South & Central America

A life of business

Adyasha Sinha — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 04:29:00 +0000

People 19 August 2026

A life of business

Fernando Gabel, former president of Latam, Central Europe and global M&A for All4Labels, talks about life, business and his newly formed consultancy.

Fernando Gabel, All4Labels’ former president for Latin America, Central Europe and global M&A, left the international converting group in 2025 to set up Vita Negotialis, a strategic advisory firm focused on supporting entrepreneurs, business families and multinational companies across Latin America.

With more than 15 years’ experience in senior leadership roles at Brazilian converter Baumgarten and All4Labels, and extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, Gabel believes he is well-placed to advise label converters and other companies on a variety of issues. These include operating in or entering the Latin American market, implementing governance in family-run businesses, succession planning and preparing companies for sale or acquisitions.

Baumgarten/All4Labels

Gabel, who joined in 2009, was a key figure in the creation of All4Labels through the 2016 merger of Baumgarten with German converters Rako and X-Label, before spearheading the group’s rapid expansion in Latin America via a spate of acquisitions. Later, he took on a similar brief for All4Labels in Central Europe and oversaw the group’s global M&A activity. During Gabel’s time at the company, it grew into a label and packaging behemoth with more than 50 production facilities, producing over 80 billion labels annually and generating annual revenue of around 1 billion USD.

Prior to the foundation of All4Labels, Gabel had led Baumgarten’s acquisitions of Autopack in Argentina and Etiquetas Rodak in Mexico in 2014. As president for Latin America at All4Labels, he was responsible for a number of additional M&A activities, with the group acquiring no fewer than 10 converters in Brazil over just two years, in 2022 and 2023. One of these, Flexo Print, included a facility in Paraguay. In 2023, the acquisition of AMF Etiquetas enabled All4Labels to establish its first presence in Chile.

Over the course of his career, Gabel has participated in more than 25 M&A transactions in Latin America and Europe. He cites helping to transform Baumgarten, alongside Ronaldo Baumgarten Jr, from a local company into a global business as his proudest professional achievement. The Brazilian converter, like Rako and X-Label prior to the formation of All4Labels, was a family-run business at the time of the merger.

“Latin America is a market that has its peculiarities and its ups and downs, but overall the trend is towards growth. You have to take a long-term approach”

After leaving All4Labels, Gabel took the opportunity to study before embarking on his next venture. He enrolled in a course at Harvard Business School aimed at corporate directors and board members, spent two weeks visiting technology and AI companies in Silicon Valley, and undertook board-member training and AI courses in São Paulo.

‘I wanted to reinvent myself, because the new venture is completely different,’ explains Gabel. ‘It was an amazing experience to be a student again. Studying at Harvard Business School was a huge learning opportunity.

‘And because the world is changing so fast thanks to AI, I wanted to spend some time immersing myself in that technology and trying to understand how it was affecting business. I knew it could be valuable to family-run businesses that are not always able to keep up with these developments.’

Vita Negotialis

Vita Negotialis is Latin for ‘A life of business’. ‘I have spent my life in business, and my family has an industrial background as well,’ he explains. The consultancy focuses on four ‘pillars’, says Gabel. ‘The first is the Latin American market – supporting companies who want to grow their presence here or who want to move into this market for the first time. The second is board-level assistance in implementing governance at family-run businesses. Third is a focus on M&A: helping companies prepare for sales or acquisitions. And the fourth is to act as a family advisor and to help manage the transition between different generations.’

A native of Brazil who is based in the southern state of Santa Catarina, Gabel has extensive knowledge of the Latin American market. ‘It can be a challenging region,’ he says. ‘It’s a huge market, but there can be issues with political and economic instability. I’m working with both companies that already have a presence in the region and want to improve or expand their business, and those looking to enter Latin America for the first time.

‘I can advise on acquisition targets and what you need to pay attention to when running a business in Latin America, the specifics of culture, workforce, inflation, currencies, unions and other things. It is a market with its peculiarities and ups and downs, but overall, the trend is towards growth. You have to take a long-term approach.’

Implementing governance and assisting with the professionalization of a family-run business, Vita Negotialis’ second pillar, are areas in which Gabel has extensive experience. It also feeds into the other two areas of the consultancy’s focus: preparing companies for mergers or acquisitions and acting as a family advisor for succession planning.

‘You have to prepare your company to be sold, rather than decide you want to sell,’ he says. ‘A business needs governance, management and continuity. You never know what might happen in the future, so succession planning is important.

“The label market is growing, and it still isn’t very consolidated”

‘I once worked with a company in Mexico. The owner was almost 80 and wanted to sell. He ran the business and was doing almost everything. He was directly responsible for 70 percent of the turnover. That kind of company is hard to sell, because if he isn’t there, it’s not the same company.

‘Putting an M&A strategy in place for your business, whatever your plans currently are, is a sensible move. The M&A process can take two or three years. For family businesses in particular, professionalization is often required to prepare for a sale.

‘You must respect the local culture. Everywhere is different. Every company has its own problems. If you acquire a company that you should not acquire, you are paying to have more problems.’

After a sale, too, integration of the business is crucial, says Gabel. ‘There needs to be a clear idea of how it will be run, what the reporting lines are, and how management will be integrated.’

A fifth area of focus for Vita Negotialis is currently in development. Having immersed himself in AI after completing a course in the subject, Gabel is a firm believer in its potential as a management tool for label converters. ‘Many family-run, mid-sized label converters are not doing sophisticated data collection and analysis,’ he says. ‘AI tools can help with data management.’

Prior to working in the label industry, Gabel spent more than two decades in the ceramics, metal-mechanical and truck trailer sectors. He is consulting for companies in these sectors, as well as for label converters, with the latter accounting for roughly half of his work since founding his consultancy in November 2025.

Latin American market

Gabel says he is always optimistic about the Latin American label market. ‘There are always opportunities,’ he emphasizes. ‘Mexico and Brazil are the two biggest markets that most companies are focused on. After them, Colombia has great potential. Central America is strong in certain sectors. Paraguay is booming thanks to low taxes and strong industrial growth.

‘Argentina and Chile have been struggling a little because they have large wine label markets and wine consumption has been declining.

‘Brazil has had some economic challenges in recent years. High interest rates don’t help investment. But it is a strong country, and lots of companies are investing here despite the challenges. If you pay attention to what you are doing, you can be successful. The label market is growing, and it still isn’t very consolidated.’

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FTA Mexico launches training program in Spanish

Adyasha Sinha — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 06:58:07 +0000

Associations, events & awards 14 August 2026

FTA Mexico launches training program in Spanish

FTA Mexico’s president Martin Maldonado believes the training and certification program can help professionalize the country’s flexo industry.

FTA Mexico has announced the availability of First (Flexographic Image Reproduction Specifications and Tolerances) 7.0 in Spanish, which the association’s president, Martin Maldonado, believes could be a transformative step in the development of the flexo industry in Mexico and the wider Latin American region.

First 7.0, developed by the FTA in the US, is the world’s leading technical standard for flexographic printing, establishing precise guidelines for achieving quality, consistency and control in image reproduction.

This edition is the first official version in Spanish, with FTA Mexico responsible for its promotion, distribution and marketing throughout Latin America (except Brazil) and in Spain.

The unveiling of First 7.0 in Spanish took place in April 2026 at the Juan José Arreola State Public Library of Jalisco in Guadalajara, bringing together specialized media and industry leaders interested in strengthening the quality and competitiveness of flexographic printing.

Speakers at the press conference included José Trinidad Padilla López, director of the library, Rubén Masayi González Uyeda, representative of the industrial sector and FTA Mexico president Martin Maldonado.

‘The arrival of First 7.0 in Spanish represents a fundamental step in raising the technical level of our industry and aligning
ourselves with international standards that are now essential for global competition,’ said Maldonado during the event. ‘This
effort not only impacts companies but also strengthens talent development and collaboration with academic institutions,
creating a more robust ecosystem for the sector’s growth.’

Key step

The initiative, finalized following extensive talks between FTA Mexico and its counterparts in the US, marks the first time this expert technical guidance is officially available in Spanish.

“With First 7.0 in Spanish, we are ready to begin the standardization and professionalization of the flexo industry in Mexico”

For Maldonado, it represents a key step in the development of the Mexican flexo industry.

‘With First 7.0 in Spanish, we are ready to begin the standardization and professionalization of this industry,’ he says. ‘Despite rapid growth in the Mexican packaging industry in recent years, thanks to nearshoring and a booming e-commerce sector, Mexico is not at the same level as the US and Brazil when it comes to the level of professionalization and standardization of processes.’

This rapid growth has brought pressure on the local industry, believes Maldonado. The nearshoring trend has seen international brands set up factories in Mexico to serve the US market with shorter supply chains. ‘This puts pressure on local
converters who want to serve these brands to meet certain quality and operational standards in order to guarantee the quality of their products,’ he says.

‘Since FTA Mexico was established in 2023, we’ve had several global companies based in Mexico contacting us saying they are interested in gaining certifications,’ Maldonado continues. ‘Unlike in the US, certifications for businesses and individuals are not mandatory in Mexico. With nearshoring, new accounts come to converters and say, “I love how you print, but can you guarantee that you have your certifications? Can you guarantee that you can print to the same standards as the company that prints for me in the US or Canada or Europe?” Many local converters don’t have the capacity to demonstrate this. The best way is through certification of the company’s processes or personnel.

‘Just as we have pending issues on the agenda, which Mexico needs to address, such as environmental sustainability, the
standardization and professionalization of the industry is one of those areas that can no longer be delayed.’

In recognition of this need for professionalization, FTA Mexico,
headquartered in Guadalajara, was founded in 2023. The initiative was driven by a group of industry suppliers, led by DuPont, that pitched the FTA in the US to establish a branch of the Flexographic Technical Association in Mexico. Among its supplier members are Comexi, Esko, Flint Group, Gallus, Hybrid Software and Mark Andy.

First 7.0 in Spanish could be a transformative step for the local industry, says Martin Maldonado

‘Due to Mexico’s proximity to the US, the FTA was always a reference point for the local industry,’ says Maldonado. ‘Converters here have always been keen to be a part of it, but there is often a language barrier, which makes it hard to take advantage of the conferences, studies and research. And
there is the problem of distance.’

‘Progress since FTA Mexico’s foundation has been positive,’ says Maldonado. ‘We have been promoting ourselves and
establishing a presence in the country. We held forums at two prestigious universities, the Autonomous University of Guadalajara and the University of Celaya.

‘The goal is to promote the association, invite business owners and converters to see the importance of professionalizing the industry, and also, crucially, to try to attract young talent into the sector. This is of the utmost importance because our industry, like others, is experiencing a severe labor crisis. There is a generational shift.

‘The only way to address this is to go to universities and show students what the flexo industry is, its history and what we do, so they can see the opportunities that exist for professional development.

‘So, we kill two birds with one stone: we promote the industry and connect with students, and we build bridges between the universities and the private sector. We demonstrate FTA Mexico’s ability to create these connections.’

Interest

In the press conference marking the launch of First 7.0 in Spanish, FTA Mexico announced that commercial availability
would begin in May.

‘We’ve had lots of interest in the project in the short time since the announcement,’ says Maldonado. ‘As well as converters
in Mexico, we’ve been contacted by companies in Guatemala, Ecuador and El Salvador, as well as by associations in Chile, Colombia and Peru.

The unveiling of First 7.0 in Spanish took place in April at the Juan José Arreola State Public Library of Jalisco in Guadalajara

‘This is a great step forward for us because it projects us internationally as an association and pushes us to work and collaborate with other institutions throughout Latin America, and even Europe. We become the central hub. The agreement is to market, promote and distribute First 7.0 certification in Spanish from Mexico to Patagonia.’

The exception to FTA Mexico’s remit in Latin America is Brazil, where the local flexo association, ABFlexo, partners with the FTA to bring the latter’s technical standards and research to the Brazilian market.

There are three levels of First certifications for individuals. Level 1, Fundamentals, is for beginners and non-production personnel, learning the core concepts of flexography and First. Level 2, Implementation, is aimed at individuals applying the First methodology in their day-to-day workflow. Level 3,
Expert, is for experienced professionals who lead process control, optimization and communication across departments.

‘We are ready to begin the certifications in the third quarter of this year,’ says Maldonado. ‘The schedule will be released to begin offering online certifications in Spanish, which FTA Mexico will offer through the FTA platform in the US. They have all the technical infrastructure and the digital platform for the Spanish certifications to take place.’

“We’ve had lots of interest in the project in the short time since the announcement”

The next stage is in-person training and certification, which will take place at the Stampa Academy in Queretaro, launched two years ago. ‘It’s a certified flexo training center that operates within the facilities of CETis 16 [a technical vocational public high school] and is equipped with technology from DuPont, Tesa and Esko, among others, as well as a full 8-color flexo press,’ says Maldonado. ‘It includes every part of
the flexo printing process, but only for narrow web at the moment. So it’s still lacking, but it’s part of something that’s
just starting.

‘Our objective, as the FTA, is to encourage companies, entrepreneurs and the government to invest so an academy
like this can grow and not only have narrow-web equipment, but also mid- and wide-web too. And not only in Queretaro;
we want to have staff there, but also, let’s say, start-up academies in Monterrey, Guadalajara and Mexico City. It will be a phased process.’

With 25 years of experience in the Mexican flexo industry, Maldonado is a passionate advocate not only for the industry’s professionalization but also for a greater focus on environmental sustainability.

‘Sustainability is another area where we need to improve,’ he says. ‘Other parts of the world have regulations and legislation
around how to operate more sustainably. In Mexico, we are behind. Even countries such as Chile and Colombia, smaller
markets than ours, are implementing standards and adopting sustainability initiatives. But in Mexico, there is no government legislation that obliges companies to operate according to certain sustainability standards. FTA Mexico has to work with companies, with organizations and with the government to encourage progress in this area.

‘It’s time for Mexican suppliers and converters to organize and start setting our own operating standards. We’re still a step behind; we must acknowledge this. But more and more companies in Mexico are beginning to address this issue.’

About First

First, which as an acronym stands for Flexographic Image Reproduction Specifications and Tolerances, is the flexographic industry’s leading set of best practices, specifications and process control guidelines. Developed and continually refined by industry experts, First provides a standardized approach that ensures consistent, predictable and high-quality print. By aligning people, processes and technology across the entire workflow, First helps organizations achieve efficiency, accuracy and repeatable results from job to job and press to press.

Companies can also achieve First Company Certification once a specific percentage of their staff is individually certified, signaling to customers that the entire facility adheres to these
high standards.

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L&L to host webinar on cloud-native ERP

Piotr Wnuk — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 22:00:09 +0000

Labels & Labeling has partnered with eProductivity Software (ePS) to host a webinar on September 3, 2026 exploring how independent label converters can move beyond spreadsheets and disconnected tools by adopting cloud-native ERP designed specifically for their operational needs.

The webinar, titled ‘Beyond the spreadsheet: How cloud-based ERP gives independent label converters enterprise power, without the IT bill’ will take place at 10:00 AM ET / 3:00 PM BST / 4:00 PM CET.

The session will be presented by Dave Currin, product owner for Paxis, and Ewan Cameron, customer support manager from the Paxis team. Together, they will discuss the practical challenges faced by small and growing label converters, including quoting accuracy, job costing, production visibility, customer responsiveness and the growing risk of relying on spreadsheets or knowledge held by only a few key people.

According to ePS, independent label converters are under increasing pressure to handle shorter runs, more SKUs, faster turnaround expectations and tighter margins. For many businesses, spreadsheets and manual processes may still feel manageable, but they can make it difficult to quote consistently, track job profitability, manage stock visibility, or scale without adding administrative burden.

The webinar will show how Paxis ERP, part of the ePS CommandCore portfolio, gives independent label converters access to structured ERP capability without the complexity, cost, or IT overhead usually associated with larger enterprise systems. As a cloud-native ERP, Paxis is designed to reduce the need for internal IT infrastructure while helping converters connect estimating, orders, production, inventory, purchasing, shipping, and business data in one workflow.

The session will also include a practical product demonstration, showing how Paxis supports everyday label converting processes such as quoting, order handling, production visibility and operational control. The presenters will also address common questions around implementation, package options, integrations, onboarding, and what a realistic move away from spreadsheet-based operations can look like.

The webinar will also feature a guest customer user, who will share practical experience of using Paxis and discuss how the system supports real label converting operations.

The session is intended for owners, general managers, estimators, production managers, customer service teams and operations leaders at independent label converting businesses which want better control without taking on an enterprise-scale ERP project.

The webinar will include a live Q&A section, giving attendees the opportunity to ask questions directly about Paxis, implementation, integrations, package options and how cloud-native ERP can support small and growing label converting businesses.

Registration details are available through Labels & Labeling and ePS webinar communications.

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L&L to host webinar on cloud-native ERP

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Cloud-native Paxis platform to be demonstrated live on 3 September.

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Cloud-native Paxis platform to be demonstrated live on 3 September.

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Coca-Cola turns sleeves into collectibles

Will Drysdale — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 09:27:38 +0000

Brand owners & design 12 August 2026

Coca-Cola turns sleeves into collectibles

The beverage giant's latest collaboration with Panini demonstrates how shrink-sleeve technology, automation and responsible sourcing can transform a label into a marketing channel. Will Drysdale reports.

Coca-Cola is never far from launching a major consumer campaign, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup was just that.

It has now come to an end, with Spain crowned champions of what is regarded as the biggest tournament in the competition's history, and once again, the beverage giant turned to Panini to engage football fans through packaging.

Founded in Italy in 1961, Panini is best known for its football sticker albums, which have become renowned during international tournaments. The companies have collaborated before, including a promotion for the UEFA European Championship in 2016 that reportedly placed around 265 million stickers across Europe.

For the latest campaign, Coca-Cola integrated exclusive Panini stickers into the labels of selected Coca-Cola bottles. Consumers could peel back the promotional label to reveal one of 12 player stickers designed to fill a dedicated spread in the official FIFA World Cup 26 sticker album. The players included Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, Virgil van Dijk, Lautaro Martínez, Joshua Kimmich, Gabriel Magalhães and Weston McKennie.

"For the labels and packaging industry, however, the campaign is more significant than a football promotion. It represents a sophisticated example of packaging being used as a direct consumer-engagement tool."

The promotion turned the label from a largely informational component into an interactive part of the product. Rather than receiving a separate giveaway at the point of sale, the consumer discovers the collectible within the packaging itself.

For retailers, the objective is to increase purchasing frequency, create theatre around tournament displays and give shoppers an additional reason to return in search of particular players. For the labels and packaging industry, however, the campaign is more significant than a football promotion. It represents a sophisticated example of packaging being used as a direct consumer-engagement tool while still fulfilling its conventional branding, regulatory and protective functions.

Collectible campaign

The collectible stickers are produced at Panini's headquarters in Modena, Italy, before entering a broader packaging supply chain, where they must be accurately paired with the appropriate promotional labels.

Although the finished concept appears simple, placing a paper collectible beneath a shrink-sleeve label introduces a series of production challenges. Each sticker must remain securely attached during converting, transport, bottling and distribution, while also being easy for the consumer to remove without damaging the image.

Unlike a standard shrink-sleeve application, the promotion requires an additional component to be inserted into an already highly optimized production workflow. The sticker must be positioned accurately beneath the sleeve and temporarily secured with an adhesive that withstands transportation, warehousing, application, heat and refrigeration.

At the same time, the sticker must detach cleanly when the consumer removes the sleeve. Too little adhesive could allow the sticker to move or fall away during production. Too much could damage the sticker, affect its appearance or make it difficult to remove.

Achieving that balance across hundreds of millions of units requires extensive testing and validation. Small variations in adhesive coat weight, temperature, humidity, substrate performance or application pressure can influence the result. A process that works successfully during a short trial must be repeatable across multiple production sites and markets.

The sticker itself also requires protection. Panini stickers are typically intended to be stored in albums, but those concealed beneath beverage labels must withstand far harsher conditions. Exposure to moisture, temperature fluctuations and condensation throughout the supply chain could otherwise affect a standard paper construction.

"When production volumes extend into hundreds of millions of units, the consequences of a minor error are magnified."

A protective laminating varnish is applied over the printed surface to prevent moisture from reaching the image during transport and handling. The finished collectible may pass from a production line into a warehouse, a distribution vehicle, a supermarket refrigerator and finally into the consumer's hands before it is removed.

Integrating the sticker into a beverage bottling environment poses an additional challenge. Large-scale bottling operations can process tens of thousands of bottles an hour, leaving little room for additional handling stages. Any promotional component must therefore be incorporated without affecting efficiency, output or line reliability.

The sticker insertion process must operate in synchronization with the label and decoration systems. Automated feeding equipment positions the collectible accurately beneath the sleeve before the completed construction is applied. Even a small disruption could generate bottlenecks or result in bottles being produced without stickers.

When production volumes extend into hundreds of millions of units, the consequences of a minor error are magnified.

Quality-control systems are therefore crucial, as inspection equipment can verify the presence and position of each sticker and reject defective products before they leave the production environment.

CCL coordinates global production

CCL Label has confirmed its involvement in producing the packaging for the promotion, describing the campaign as an example of what can be achieved when a global manufacturing network operates as one team.

In a social media post, the company said executing a project of this scale required 'flawless coordination across borders', involving its sites in the US and teams in Austria. It compared the collaboration to a well-organized football team, with different operations contributing to the quality and production volumes required by Coca-Cola and Panini.

That contribution illustrates why global promotional campaigns increasingly depend on converters with multinational manufacturing footprints. Materials, graphics, production specifications and quality requirements must remain consistent even where labels are produced at different locations and supplied to multiple bottling operations.

The involvement of facilities in the US and Austria also reflects the geographical complexity behind what consumers experience as a single campaign. Promotional components may be printed, converted, assembled and distributed across several countries before reaching the final bottling line.

Consistency is therefore as important as speed, as every aspect of the process must remain within the required tolerances at every participating facility.

Shrink sleeves have become one of the fastest-growing decoration formats in the beverage sector partly because of their ability to cover complex container shapes and provide 360-degree graphics. They also give brands a large printable area for promotions, limited editions and connected-packaging features.

Modern converting systems use high-definition flexographic, gravure or digital printing to produce vivid graphics with fine detail and consistent color. Increasingly sophisticated registration and inspection systems allow converters to maintain tight tolerances across long production runs, which is an important consideration when promotional components must align precisely beneath printed imagery.

After printing, sleeves are normally seamed into tubes and supplied in reels for application. On bottling lines, automated systems cut each sleeve to length and position it over the container before the container passes through a steam or hot-air shrink tunnel.

For this campaign, those established processes must accommodate the additional sticker without reducing line performance. The collectible needs to remain securely in place as the sleeve is applied and shrunk but must not be affected by the heat used to mold the film around the bottle.

Packaging as media

Brand owners are increasingly treating labels and packaging not simply as containers for products, but as owned media channels capable of encouraging interaction, collecting data and supporting wider marketing campaigns. For example, Wimbledon Tennis and the Belgian lager brand Stella Artois have been collaborating for more than a decade and develop further each year, including Stella Artois and Wimbledon branded clothing.

Unlike digital advertising, a package is guaranteed to reach someone who has already purchased the product or is actively considering it. It remains physically present throughout the consumption experience, giving brands a direct route to the consumer.

This has driven investment in QR codes, connected packaging, variable-data printing, promotional mechanics and collectible formats. Coca-Cola's partnership with Panini combines several of these principles with an established emotional connection that is the tradition of collecting and swapping football stickers.

The value of the promotion comes partly from turning routine packaging into something consumers actively search for. A label that would ordinarily be discarded becomes the gateway to a collectible associated with one of the world's largest sporting events.

It also demonstrates that consumer engagement does not have to depend entirely on digital technology. The physical sticker provides the immediate reward, while the packaging itself creates the element of discovery.

However, as packaging becomes more elaborate, promotional impact must increasingly be balanced against environmental performance. Additional layers, adhesives, varnishes and components may improve the consumer experience, but they can also add material and complicate end-of-life treatment.

That tension makes responsible sourcing and design considerations an important part of the campaign rather than a separate discussion.

Sourcing at scale

The official FIFA World Cup sticker collection packaging carries the FSC Mix label, indicating that its paper-based materials come from a combination of FSC-certified forests, recycled material and controlled sources.

"It also means that the environmental stakes are higher, because the choices made at this scale can have a much larger impact."

Helen Chepkemoi Too, senior director of markets at FSC International, notes that responsible sourcing at this scale depends on establishing clear supplier expectations and verification processes throughout the supply chain.

'When we talk about complex global supply chains and campaigns involving millions of products, responsible sourcing means setting clear supplier requirements and having robust verification systems in place to ensure all involved partners are meeting them,' she says.

'FSC certification helps provide a tested and practical framework to help companies ensure their forest-based materials are sourced in-line with rigorous environmental, social and economic standards, even when production volumes are exceptionally high.'

The 2026 Panini collection is the largest World Cup edition produced by the company, containing 980 stickers, including the dedicated Coca-Cola spread.

Too says that operations capable of supplying such volumes require strong management systems to ensure sourcing standards are applied consistently.

'The scale of such a campaign only reinforces why certification matters,' she explains. 'When millions of items are being produced, consistency depends on having recognized processes and structures in place. It also means that the environmental stakes are higher, because the choices made at this scale can have a much larger impact.'

The campaign involves numerous companies, including brand owners, material suppliers, converters, bottlers and licensing partners. FSC chain-of-custody certification provides those participants with a common framework for handling and making claims about certified material.

'For a global project involving brand owners, converters, printers and licensing partners, that common framework matters,' says Too. 'It helps ensure that responsible sourcing is not just based on trust alone but supported by audited processes that can verify the materials were handled appropriately throughout the supply chain.'

For the consumer, much of that activity remains invisible. Shoppers see the finished label or sticker rather than the sourcing and production network behind it. The FSC mark is intended to link the finished product to a verified chain-of-custody system that includes supplier controls and independent auditing.

Too adds: 'The FSC label is not just a symbol, it is backed by a framework which includes chain-of-custody controls, supplier verification requirements and regular third-party auditing.'

Creativity and responsibility

Promotional packaging creates a highly visible platform for brands. Still, Too argues that sustainability should be built into such projects from the beginning rather than considered after the creative concept has been agreed.

'Packaging is not always at the center of sustainability conversations, but it should be,' she says. 'It's one of the most visible touchpoints between brands and consumers, and its impact can be significant.

'This is why sustainability needs to be considered alongside creativity and marketing impact from the outset. Certification helps brands move beyond vague sustainability claims to sending a clear signal of responsible business practice.'

For global sporting events, that visibility creates both an opportunity and a responsibility. Sponsors can use campaigns reaching millions of consumers to demonstrate that engagement and responsible sourcing do not have to be competing objectives.

"Packaging is not always at the center of sustainability conversations, but it should be."

Too expects sourcing requirements to receive greater attention from tournament organizers and sponsors as environmental claims face closer scrutiny.

'We're already seeing that responsible sourcing is moving from a "nice to have" to a baseline expectation in many sectors,' she says. 'Major sporting events are highly visible and closely scrutinized, so it is reasonable to expect that organizers and sponsors will give greater weight to responsible sourcing requirements.'

This could ultimately extend into licensing decisions. Production capacity, consistency and product quality have traditionally been central to the selection of partners for major global promotions. Too believes certification should increasingly sit alongside those commercial criteria.

'Licensing criteria should reflect the growing expectation that brands take environmental responsibility seriously, particularly when their products depend on natural resources,' Too says. 'Credible certification can act as a signal to help brands assess whether suppliers can meet responsible sourcing expectations at scale before entering into partnership.'

Fanatics-owned Topps is expected to take over production of FIFA's official stickers and trading cards from 2031, ending Panini's long-running World Cup relationship after the 2030 tournament. Too says future producers should retain credible sourcing requirements while also examining recycled content, efficient manufacturing and waste reduction.

For converters and packaging manufacturers, the opportunity extends beyond certified fiber. Material reduction, lower production waste, recycled content and improved end-of-life performance can all help reduce the impact of high-volume campaigns.

'For large-scale campaigns, even small improvements can go a long way,' Too says. 'The key is to make sustainability a part of the planning process, so that every decision from sourcing to production to end-of-life considerations supports the same environmental goals.'

A repeatable model

For the labels and packaging sector, the Coca-Cola and Panini campaign is a reminder that innovation does not always require an entirely new decoration technology. Sometimes it comes from combining established materials, machinery and processes in a way that creates a different consumer experience.

By using shrink sleeves to coincide with one of football's most recognizable collectibles, Coca-Cola and Panini have shown how packaging can become an active participant in the consumer experience rather than simply a vehicle for delivering a product.

As competition for consumer attention intensifies, similar campaigns are likely to become more common. Combining converting technology, automated manufacturing and carefully designed promotional mechanics gives brands a means of engaging consumers directly through packaging.

For the labels industry, it is another example of how labels continue to evolve, creating new opportunities for converters, material suppliers and machinery manufacturers while placing greater emphasis on traceability, consistency and environmental responsibility.

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Esko plans packaging workflow webinar

Piotr Wnuk — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:25:10 +0000

Esko has confirmed a free global webinar on September 10 at 10am EST, recreating its From Design to Production Line experience first presented at interpack 2026, giving brand owners, converters, packaging suppliers and print professionals access to a guided end-to-end packaging workflow demonstration online.

Developed with technology partners including CarbonQuota, ePac Flexible Packaging, io.tt, Laetus, Recyda, RegASK and Videojet Technologies, the webinar follows the lifecycle of a granola product from initial concept through artwork creation, print production, coding and marking, and palletization and logistics across four stages: concept and intelligent artwork, printing process, production line and future-proof logistics.

The session will address how packaging data can flow across the value chain to support PPWR compliance, Extended Producer Responsibility obligations, Digital Product Passport requirements and GS1 Sunrise 2027 preparation.

'The popularity of the experience at interpack demonstrated just how much interest there is in connected packaging workflows and integrated data management,' said Jan De Roeck, director of marketing at Esko. 'By taking the experience online, we can now share those insights with packaging professionals worldwide.'

Registration for the free webinar is open via the Esko website.

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Esko plans packaging workflow webinar

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Free webinar recreates end-to-end packaging value chain journey.

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Free webinar recreates end-to-end packaging value chain journey.

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Siegwerk achieves 100 percent renewable electricity

Will Drysdale — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 10:21:56 +0000

The ink and coatings manufacturer said it has now maintained full coverage of its worldwide operations with renewable electricity for three consecutive years, having first achieved the milestone in 2023. The achievement forms part of its HorizonNOW 2030 sustainability agenda, which was updated earlier this year.

Since beginning its transition in 2021, Siegwerk has expanded its renewable electricity strategy through a combination of on-site solar installations, renewable electricity tariffs, renewable energy suppliers and the purchase of unbundled energy attribute certificates. Solar projects have already been implemented at sites in India, Argentina, Mexico and Thailand.

Alina Marm, head of global sustainability at Siegwerk, said: ‘Operating on 100 percent renewable electricity worldwide is an important milestone for Siegwerk and a strong signal of our dedication to climate action.

‘At the same time, we know that credible climate progress requires continuous investment, long-term thinking and concrete actions throughout the entire value chain.’

As part of HorizonNOW 2030, Siegwerk has set a target of reducing its Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent by 2030, compared with its 2020 baseline, while maintaining 100 percent renewable electricity across its operations each year.

To support this objective, the company has established a dedicated green fund to accelerate investments in energy-efficiency and carbon-reduction projects worldwide, including those with longer payback periods.

Looking ahead, Siegwerk said it will increasingly focus on expanding both on-site and off-site renewable energy generation where technically and economically viable. The company also plans to reduce its reliance on short-term market mechanisms over time and develop regional renewable energy strategies that reflect differing grid infrastructure, regulatory environments and market maturity across the countries in which it operates.

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Siegwerk achieves 100 percent renewable electricity

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Siegwerk has announced that its global operations were 100 percent powered by renewable electricity throughout 2025.

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Siegwerk has announced that its global operations were 100 percent powered by renewable electricity throughout 2025.

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La Etiqueta expands with second HP Indigo 6K+

Piotr Wnuk — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 23:01:00 +0000

The label industry continues to evolve as brands demand shorter runs, faster delivery, greater customization, and uncompromising print quality. For converters, adapting to
these changing market dynamics requires more than investing in new equipment—it requires a long-term vision built around innovation and operational flexibility.

Few companies have embraced this transformation as successfully as La Etiqueta.

Today, La Etiqueta has evolved into one of Mexico's most comprehensive label and packaging converters. Its portfolio extends beyond premium labels to include shrink sleeves and high-end folding cartons, enabling the company to serve a wide range of industries, including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, wine and spirits,
toys, stationery and consumer goods.

The company has also developed its own proprietary LESA brand of self-adhesive labels for office and stationery applications, offering an extensive portfolio of products
and colors that further demonstrates its commitment to innovation, product diversification and market responsiveness.

With more than 90 years of experience in the Mexican label industry, the company has established itself as one of the country's leading digital label converters by continuously investing in technologies that enable customers to respond quickly to changing consumer demands while maintaining the highest production standards.

Under the leadership of CEO Itzhak Levy, La Etiqueta recognized that digital printing would become a strategic pillar for the future of labels. Backed by the expertise of Sun
Digital, HP Industrial's authorized partner in Mexico, the company made the bold decision by becoming the first company in Mexico and Latin America to install two HP Indigo 6K+ digital presses. The investment represented far more than the addition of new production capacity— It marked the beginning of a long-term digital transformation strategy designed to increase flexibility, productivity, improve efficiency
and expand application opportunities.

The impact was immediate.

‘Today, at La Etiqueta, we produce nearly four million labels every month using two HP Indigo presses. That's why we decided to invest in the new HP Indigo 6K+, which gave us the opportunity to have a digital press with enhanced capabilities and higher productivity,’ says Itzhak Levy, CEO of La Etiqueta.

As customer demand for premium digital labels continued to accelerate, ‘La Etiqueta’ experienced significant business growth driven by faster turnaround times, outstanding
print quality and the ability to economically produce shorter and more diverse jobs.

Digital production became a competitive advantage that allowed the company to strengthen relationships with existing customers while attracting new business opportunities across multiple market segments.

The company's confidence in its digital strategy was demonstrated only six months after the first installation, when La Etiqueta invested in a second HP Indigo 6K+.

The rapid expansion was a clear reflection of growing production volumes and increasing market demand, reinforcing the company's position as one of the leading
digital label converters in Latin America.

For La Etiqueta, digital technology is not simply another production method—it is a platform for continuous innovation. The company continues to help brands launch products faster, produce multiple SKUs more efficiently, reduce inventory
requirements, and respond to evolving market needs with greater agility.

This transformation has also been supported by a strong partnership with Sun Digital, HP Industrial's authorized partner in Mexico. Beyond supplying technology, Sun Digital has accompanied La Etiqueta throughout its digital journey by providing technical expertise, implementation support, application development and ongoing service, helping maximize the value of every investment and ensuring long-term operational success.

Together, La Etiqueta, HP Indigo and Sun Digital demonstrate how a strong partnership between converter, technology provider and local business partner can accelerate innovation, increase competitiveness and unlock new growth opportunities in today's evolving label industry.

Today, La Etiqueta continues to invest in innovation, productivity and customer value, strengthening its leadership in digital label converting throughout Mexico and Latin
America. As demand for high-quality, sustainable and agile label production continues to grow, the company is well positioned to support global brands and regional businesses looking for a trusted manufacturing partner with world-class digital capabilities.

For La Etiqueta, digital transformation has become much more than an operational decision—it has become the foundation of its future growth.

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2 weeks 4 days ago

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La Etiqueta expands with second HP Indigo 6K+

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HP Indigo technology accelerated La Etiqueta's expansion and market leadership.

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HP Indigo technology accelerated La Etiqueta's expansion and market leadership.

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Gallus completes ‘digital-first’ strategic transformation

Adyasha Sinha — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 02:42:54 +0000

Digital printing 29 July 2026

Gallus completes ‘digital-first’ strategic transformation

With the launch of the Gallus Five at Labelexpo Europe 2025, Gallus completed its transition to a ‘digital first’ strategy.

The launch of the Gallus One digital press in 2022 marked a major strategic shift toward digital from a company best known for its high-end conventional presses.

The Gallus One was not Gallus’ first venture into digital, of course. The Gallus Labelfire hybrid press, built on the Gallus ECS flexo press platform, was launched in 2015. But the Labelfire was very much subsidiary to Gallus’ conventional flexo and offset press programs.

The development of the Gallus One marked the start of the company’s move to a true ‘digital first’ strategy, a change conceptualized and driven by Dario Urbinati, CEO of Gallus Group. Urbinati became CEO in December 2022 at a defining moment for Gallus, with a renewed focus on strengthening the company’s role within the Heidelberg Group.

‘When I returned, we had to figure out how to move forward,’ recalls Urbinati.

'The first thing that needed to change was the internal culture. ‘Gallus was very hierarchical. Today, it is a flatter structure. I do not feel like an “outside” CEO with a closed-off office. In the early days, I moved my desk to different departments to engage with our employees.’

A key priority for Urbinati was strengthening strategic alignment within the Heidelberg Group, fostering even closer collaboration and a shared momentum. Gallus benefited from extensive support across Heidelberg, particularly in digital technologies, as the group advanced its broader digital transformation strategy.

“At a high level, I no longer want to talk about machines, but about modules, about different building blocks which can be combined”

Urbinati put together a VIP sounding board, including both large and small customers, and asked what was important to them. ‘This gave us the baseline for thinking about what technologies we needed to develop.’

Inkjet first

Urbinati saw inkjet as the ‘technology of the future’, with the greatest potential for development.

‘By 2021, inkjet had reached a comparable point to flexo on the technology S curve in terms of productivity, print quality and speed. Since then, digital has surpassed flexo in terms of makeready, “coolness” and TCO for short-to-medium, high mix-production – whilst flexo, however remains the most cost-effective choice for many long, repeatable runs.’

Urbinati points out that 80 percent of label jobs are under 10,000 linear meters, benefiting the TCO case for inkjet technology.

‘Having made the decision for inkjet, I had to reset the company, and this was at the center of the development of our new product range. We needed to become a primarily digital company. The most important thing was to explain to our employees and stakeholders why we are doing this, and to formulate it into a strategy. It has changed the whole culture of the company. People now understand the new direction and why it’s necessary, and their part within it. This alone creates its own energy.’

System to Compose

Urbinati sees inkjet as one module in a wider hybrid ecosystem, which the company calls System to Compose.

‘Digital does not solve every problem, and not everything can be, or should be, digital. There will always be a place for flexo, where there are certain color gamut requirements or where certain substrates are specified. But for most applications, a hybrid configuration between flexo and inkjet provides the most flexibility and lowest TCO.’

The System to Compose is built around the Gallus Labelmaster platform. The Gallus One was the first digital building block and was designed in compatible widths of 340mm and 430mm (13in and 17in).

The Gallus One is a 7-color UV inkjet engine (CMYK+OVW), imaging at 1,200 DPI native resolution and printing at speeds up to 70m/min (229ft/min). The Gallus One can be combined with any module from the Gallus Labelmaster range, either specified from new or retrofittable in the field.

At Labelexpo Europe 2025, Gallus extended the modular System to Compose ecosystem with the Gallus Five, designed for higher-volume workflows and with a new energy-efficient LED-UV curing system.

Once again, this is built on the Gallus Labelmaster platform, allowing ‘almost limitless’ combinations of digital and conventional modules.

The Gallus Five is available in 340 and 430mm (13in and 17in) widths and uses the same 1,200 DPI imaging system as the Gallus One, but increases speed to 100m/min (328ft/min) using Heidelberg’s Saphira UV05 LED-UV ink set. The 6-color configuration (CMYK+OV) covers around 95 percent of the Pantone Plus V4 color library.

Gallus One in hybrid configuration including MatteJet module

Gallus’ new SDC Pro semi-rotary die-cutter was also launched at Labelexpo Europe 2025. It is fully compatible with System to Compose and operates at 100m/min.

The Gallus Five press at Labelexpo Europe was configured with two flexo units ahead of the digital print unit (DPU), followed by a flexo unit with cold foil, screen printing, a further flexo unit and the RDC Quick die-cutting module.

Modular future

‘At a high level, I no longer want to talk about machines, but about modules, about different building blocks which can be combined,’ explains Urbinati. ‘When we asked customers about their use models, they said “we want to be able to change modules as our business changes”.’

Urbinati says most printing machines today are like ‘small factories within a factory’, with boundaries defined by software, operator training and tooling across different machines. These ‘museums of different brands’ are complex and expensive to manage, difficult to automate and with little effective redundancy.

‘With System to Compose, the printer tells us which printing and converting blocks they require, all with the same operating platform. If you have a digital press, you can add a compatible flexo station and go straight into production with the same operator. This is a different way to think. You then have redundancy within the plant, with the ability to move jobs between presses.

‘We have seen customers with existing Gallus Labelmaster flexo presses retrofitting digital, and customers who started with a Gallus One press adding Labelmaster flexo modules. In some cases, customers have used the System to Compose to build off-line processing units for standalone digital presses.’

The longest hybrid press sold by Gallus so far is 34m (111ft) long, built for special applications.

The future

In conclusion, it appears Urbinati’s vision of company transformation has been a success, with around 60 percent of Gallus’ turnover now coming from inkjet-led System to Compose modular press sales, both from existing and new customers.

Urbinati says Labelexpo Europe 2025 was by far Gallus’ best show to date, despite issues with the air conditioning in Hall 3. The company sold a substantial number of Gallus Five presses directly off the stand.

“Digital does not solve every problem, and not everything can be, or should be, digital. And there will always be a place for flexo”

Looking to the future, Urbinati believes there are several ways the supplier side of the industry can further reduce complexity for the label converter. For example, cutting down on the bewildering range of substrates label converters have to manage and standardizing the exchange of production data.

‘There is a lot of scope for the labels industry to agree on standardization measures for the seamless two-way exchange of production data. As an industry, we need to sit down together and discuss standards for data exchange and open networks, so everybody uses those standards. For example, we have Bluetooth, which works as a standardized way to transfer data across multiple brands and tools. Maybe we can create a way forward for the printing industry by applying the same mindset? We also need to discuss how to transfer data in a safe and secure way to fight against cyber attacks.’

Aligned with Heidelberg’s Prinect workflow system, Gallus also supports other industry-standard MIS and workflow platforms, ensuring broad compatibility across the market.

‘Integration should be straightforward. Our aim is to make Gallus presses easy to adopt within any professional workflow environment.’

Inkjet vs offset

One of Gallus’ most successful legacy presses was the intermittent offset Gallus TCS 250, which found a niche particularly in the short-run, high-quality wine, food and spirits sectors.

UV Inkjet has found it difficult to replace offset because of the inherent glossiness of its inks in a market that values matte design themes.

Urbinati believes that Gallus’ MatteJet technology now enables UV inkjet to compete directly in these kinds of offset applications. MatteJet changes the optical appearance of the inkjet dot, reducing direct reflections to give the appearance of a matte finish.

‘The purpose of MatteJet is to bring inkjet closer to offset in terms of print quality and perception, and we are very, very close with this module.

Gallus’ MatteJet technology is currently available only as a System to Compose module for the Gallus One.

This story has updated since it first appeared in print, including some changes to Gallus’ machine lineup.

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Maxcess reorganizes Americas sales team

Selah Zighelboim — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 20:18:52 +0000

Maxcess International has established two Americas commercial leadership positions: one responsible for sales and customer service for its legacy Maxcess products, and one responsible for sales and customer service for its RotoMetrics products. Both positions will report directly to CEO Ray Baran.

Aaron Powers will be vice president of sales for Maxcess, with responsibility for sales and customer service across guiding, winding, slitting, tension, rolls, roll coverings and international cutting die. Kiki Chosid will be returning to Maxcess as vice president of sales for RotoMetrics, with responsibility for sales and customer service across flex dies, solid dies, and print and magnetic cylinders.

Powers joined Maxcess in 2019 as global product manager for Tidland slitting and winding, leading the development and launch of products such as Advantage Series Knifeholders, PressureMax and RD AutoScore. For the last two and a half years, he has led Maxcess' field sales organization for the Western US, providing technical and commercial leadership supporting sales growth and profitability. Prior to Maxcess, he served in a variety of positions for Eaton Corporation. His roles included technical sales, continuous improvement and product management across product lines such as low voltage power distribution and control, and electrical connectors and support systems for global industrial end users and OEMs.

Chosid returns to Maxcess after spending the last year and a half at Resource Label Group as vice president of sales – engineered products. She previously served as regional vice president of sales for Maxcess. Prior to her role at Maxcess, she held various sales positions at RotoMetrics, including sales account manager, national account manager and national sales director. She also held sales roles at Conversource, Gateway Packaging and Prime Packaging & Label.

'I am confident that these changes and the elevation of these individuals to key leadership roles will strengthen our commercial organization and drive our focus on our Americas customers,' said Ray Baran, CEO. 'Combining sales and customer service under one leader will also ensure that Americas teams are aligned around delivering the highest quality service to our customers and being their go-to resource for web handling solutions. Separating commercial leadership of Maxcess and RotoMetrics allows those teams to focus on their respective products and end markets.'

In addition to the sales team changes, Maxcess will also update its primary Americas office contact address to the Eureka facility for RotoMetrics and to the Oklahoma City facility for legacy Maxcess brands (Fife, Tidland, Magpowr) for transactions, invoicing and back-office operations to improve customer response time.

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3 weeks 2 days ago

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Maxcess reorganizes Americas sales team

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Aaron Powers and Kiki Chosid join in vice president of sales roles.

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Aaron Powers and Kiki Chosid join in vice president of sales roles.

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Siegwerk strengthens global capabilities

Adyasha Sinha — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 07:23:28 +0000

Siegwerk has accelerated its long-term growth strategy 'Formula 2030' with a significantly increased investment program. In 2025, the company more than doubled its usual annual investment volume to expand its global presence, enhance technical capabilities and optimize processes through automation and digitalization. Over the next five years, Siegwerk plans to invest more than 300 million Euros in organic growth and operational efficiency, supported by targeted M&A activities, to strengthen its competitiveness and create greater value for customers.

'Every investment we make is guided by a clear objective: helping our customers and partners excel,' said Nicolas Wiedmann, CEO at Siegwerk. 'Whether we expand capacity, automate production, strengthen technical expertise or invest in digitalization, we aim to deliver greater speed, higher quality, reliable supply, improved efficiency and stronger local support.'

A key investment in 2025 was the acquisition of Allinova, a specialist in functional coatings. The acquisition strengthened Siegwerk’s coatings business and expanded its expertise in water-based dispersions, enhancing the company’s ability to support customers with innovative products for evolving market and sustainability requirements. Siegwerk is also building new capacities in India to support the growth of Allinova-developed functional coatings in Asia.

In parallel, Siegwerk continued to strengthen its regional footprint to provide closer customer support. The opening of a new site in Dubai expanded the company’s presence in the Middle East, while the acquisition of additional land in Indonesia paved the way for future capacity expansion. Another milestone was the groundbreaking for the reconstruction and expansion of Siegwerk’s production site in Bhiwadi, India. Once completed, the site will offer greater capacity, increased efficiency through automation and become the company’s largest Center of Excellence worldwide.

Siegwerk also modernized its global production and technology infrastructure in 2025. Investments included new in-line white production facilities in Germany and the US, warehouse extensions and major global IT projects, including new platforms for customer relationship management (CRM) and product lifecycle management (PLM). These initiatives create more standardized and efficient processes that support consistently high product quality, faster innovation and greater responsiveness to customer needs worldwide.

'Our increased investment activities demonstrate our commitment to strengthening capabilities, improving customer service and expanding our position in key growth markets,' added Wiedmann. 'By combining strategic acquisitions with targeted infrastructure, technology and digitalization initiatives, we are building a future-ready organization that creates long-term value for customers and partners.'

Siegwerk’s investment momentum continued into 2026 with the acquisition of Hi-Tech Inks in March, significantly strengthening the company’s position in India’s fast-growing flexible packaging segment. By combining manufacturing footprints and product portfolios, the two entities now command more than 20 percent of the Indian flexible packaging inks market, becoming the largest player in the region. With its continued investment pipeline, Siegwerk is laying the foundation for long-term growth and reinforcing its position as a trusted partner to the global packaging industry.

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3 weeks 6 days ago

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Siegwerk strengthens global capabilities

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The company plans to invest more than 300 million Euros over the next five years.

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The company plans to invest more than 300 million Euros over the next five years.

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Coca-Cola turns sleeves into collectibles

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Esko plans packaging workflow webinar

Siegwerk achieves 100 percent renewable electricity

La Etiqueta expands with second HP Indigo 6K+

Gallus completes ‘digital-first’ strategic transformation

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Maxcess reorganizes Americas sales team

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