PACKAGING BRIEFS Tuesday, June 28

Cascades' investment tohelp create 180 new jobs in New York State

Cascades Inc. announces that its Norampac division willinvest in Greenpac Mill LLC, a created with theCaisse de dépôt et placement du Québec Jamestown Container and one other industry partner.Greenpac will construct and operate a state of the art containerboard mill to manufacturea light weight linerboard, made with 100 percent recycled fibers, on a single machinehaving a width of 328 in. (8.33 meters) with an annual production capacityof 540,000 short tons. The Greenpac mill will be constructed for a total costof US$430 million on property located adjacent to an existing Norampac facilityin Niagara Falls, NY. The construction of the mill is expected to create 108new jobs in the State of New York, as well as contribute to the economicaldevelopment of the region.

Berry Plastics finishedmulti-million dollar expansion of manufacturing plant in Iowa

Berry Plastics Corp. finishes $8.8 million dollar expansionof its manufacturing facility in 19101 Kapp Drive, Peosta, IA. Berry Plastics,headquartered in Evansville, Ind., is a $5 billion global packagingmanufacturer with more than 90 facilities and 17,000 employees.         

OpenGate Capitalcompletes Cascades boxboard-manufacturing acquisition

OpenGate Capital, a global private equity firm, hascompleted its acquisition of two boxboard-manufacturing subsidiaries ofCascades Inc. The two subsidiaries will operate under the unified brand name,Fusion Paperboard, and will continue conducting business from Hebron, KY, andVersailles, CT, with existing management.

O-I announces newsenior vice president and chief human resources officer

Owens-Illinois Inc. has named Paul Jarrell the company's newsenior vice president and chief human resources officer. Jarrell succeeds SteveMalia, who retired at the end of May.

SGP certifies firstCanadian print facility

Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP), a non-profitorganization providing sustainability certification in the graphiccommunications industry announces today that PolyCello of Amherst, NS is thefirst Canadian print facility to be SGP certified.

MeadWestvaco Corp. toinvest $285 million in Covington, VA, plant

MeadWestvaco Corp. will invest $285 million toconstruct a new, state-of-the-art biomass boiler and upgrade associated powerinfrastructure at its facility in the City of Covington. The project allows theplant to become self-sufficient in energy production and significantly reducesongoing operating and maintenance costs. The new boiler and related systemswill replace two older and less cost-efficient fossil fuel units, and willprimarily burn renewable biomass such as tree bark, wood residues often leftbehind from logging operations, and water treatment plant residuals.

Multivac honored with2010 Spirit of Excellence Award by Hormel Foods

For a sixth consecutive year, Multivac has won the Spirit ofExcellence Award from Hormel Foods. The award was officially presented byofficials from Hormel Foods at Multivac's US headquarters in Kansas City, MO, onJune 24. Hormel Foods suppliers are given the Spirit of Excellence award eachyear in recognition of taking a proactive role in meeting or surpassingspecific requirements established by the company's supplier quality managementcommittee. Eligible companies were selected based on delivery performance,product quality, customer service, administration and plant quality audits

Kodak helps Cosalcocelebrate 25 years of service in Central America

For 25 years, Cosalco has been serving Costa Rica andCentral America as a leading distributor of flexographic printing and packagingsolutions. The company recently celebrated this 25-year milestone with athree-day event that featured a variety of educational presentations from itspartners in flexo presses, plates, materials, inks, and related products. Dr.John Anderson, packaging segment director for the Americas, Kodak, kicked offthe event as keynote speaker, talking about trends in the flexo market and theadvantages of Kodak's packaging portfolio. Anderson described Kodak'sintegrated approach for flexo customers, including professional services,portal products, workflow, and proofing for offset, digital and flexosolutions.

Anthem Worldwide winssix Silver PAC Leadership Awards for packaging design

Anthem Worldwide, the strategic design division of Schawk, announcedthat its Toronto office has been distinguished with six Silver PAC LeadershipAwards from PAC - The Packaging Assn. The awards recognize the leaders ofpackaging and the value of graphic and technical design as well assustainability best practices. 

Intelsius announces donation partnership with Orcaforthe conservation of whales and dolphins

As part of its commitment to preserving the environment,including the planets wildlife, Intelsius, a global manufacturer anddistributor of sustainable, temperature-controlled and regulatory-compliantpackaging solutions, will donate proceeds from every Intelsius OrcaTherm and OrcaThermLite unit sold to ORCA, a leading whale and dolphin conservation charity.

CryoPort names RobertStefanovich as CFO, expands sales and marketing team

CryoPort Inc., developer of a, proprietary,technology-driven transport and packaging system that is designed to replacedry ice for the frozen shipping market in the growing global life scienceindustry,  has named Robert S. Stefanovic,as chief financial officer, treasurer and corporate secretary.  Mr. Stefanovich has 20 years of experience infinancial management, including more than a decade as a senior level financialexecutive in the healthcare and technology industries. Most recently, Stefanovichserved as chief financial officer of Novalar Pharmaceuticals, Inc., aventure-backed specialty pharmaceutical company. The company also announcedthat it has expanded its sales and marketing team with the addition of twosenior sales directors, Curt Kole and Timothy McClatchy.  Kole will manage the Northeast region; McClatchy,who will manage the Southeast region.

Nordson Corp. toacquire flexible packaging equipment manufacturer Verbruggen

Nordson Corp. has entered an agreement to acquire Temse,Belgium-based Constructiewerkhuizen G. Verbruggen NV, a manufacturer of flatdies and coextrusion equipment for the multi-layer flexible packagingindustry.  

Sherpa ClinicalPackaging announces California FDB inspection results for new San Diego facility

Sherpa ClinicalPackaging LLC , a privately held provider of Clinical Trial Material managementservices, has successfully completed its required GMP inspection by theCalifornia Food and Drug Branch (FDB) of the California Department of PublicHealth.  Sherpa's offers servicesincluding packaging, labeling, distribution and returns for pharmaceutical,biotechnology, medical device and dietary supplement companies. Sherpa ClinicalPackaging reports that the Investigator did not produce any notice of violations,which is the agency's highest positive commendation

Mr. ShrinkwrapProtective Services, Inc. celebrates the 20th anniversary

Mr. Shrinkwrap Protective Services, Inc. a commercial andindustrial packaging and protective covering company celebrates the 20thanniversary of the company's founding. Since 1991 under the direction ofcompany founder Dave Baker, Mr. Shrinkwrap has evolved from a local boatcovering service, to a thriving service and supply operation with a nationalscope, offering on-site shrink wrap services and becoming a leading distributorof shrink film, heat guns, shrink wrap tape, preservation tape and shrink wrapsupplies.

Menasha Packaging installsflexo folder gluer at Lakeville facility

Menasha Packaging has  installed a four-color Isowa Flexo FolderGluer at their facility in Lakeville, MN. With quick set-up times and fast runspeeds, the new equipment will help Menasha support its customers' need for alean supply chain and inventory control. The company also expects to increaseconversion capacity by 30 percent.

New president namedfor Crown Aerosol Packaging North America

Crown Holdings Inc. announces that C. Anderson (Andy) Boltonhas been named president, Crown Aerosol Packaging North America. He previouslyserved as vp/GM -- strategic accounts at Amcor Rigid Plastics North America andsucceeds Jim Wilson, who was promoted to president, Crown Food Packaging NorthAmerica earlier this year.

Coca-Cola's ScottVitters to headline IoPP conference sessions at PACK EXPO

IoPP announces that Scott Vitters, sustainable packagingdirector at the Coca-Cola Co., will headline IoPP conference sessions at PACKEXPO. Vitters' presentation will provide an update on what's next insustainable packaging best practices-from the giant beverage company whoseapproach to green packaging initiatives is among the best in consumer packagedgoods.

Eastman to acquireSterling Chemicals

Eastman Chemical Co. has entered into a definitive mergeragreement to acquire Sterling Chemicals, Inc., a single-site North Americanpetrochemical producer, for $100 million in cash, subject to modest deductionsat closing as provided in the merger agreement. Eastman plans to modify andrestart Sterling's currently idled plasticizer manufacturing facility toproduce non-phthalate plasticizers, including Eastman 168 non-phthalateplasticizers. This additional capacity will enable the company's performancechemicals and intermediates (PCI) segment to serve the growing market demandfor non-phthalate alternatives. In the North American and Europeannon-phthalate plasticizers markets, total sales volume is expected to increaseat a compounded annual rate of approximately 7 percent over the next fiveyears.

Ready Pac hires saladmarketing director

Ready Pac Foods, Inc.names Bryan Jaynes as its new marketing director, salad. Reporting directly toBarbara Dan, Ready Pac's vp of marketing and R&D, Bryan brings close to 20years of marketing experience in both retail and foodservice channels,including leadership on both branded and private label products.  Most recently, Bryan was the director ofmarketing for the SeaPak brand of seafood for Rich Products Corp..  Prior to that, he held increasinglyresponsible positions with Aurora Foods, Anheuser-Busch and D'Arcy Advertising.

xpedx earns EnergyStar in Atlanta and Denver Locations

xpedx has earned the Energy Star at its locations in Atlantaand Denver and has also been named as an Energy Star partner. To earn the EnergyStar designation, the Atlanta and Denver sites scored in the top 25 percent ofsimilar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency, based on the U.S. EPA'senergy performance rating system. Qualified facilities meet strict energyperformance standards, use less energy, are less expensive to operate and causefewer greenhouse gas emissions than peer facilities. They save money andprotect the environment.

Crown takes homethree prizes from Worldstar Awards

At the 2010 WorldStar Packaging  Award Ceremony, the European business unitsof Crown Holdings Inc. received one of the event's top prizes as well as twoadditional awards. Crown Bevcan Europe and Middle East received a double honorfor its innovative 360 full aperture end, winning both a Bronze President'sWorldStar Award and a prize in the Beverage category. Crown Specialty Packagingwas recognized in the Food Category for the decorated metal tins developed fora Swiss spice brand.

Good Time Beveragesnames new GM

Good Time Beverages hasexpanded its management team with the addition of new GM Gary A. Graham. In hisnew position, Graham is responsible for all plant operations, shipping andprocessing of Good Time Beverages' innovative, portable cocktail products. Overthe course of his career, Mr. Graham has held senior-level operations andproduction management positions with companies such as Westridge Laboratories,Gordon Laboratories Inc., Cosmedx Science Inc./Earth Science Inc., AdvancedCosmetic Research Labs, Aware Products Inc., Bocchi Laboratories, and ImageLaboratories.

Emerald PackagingInc. names new business strategy director

Industry veteran JimBurden has signed on with Emerald Packaging Inc., a Union City, CA, flexiblepackaging company as business strategy director. The company says that the newposition was created specifically to leverage Burden's talents and he willmanage a variety of responsibilities including forecasting company productionand raw material needs, working with the production plant to develop operatingmetrics, assisting the operations team on lean manufacturing initiatives, andcollaborating with sales to identify markets for Emerald's continuedgrowth.  Jim spent eight years at DeluxePackages in Yuba City, CA. where he had general management responsibilities andwas most recently director of purchasing. He has more than 30 years experience in the packaging industry and hasoverseen a blown film operation for Mobil Chemical and was the GM of ZimmerCustom-Made Packaging's west coast facility. 

Intl HologramManufacturers Assn. issues call for nominations for its awards contest

The Intl Hologram Manufacturers Association's (IHMA) isaccepting applications from companies and individuals for the 2011 IHMAHolography Awards through August 31, 2011. Winning nominations must be forhologram projects involving commercial production after August 1, Anyoneinvolved in a hologram project can enter while others can nominate holographicprojects for an award as long as they provide details of the user or producerof the hologram.  

PolyOne Distribution announcesglobal expansion into China, focus on healthcare solutions

PolyOne announcesplans to open a new polymer distribution warehouseand sales facility on July 1 in Shanghai, China. The new distribution centerwill be focused on serving healthcare customers in the area. This marks thefirst entry point for PolyOne Distribution into Asia .

PTI establishes new,independent closure testing lab

Plastic Technologies Inc. (PTI) establishes a new closuretesting lab. Closure testing capabilities will include: application, top loadvent, removal torque, opening performance, secure seal, carbonation retention,impact, barrier, scavengers, lubricants and others. The lab will also include asingle-head capper to test reliable and reproducible capping, as well as avision system to measure critical dimensions and facilitate toolingevaluations.

Mettler Toledolaunches new GWP verification for increased weighing accuracy

Mettler Toledo has launched GWP Verification, a new serviceoffering that the company says manufacturing and lowers quality control costs.GWP Verification is designed to offer better weighing results, lower equipment-testingexpenses, and enhance final product consistency through a systematic, expertassessment and benchmarking of balance performance.

Triangle IncreasesPMMI Certified Training Staff

Triangle Package Machinery Company appoints Rich Charlestonas its newest PMMI Certified Trainer and field service technician. Charlestonhas extensive hands-on experience servicing v/f/f/s bag machines.

Sealed Air's Cryovac marketingand communications director named a top woman in the grocery industry

Meike Browning, director of marketing communications for SealedAir's Cryovac brand, was heralded as one of ProgressiveGrocer's Top Women in Grocery for 2011. Browning began her post with SealedAir's Cryovac brand in 2009, and has since implemented several successfulmarketing initiatives that have propelled the brand's level of differentiationin the marketplace. She also played a vital role in the launch of asustainability communications program to raise industry awareness of thebenefits of packaging in reducing food waste. The Top Women in Grocery for 2011were announced in the June issue of ProgressiveGrocer.

APPE increases outputand flexibility with new technology from Krones

APPE, the packaging division of LSB, is set to increaseoutput and enhance its flexibility to meet customers' requirements, followingits investment of around £1.5m in the installation of the newly developedProShape production process from Krones. The new ProShape module is integratedinto Krones' current Contiform series and combines the blow-molding technologyof this existing system with a new module for orientation and selectivetemperature control of the preforms. The Contiform S8 installed at APPE'sGresford plant has eight cavities, with an output of up to 2,000 bottles/hourper cavity.

Dalim UsersOrganization conference deemed a success

Dalim Software, makers of scalable software solutions for thecreation, production and management of cross-media content, announces thattheir recently concluded US DUO (Dalim Users Organization) meeting at the AriaHotel in Las Vegas was a resounding success. Turnout exceeded attendance from2010, and the wide range of presenters and topics offered an extensive overviewof industry trends and product updates.

Rice Lake WeighingSystems opens European service center

Rice Lake Weighing Systems has opene  a fully staffed European distribution centerin Arnhem, Netherlands.

Nustream Graphic Inc.names as GMG color management solutions reseller

GMG, a developer and supplier of high-end color managementsoftware solutions, announces that Nustream Graphic Inc. has become a GMGreseller, representing GMG products throughout Canada.

Life CycleEngineering adds lean implementation services

In response to requests from its clients in manufacturingand process industries, Life Cycle Engineering has added lean implementationservices to its consulting and services offerings.

Helmut Schreiner winsLifetime Achievement Award

A panel of label industry experts has reviewed thenominations for the 2011 Label Industry Global Awards and is pleased toannounce the winner of the R. Stanton Avery Lifetime Achievement Award asHelmut Schreiner, executive manager and owner of the Schreiner Group. Thejudging panel convened during the recent FinatCongress in Sicily and selectedSchreiner from a number of high-caliber nominations. The award is sponsored byAvery Dennison.

The Schreiner Group is a global provider of functionallabels with a turnover of €110m and more than 720 employees from his factoriesin Europe and the USA. Under Helmut Schreiner's charismatic leadership thegroup has become a world-leading innovator within the label industry,developing new technologies and applications in areas that includeelectro-luminescent labels, printronics, RFID and anti-counterfeittechnologies.