PACKAGING BRIEFS Tuesday, March 29

New Jersey Packaging Executives Club to hold speed networking event
The New Jersey Packaging and Executives Club (NJPEC) will hold a social/speed networking event on April 7, 2011, at the Hanover Marriot in Whippany, NJ. The event will be hosted by social media marketing consultant and coach Deborah Smith, who has been using Web-based resources for marketing and networking purposes since 1998. She also erves as in-house social media strategist for several marketing companies, and is a certified LinkedIn instructor. Topics to be addressed include: Using search engines with key words to find ideal contacts; Blogging to dominate search engines and showcase products; and new trends in business-to-consumer marketing.

Diane Teer to lead MWV's food packaging business

MeadWestvaco Corp. announced that Ms. Diane Teer has been selected as the new president of the food packaging business where she will lead growth strategies, including building strong partnerships with food customers and driving innovative "shopper ready" solutions across retail grocery channels.

Intl. Paper announces strategic entry into India
Intl. Paper has entered into agreements with L.N. Bangur, and related family members and affiliates to purchase approximately 53.5 percent of the outstanding shares of Andhra Pradesh Paper Mills Limited for approximately US$257 million in cash. In addition, International Paper has agreed to a US$62 million non-compete payment to the sellers.

Ardagh Group acquires Fi.Par

Ardagh Group today announced that it has agreed to acquire Finanziaria di Partecipazioni Industriali S.p.A., ('Fi.Par'), subject to certain conditions. Fi Par is a group engaged in the production of metal packaging for the food and aerosol markets in Italy and Greece.

Labelexpo launches summit in South Africa

The Labelexpo Global Series has announced a new event, Label Summit Africa 2012, which will focus on the growing African label and package printing market. The conference and table-top exhibition will take place on March 19-20, 2012, at the Westin Hotel in Cape Town.

Assn. names SpecMetrix Systems from Sensory Analytics Technology of the Year
The Assn of Intl. Metallizers, Coaters and Laminators named SpecMetrix systems from Sensory Analytics, LLC Technology of the Year at its 2011 Annual Management Meeting. Greg Frisby, packaging industry manager of Sensory Analytics said, "Sensory is honored that our exclusive SpecMetrix In-line and Lab systems have been recognized by the leading global coating, laminating and metalizing trade association as their Technology of the Year. The proven ability of SpecMetrix systems to help manufacturers and converters reduce their coating related costs while increasing production throughput and quality have helped to drive Sensory's rapid expansion within the packaging market." 

Casey Container ups order for manufacturing equipment at biodegradable preform plant
Casey Container Corp., a designer and custom manufacturer of biodegradable PET plastic preforms, has increased its initial order for preform manufacturing equipment for its first biodegradable preform facility in order to meet estimated increased demand for its preform products. The additional equipment will enable the company to double the number of performs that can be manufactured. 

IP to consolidate xpedx, Western Paper and Zellerbach under xpedx brand in Salt Lake City
Intl. Paper (IP) will consolidate its xpedx, Western Paper Co. and Zellerbach operations in Salt Lake City, Utah, under the xpedx brand effective April 4, 2011. Sales and customer service employees from Western Paper Co. and Zellerbach will move to the current xpedx facility at 3700 West 1987 South on April 4.