Packaging Briefs 530

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2009
Silgan Elects Adam J. Greenlee Chief Operating OfficerSilgan Holdings Inc. announced that Adam J. Greenlee has been elected as Chief Operating Officer of the Company. In addition to serving as COO, Mr. Greenlee will continue in his position as Executive Vice President of the Company and as a member of the Executive Office.www.silgan.com 


International Paper facility named HAVIPerseco Quality Supplier of the YearInternational Paper’s Shelbyville, Ill., foodservice facility was recently named the named HAVIPerseco Quality Supplier of the Year for its work with McDonald’s. The Shelbyville team was selected for the award out of the 140 suppliers that HAVIPerseco works with to supply the McDonald’s system. The award was based on outstanding performance in the areas of quality, sales, customer service and manufacturing excellence.As one of the suppliers of cold cups and lids for McDonald’s restaurants around the country, the Shelbyville team has achieved “best-in-class” status on McDonald’s supplier scorecard for the past three years.internationalpaper.com
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2009
Graham Packaging finalizes minority ownership
In PPI Blowpack Pvt. Ltd. in Mumbai, IndiaGraham Packaging Company, L.P., and PPI Blowpack Pvt. Ltd., have formally consummated a transaction giving Graham Packaging a minority ownership interest in the Indian container manufacturing company based in Mumbai. No terms of the transaction were announced. The new company will be called Graham Blowpack Pvt. Ltd.The two companies originally announced a tentative deal in February. Executives in both organizations described it as an advantageous match of Graham Packaging’s blowmolding technology, design strengths, and focus on quality and PPI Blowpack’s market knowledge, strong management, and technical capabilities.www.grahampackaging.com
Fife Corp. celebrates 70 years of industry serviceOklahoma City, OK – Fife Corp., an industry leader in the manufacture and engineering of web-guiding systems, celebrates 70 years of success in the web-handling industry with a commitment to continuous product improvement and education.Over the years, Fife has revolutionized the web-guiding industry with advanced controls and electromechanical technology. Today, Fife Corp. continues to work closely with customers to engineer truly innovative products like the D-MAX web-guiding system with open architecture and networking as well as TruWide; the only ultrasonic sensor that can see multiple edges at one time. Read Morewww.fife.com


EVAL Americas introduces new spray retort capability
to enable faster testing of retortable packagingGiving packaging converters a faster and more effective means of testing prototypes under the most severe conditions, EVAL Americas, a subsidiary of Kuraray, Ltd. of Japan, announced it recently modified its Allpax 2402 retort chamber to include a hot water spray feature.Converters can now test their retortable packaging in three modes: steam, water immersion and hot water spray. The last mode enables material tests at temperatures of up to 130 degrees Celsius.The retort chamber is located in EVAL Americas' Kuraray Research and Technical Center in Pasadena, Texas. The cost of modifying the chamber was nearly $100,000.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2009
Rollprint opens new prototype lab for 
pharma, medical disposable productsRollprint Packaging Products, Inc. has opened a new prototype laboratory designed to provide pharmaceutical and medical disposal manufacturers with state-of-the-art packaging support.One of the components of the new prototype lab is a commercial Multivac® thermoforming unit. Coupled with the lab’s tray sealers, Rollprint will now be able to test a wide variety of thermoformed tray/lidding combinations. The lab also has cold form foil packaging and pouch-making capabilities.In the area of cold-formed foil packages, Rollprint is providing prototyping capability for products which generally require a higher barrier level. This includes moisture-sensitive products such as dissolvable sutures, diagnostic devices or liquids which maintain their properties by eliminating oxygen ingress. Cold formed foil packages are frequently accompanied by peelable or weld-seal foil, depending on opening criteria.The company is also able to seal lidding to preformed rigid tray prototypes with vacuum and/or gas flushing. Rounding out the lab is a retort/autoclave unit and container abuse test equipment.www.rollprint.com
Graphic Packaging increases prices on coated and uncoated recycled boardGraphic Packaging International, Inc., a subsidiary of Graphic Packaging Holding Company has announced a $40 per ton price increase for its coated recycled board (CRB) and uncoated recycled board (URB) to offset rapidly escalating recycled fiber costs and steady increases on other input costs. The price increase will be effective with shipments on or after September 1, 2009, and will apply to all grades supplied by mills in Pekin, IL; Middletown, OH; Kalamazoo, MI; Battle Creek, MI; Philadelphia, PA; Wabash, IN and Santa Clara, CA.www.graphicpkg.com

Beckhoff Automation opens sales and engineering center in Charlotte, N.C.Beckhoff Automation is opening a new Sales and Engineering Center in Charlotte, N.C. The expansion comes as a response to heightened demand from Beckhoff customers in North Carolina and South Carolina for training courses, technical support and sales support.Beckhoff Automation has also hired Ron Pryor as a Customer Service Engineer and Les Queen as an Application Engineer - both are now based at the Charlotte office. Ron Pryor worked previously for ATS Carolina and has a wealth of PLC, HMI and motion control experience to draw upon. Les Queen joined Beckhoff after working for Cross Automation and running his own systems integration company. He is highly skilled in developing product training courses and will be tasked with teaching classes at Beckhoff’s Charlotte and Atlanta area facilities.Beckhoff’s Charlotte facility is located near industrial sections of the Charlotte metro area and is a short distance from Charlotte Douglass International Airport and downtown. Measuring over 3,000 square feet, the office features engineering, sales and administration areas and a training room.www.beckhoff.com
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2009
Klöckner Pentaplast expands blown film capabilities 
at Beaver PlantThe Klöckner Pentaplast Group announced that it will upgrade its North American production capabilities for blown A/MA/B barrier films (commonly known as Barex® barrier films). Blown A/MA/B barrier films are used primarily as a product contact layer due to their chemically resistant properties, barrier properties, and functionality as a heat sealing media for flexible packaging. They are ideal for pouch applications such as packaging for transdermal patches and promotional product samples.The A/MA/B blown film production line will continue to be located at the company’s Beaver, West Virginia, USA, manufacturing facility. Klöckner Pentaplast is said to be the only U.S. producer of blown A/MA/B barrier film.The new technology upgrades to the current line will allow Klöckner Pentaplast to offer a wide range of capabilities to support packaging of new drug delivery systems, which require thinner gauges and precise profile control. These technology modifications will improve lay flat and thickness uniformity, which are critical to new application development, conversion equipment, and high-speed filling machinery.“This technology upgrade will enable us to continue to support our customers’ growing demand for high-quality blown A/MA/B barrier films while expanding our offerings to the marketplace,” notes Michael Tubridy, president and COO of Klöckner Pentaplast/Americas.The $500,000 USD investment is targeted for completion by September 2009.www.kpfilms.com 

Lexmark expands relationship with Primera Technology 
to enable in-house label printingLexmark International, Inc. (NYSE: LXK) today announced it has expanded its collaboration with specialty printer manufacturer Primera Technology, Inc., to include Lexmark’s award-winning color laser print engines and consumables, making in-house, high-volume label printing affordable."Since 1998, Lexmark inkjet solutions have helped us differentiate our products and services in a competitive marketplace," said Mark D. Strobel, Primera’s vice president of sales and marketing. "By utilizing Lexmark's color laser technology, we are able to deliver the best quality and performance possible in a wide range of products and categories with the first of these products being the CX1200 Digital Label Press."The CX1200 is intended for use by label houses, print shops and other print service providers as well as manufacturers of all types. It prints full-color labels in a convenient roll-to-roll configuration and enables businesses to print labels on demand. Priced at $18,995*, the CX1200 prints at 16.25 feet per minute, with up to 1,250 feet printed per roll.Primera will be demonstrating the CX1200 at the following trade shows.Print ’09: Sept. 11-16, 2009 - McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago Pack Expo: Oct. 5-7, 2009 - Las Vegas Convention Center SGIA Expo: Oct. 7-9, 2009 - Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleanswww.lexmark.com
Ball names Michael Hranicka Executive VP and COO,
North American metal beverage packaging operationsBall Corporation announced that Michael L. Hranicka has been named executive vice president and chief operating officer for the company’s North American metal beverage packaging operations.Hranicka joined Ball in 2005 and has been senior vice president, sales and marketing, for Ball’s metal food and household products packaging, Americas, business since 2007. Initially he will report to John R. Friedery who has announced his intention to leave the company early in 2010, after which Hranicka will report to John A. Hayes, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Ball Corporation.“Michael Hranicka has a strong commercial focus and excellent leadership skills,” Hayes said. “His emphasis on being truly close to our customers in all of the ways we interact with them, combined with his disciplined, systematic approach to processes, will serve him and the corporation well in his new position. He and John Friedery will work closely on a smooth transition over the coming months.”www.ball.com 

RockTenn announces price increasesRockTenn announced a $40 per ton price increase on all grades of coated and uncoated recycled paperboard. These price increases are effective with shipments on September 10, 2009.www.rocktenn.com 

Boise unveils new line of flexible packaging papersBoise Inc. introduces new Boise® Block™, a treated paper used to hold out oil and grease in food packaging applications. This new product family expands Boise's leading portfolio of tailored coated and uncoated products for the flexible packaging industry.Boise BLOCK extends Boise's product capability in oil and grease resistant papers by providing higher oil and grease hold out than is currently offered in the Boise EcoOGR™ product line. Boise BLOCK is PFOA free and works in low, medium, and high oil and grease hold out end uses.Boise BLOCK 5 and Boise BLOCK 7 provide converters with a new alternative to meet their customers' increasing and ever-changing flexible packaging needs. Boise BLOCK 5 provides an ideal option for end uses requiring a moderate level of oil and grease hold out including sandwich, hamburger, and taco wraps; basket liners; and take out bags. Boise BLOCK 7 is great for applications requiring a higher oil and grease hold out. This product is the ideal option for french fry pouches, hash brown pouches, clamshell liners, and higher grease sandwich applications.Key benefits of Boise BLOCK include PFOA free, consistent quality for efficient runnability, excellent flexographic print surface, and FDA-approval for direct food contact. Boise has strengthened this product line by offering customers the option of sustainability attributes including chain of custody certification and the addition of unbleached fiber content.Boise will continue to offer the Boise EcoOGR product line for low oil and grease hold out end uses. Boise EcoOGR is a fluorocarbon-free, natural-based alternative to traditional synthetic based oil and grease resistant products.www.BoiseFlexiblePackaging.com
 Horn Packaging acquires Worldwide Crating CorporationPeter H. Hamilton, CEO of Horn Packaging Corporation and David R. Gomer, President of Horn International Packaging, Inc., announced that Horn has acquired Worldwide Crating Corporation. This acquisition will enhance Horn's ability to serve its Fortune 1000 clients in the custom packaging, shipping and freight forwarding of specialty goods both domestically and internationally.The acquisition will see Worldwide Crating's operations moved from Tewksbury to the Horn International packing facilities in Billerica. Robert Robar, President of Worldwide Crating, will join David Gomer, and the Horn sales team."I am pleased that Bob Robar will join us here to expand our business," said Gomer. "His expertise can help grow Horn International Packaging and allow us to accommodate New England's growing export markets."www.horninternational.com


MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2009
Labelmaster debuts website with enhanced buying experience

Labelmaster, a manufacturer and distributor of regulatory compliance products, has just launched a newly redesigned website with an improved customer buying experience at www.labelmaster.com. The company, a total compliance resource, is a major supplier of hazardous materials compliance products including labels, placards, UN packaging, regulatory books, shipping supplies, spill control, software and workplace safety products for facility management and material handling needs."Since we offer over 25,000 products to choose from, our goal in revamping the website is to provide visitors and customers with an intuitive tool that makes it easier to find what they are looking for," says Dwight Curtis, Labelmaster president.The comprehensive redesign has produced a fresh look with an improved customer experience with added functionality for ease of use. The redesigned website offers simplified navigation, improved usability and enhanced customer support. Customers will be able to access products and information more quickly and easily. 
www.labelmaster.com


Altra Industrial Motion launches new website 
for food and beverage industryAltra Industrial Motion announced it has launched a new website, www.AltraFoodAndBeverage.com, that provides engineers and professionals in the global food and beverage industry with a comprehensive resource for application-specific power transmission and motion control solutions.The website offers convenient access to the leading Altra brands and Altra engineered products such as enclosed gearing, clutches and brakes, couplings, sheaves, and capping headsets which provide the reliable performance vital to the flow of production in food processing and bottling environments. including caustic washdown applications.The new on-line resource is organized into 7 application-specific categories including meat and poultry, bottling and capping, bakery and snacks, dairy, candy and confectionary, fruits and vegetables, and canned goods.Within the application categories are products, photos, features and benefits of each Altra brand solution that can be applied to improve operational efficiency, productivity, speed and reliability.Internet links are provided to the Altra brands highlighted on the website, including Boston Gear, Warner Electric, TB Wood’s, Formsprag Clutch, Warner Linear, Huco Dynatork, and Kilian Manufacturing. Another link is provided to a Literature Portal with information grouped by brand, product family, and market served.“We wanted to provide OEMs and end-users with a website that makes it easy for engineers, working in the food and beverage market, to find application-specific power transmission and motion control solutions,” said Altra Director of Marketing David Brooksbank.In addition to directly visiting www.AltraFoodAndBeverage.com, the website can also be accessed by visiting Altra’s corporate website, www.AltraMotion.com, and selecting the drop-down menu at Altra Market Websites.www.AltraMotion.com
August 3 – 7 Supplier News 

July 27 – 31 Supplier News

July 20 – 24 Supplier News

July 13 – 17 Supplier News.