PACKAGING BRIEFS Thursday, March 10

ICE USA exceeds 250 exhibiting companies
More than 250 exhibitors have signed up for the inaugural ICE USA in Orlando on April 6-8, 2011. According to the show management company, the show has sold 50,000 sq ft of exhibit space-making ICE USA the largest converting-exclusive event in North America since 2007. Several of the exhibitors will be showcasing equipment on the show floor, including New Era, Comexi, Kampf, Ashe, Jennerjahn, Atlas, Deacro, Soma, Guidolin and CMC Cevenini.

Yaskawa names new CEO
Yaskawa America Inc., Waukegan, IL, names Masahiro Ogawa as its new CEO. Ogawa has worked at Yaskawa for 24 years, most recently he was the v.p. of research and development for the Yaskawa Robotics Division in Japan.He led the company's development of the world's first dual-arm robot, as a high volume product. Ogawa also spearheaded efforts to develop a state-of-the-art spot-welding robot setting an industry standard for functionality. Ogawa replaces Gen Kudo who retired.

Menasha Packaging announces $10M Pennsylvania expansion
Menasha Packaging plans to spend $10 million in capital improvements at its 300,000 sq-ft foot packaging and display plant over the next 12 months. In addition, the company expects the expansion to increase plant capacity by 35 percent.

Mark Andy Inc. successfully hosts first 2011 Harper Road Show
The 2011 inaugural Harper Road Show held at the Mark Andy Inc. campus in Chesterfield, Missouri, was attended by 70 attendees representing converters and suppliers from across the Midwest. The focus of the day was Short Run Flexo and presentations and demonstrations focused on increasing converter profits for short run work using flexo technology. Presentations were provided by Harper Corp., Actega WIT, FLXON, RotoMetrics, 3M and DuPont, with technical information for converters on how to efficiently increase short run productivity throughout the in-line flexo press workflow.

Dominion-Carolina Sales Inc. wins Eriez Merwin sales award
Dominion-Carolina Sales, Inc. of High Point, North Carolina, has earned the 2010 Eriez Merwin Award. Eriez presents this award each year to its most outstanding U.S. field sales office. Dominion-Carolina has been representing Eriez for more than 60 years. The current Dominion-Carolina team includes Jeffrey A. Carr, Brenda Carr, J. Dale Grimsley, Janet Shackleford, Andrew Harris, Ralph Brandstaetter and Leon Richardson. Dominion-Carolina previously won the Merwin Award in 2000. 2010 marks the fifth straight year the Dominion-Carolina team has successfully exceeded their sales goal.