18.07.17 Reston, VA, United States and Frankfurt, Germany — NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies and the Printing and Paper Technology Association within VDMA / PrintPromotion Gmbh (PP), signed a joint agreement outlining a 2017-2018 framework for cooperation between the organizations in the areas of industry market data and international conferences.

The collaborative efforts between the two organizations will produce a variety of new initiatives and events that will include:

• Quarterly Market Data Reports: Following the end of each quarter, NPES and VDMA will exchange index-based reports for all primary product categories collected respectively, to include by VDMA/PP – Paper Making Technology, Paper Converting Technology, and Printing Machinery; and, by NPES – Imaging & Prepress Equipment Systems and Software, Bindery and Finishing Equipment, Total Pressroom Equipment, and Graphic Arts Supplies.
• Annual State of the Printing and Paper Industry Report: At the end of each year, the organizations will produce a joint “State of the Industry” report developed from mutually agreed upon information sources, such as their respective market data programs, government agencies, third-party sources, and member surveys. While the full report will be reserved exclusively for VDMA and NPES members, a summary will be available to industry media outlets and trade publications in conjunction with a joint NPES and VDMA conference call to share the results.
• Annual Industry Symposium: Hosted alternately by VDMA Printing and Paper Technology and NPES, this event will be designed to highlight and examine emerging or growing trends in technologies and applications, with the first symposium to be scheduled in 2018 in Germany/Europe.
• International Technical Conferences: NPES and VDMA Printing and Paper Technology will co-produce events titled “Print Media Management Conferences,” which will serve as international knowledge sharing forums on technology, applications, and best practices, and also provide dynamic networking opportunities for industry buyers and sellers to connect. Members from both organizations will be featured on the conference programs.

NPES President Thayer Long states that, “We are extremely pleased with the new initiatives that will be developed from this new agreement, which was forged through our ongoing relationship with the VDMA Association. Our respective members will benefit tremendously from this collaboration on the new projects and programs that will serve to further drive value chain alignment and universal industry growth.”

“Our joint agreement on these new initiatives,” says Dr. Markus Heering, Managing Director of VDMA Printing and Paper Technology, “is another tremendous step forward in the cooperative efforts between NPES and VDMA Printing and Paper Technology. The results of these new reports and industry gatherings will be of significant benefit for our members and, I believe will create great advantages for our industries.”

Dettingen/Erms, 18 July 2017 – Hugo Beck, the world’s leading manufacturer of horizontal flowpack, film packaging and post-print processing machines, has appointed its new International Sales Manager, Mario Möginger, to provide cross-sector sales support and with specific focus on applications in the automation and flowpack sectors.

Möginger has many years of experience in mechanical engineering and has previously held a variety of senior national and international sales positions, most recently as branch manager at J. Schmalz GmbH.

Commenting on his appointment Möginger says "During my career I have come to know Hugo Beck as a company with a high level of visibility in the marketplace and excellent technological expertise. When the opportunity arose to join the business, I immediately saw the potential to build on this platform and use my experience to promote Hugo Beck as a global leader in the supply of horizontal film packaging solutions."

"With his in-depth knowledge of different sectors and many years of sales experience, Mario is perfectly suited in terms of the specific challenges that mark projects in the field of corporate automation processes”, says Timo Kollmann, Sales Director and Authorised Signatory at Hugo Beck. “Mario’s strategic thinking and knowledge of the needs of our customers will support Hugo Beck in the expansion of our international market position and we are delighted he has joined our business."

Philadelphia, PA – July 17, 2017. Following the successful launch of the Draft Latte, a distinctive crafted coffee drink using Crown’s InnoValve technology, La Colombe Coffee Roasters and CROWN Beverage Packaging North America, a business unit of Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) (Crown) (www.crowncork.com), have partnered again to bring another unique experience to coffee lovers everywhere. The MiniVault, a pre-portioned single-use can, delivers café quality ground coffee to consumers in a vessel that is both convenient for at-home use and extends the shelf life up to five times.

“Our aim is to change the landscape of coffee through obsessive innovation,” said Todd Carmichael, CEO and Co-Founder of La Colombe. “We want everyone to be able to experience exceptional coffee. The Vault allows us to bring the best coffee to our home, all while removing the guesswork around measuring, grinding and freshness.”

The MiniVault combines Crown’s 150ml (5.1oz) slim style beverage can with a custom 360 End® and is filled with La Colombe’s premium Corsica coffee. The end is fully removable, enabling users to easily pour the ground coffee into a filter or device for brewing. Each can contains a precise 1.3 ounces of coffee under pressure to lock in freshness and to eliminate the guesswork of measurement and the need for additional tools. The MiniVault will be available for sale in select La Colombe retail locations across the United States and on the company’s website beginning this summer.

“La Colombe recognizes the value that a differentiating package can bring to its brand,” said Ron Skotleski, Director of Marketing, North America, CROWN Beverage Packaging. “We were able to help La Colombe offer an engaging new way for people to consume its products, and at the same time, support the brand’s mission of making artisanal café, quality coffee, available to everyone.”

The 360 End® also features a grind guard, or a thin plate of flexible aluminum, which acts as a food-safe protector and prevents coffee grounds from spilling upon removal of the end. In addition, like all beverage cans, the MiniVault is 100 percent and infinitely recyclable, protects the coffee from exposure to elements such as light and air and adds a premium look and feel to the brand.

The MiniVault cans are wrapped in shrink sleeves, which list simple directions for brewing the optimal pot of coffee. The cans are sold in 8-count boxes, which feature an open window that allows consumers to preview the product inside.

“The MiniVault is a testament to Crown’s commitment to push the envelope when it comes to bringing our customers’ ideas to life – and to market,” added Skotleski. “We leveraged the technical expertise and innovation capabilities of Crown’s global team to deliver every aspect of this package, including the specialty can size and the custom, smaller diameter 360 End®.”

Corsica coffee was selected for the MiniVault debut because it is the house blend brewed in all La Colombe cafés, the company hopes to offer additional blends in this package format in the future. Corsica, which has deep, dark chocolate notes and a bold flavor pairs well with milk or can be enjoyed on its own.

“We are not only offering really great coffee, but without the frustration and guesswork. With three easy steps, now brewing like a professional is simple and easy,” added Carmichael.

Based on preliminary figures, GEA for the second quarter 2017 expects an order intake of approx. EUR 1,241 million (prior year: EUR 1,222 million), working capital of approx. EUR 710 million (prior quarter: EUR 760 million), revenues of approx. EUR 1,141 million (prior year: EUR 1,157 million), and an operating EBITDA* of approx. EUR 122 million (prior year: EUR 145 million). That decline at group level was mainly caused in the Business Area Solutions, in particular by volume- and margin-mix effects, as well as a medium single digit million EUR charge for additional costs relating to bottling lines which had previously been addressed during the Q3 2016 communication and whose sale has been discontinued in this variant.

As a consequence, GEA adjusts its guidance for the financial year 2017 - with assumptions otherwise unchanged - as follows: 

• Instead of previously EUR 620 million to EUR 670 million now an operating EBITDA* in the range of EUR 600 million to EUR 640 million, however before additional costs related to the afore-mentioned bottling lines. It is expected that such additional costs will not exceed a lower double digit million EUR amount.
• An operating cash flow driver margin* before capex for strategic projects between 8.5 and 9.5 per cent, however now before additional costs in respect of the above-mentioned bottling lines.
• Moderate growth of revenues is confirmed as previously guided. 

GEA is one of the largest suppliers of process technology for the food industry and a wide range of other industries. The international technology group focuses on process technology and components for sophisticated production processes in various end-user markets.
In 2016, GEA generated consolidated revenues of about EUR 4.5 billion. The food and beverages sector, which is a long-term growth industry, accounted for around 70 percent. As of March 31, 2017, the company employed about 17,000 people worldwide. GEA is a market and technology leader in its business areas. The company is listed on the German MDAX stock index (G1A, WKN 660 200) and included in the STOXX® Europe 600 Index. In addition, the company is listed in selected MSCI Global Sustainability Indexes.

The sale of the Romaco Group to the Truking Group was finally completed on June 30, 2017. From now on, 75.1 percent of all Romaco shares will be held by Truking. After concluding the contract of sale, the Truking management took the opportunity to introduce themselves personally to the Romaco workforce.

Romaco was officially taken over by Truking on June 30, 2017. As a result of the change in ownership the Chinese Truking Group acquired 75.1 percent of the total shares in the Romaco Group. The contract of sale with Deutsche Beteiligungs AG (DBAG) was signed on April 28, 2017. DBAG will surrender the remaining 24.9 percent of its shares in Romaco to Truking within the next three years.

To mark the final transaction, Truking Chairman Yue Tang and his delegation visited the Romaco production facilities in Karlsruhe (Germany) and Bologna (Italy). In his addresses to the workforce he stressed his great admiration for Romaco and outlined the first steps in the cooperation.

Long-term investment by Truking

More strategic acquisitions are planned as part of the drive to strengthen the Romaco portfolio. Parallel to this, the various Romaco sites will be successively expanded and enlarged. The initial planning phase for the construction of a new plant in Bologna has already begun. A new laboratory will open up in China to support Romaco’s research and development activities in the area of process technology. Tang is adamant: “We’re ready to grow. Our aim is to take Romaco forward and increase our share of the global markets with a mixture of confidence, determination, patience and endurance.”

Truking, based in Changsha (China), was founded by Yue Tang, the company’s present Chairman, on April 28, 2000. Exactly seventeen years later on April 28,

2017, he signed the contract of sale to buy the Romaco Group. Romaco is Truking’s first European holding.

A camera team from ZDF, the German public broadcaster, accompanied the Truking delegation during their inaugural visit to Romaco Pharmatechnik GmbH in Karlsruhe while Italian TV stations Rete 7 and Nettuno TV reported on the Truking management’s address to the Romaco S.r.l. workforce in Bologna.

Romaco management to visit China

At the end of July, the entire Romaco management team will travel to Changsha, in the Chinese province of Hunan, for a one-week workshop at the Truking headquarters. The Romaco Group Management will visit Truking together with the Managing Directors of the various production facilities as well as the Heads of the Sales and Service Centres. Employee representatives from Karlsruhe, Cologne, Steinen and Bologna will also be making the trip, which will provide valuable first impressions of the new parent company in China.

“Our experience of the Truking management so far has been thoroughly positive”, emphasised Paulo Alexandre, CEO Romaco Group. “Despite the language barriers, communication with Truking has been extremely efficient and decision processes are very fast. That widens our leeway to develop new strategies which will strengthen our position in the market. Now that the transaction has been brought to a successful conclusion, we’re looking forward to applying the measures adopted.”

The Romaco Group

Romaco is a leading global supplier of Processing and Packaging equipment, predominantly for the pharmaceutical industry. Divided into three business areas, Processing, Tableting and Packaging, the company develops engineered system solutions for the pharmaceutical market, but also supplies the cosmetics, food and chemical markets. Romaco operates from four European locations with the headquarters in Karlsruhe, Germany. The company serves the multiple industries through a total of seven brands. The packaging product lines Noack, Siebler and Bosspak are manufactured in Karlsruhe, Germany, and the primary and secondary packaging brands Macofar and Promatic in Bologna, Italy. The tableting product line Kilian is produced in Cologne, Germany, while the Innojet product line in Steinen, Germany, is responsible for granulation and coating.

Romaco’s product portfolio includes primary, secondary and final packaging, aseptic and non-aseptic liquid and powder filling, tablet press technologies, granulation and coating. Over 12,000 Romaco installations are currently in operation in more than 180 countries. The company’s worldwide customer base is supplied and supported by over 550 highly skilled and committed employees.

In 2014 the Romaco Group was voted by “Wirtschaftswoche”, the prestigious German business weekly, as one of Germany’s best 50 innovators among small and medium-sized enterprises. In this corporate benchmarking contest, Romaco was named runner-up in the “Process and Packaging Machinery” category. In the “Pharmaceutical Machinery” segment, the Group was awarded first prize.

For more information about the Romaco Group, visit www.romaco.com

The following pictures are enclosed with the press release:

1.Yue Tang, Chairman and President of the Truking Group Truking_TangYue.jpg 

2.Yue Tang addresses the Romaco workforce in Karlsruhe 

(from left to right: Paulo Alexandre, CEO Romaco Group, and Yue Tang, Chairman and President of the Truking Group) Romaco_Truking_Karlsruhe.jpg 

3.Introducing the Truking management at Romaco S.r.l in Bologna Romaco_Truking_Bologna.jpg 

A highly successful CHINAPLAS 2017 concluded its four-day run on 19 May in Guangzhou. Buoyed by very good weather and the plastics and rubber industries’ positive economic outlook, attendees generally projected an extremely upbeat attitude throughout the show.

A record-breaking show

CHINAPLAS 2017 broke three different records – for total number of visitors, the single-day number of visitors, and total exhibition area – eclipsing the performance of all previous 30 editions of the show. A total of 155,258 trade visitors from 154 countries and regions attended the show held on May 16-19. Compared with the previous Guangzhou edition, held in 2015, this year’s event posted a remarkable jump of more than 21% in the number of total visitors.

CHINAPLAS 2017 also set a new record on Day 2, with 56,347 investment-oriented visitors, marking the highest number of visitors on any single day in the show’s history. Ms. Ada Leung, General Manager of Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd., CHINAPLAS organizer, was delighted by the results. “I have never seen such a vast number of visitors before,” she said, noting that all 26 exhibition halls were packed with participants. “Most of our exhibitors were satisfied with the result,” added Leung, further suggesting that, “To some extent, this implies China’s economy has bounced back.”

The exhibition area of 250,000 square meters, meanwhile, represented the largest amount of exhibit space in CHINAPLAS’ history. The show attracted more than 3,400 exhibitors from 38 countries.

“I have to thank my team for their dedicated devotion to CHINAPLAS,” Leung said. “They are so passionate in promoting the show!” Special thanks, she continued, goes to Adsale’s cooperation partners, for their prolonged and sincere assistance in making the event a success. Moreover, the “new normal” of the Chinese economy – marked by accelerated efforts to upgrade and transform entire industries – also was a factor, she said, noting that “CHINAPLAS provides a platform for technology innovation and helps industries to move further up the value chain.”

Visitor profile and comments

CHINAPLAS continues to become more international, as indicated by the 2017 fair’s number of overseas visitors, which soared to 40,048 visitors, accounting for 25.8% of the total. They came from 153 countries and regions such as Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Russia, and more.

Mr. Patrick Schmutz, Director Asia-Pacific Procurement for Quadrant Plastic Composites AG, said: “The quality of CHINAPLAS continues to rise quickly. Many years ago, low-end machines dominated the show, but now, high-end and advanced machinery is the norm. The high-quality, cost-effective machinery is very attractive to Europeans!”

Lic. Nicolas A. Finkielsztein and Lic. Astrid Grotewold, Commercial Manager and Sales Manager, respectively, from Laquimar, came from Argentina to look for raw materials. They used the terms “professional” and “well-organized” to describe the show. “CHINAPLAS is very well-known in Argentina, even though it’s far away from us. CHINAPLAS is truly an excellent platform connecting suppliers and buyers, and for sure we will come next year!”

Mr. Nohcheol Park, Principal Engineer for Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., commented: “I come to CHINAPLAS to learn about new plastics technology and to find new injection molding for manufacturing home appliances. I found the most impressive exhibit to be the transparent silicone from Sumitomo Chemical. It’s good to have both Chinese and overseas exhibitors in the show.”

New Shanghai venue in 2018

When the show shifts back north next year, CHINAPLAS 2018 will move from its long-time Shanghai venue in Pudong to the new National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) in Hongqiao (http://en.cecsh.com ) – the largest single block building and exhibition complex in the world. The show’s next edition is scheduled for April 24-27, 2018. This change of venue will represent a completely new challenge for the CHINAPLAS team, but all are eager to take it on with a view to delivering an even bigger and better show for the global plastics and rubber industries.

As a complete systems provider for packaging lines, BEUMER Group offers the BEUMER fillpac for the efficient filling of bags with material from the construction materials, cement, mineral and chemical industries. In order to further increase the performance and efficiency of this filling machine, the systems provider has now developed the BEUMER bag placer for valve bottom bags and flat valve bags.

With its standardised modular design, the new BEUMER bag placer from BEUMER Group provides numerous set-up options. The user can set it up at any angle by adding an optional turntable for example. This reduces the required floor space considerably. The system is equipped with an ergonomic control terminal. The improved Human Machine Interface concept makes controlling the BEUMER bag placer easy and intuitive. It can also automatically adjust to different valve bag formats.

BEUMER bag placer for valve bottom bags
The drive unit and the gripping arm are driven automatically by servomotors, ensuring precise positioning and energy efficiency. The gripping system and the application unit apply the bag from the bag ream safely onto the filling spout. The drive technology used in combination with the electric coupling of both servo drives of the gripping arm and the application unit minimises the number of necessary mechanical components. The sophisticated kinematics also reduce the vibration of the machine, increasing its service life significantly. An oil-free vacuum ejector ensures low-maintenance operation. And due to the fact that the gripping arm is supported on both sides, it keeps running very smoothly even at an output rate of 6,000 bags per hour.

The operator can use this version for PP, PE and paper valve bottom bags. Bag lengths of 350 to 650 millimetres and bag widths of 230 and 550 millimetres are possible as well as valve widths of 80 to 160 millimetres. The new system can handle 3,000 bags per hour, the high-capacity version up to 6,000 bags.

The optional turntable is driven pneumatically with a swivelling range of up to 60 degrees or electrically with a range of up to 150 degrees. The modular design of the ream magazine can be adjusted to lengths from two to nine metres. The drive and end stop can be installed on either side. The ream magazine can be filled ergonomically even with varying heights of the filling spouts.

BEUMER bag placer for flat valve bags
With the BEUMER bag placer for flat valve bags the operator can chose between two versions, depending on which side they prefer the placing unit. In order to considerably reduce its footprint, the bag placer can be set up at an angle of up to 60 degree by using the optional turntable. The BEUMER bag placer for flat valve bags is used for woven PP and PE bags with lengths of 600 to 800 millimetres, widths of 400 to 550 millimetres and valve widths of 125 to 150 millimetres. Its capacity is up to 2,400 bags per hour.

The patented opening system in the placing unit opens the bag valve. This ensures that the bags are correctly applied on the filling spouts and avoids standstill during the filling process. The BEUMER bag placer can be easily adjusted to different bag formats.

Picture credits: BEUMER Group GmbH & Co. KG

The BEUMER Group is an international leader in the manufacture of intralogistics systems for conveying, loading, palletising, packaging, sortation, and distribution. With 4,000 employees worldwide, the BEUMER Group has annual sales of about EUR 750 million. The BEUMER Group and its subsidiaries and sales agencies provide their customers with high-quality system solutions and an extensive customer support network around the globe and across a wide range of industries, including bulk materials and piece goods, food/non-food, construction, mail order, post, and airport baggage handling.  For more information, please visit: www.beumergroup.com.

The challenge of achieving the highest quality codes on ultra-fast packing lines with difficult-to-mark substrates in markets such as beverage, food, personal care, automotive andextrusionsis being met with the launch of a new laser marking solutionfrom Linx Printing Technologies.

The Linx CSL60 laser offers a major technological breakthrough, combining a powerful processor and 60W laser tube with Linx’s unique Visicode®system to produce crisp, clear codes on difficult-to-mark materials such as glass and PET at high speeds.  This enablesmanufacturers to meet all compliance requirements and provides effective brand protection and enhancement. 

The laser incorporates a powerful processor that is able to relay messages from the control unit to the marking head very quickly, which ensures that line speeds are unaffected.  As a result, up to 70,000 packs per hour can be marked.

In addition, the Linx CSL60 supports production line efficienciesto help deliver Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).  For example, the availability of complete IP65 protection for the controller and laser head means that a fully integrated system can now remain in situ during wash down to minimise downtime.  

Equally important, the Linx CSL60 offers 25 different head and lens options, providing over 16,000 combinations of lens, marking heads and tubes.  This providesthe widest choice in the industry and gives the Linx CSL60 laser the flexibility to be tailored to a customer’s precise requirements.  It also means that each laser is able to run at its optimum power level, which helps to extend the life of the equipment.

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With the SHC150c head option, the Linx CSL60 offers a larger marking field than any comparable laser.  This provides additional versatility for the marking of wide web applications such as flexible packaging and outer case coding, and coding of products across multiple lines. This also brings the advantage ofrequiring only one laser where previously two would have been needed, while still delivering clear codes even at small sizes.

The Linx CSL60 has been designed to be easy to install, even on lines where space is restricted, and to integrate with existing packing and labelling equipment.  For operators, the proven LinxVision touch screen ensures quick and easy creation and selection of messages for reduced errors, faster setup and minimised downtime.   

As with all laser coders, the lack of consumables minimises running costs and eliminates downtime for refilling or cleaning.In addition, the Linx CSL60’s air-cooled operation offers further cost efficiencies as no ancillary air cooling or factory air is required.

“In competitive markets, meeting compliance requirements and ensuring your brand is fully protected are vital, but neither quality nor productivity can be sacrificed in achieving these,” comments Matt Eastham, Laser Business Manager, Linx Printing Technologies.

“The Linx CSL60 has been specifically designed to satisfy these needs, combining the fastest speeds with superior quality codes.” 

About Linx Printing Technologies Ltd

Linx Printing Technologies is a leading global supplier of continuous ink jet (CIJ) printers, case coders, laser coders, thermal transfer printers and thermal inkjet printers. Its printers and coders are used across many different industries where product identification codes, batch numbers, dates and barcodes are required.

All Linx products are designed with low cost of ownership in mind and are distinguished by reliability, robustness and ease of use.  Linx products code and mark millions of items every day, ranging from bottles, packages and cans of consumer goods to pharmaceutical products, cabling, electrical components and car parts.  

Intheframeofthisyear’sETGMemberMeetingtheEtherCATTechnologyGroup(ETG) honoredmembercompany no.500 inJapan,recently. During themeetingatthebeginningofJulytheorganizationhonoredthecompanySURUGASEIKICO.,LTD.,aleadingproviderofopticaltestandmeasurementsystems.WithSURUGASEIKIjoiningtheassociationtheETGreached twomembershipmilestonesinrapidsuccession:notlong ago,the ETG welcomedmember2000 inEurope.

Inthe2ndquarterin2017theEtherCATTechnologyGroupwasabletoreachtwomilestonesatatimeregardingitsmembershipdevelopment:First,theETGwhichhasbeenestablishedinGermanyin2003,nowcounts2000membersinEurope.Second,withthecompanySURUGASEIKICO.,LTD.Memberno.500hasjoinedtheorganization inJapan.Intotal,theETGnowhasmorethan 4.400membersworldwide.Here,it’s interestingtoknowthat, incorrespondencetothemembershipby-laws,onlycompanies,universitiesandsimilarinstitutionscanjoinETG,amembership assingleindividualisnot possible.

ThehonoringceremonyofSURUGASEIKIwasconductedduringthisyear’sETGMemberMeetingwhichwasheldinYokohama,Japan,atthebeginningofJuly.MartinRostan,ExecutiveDirector oftheETG,andMasanoriObata,ManagerETGOfficeJapan,presentedTakeshiMarui,presidentat SURUGA SEIKI,withan official membershipcertificate.

TakeshiMaruiexplainedhowhiscompanydiscoveredEtherCAT:“Twoyearsago,EtherCAThasbeen explainedtous atHannovermessein Germany.Thetechnologywassoconvincing thatwedecidedtouseitinafirststep.NowwealsodevelopowndeviceswithEtherCATinterface.We’rehappytobe part oftheEtherCAT community.”MartinRostanadded:“Japanissaidtobeaverydemandingandchallengingautomationmarket.ThefactthatEtherCAThasbecometheleadingindustrialEthernetsystemherespeaksforitself.Thuswe’reglad,thatourtechnologydoesnotonlyconvinceSURUGASEIKIbutmanymorecompaniesallovertheworld:theETGmembershipgrowthdoesnotonlycontinuebutfurtheraccelerates.Inthelast12monthswewelcomedalmost 600newmembers.”

SURUGASEIKIisaleadingbrandofprecisionpositioningandopticalmeasurementtechnology.Theydevelopandmanufactureawiderangeofproductsrangingfromprecisionpositioningstageandopticalmeasurementtechnologytoacombinedsystem,foropticalequipmentmarket,rapidlydevelopingmobileequipmentand automotivesensorfield.

AnETGmembershipofferscompaniesthatworkwithEtherCATandEtherCATPvariousbenefits aswellasthepossibilitytoactively contributeto thedevelopment ofthetechnology.
Further Information aboutETGmembershipcanbeviewedonline:https://www.ethercat.org/en/membership_benefits.html

Picturecaption:

Fromleft:MartinRostan,ExecutiveDirectorETG,Takeshi Marui,President ofSURUGASEIKICo.LTD.,

NaohitoFukazawa,GeneralManagerStageDivision,SURUGASEIKICo.LTD.Masanori Obata,Representativeand Technologist ETGOfficeJapan

AboutEtherCATTechnologyGroup(ETG):

TheEtherCATTechnologyGroup(ETG)isanassociation inwhichkeyusercompaniesfromvariousindustriesandleadingautomationsuppliersjoinforcestosupport,promoteandadvancetheEtherCATtechnology.Withover4,400membersfrom65countries,theEtherCATTechnologyGrouphasbecomethelargestfieldbusorganizationintheworld.Foundedin November2003,itisalsothefastestgrowingassociationofitskind.

AboutEtherCAT®:

EtherCATisthefastestIndustrialEthernettechnologyandstandsforhigh-performance,low-cost,easeofuseandaflexibletopology.Itwasintroducedin2003 andbecameaninternationalIECstandardandaSEMIstandardin 2007.TheEtherCATTechnologyGrouppromotesEtherCATandisresponsibleforitscontinueddevelopment.EtherCATisalsoanopen technology:anyoneisallowedtoimplementoruseit.

July 7th, 2017Print is omnipresent in everyday life. In a loose series of interviews, the VDMA Printing and Paper Technology Association presents industrial players from among its member companies. In this interview, Rainer Hundsdörfer, who took over the chair of the board of management of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG following positions at the technology manufacturersTrumpf, Schaeffler, Weinig and ebm papst, talks about his relationship with printing technology manufacturing, about digitization and growth plans for Heidelberg as well as the role of industrial printing in his strategy.

Mr. Hundsdörfer, did you settle down well in printing technology manufacturing?
Rainer Hundsdörfer: Yes, I did. After all, it is still technology manufacturing, with the same customer structuresas in the positions I held before. The majority of our machines go to medium-sized companies. Furthermore, I know printing technology manufacturing well since the first job I had after having finished my studies was at a supplier of products for printing machines. Therefore, I am well acquainted with the printing methods, and I visited nearly every drupa out of personal interest. 
At the year-end press conferenceyou recently announced your objective to makeHeidelberg once again the (high-growth and profitable) lighthouse of the industry. How?
Hundsdörfer: We have all chances forthat. In my previous positions, I always looked up to Heidelberg as a market leader and a leading innovator. If you wanted to see a truly modern machinery manufacturing plant, you had to go to Heidelberg! My predecessors continued to make strong investments in research & development despite the difficult market situation – and have expanded the digital competence of the Group. This is a good basis in order to pick up the strength of the successful periods. We have ceased to manufacture only machines a long time ago, instead, we embed them into an end-to-end digital workflow. Our software starts at the point in time when the customers send their data to the printing house and covers the whole chain up to the delivery of the printed products. Thanks to this advanced digitization, we have access to a huge amount of data –no matter whether offset, flexographic, screen or gravure methods or inkjet processes are used for printing. Apart from the ink transfer, nothing else is analogue any more.
What do you want to do with the collected data?
Hundsdörfer:They offer us the possibility to create new digital business models. Previously, the machine was in the centre of all actions. In future, it will only be a means to an end. The first step is automation of the processes, including disposition of consumables. This makes our customers` lives easier. In the next step, we can optimize their productivity based on these data. And at least then it`s getting interesting, because this will be profitable for our customers and for us in equal terms. We can offer our customers a full service package, at the same time ensure optimum performance of their machines and automatically provide all consumables. In such models, the customer will even no longer have to buy the machine, but can pay us per printed sheet. We are in the process of testing such models.
Transfer the desktop model to industrial printingcompanies? 
Hundsdörfer:It will still take some time. However, this is our chance to get back to the forefront: No longer in the pure competition for the best printing machine, but in the competition for the best business model for printing companies. For that, we, inter alia, prepare ourselves by systematically expanding our range of consumables. Unlike, for example, machine tools, printing machines consistently use large quantities of consumables. Consumables are a crucial element of our growth strategy. We, as a machinery manufacturer, want to get out of the pure input-based business and enter output-based business. Printing technology manufacturing has a market potential of 5 billion Euro – with offset and digital printing machines accounting for 50 percent each. The output value of the printing industry lies between 400 and 500 billion Euro per annum. If we take our share of the cake, growth will happen, and this business is by far less volatile than machinery manufacturing. In future, the machine is part of the “digital technology”.Its operating data are the key to “digital business”. Now, the structure of our Group is based on these two pillars.
This sounds very future-oriented – but also hints to changes for your staff…
Hundsdörfer:… which we must accept. I spend very much time on that. For, if we continue to act as before, we will not get rid of the stigma “Print and paper are dead“. Quite the contrary is true! Print is alive and omnipresent. However, our role is changing. I see us as enablers. We make the difference when it comes to the identification of brands and the communication of contents. It`s not by chance that packaging printing becomes more and more sophisticated, even with products that are marketed online. For, if the first impression does not communicate value, the customers will return the ordered product. Sophisticated packaging printing also offers additional benefits as, for instance, protection against plagiarists. Sequential numbering or micro embossing on packages pose real problems for counterfeiters. 
Who are the customers for your digital business models?
Hundsdörfer:Global large companies have their own structures – and for smaller handicraft printshops, full-service offers also make little sense. However, they pay off for the majority of the medium-sized printing companies which increasingly use industrial processes and digitization! For them, it`s important that the processes in the pressroom run smoothly. This is what we can guarantee at favourable, exactly calculable conditions. 
What is the role of industrial printing in your strategies?
Hundsdörfer:In printing like in other industrial sectors, industrialisation is the order of the day. The transformation from handicraft printing to industrial printing is in full progress. Heidelberg pushes this development with innovations, such as our Push-to-Stop philosophy or our industrial digital printing systems “Primefire”and “Labelfire”.What is important is that the innovation generates value for the customers. The availability and degree of automation are the key factors for this. In industrial processes, the machines must process the orders without any stop or manual interruptions for format changes. With our entry into digital packaging printing, we address exactly these issues: Availability, automation and maximum productivity. It is notenough to install an improved copier and call that industrial printing. In this case, the technical availability will not be sufficient. The crucial difference lies between handicraft and industrial printing. Heidelberg became the market leader with reliable technology – and will continue to score with that.
http://dup.vdma.org

Noida,10July2017: India’s largest multinational flexible packaging materials and Solution Company Uflex Limited has always been at the vanguard of the fight against counterfeiting with its most contemporary and technologically advanced anti-counterfeiting and brand protection solutions.
With the dark underbelly of the fake and the spurious pegged globally at over 461 Billion USD(as estimated by the OECD), Uflex has now assumed a larger responsibility of enhancing the brand security of its esteemed clients by ensuring that the secondary packaging that houses the primary packs is as much insulated from the menace of counterfeiting.
Mr. Jeevaraj Pillai, Joint President, Packaging and New Product Development, Uflex Limited said, “If you look at the FMCG value chain, the distributors or the wholesalers procure goods in secondary packaging. Seldom do they open these secondary packs and establish the veracity and authenticity of the singletons packed inside. Thisis where the counterfeiters surreptitiously seep in.They conveniently body double the secondary pack and fill it with fake products. Unaware of this modus-operandi thewholesaler procures goods and sells them to the retailers down the line. Thus the counterfeited products come into circulation in the market and the end-users even upon paying the full retail price get a spurious product in return. This can have a spiralling and devastating effect on the hard earned equity of a brand.
Taking cognizance of this we decided to extend the dimension of our fight against counterfeiting and adopting a 360 degree approach in the best interest of our global clientele.
Having mastered the art of incorporating top of the line anti-counterfeiting features on to flexible packaging, we now also possess the capabilities of plugging the same anti-counterfeiting features on unprinted paperboard (i.e. condiment for secondary packaging) and thereafter supplying it to the associated convertors. Much like the primary flexible packaging the secondary packaging also has a well-defined supply chain. Here I want to make clear that we are in the business of flexible packaging and are not treading into the territory of board converting. All that we are doing is to compliment both the elements i.e. primary and secondary packaging in the best interest of our clients offering a wholesome protection against counterfeiting. Primary packaging cannot be protected by keeping the secondary packaging alienated.
What we effectively do is to pre-apply the anti-counterfeiting feature on to the unprinted board/ raw material of the secondary packaging which in turn is processed by the board convertors. The anti-counterfeiting features on the board are exactly identical in size, shape and character as those on the primary packaging to complete the brand protection loop making it absolutely impregnable.

Lyo-Check Project Will Result in Development of Fully Automated 
Industrial Machine for 100% Inspection of Lyophiles (Freeze-Dried Products)
Mt. Laurel, NJ (USA) – Antares Vision, the world’s leading provider of serialization-based track and trace solutions for the pharmaceutical industry,has been awarded a highly selective European Commission Grant to develop new technology for the inspection of injectable lyophilized pharma products. The Lyo-Check Project will seedevelopment of a fully automated industrial machine for 100% inspection of lyophiles based on innovative vision architecture – a dedicated software and optical layout combined with ancillary technology – as well asHeadspace GasAnalysis (HGSA) for testing product sterility via container integrity inspection.

With the goal of producing a disruptive inspection innovation for the pharma industry, the grant has been awarded within the EU Horizon 2020’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) instrument framework. The SME instrument is part of the largest EU Research and Innovation Program ever, which aims to promote breakthroughs, discoveries and world-firsts by funding promising ideas from concept to lab to market. 

The process is quite selective: Of the more than 20,000 applications in the Research and Innovation Program’s first two years, less than 6% were chosen to receive funds. 

“This is upliftingrecognition of the complexsystems our Inspection Machines Division has launched in the last few years,” said Antares’ Davide Sacchetti, Business Development Manager, Machines Division for Antares Vision. “Over this time period, several multinationals manufacturing high volume parenteral products have chosen Antares solutions for combined vision inspection and leak detection due to our innovative vision architecture, which makes it possible to inspect through the types of matt plastic typical in the blow-fill-seal process.”

As it works to design an upgraded version of the Lyo-Check Inspection Machine, Antares Vision will apply the core research principles and criteria it uses for development of all its inspection machines, including perfect mechanical handling; dedicated optical layout (product-related); and improved algorithms for consistent software judgment.

“Although Antares Vision is widely known for being the world leader in serialization solutions for the pharma industry,” said Adriano Fusco, Strategy and Development Direct for Antares Vision,“this EU Horizon 2020SME Grant directly acknowledgesthe impressive talents of our research and development team in the visual inspection niche.”

About Antares Vision
Antares Vision is recognized as the world’s leading provider of serialization-based track and trace solutions for the pharmaceutical industry, with more serialization systems installed worldwide than all major competitors combined. Antares Vision has installed solutions on over 950 production lines in 180 plants around the world.More than five billion stock keeping units (SKUs) have been serialized, aggregated, shipped, and notified utilizing Antares Vision solutions.

Comprising both hardware and software, Antares Vision’s solutions stem from strong relationships with best-in-class technology vendors, including enterprise application suppliers; packaging OEMs; manufacturers of cameras, printers and labelers; and software and communication providers.For more information, visit www.antaresvision.com. 

Courthézon, France & Hod-Hasharon, Israel – 10 July 2017 - French print house 5 SEPT ETIQUETTE has cut costs, increased productivity and reduced waste after investing in AVT print inspection systems. The Courthézon-based company has invested in five AVT Helios systems for its presses and finishing solutions, enabling it to produce error-free labels and all but eliminate waste.

5 SEPT ETIQUETTE manufactures rolls of adhesive labels for the food, cosmetics, wine and spirits industries. It also works with customers in the chemical, paint, household, tooling and fertilizer sectors. 5 SEPT ETIQUETTE provides offset, flexography, screen and digital services, and holds Imprim'Vert, FSC, ISO 9001: 2015 and UNFEA QUALETIQ accreditations. With a turnover of 10.6 millions Euros, the 76-strong company handles six million square meters of adhesive substrate per year, and prints more than a billion labels.

The AVT Helios Print Inspection System is designed exclusively for labels and narrow web printing. It offers 100% quality assurance across the entire print production workflow – from set-up through printing to finishing – inspecting any application and any substrate or print type.

Zero-error business model

5 SEPT ETIQUETTE’s business model is based on error-free production and avoiding the huge financial and environmental costs incurred by waste. However, with clients increasingly requesting changes to label orders, errors began to creep in. The resulting waste was eating into profits and undermined 5 SEPT ETIQUETTE’s commitment to sustainable production.

"In our line of work, accuracy is everything,” says Patrick Wack, CEO of 5 SEPT ETIQUETTE. “An error in the food label ingredients, or regarding the allergens or batch reference, could have major repercussions for our customers. Having to correct errors meant we were producing more labels than the customer ordered, and this waste was impacting profits.”

5 SEPT ETIQUETTE also wanted to ensure consistent print quality between each run of the same product, between the different options of the same product, and between different operators. The lack of visibility across the whole production run was another issue that 5 SEPT ETIQUETTE wanted to address. Being able to visualize the entire production run, not just sample sets, would make it easier to detect defects that appear and disappear throughout the run.

Transforming the print infrastructure

5 SEPT ETIQUETTE’s transformation began in 2009 with the integration of a centralized database (ERP) and graphic file processing tools and a best-in-class camera quality-control system.

The company opted for the AVT Helios system: “We were impressed by its optical quality and image analysis technology, which is thinner and smarter than competitive solutions,” explains Wack. “Also, the AVT system could integrate with our existing IT system, which corresponded with our vision for a workflow where everything is computerized and connected.”

Moving towards total automation

Initially, SEPT ETIQUETTE installed two Helios II vision systems on its offset presses to control print quality. Then the company added two Helios II systems to its flexographic presses to increase productivity and connect all presses to the centralized database for reference control. At this stage, 5 SEPT ETIQUETTE controlled 80% of its production.

5 SEPT ETIQUETTE then equipped its finishing systems with the AVT WorkFlow Link module to connect the re-conditioners to the vision systems already installed on the presses. This connection between printing and finishing eliminated defective labels on reels. The company installed the Helios S inspection solution on a press producing wine, spirits and cosmetic labels. Its advanced optical options made it much easier to visualize the gilding and embossing effects.

Last year, 5 SEPT ETIQUETTE achieved 100% automation across its entire production. The company can now correct defects on the press as soon as possible, reduce waste and clean the coils from non-conformities. The AVT print inspection and production workflow solutions have become inseparable elements in 5 SEPT ETIQUETTE’s print architecture, enabling it to oversee and control all production elements.

Certified production

In practical terms, AVT’s Helios inspection system, with the ProMIS option, is connected to the 5 SEPT ETIQUETTE graphic database, which records all technical information about the product to be printed. At the start of the print run, the system compares the label being printed with the customer-validated ready for press item, and checks the conformity of each graphic element.

Once the image is validated, it becomes the Master that the whole run is inspected against. It also serves as the reference for the next run. The system registers the defective labels in an inspection report, counts the compliant labels, and stops production as soon as the correct quantity of labels is reached. The inspection report is validated by the quality manager. The system stops the finishing machine as each defect is identified by the on-press camera, so the operator can eliminate non-compliant labels.

With human intervention greatly reduced, 5 SEPT ETIQUETTE has eliminated many of the past reference errors. When it comes to evaluating hues, the fineness of texts, and the printing parameters in general, AVT’s Helios is totally reliable and has eliminated the need for operator-based optical control – and as a result led to faster production of 100% accurate labels.

"AVT's Helios inspection systems are an integral part of our architecture and computer system – one of the three pillars for managing our workflow, along with our ERP and graphics system,” continues Wack.

5 SEPT ETIQUETTE’s investment in AVT solutions is having a clear impact: “For one customer, we print 400 million labels a year and the non-compliance rate is 0.02%, which gives us a clear competitive advantage.”

5 SEPT ETIQUETTE intends to continue integrating different tools into an ever-more automated workflow. The next step is to open up the workflow to customers who are ready to tackle one of the most critical points in terms of quality of information management – commands and graphics files. “AVT’s systems have played a major role in helping us realize our vision – it’s quite likely that one day we will make it possible for some of our customers to view production video files," concludes Wack.

Alain Marion, AVT Sales and Marketing Director France and Benelux, comments: "Our Helios inspection system processes information from the whole chain, eliminating any risk of error when printing labels. This automated control tool reduces time-to-market and waste during production, helping companies to increase profit margins. This way of working, which is common in the pharmaceutical industry, is putting 5 SEPT ETIQUETTE streets ahead in today’s industrial markets. The company was the first adhesive label printer in France, and one of the first in Europe to set up a fully automated workflow like this."

St. Croix Falls, WI, July 10, 2017 - Brandtjen & Kluge, Inc. (Kluge) today announced the introduction of the new Kluge ApexFoil™ Foil Stamping and Diecutting Press. The ApexFoil offers major innovations in application range, make-ready and efficiency.
 
The world's most popular and best-selling small to medium format foil stamping and diecutting press just got better.¹ The new ApexFoil was recently highlighted as part of a technical program at the FSEA/IADD Odyssey Technical Conference and it received rave reviews from attendees. The technical program was focused on processing difficult applications and substrates and reducing the make-ready times of these applications.
 
"We were driven to develop the ApexFoil in response to customer feedback and a clear understanding of their evolving business needs," said Michael Aumann, CEO of Kluge. "The functionality of this innovative new product will allow for better efficiency and more output in an ever-changing workflow environment driven by digital print technology."
 
The key properties of foil stamping are simple to identify: Time, Temperature and Tonnage. Until now, although simple to identify, those properties have been difficult to measure and control. Now, operators can use the ApexFoil's Compass™ control system that includes patented features to control the "3-T's" Time, Temperature and Tonnage. Compass allows operators to greatly reduce and in some cases, eliminate make-ready on every job.
 
Other features include:

• A sleek new machine design with sliding Clearview interlocking safety guards, a PLC Touchscreen 
• interface, a multi-point LED lighting package and high-performance Delrin® work surface.
• Improved foil performance with a programmable foil system that can hold a tolerance of +/- .016" at the foil gap and also provides programmable step and repeat capability.
• 24/7 programmable dual surface heat control with timer control to pre-heat die and make-ready surfaces prior to a shift start up.
• A foil, die and make-ready alignment system that trims set-up time and boosts set-up efficiency.
• Accurate quick-set tool-less registration adjustments and an ultra-lightweight die mounting plate require less operator effort and can save up to 5 minutes of set-up time during job changeover. 
• The commercial release and first official exhibition for the ApexFoil will be at Print17 in Chicago this September. Application testing and demonstrations are ongoing at Kluge's manufacturing facility and corporate headquarters.
• ¹The Kluge ApexFoil is an evolution of the Kluge EHD/EHF Series of Presses, which is the world's best-selling small format foil stamping and diecutting press as of June 2017.
   

  
Brandtjen & Kluge profile
 
Adding value since 1919, Brandtjen and Kluge is a fourth generation family owned manufacturer of specialty print finishing and converting equipment.  For over 95 years the brand name "Kluge" has represented innovation, technical leadership, productivity and rugged durability to companies worldwide.  Headquartered in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, USA, Brandtjen and Kluge markets equipment through a direct sales force in the United States and Canada and has a well-established network of industry-qualified distributors to provide global coverage.  For more information visit us at www.kluge.biz.

New Digital Press meets needs for smaller, more flexible printjobs that requirefast turnaround while retaining premium print quality.

Newark, NJ –Keystone Folding Box Co., a designer and cGMP manufacturer of paperboard packaging solutions for the healthcare market, has added digital printing capabilitiesby installinga premium, multifunction,four-color color process system.  

The new digital press meets the increasing demand – particularly in the pharmaceutical sector – for cost-effective, short-run package manufacturing. With the addition of the new technology, Keystone can rapidly manufacture anywhere from 1 carton to 18,000 cartons, depending on a customer’s specific needs.  Compared with a conventional offset press, digital printing also has significantly decreased set-up times. It ideal for the variable data printing jobs (VDPs) that have become more prevalent in the life science industry with the upcoming requirement for serialization. 

At Keystone’s Newark production facility, theRicoh Pro C7100X Seriesfeaturesfour-color process printing on either matte or gloss coated substrates, and is calibrated to match Keystone’s offset presses. Capable of creating images with up to 1200X4800 DPI resolution with 2-sided print registration, the module prints on a wide variety of media, including 10pt-18pt SBS (solid bleached sulfate), which is standard material in carton manufacturing.

“This new digital press gives Keystone expanded capabilities for rapid job changeover, maximum quality reproduction and data variability, even with small batches of pharmaceutical cartons,” explainsWard Smith, Director of Marketing & Business Development at Keystone. “Incorporating digital printing into our production capabilities makes us a more nimble carton manufacturer in a sector where high value is placed on flexibility and adaptability.”

Keystone Folding Box Co. is well known in the healthcare packaging market as a manufacturer of folding cartons, as well as its award-winning compliance packaging: Key-Pak and Ecoslide-RX. Both are child-resistant (F=1), senior-friendly compliance pack designs and are made from recyclable material.  Recently, the company  introduced its third iteration of Ecoslide-RX, dubbed Ecoslide-RX 3.0. 

About Keystone Folding Box Co.
While Keystone continues to be a leader in the manufacturing and design of paperboard packaging, they are also a design center and source for non-paperboard packaging components. To learn more about Keystone Folding Box Company,

B&R will be presenting “Automation solutions for every step towards Industrial IoT“, at Automation Expo 2017, Hall 1/ S1 on 9th to 12th August 2017. At the exhibition, B&R will be showcasing Orange Box as well as other allied solutions, which make machines and factories smart and achieve operational excellence. Orange Box enables factories and plants to fully transform into smart manufacturing setups and connect obsolete and digitally isolated machines.

Orange Box : Manufacturing intelligence for brownfield

The Orange Box is entirely flexible and modular. To collect and analyze basic operating data, all you need is a 25-millimeter-wide compact PLC and the software component mapp OEE. For more advanced features – such as alarm management or energy monitoring – the solution can easily be scaled up with more powerful PLCs and additional software components. To give the Orange Box a modern user interface in addition to PLC functionality, a Power Panel or a Panel PC can be used.

SuperTrak : Next generation industrial transport

Another highlight topic at the booth will be B&R’s SuperTrak which is dependable, precise and remarkably low maintenance; it enables agile, efficient production at any batch size. Programming takes place in the Automation Studio software development environment. SuperTrak has been specially developed for 24/7 operation in harsh industrial environments. The system is reliable, safe and remarkably service-friendly. Individual segments and shuttles can easily be replaced without having to disassemble the track. This results in a very low mean repair time and increases the productivity of the entire plant. Like all B&R's products, SuperTrak is fully integrated in B&R automation solutions. This high degree of integration eliminates system discontinuities and opens up all options when putting together a complete system.

A new visualization tool from B&R accelerates development of automation solutions featuring its SuperTrak industrial transport system. The tool displays a 3D simulation of all SuperTrak shuttle movements, as well as synchronized subsystems such as robotics and CNC. Machine builders and operators can accelerate the commissioning process by validating their designs and sequential programming in advance.

3D simulation with machine code

The visualization tool and extensive simulation options are fully integrated in B&R's Automation Studio software development environment. All simulations are based on real machine code and no additional simulation software or interfaces are required.

In simulation mode, a 3D visualization in the development environment allows processes to be fine-tuned prior to commissioning. With a few clicks of the mouse, the optimized machine code is then transferred to the target hardware.

At runtime, the visualization tool processes sensor signals to display machine movements on the HMI screen in real time. 3D visualization is the perfect way to monitor your manufacturing processes.

West Caldwell (New Jersey) - The Marchesini Group will be taking part in Pack Expo Las Vegas from 25th to 27th September. The Group will be premiering the new continuous motion horizontal cartoner MA 400 and the vacuum turbo-emulsifiers TURBO-MEK 150 by Dumek (a new brand of the Marchesini Group and specialized manufacturer of processing machines, such as turbo emulsifiers for mixing make-up, cleansers, hair dyes, toothpaste and shaving products).

The continuous motion horizontal cartoner MA 400, introduced last May at Interpack, is a completely restyled machine with improved ergonomics and reliability. This machine inherits the best of the BA 400 cartoner, which has been travelling the world since the 80’s, winning the appreciation of the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries, thanks to its reliability and ergonomic design.

MA 400 guarantees extremely fast changeover times and low maintenance. It is compact - without compromising the machine’s high speed output - and easy to use, thanks to a wide range of control functions that guarantee maximum efficiency and a new operator interface called “Easy Door”. This version has several improvements from both a functional and aesthetic point of view. The new software makes the operating system more powerful and faster. The wider screen is more ergonomic and much more sensitive, similar to that of a mobile device.

MA 400 is a perfect solution for high-speed packing of all product types (blisters, bottles and vials, rigid and squeezable tubes, sachets and trays) for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic markets.

Vacuum turbo-emulsifiers TURBO-MEK 150 by Dumek is designed to process liquid and creamy products for the cosmetic industry, in particular emulsions (cream/milk products), serums, oils and balms, gels and lotions. Special versions of these machines are able to process other products such as make up, suppositories, hair dyes, toothpastes, mud products and shaving creams.

All the essential functions (temperature and vacuum control, vessel movements) are commanded from the control panel, which has been developed in house with Dumek technology.

The Group is presenting this Dumek machine as proof that the cosmetic market is of growing importance. “Figures tell us that the American Beauty and Personal care market was worth 92.3 billion dollars in 2016. This means a “slice” worth 21% of the worldwide market: an impressive percentage that is expected to rise even further to 111 billion dollars by 2021” said Roger Toll, Executive Vice President of Marchesini Group USA. “Pack Expo will be an excellent opportunity to meet our customers and discuss what they need in this field”.

In 2013, Twellium took its first steps into the beverage market in Ghana with a PET line from Sidel. The company was incorporated on 4 February, 2013 and commenced production in February, 2014. Recently it invested in two new complete lines making Twellium a major beverage player in the West African sub-region with a total of five production lines – all supplied by Sidel. 

Twellium brings beverages - such as still water, carbonated soft drinks (CSD) and sensitive products which have proven popular among European and American consumers - to the African region. Its formula for success is to combine its own pure and natural mineral water with European technology and international standards in the manufacturing process, as well as meeting all the certification and safety standards of the Food and Drugs Authority in Ghana. The award-winning company produces a wide variety of drinks,including Verna Natural Mineral Water, Rasta Choco Malt, Dr. Malt and the Easy range of products. Other products such as Rush Energy Drink, American Cola, Planet and Bubble Up are all produced by Twellium as a franchise of Monarch Beverage Company, a global company headquartered in Atlanta (US). 

Over the years Sidel and Twellium have forged a close working relationship based on continual improvement and cooperation. As well as supplying new lines as Twellium has grown, Sidel – with more than 40 years of experience in complete lines for CSD – has also worked on optimising the existing lines and solutions in terms of energy savings and through maintenance support. 

A wide product range requires flexibility

As African consumers increasingly enjoy a variety of beverages, Twellium needed to increase production capacity while still securing high flexibility. Hassan Kesserwani and Hussein 

Kesserwani, Chairmen of Twellium Industrial Company, explain- “Flexibility is imperative for the company because of the variety of drinks we produce – from carbonated soft drinks to juice drinks with preservatives and the non-alcoholic malt drinks that are popular in the region. In Ghana, our recent investment in a Sidel Matrix™ PET complete line has fulfilled these needs by offering faster changeovers and the ability to handle many different bottle formats.” 

In terms of equipment life cycle, the Sidel Matrix range can be easily adapted to meet future production needs and its upgradeable platform allows Twellium to take advantage of any technological developments. All Matrix equipment offers high levels of performance with minimal downtime and easy maintenance. This high efficiency means a lower total cost of ownership (TCO), which, for a fast-growing company like Twellium, was important.

Cutting energy costs while expanding design options

An example of how energy costs have been reduced is the Sidel Matrix blower which consumes less compressed air and electrical power, resulting in energy savings of up to 45%. The Eco Oven technology – patented by Sidel – can be used to upgrade existing blowers and cut energy costs because it uses fewer lamps for heating the preforms. This reduction in energy consumption was particularly welcome because Ghana has faced considerable rises in energy costs. 

In addition, Twellium trusted Sidel’s PET packaging expertise and decided to adopt the StarLite™base design. Thisaward-winning and patented base enables bottle weight to be reduced by 20% for 0.5 L bottles, while improving stability and protecting against stress damage during production and transport. 

“This was an important consideration for Twellium as logistics in the African region can be a challenge. With the StarLite base, the company saves on raw materials and also on energy as the container can be blown using less air pressure,” says Dominique Martin, Sidel Africa & Maghreb Sales Director.  

The importance of service

Throughout the past five years, Sidel has delivered the service necessary to keep all the lines running optimally:from delivering spare parts promptly in order to avoid expensive downtime to ensuring Twellium could take full advantage of options and upgrades that improve the lines.

Consumers in the African region continue to enjoy greater spending power and the Twellium brands have become firmly established in the market. This puts the company in the best position to achieve even greater success.

About Sidel Group

The Sidel Group is formed by the union of two strong brands, Sidel and Gebo Cermex. Together, we are a leading provider of equipment and services for packaging liquid, food, home and personal care products in PET, can, glass and other materials.

With over 37,000 machines installed in more than 190 countries, we have nearly 170 years of proven experience, with a strong focus on advanced systems, line engineering and innovation. Our 5,000+ employees worldwide are passionate about providing complete solutions that fulfil customer needs and boost the performance of their lines, products and businesses.

Delivering this level of performance requires that we continuously understand our customers’ challenges and commit to meeting their unique goals. We do this through dialogue, and by understanding the needs of their markets, production and value chains. We complement this by applying our strong technical knowledge and smart data analytics to support maximum lifetime productivity to its full potential.

Adents’ Premier Serialization Solutions Transcend 
Short-term Compliance to AddressLong-term Manufacturing Needs

East Windsor, NJ–As the U.S. pharmaceutical industry breathes a collective sigh of relief, Adents,  provider of versatile and easily deployable serialization and track-and-trace software solutions, is urging pharma manufacturers to take full advantage of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act’s one-year enforcement postponement. 

Though the law itself remains unchanged (a formal amendment would require an act of Congress), news recently broke that penalization for the law’s key facets – most crucially, the necessity of printing a unique product identification code on all Rx units of sale and homogenous cases distributed domestically – will be put off until November 2018.  Leading up to the announcement, however, an alarmingly high number of pharmaceutical manufacturers and CMOs did not have serialization solutions in place sufficient to meet the initial November 2017 deadline.  

“With the postponement, companies who have not yet completed the serialization process stand to gain the most,” said Christophe Devins, CEO of Adents. “As awareness grows of the complexity and interconnectivity of the serialization process, pharma manufacturers are realizing the importance of modularity and flexibility in the solutions they choose.” 

“And that,” he continued , “is where Adents comes in.”

According to Adents, thedelay in the enforcement dateprovides valuable time for pharmaceutical manufacturers to look beyond short-term compliance needs and consider long-term solution viability. Considering what remains a muddied landscape, desired systems will likely trend toward more flexible, hardware-agnostic serialization solutions that can adapt or scale up to meet future track & trace mandates, as well as help improve business practices. 

For those who had been rushing toward compliance, then, the delay affords time to rethink the overall process, such as incorporating tools thatcan better utilize – for the sake of production improvements and personnel allocation – the troves of data that serialization mandates require be tracked and stored for reporting purposes.

The Adents serialization and aggregation suite of software enables companies to achieve traceability and documentation compliance easily, addressing both current and emerging regulations while also minimizing impact on production processes and productivity. An ideally standardized approach, Adents solutions are extremely flexible, scalable, and quick to deploy because configuration takes place completely at the site level, making per-line configuration unnecessary. Adents serialization software is hardware agnostic, meaning it is compatible with a wide range of equipment.

“In light of the enforcement postponement, we’re looking to educate customers on the versatility and scalability of Adents serialization solutions,” continues Mr. Devins. “The beauty of our software suiteisthe way it enables companies to comply with short-term serialization mandates while remaining adaptable for future regulations. Above and beyond that, our solutionsallowthem to derive additional business value from the tremendous amount of data that gets generated for serialization purposes.”
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About Adents
Adents is a leading provider of premier serialization software solutions for unique product identification and traceability.  Adents helps pharmaceutical companies and contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) adapt to market changes and comply with regulations on drug traceability. 
Adents Seriza, a serialization solution for manufacturing sites, has been selected as a preferred solution by Siemens for its customers.  Adents Prodigi, a cloud solution jointly developed with Microsoft and powered by Azure technologies, allows for secure data exchange and helps leverage the power of serialization data.
Adents operates globally, with offices in the United States, Europe and Asia and with a worldwide network of solution partners. For more info, visit www.adents.com.