexographic Technical Association (AFTA) conference  held every year in various locations in Asia, the Label Manufacturers Association of India (LMAI) is all set to organize its first ever stay in conference in Goa in July. To be held from 29-31 July 2011 at the Hotel Park Hyatt in Goa, the LMAI conference will bring in the best minds in the country to discuss their expertise in providing the right solution for flexography. 

The experts will also discuss case-studies at the conference that will help throw more light on a particular solution. At the same time, LMAI will also be coming out with its Members directory that will be released during the conference. 

According to Sandeep Zaveri of LMAI, "This is an opportunity to not only listen to what industry leaders have to say at the conference but also gain insights into the latest technology and future trends. The conference will examine a wide variety of strategies and practices - right from pre-press, printing, post-press, material handling to management in the label printing industry. "
This is also a good opportunity to learn as well as network with your peers in the industry as you join the industry bandwagon at its largest gathering and benefit from its combined knowledge and experience and build new relations to grow your business. Registrations for the conference are in full swing and already a good number of delegates have already registered. Seating is strictly limited, so don’t put off registering till the last moment. Hurry!!

Labels India is an official media partner for the LMAI conference.