Many of the products used for medical treatments consist of numerous individual parts.

100% recyclable corrugate
Sustainable alternative to single-use plastic
Complete solution for bottle multi-packs
Blue Box Partners, the pan-European Alliance of suppliers for corrugated board packaging solutions, has launched ECOGRIP, a corrugated alternative to shrink wrap for the multi-packing of a wide range of bottles that builds on the growing consumer demand for sustainable packaging. 
Research has shown retailers and consumers are wanting more sustainable packaging solutions when they make purchasing decisions. Moreover, the EU’s single-use plastic (SUP) Directive, which came into force on 3rd July 2019, aims to reduce the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. This has caused large brands and manufacturers to re-evaluate their packaging strategies and seek out alternatives.
ECOGRIP is designed to replace single-use shrink-wrap plastic for bottles between 330ml and 1.5 litres, providing a recyclable and biodegradable corrugate solution for multi-packs. Adaptable to the many different bottle styles on the market regardless of diameter, it provides brands, retailers and consumers with a sustainable multi-packing solution for four, six or eight bottles. 
The ergonomic design makes it easy to transport, handle and store and the corrugated board can be customised through a variety of print technologies for maximum brand and on-shelf impact. 
“Every business is now focused on sustainability,” said Armin Höttges, managing director at Blue Box Partners. 

“While we continue to see improvements in recycling rates for many packaging products, secondary packaging such as shrink-wrap falls into the category of single-use plastic which can create issues if not disposed of responsibly. 
“This has resulted in considerable pressure from governments, environmental groups and consumers - all of whom are demanding packaging which is more sustainable and the launch of ECOGRIP now delivers a solution for brands that want an effective multi-packing option.”
Blue Box Partners is the alliance of VPK Group, Klingele Paper and Packaging Group, Hinojosa and Cart-One, who together offer expertise and collective intelligence, delivering local solutions across Europe. Working with brands to develop packaging solutions that not only solve their current issues around single-use plastic, but also provide sustainable packaging solutions for the long term, the launch of ECOGRIP is the perfect example of the partnership.
Available through all Blue Box Partners members and with both manual and automated packing options, ECOGRIP provides consumers, retailers and brand owners with a complete solution for the sustainable multi-packing of bottles. 

Ends

About Blue Box Partners
www.blueboxpartners.eu 
Blue Box Partners provides customers with optimal supplies of corrugated and paper packaging, delivering tailored support and service at a pan-European level.
Established in 2006 as a customer-orientated alliance of four family-owned businesses: VPK Group (Belgium), Klingele Paper & Packaging Group (Germany), Hinojosa Packaging Solutions (Spain) and CART-ONE (Italy), Blue Box Partners is driven by a united philosophy and strategy, focusing on the establishment of long-term, sustainable relationships with its customers and employees. 
The alliance has a significant standing in the European packaging market with 100 production facilities, 8 paper mills, a production capacity of 4.7 billion square metres of corrugated board, a paper production of 1.55 million tons and a turnover of around €2.8 billion.
For BBP enquiries please contact:
Sally Cousins, Marketing and Communications Manager (UK & Ireland)
Tel: +44 1536 765042 
Mobile: + 44 7973 731077
Email. sally.cousins@vpkgroup.com 

For media enquiries please contact:
Simon Wildash at Nielsen McAllister
Tel: +44 1332 293939
Email: info@nmpr.co.uk  

Essentra Tapes is to showcase findings from its latest consumer survey at the ‘Packaging Insight’ webinar hosted by ThePackHub on 16th February 2021. 

From identifying the packs that frustrate and delight us to understanding the features consumers value, the views of 1000 members of public from across the UK will be shared, highlighting key insights around packaging functionality, and demonstrating the role it plays in all our lives.

These latest findings will also provide an interesting comparison to Essentra’s previous research in 2013, showing how consumers’ views in some areas have changed and developed, particularly in the light of current trends regarding sustainability, the growth in e-commerce retailing and dealing with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The presentation will be made by Ian Beresford, Head of Marketing & Development at Essentra Tapes.

“Responding to consumer demands is absolutely essential to the success of the packaging sector and the development of products such as our easy opening and resealable tapes”, said Ian. 

“Our latest research builds on the consumer insight we shared previously and highlights the continued growing demand for functional packaging that is easy to use, sustainable and protects the goods we all buy.

“We are excited to share the research results at ThePackHub webinar and invite all those who are interested in finding out more about consumer attitudes to packaging to join us online at this free to attend event.”

The presentation will also be supported by the launch of a new White Paper which will provide more in-depth information on the survey’s findings and will be available for download after the event from the Essentra Tapes website.  

ThePackHub webinar takes place at 15:00 GMT on 16th February. Attendees are invited to book their free place in advance on ThePackHub’s website at www.thepackhub.com/events/webinars/. 
Ends
ABOUT ESSENTRA TAPES
https://www.essentra.com/en/capabilities/tapes

Essentra Tapes is part of Essentra plc and is a global provider of tapes that deliver benefits to consumers, combining easy opening and closing for a wide range of products with creative design & print to deliver brand communication and protection - all promoted under four core themes of Open, Close, Inform and Protect.

Significant experience in the field of security technologies also enables us to combine overt and covert security into our tapes to protect brands and products. Supported by a global manufacturing base, in-house design studio, R&D facilities and multi-million-pound print facilities, Essentra Tapes is positioned to deliver the very best in quality, service and reliability to help make customers’ and consumers’ lives easier. 

For Essentra Tapes sales enquiries please contact:
Tel: +44 (0)115 975-9000
Email:         sales@essentratapes.com
Website:     www.essentra.com/en/capabilities/tapes 
LinkedIn:     www.linkedin.com/showcase/essentra-tear-tapes/ 

For Essentra Tapes - media enquiries please contact:
Simon Wildash or Jack Readman, Nielsen McAllister 
Tel: +44 (0)1332 293939        
Email:           info@nmpr.co.uk 
 

Camden, NJ company fulfills holiday wish lists for two local families in need. 

Camden, NJ – Rondo-Pak, LLC/Contemporary Graphic Solutions, a leading provider of printed components and quality folding cartons for the pharmaceutical, medical device and consumer industries, is proud to have participated in The Salvation Army’s Adopt-A-Family Program this year at The Kroc Center in Camden, NJ. Each year, in addition to providing printed materials to the organization, the company participates in their programs to benefit the community.

The Adopt-A-Family annual program connects impoverished families with individuals or businesses to provide for their tangible needs during the holidays. Rondo-Pak/CGS had the honor of “adopting” two families and fulfilling their wish lists of items including toys, clothing, and household necessities. 

Account Executive, Alex Mocharnuk led the sponsorship from the Rondo-Pak/CGS team and rallied employees to participate by making contributions toward fulfilling both families’ Christmas lists. Each family – with five individuals each – received all items on their wish lists and more due to the efforts and generosity of many company employees.

CEO, Tim Moreton joined several members of the Rondo-Pak/CGS team in delivering of the holiday gifts to the Kroc Center. “What the Salvation Army does for the people of this community is heroic and humbling,” said Moreton. “There were gifts for 77 families, with over 400 individual family members, as part of this program. In addition, they provided two gifts each for more than 4,000 children. We are honored to have been a small contribution to such a worthy program for those in need in our local community.”
As a HUBZone company, Rondo-Pak/CGS has become an integral part of the Camden, New Jersey community. Over 50 percent of the company employees are residents of the community. This is one of the fundamental objectives of the HUBZone program – to promote job growth, capital investment and economic development in historically underutilized business zones or economically distressed communities. In addition to employing many Camden residents, Rondo-Pak/CGS actively contributes to worthy causes within the community, like The Salvation Army and The Kroc Center.
# # #
About Rondo-Pak
Rondo-Pak/Contemporary Graphic Solutions is a global print and packaging specialist whose unique blend of capabilities and forward thinking yields present-day solutions for tomorrow’s challenges. Strategically aligned with Körber Pharma to link packaging equipment, materials, and software, Rondo-Pak provides a comprehensive assortment of marketing and packaging solutions to address challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry, including global brand management, packaging efficiency, and supply chain optimization.

In combination with a wide range of printed materials such as inserts, leaflets, medication guides and regulated marketing materials, Rondo-Pak’s packaging innovations address precise requirements for compliance, child resistance, anti-counterfeiting, e-pedigree and more. For more information, visit www.rondopak.com.

client:    Rondo-Pak, LLC

contact:    Christopher Dale
    Turchette Agency
    (973) 227-8080, ext. 116
    cdale@turchette.com

    Rondo-Pak/Contemporary Graphic Solutions, LLC
    (800) 575-4238
    info@rondopak.com 

Exclusive, informative, secure and sustainable
Wolfertschwenden, 13 January 2021 – MULTIVAC is celebrating its 60 year anniversary in 2021, and it is marking the occasion with an informative series about current market trends and innovations. The packaging specialist is using the MULTIVAC Summit 2021 to initiate a new series of events on all aspects of food processing and packaging, which includes face-to-face events as well as virtual concepts. Among the main topics will be Sustainability & Digitalisation, Automation, Solutions for the Meat Processing Industry, Solutions for Bakeries, as well as Packaging solutions for Hand-crafted producers. The opening is marked by two events on the topics of Sustainability & Digitalisation and Solutions for the Meat Processing Industry, which take place in Wolfertschwenden, each starting on 8 March and 25 March 2021. Further information, as well as the opportunity to register, can be found at: https://link.multivac.com/summit2021
Each topic is offered over a period of four weeks as a face-to-face event in small groups under corona restrictions, taking place for one day at MULTIVAC headquarters (Wolfertschwenden) or at FRITSCH (Markt Einersheim) and TVI (Bruckmühl) – alternatively the content is available as a virtual event on the MULTIVAC City platform.
“Our series of events is intended as an invitation to our customers and other interested parties to engage in live discussions on current topics relevant to the sector and the future. In addition to practically based, live equipment demonstrations in our new Application Center, there will also be technical presentations and individual discussions with our experts,” explains Christian Traumann, Group President of MULTIVAC. 
The comprehensive program of events in our anniversary year 2021 is intended not only to provide a suitable platform for constructive dialogue, but also to make new packaging ideas tangible. “Despite the ongoing difficulties with the current situation, we want of course to continue giving our customers all the information about our new developments and the trends in the market,” adds Christian Traumann. 
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About MULTIVAC
MULTIVAC is one of the leading providers worldwide of packaging solutions for food products of all types, life science, and healthcare products, as well as industrial items. The MULTIVAC portfolio covers virtually all requirements of processors and producers in terms of pack design, output, and resource efficiency. It comprises a wide range of packaging technologies, as well as automation solutions, labellers, and quality control systems. The product range is rounded off with solutions upstream of the packaging process in the areas of portioning and processing, as well as bakery technology. Thanks to our extensive expertise in packaging lines, all modules can be integrated into complete solutions. This means that MULTIVAC solutions guarantee a high level of operational and process reliability, as well as efficiency. The MULTIVAC Group has approximately 6,500 employees worldwide, with some 2,300 based at its headquarters in Wolfertschwenden. With over 80 subsidiaries, the Group is represented on all continents. More than 1,000 sales advisors and service technicians throughout the world use their know-how and experience to the benefit of customers, and they ensure all installed MULTIVAC machines are utilised to their maximum. Further information can be found at: www.multivac.com. 

Company enquiries
MULTIVAC Sepp Haggenmüller SE & Co. KG
Tanja Nickels
Bahnhofstr. 4 
D-87787 Wolfertschwenden Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 8334 601 – 1544
E-mail: tanja.nickels@multivac.de
www.multivac.com

Press contact
REDAKON
Vera Sebastian
Seestr. 18
D-80802 Munich
Tel.: +49 (0) 89 – 31 20 338-21
E-mail: vera.sebastian@redakon.com 
  www.redakon.com
 

12 January 2021 – Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, received eight awards in three categories at this year's WorldStar Packaging awards. In this annual competition of the World Packaging Organisation, judges from 55 countries recognised achievements in packaging innovation and technologies worldwide, with a focus on sustainability, product protection and end-user convenience. 

"We are delighted to be recognised in this way. It proves that once more Mondi is the home of innovation for our customers. Our in-house design teams, together with our partners, deliver innovative, sustainable solutions to various industries. One example is e-commerce packaging, where we are setting new standards in innovation. Our focus here is on reducing costs, material waste and contributing to a better world," says Armand Schoonbrood, COO, Mondi Corrugated Solutions. 

"Mondi is a pioneer in making packaging sustainable by design. Our EcoSolutions approach means we always evaluate the most suitable option for our customers and the end-user, offering paper where possible, plastic when useful. Our broad range of product innovations helps our customers reach their sustainability goals. Many of these products were made possible thanks to the extensive collaboration with our customers, so being honoured with eight WorldStar awards shows we're moving in the right direction," says Peter Orisich, CEO of Mondi Flexible Packaging and Engineered Materials. 

The Mondi WorldStar Award winners are:

'Transit' category:
EnvelopeMailer - by Mondi Corrugated Solutions (Mondi Bupak, Czech Republic)
FloralBox - by Mondi Corrugated Solutions (Mondi Tire Kutsan, Turkey)
SupremeBox - by Mondi Corrugated Solutions (Mondi Warszawa, Poland)
BrakeBooster for aPak AB - by Mondi Corrugated Solutions (Mondi Ansbach, Germany)
BrightBox for aPak AB - by Mondi Corrugated Solutions (Mondi Ansbach, Germany)

'Packaging materials & components' category:
Mono-material film for thermoforming for Hütthaler -  by Mondi Consumer Flexibles 
PerFORMing for REWE Austria -  by Mondi Functional Paper and Films 

'Point of sale' category:
OnePiece -by Mondi Corrugated Solutions (Mondi Tire Kutsan, Turkey)

 /ends

Further details on the award-winning packaging innovations:

FloralBox 
FloralBox is an e-commerce solution offering a modular system to securely ship potted plants of different types and sizes and in various combinations. The one-for-all insert accommodates different protection needs, with consumers delighted by the pristine condition the plants arrive in alongside the positive unboxing experience.

EnvelopeMailer
The EnvelopeMailer is a hybrid solution. Thanks to its unique rigid construction, it can be shipped either flat or box-shaped and offers full flexibility with just a small number of packaging sizes (SKUs). The goods are always tightly enclosed and well protected. The mailer secures the products in place without additional protective material, and occupies minimal cargo space.

SupremeBox 
The 4-height SupremeBox offers an advanced market standard for faster and easier sizing of boxes while providing the benefits of an automatic bottom for tapeless closure and high protection.

BrakeBooster for aPak AB
BrakeBooster protects delicate car components during deliveries. The new construction offers better protection and a high degree of filling while considerably reducing weight, material usage, assembly time and space during transport.

BrightBox for aPak AB
BrightBox is a new packaging solution for deliveries of car headlights. With a more efficient and now 100% recyclable design, it offers safer and more reliable shipping, easier handling and better economics. 

PerFORMing
PerFORMing is a thermoformable paper-based packaging with a barrier coating for food trays. This sustainable paper-based packaging offers excellent barrier properties and does not compromise on functionality or appearance. It also can help businesses reduce their plastic consumption and CO₂ footprint.

Mono-material film for thermoforming 
This mono-material thermoforming film for food packaging can be recycled in existing plastic recycling streams, provides excellent barrier properties to protect the food, extends shelf life and received the highest recyclability class "AAA".

OnePiece 
OnePiece is an exhibition and transportation unit that provides advantages to the end-consumer as well as to the manufacturer with its simple, shopping-friendly design and one-piece structure.

WPO Awards 
World Packaging Organisation (WPO) rewards outstanding achievements in packaging innovation. The focus is on sustainable packaging solutions that achieve convenience for the end-user through innovation. The winners were announced in January 2021. 

www.worldstar.org/winners 

About Mondi
Mondi is a global leader in packaging and paper, contributing to a better world by making innovative, packaging and paper solutions that are sustainable by design. Our business is fully integrated across the value chain – from managing forests and producing pulp, paper and plastic films, to developing and manufacturing effective industrial and consumer packaging solutions. Sustainability is at the centre of our strategy and intrinsic in the way we do business. We lead the industry with our customer- centric approach, EcoSolutions, where we ask the right questions to find the most sustainable solution. In 2019, Mondi had revenues of €7.27 billion and underlying EBITDA of €1.66 billion.

Mondi has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange (MNDI), and a secondary listing on the JSE Limited (MNP). Mondi is a FTSE 100 constituent, and has been included in the FTSE4Good Index Series since 2008 and the FTSE/JSE Responsible Investment Index Series since 2007.

www.mondigroup.com 

Contact:
Iris Perz
External Communication Manager
Tel: +43 1 79013 4610
Email: Iris.Perz@mondigroup.com

Judith Wronn
External Communication Manager
Tel: +49 151 1771 4692
Email: Judith.Wronn@mondigroup.com 

Josina van der Velden
EMG
Tel: +31 164 317 014
Email: jvandervelden@emg-marcom.com
 

Belgian milk producer Inex has selected Sidel’s aseptic PET packaging line to help meet a growing demand for locally produced milk, prompted by the COVID-19 restrictions in March. Thanks to Sidel’s new and sustainable packaging line, Inex plans to boost production capacity by supplying ultra-high-temperature (UHT) milk products in PET bottles. 

Passionate about sustainability and the delivery of high quality milk, Inex is a 100% privately owned company in the heart of Belgium. It exports 50% of its production to neighbouring countries and produces a variety of authentic dairy products including fresh and long-life UHT milk, dairy drinks, cream and other milk derivatives. The milk is exclusively collected from local Belgian farmers and Inex has established a long-term relationship with its suppliers. Inex manufactures private labels for leading retailers as well as products under its own name. 

To increase production capacity and simultaneously reduce its environmental footprint, Inex has cooperated closely with Sidel to design and install the new aseptic packaging line that will package its UHT milk in a safe, sustainable and user-friendly PET bottle.

Environmental considerations drive PET packaging decision 

To help Inex better understand the benefits of moving from carton to white PET, Sidel supported Inex in verifying experiences and also by visiting a similar installation. “Sidel was an excellent cooperation partner. All viewpoints they offered made it clear to us how beneficial the new line would be,” comments Steven Dierickx, CEO at Inex. Some of the most important considerations focused on the fact that PET is not only a perfect match for safe and shelf-stable low acid products, but that it is also a 100% closed-loop recyclable material. In addition, production with Sidel’s Aseptic Combi Predis™, a blow-fill-seal solution with dry preform and cap sterilisation, is much more environmentally friendly. No water is consumed and very few chemicals are used to sterilise the bottle during production. 

The new PET packaging for Inex’s UHT milk (skimmed, fat, etc.) in 0.5 L and 1 L formats stands out from the crowd when compared to traditional carton packaging. The white PET bottle ensures stable light barrier properties for long-life and product integrity without any aluminium foil. Sidel worked closely with the preform supplier to guarantee the preform injection quality and validate the bottle neck and cap tightness with its unique B180 test, ensuring no leakage from the bottle when horizontally stored in the fridge. “The new PET bottle contains a minimum of 25% recycled PET, is 20% lighter than other plastic (PE) bottles and therefore has a 20% lower CO2 footprint,” comments Steven Dierickx. 

Packaging line potential boosts aseptic production 

“Initially, the customer favoured a special line design with some room for optimisation in the production set-up owing to the space l constraints at the plant. Therefore, we suggested Inex divide the production between two buildings,” says Sébastien Sergues, Business Development Manager for Food category at Sidel. As a result, production flow on the new PET line was distributed between a plant dedicated to bottling and labelling and a warehouse designed for palletising, pallet wrapping and shipment management, with packs conveyed between the two locations. The complete PET packaging line is entirely manufactured by Sidel with an optimised End-of-Line solution. 

Production starts ahead of schedule to meet extra demand for milk 

Commercial production on the aseptic line was originally scheduled to start mid-March. However, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the demand for milk from the local market increased rapidly and the company needed to produce the extra volume. Thanks to close cooperation between the Inex and Sidel teams, production was able to start three weeks in advance. Steven Dierickx recalls: “Fast line ramp-up ahead of schedule meant we could manage an increase in production. This was only possible because of the great support we received from Sidel’s experts either on-site or remotely. We also jointly found a solution to increase the number of shifts from two to three.” 

The new aseptic PET packaging line is highly efficient and Inex has received intensive operational training to manage it. The line also opens future opportunities for high production flexibility to handle various formats and an alternative packaging method for other products, such as cream, to be packed in PET bottles. 

“Last October, Queen Mathilde of Belgium visited the Inex plant to learn more about local sustainable food production. She showed a lot of interest in the subject and expressed her appreciation for our employees. We are really proud of her interest and feedback”, concludes Steven Dierickx.
 

Editors Note: The images within this document are for illustrative purposes only and should not be used for reproduction. If high resolution copies are not attached with the document, please contact Elina Kresa at F&H Porter Novelli for copies – see contact details below.

-----------------------------------
For editorial, advertising and sponsorship enquiries, please contact:
F&H Porter Novelli
Elina Kresa, Consultant
Tel: +49 (0) 89 121 75 147
E-mail: sidel@fundh.de 

-- New Hyperform® HPN® 909ei offers one less SML for food-contact applications

Ghent, Belgium – Designed for use by thermoformers, Milliken & Company’s Chemical Division’s latest high-performance additive for polypropylene (PP) homopolymers delivers an excellent balance of physical properties and superb aesthetics—all enabled through cleaner chemistry.
Hyperform® HPN® 909ei checks all those boxes, and more, as this formulation also addresses an important aspect for safety reassurance in the European Union. Tailored specifically to minimize migration, especially in food-contact applications, this new grade of Hyperform has one Specific Migration Limit (SML) less than the previous generation product. A lower number of SMLs means there is one less substance that must be monitored and tested for, reducing customers’ compliance burden. With this simplification, the reassurance of safety is even stronger. This is vital, given that this type of PP homopolymer is typically used to thermoform drink cups and lids, food packaging, and trays. 
Traditional nucleating agents require customers to sacrifice impact to gain greater stiffness. Hyperform HPN 909ei, however, delivers improved stiffness (flexural modulus) while maintaining the impact performance. It also provides isotropic shrinkage (similar shrinkage in both directions, thereby reducing warpage) and a higher heat-deflection temperature, which offers improved heat resistance vital for hot-fill and microwaveable applications. It also helps to override the nucleation effects of pigments, thereby reducing design complexity. 

Hyperform HPN 909ei achieves all this without sacrificing aesthetics. “In fact,” notes Bhavesh Gandhi, global product line manager for Milliken’s Chemical Division, “it yields products with excellent optical properties, including lower haze, reduced yellowing and an overall cleaner look. This can further enhance sustainability,” he says, “by allowing end users to replace other resins in various applications with highly recyclable polypropylene, with its low overall carbon footprint.” 
With its growing range of Hyperform HPN high-performance additives, Milliken continues to help converters improve their processing and enhance the performance of their final PP parts. 
For more information, visit chemical.milliken.com/hyperform-hpn-909ei.

About Milliken
Materials science expert Milliken & Company knows that a single molecule has the potential to change the world. With innovative solutions across the textile, flooring, specialty chemical, and healthcare industries, Milliken answers some of the world’s greatest challenges. Named to the World’s Most Ethical Companies list by Ethisphere Institute for 14 years, the company meets the moment with an unwavering commitment to delivering sustainable solutions for its customers and communities. Eight thousand associates across 46 locations globally rally behind a common purpose: to positively impact the world for generations. Discover more about Milliken’s curious minds and inspired solutions at milliken.com and on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Hyperform, HPN, Milliken, and the Milliken logo are registered trademarks of Milliken & Company in the US, E.U. and elsewhere.
 

MEDIA CONTACT
Veerle de Wolf
Veerle.Dewolf@milliken.com
+32 9 265 1136

Josina van der Velden
jvandervelden@emg-marcom.com 
+31 164 317 014
 

LONG SERVICE LIFE AND QUICK SERVICE

LARGE SELECTION DIRECTLY FROM STOCK

AxFlow also offers you heavy-duty hose pumps with sliding shoe compression  in many different sizes.

Paper or film bands hold matchboxes and other small boxes securely together and help to reduce packaging material.

Do you know the tapes printed with "Action" that bundle several products into multipacks in the supermarket?

Following World War II, the cosmetics market rapidly expanded by virtue of mass production.

What makes a product desirable?

“This is a highly strategic transaction that will allow us to establish a broader growth platform for ATS in the regu

Numerous features such as tablet operation, offline programming or 3D machine simulation make this possible.

In order to find the optimal position for a marking, the circuit board must be positioned reliably.

Bookings of $27.9 million
Backlog of $23.2 million
Revenue of $28.0 million
Operating income of $0.4 million
Net income of $0.0 million, or $0.00 per diluted share
EBITDA of $1.7 million, or 6.1% of revenue
WEST WARWICK, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AstroNova, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALOT), a global leader in data visualization technologies, today announced financial results for the fiscal 2021 third quarter ended October 31, 2020.

“Our Product Identification segment delivered both revenue and margin improvements in the quarter while Test & Measurement continued to reflect the effects of the Boeing 737 MAX grounding and COVID-19 on the commercial aerospace industry,” said Greg Woods, AstroNova’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Overall performance was aided by continuous improvement initiatives and reduced operating expenses. During the quarter we continued to invest in new products and technologies to support growth across our businesses.

“In Product Identification, strong demand from our TrojanLabel®, QuickLabel® and GetLabels® product lines drove year-on-year and sequential growth in both revenue and operating profit,” Woods said. “Our product and technology innovations are attracting a broader base of customers to our color label and specialty printing systems. We are helping businesses across a wide spectrum of industries enhance efficiency, eliminate waste and increase brand recognition.

“In our Test & Measurement segment, growth in our defense business partly offset weakness in commercial aerospace caused by the external headwinds. Looking ahead, recent progress on the potential approval of multiple coronavirus vaccines, and the FAA’s November decision that cleared the 737 MAX for a return to service, bode well for the T&M segment as we move through fiscal 2022 and beyond,” Woods concluded.

Q3 FY 2021 Operating Segment Results

Product Identification segment revenue was $22.9 million, compared with $21.7 million in the prior-year period. Segment operating income was $3.5 million, or 15.4% of revenue, compared with $1.9 million, or 8.6% of revenue, in the prior year, reflecting both increased efficiencies and reductions in operating costs.

Test & Measurement segment revenue was $5.1 million, compared with $11.6 million in the same period of fiscal 2020, due to the continued grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX and rapid demand falloff in the aerospace industry related to COVID-19. The Test & Measurement segment recorded an operating loss of $0.8 million, or negative 14.7% of revenue, compared with segment operating income of $1.4 million, or 12.1% of revenue, in the comparable period of fiscal 2020, a direct result of declines in aerospace printer sales and adverse mix, despite lower manufacturing and operating costs.

Hardware revenue dropped to $7.7 million, compared with $12.2 million in the prior-year period due to Test & Measurement weakness. Supplies revenue was $18.0 million versus $17.7 million in the same period of fiscal 2020. Service/other revenue was $2.4 million, compared with $3.5 million a year earlier.

Q3 FY 2021 Results Summary

Revenue totaled $28.0 million, compared with $33.3 million in the year-earlier period, with a decline in Test & Measurement revenue partly offset by higher revenue in the Product Identification segment.

Gross profit was $9.7 million, or 34.7% of revenue, compared with $12.3 million, or 36.9% of revenue, in the same period of fiscal 2020. The decrease reflected lower revenue and less favorable product mix in the 2021 period, primarily in the Test & Measurement segment.

Operating expenses totaled $9.3 million, down 21.4% compared with $11.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020, reflecting the Company’s cost-reduction actions.

Operating income was $0.4 million in the third quarters of fiscal 2021 and 2020.

Other expense included foreign exchange losses resulting from the weaker Euro and Danish Kroner on exposures in those currencies and higher interest expense.

Net income was $12,000, or $0.00 per share, compared with net income of $0.5 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2020.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) were $1.7 million, compared with $2.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020. EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure explained in greater detail below under “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measure.” Please refer to the financial reconciliation table included in this news release for a reconciliation of EBITDA to net income for the fiscal third quarters ended October 31, 2020 and November 2, 2019.

Bookings were $27.9 million, compared with $32.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020.

Backlog at October 31, 2020 was $23.2 million versus $20.8 million at the end of the fiscal 2020 third quarter.

Recent Highlights

AstroNova launched a range of new products that expanded its addressable market beyond label printing at the PACK EXPO Connects 2020 international packaging tradeshow. These products included the TrojanLabel T2-C Print and Apply Solution that eliminates intermediate steps in the typical labeling process. Also demonstrated were in-line barcode verification systems and label finishing systems.
AstroNova received an exclusive, multi-year commitment from a major North American air carrier to purchase the Company’s ToughWriter brand of narrow-format flight deck printers for the carrier’s Boeing 737 aircraft.
Q3 FY 2021 Conference Call

AstroNova will discuss its third-quarter fiscal 2021 financial results in an investor conference call at 9:00 a.m. ET today. To participate on the conference call, please dial (800) 367-2403 (U.S. and Canada) or (334) 777-6978 (International) approximately 10 minutes prior to the start time and enter confirmation code 2309769.

You can hear a replay of the conference call from 12:00 p.m. ET Monday, December 7, 2020 until 12:00 p.m. ET on Monday, December 14, 2020 by dialing (888) 203-1112 (U.S. and Canada) or (719) 457-0820 (International). The passcode is 2309769. A real-time and an archived audio webcast of the call will be available through the “Investors” section of the AstroNova website, https://investors.astronovainc.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measure

In addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), this news release contains the non-GAAP financial measure earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA). AstroNova believes that the inclusion of this non-GAAP financial measure helps investors gain a meaningful understanding of changes in the Company's core operating results, and also can help investors who wish to make comparisons between AstroNova and other companies on both a GAAP and a non-GAAP basis. AstroNova’s management uses EBITDA, in addition to GAAP financial measures, as the basis for measuring its core operating performance and comparing such performance to that of prior periods and to the performance of its competitors. EBITDA also is used by the Company’s management to assist with their financial and operating decision-making.

About AstroNova

AstroNova, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALOT), a global leader in data visualization technologies since 1969, designs, manufactures, distributes, and services a broad range of products that acquire, store, analyze, and present data in multiple formats. The Product Identification segment offers a complete line-up of labeling hardware and supplies, allowing customers to mark, track, and enhance their products' appearance. The segment is comprised of three business units: QuickLabel®, the industry leader in tabletop digital color label printing; TrojanLabel®, an innovative leader for professional label presses; and GetLabels™, the premier supplier of label materials, inks, toners, ribbons, and adhesives, all compatible with the major printer brands. Supported by AstroNova's customer application experts and technology leadership in printing, material science, and high-speed data processing, customers benefit from an optimized, "total solution" approach. The Test and Measurement segment includes the AstroNova Aerospace business unit, which designs and manufactures flight deck printers, networking hardware, and related accessories serving the world's aerospace and defense industries with proven advanced airborne technology solutions for the cockpit and the cabin; and the Test and Measurement business unit, which offers a suite of products and services that acquire, record, and analyze electronic signal data from local and networked sensors. AstroNova is a member of the Russell Microcap® Index and the LD Micro Index (INDEXNYSEGIS: LDMICRO). Additional information is available by visiting www.astronovainc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Information included in this news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact but rather reflect our current expectations concerning future events and results. These statements may include the use of the words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “likely,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements, including those concerning the Company’s anticipated performance, clearance of the 737 MAX to return to service, and the potential approval of a coronavirus vaccine, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to, those factors set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2020 and subsequent filings AstroNova makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The reader is cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements when evaluating the information presented in this news release.

Scott Solomon
Senior Vice President
Sharon Merrill Associates
(617) 542-5300
ALOT@investorrelations.com

WEST WARWICK, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AstroNova, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALOT), a global leader in data visualization technologies, today announced that Gregory A. Woods, President and Chief Executive Officer, and David S. Smith, Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, will be presenting at the 13th Annual LD Micro Main Event Investor Conference. The presentation is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. ET Tuesday, December 15, 2020.

A live webcast of the AstroNova presentation will be available at https://bit.ly/3oNuwgb and on the “Investors” section of the Company’s website, https://investors.astronovainc.com. The event will be archived on the website for 90 days.

The Main Event will feature a new and unique format, with companies presenting for 10 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of Q&A by a panel of investors and analysts.

About AstroNova

AstroNova, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALOT), a global leader in data visualization technologies since 1969, designs, manufactures, distributes, and services a broad range of products that acquire, store, analyze, and present data in multiple formats. The Product Identification segment offers a complete line-up of labeling hardware and supplies, allowing customers to mark, track, and enhance their products' appearance. The segment is comprised of three business units: QuickLabel®, the industry leader in tabletop digital color label printing; TrojanLabel®, an innovative leader for professional label presses; and GetLabels™, the premier supplier of label materials, inks, toners, ribbons, and adhesives, all compatible with the major printer brands. Supported by AstroNova's customer application experts and technology leadership in printing, material science, and high-speed data processing, customers benefit from an optimized, "total solution" approach. The Test and Measurement segment includes the AstroNova Aerospace business unit, which designs and manufactures flight deck printers, networking hardware, and related accessories serving the world's aerospace and defense industries with proven advanced airborne technology solutions for the cockpit and the cabin; and the Test and Measurement business unit, which offers a suite of products and services that acquire, record, and analyze electronic signal data from local and networked sensors. AstroNova is a member of the Russell Microcap® Index and the LD Micro Index (INDEXNYSEGIS: LDMICRO). Additional information is available by visiting www.astronovainc.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201214005189/en/

Scott Solomon
Senior Vice President
Sharon Merrill Associates
(617) 542-5300
ALOT@investorrelations.com