Labels & Labeling - The world of package printing http://www.labelsandlabeling.com/ en Smag-X acquires Codimag http://www.labelsandlabeling.com/news/ma/smag-x-acquires-codimag <div><p>On March 31, the Évry Commercial Court approved Smag-X’s acquisition of Codimag’s assets. This transaction is part of a continuity strategy focused on preserving specialized expertise, safeguarding employment and strengthening the French label and packaging printing machinery industry.</p> <p>Located just ten kilometers apart, Smag-X and Codimag operate in the same field: designing and manufacturing printing machines for labels and packaging. The companies are complementary in both&nbsp;product lines and markets. While Smag-X primarily focuses on technical and premium segments, Codimag brings expertise in offset printing, particularly for the wine industry. This integration will expand the overall offering and better meet market needs.</p> <p>Alexandre Burgot-Dervin, president of Smag-X, said: 'This acquisition goes beyond a mere growth transaction. It reflects an industrial responsibility: preserve French industry, maintain rare skills and continue to produce locally with teams who truly master their craft. What we stand for is a particular vision of industry: sustainable, committed and rooted in the local community.'<br /> <br /> The acquisition secures nearly 95 percent of Codimag’s workforce, with a focus on passing on expertise and ensuring operational continuity and a goal of retaining experienced teams and preventing the loss of technical skills.</p> <p>Benoit Demol, former president of Codimag, said: 'The integration of Codimag and Smag-X strengthens French industrial expertise recognized internationally. Securing Codimag’s operations benefits clients, suppliers and employees alike, keeping this know-how firmly in France.'<br /> <br /> Already a key player in a thriving industrial sector, Smag-X is now a member of La French Fab, an initiative promoting French industry and its expertise globally. Codimag, also part of this network, reinforces this shared ambition: to manufacture in France, drive innovation and build a competitive industrial offering that underscores France’s technical excellence.<br /> <br /> Through this acquisition, Smag-X reaffirms its market position and expands its scope while maintaining strategic focus: structuring its product portfolio, bolstering production capacity and accelerating growth in France and international markets. Integrating Codimag reinforces production infrastructure and supports the company’s trajectory as a French industrial leader.</p> </div> <div> <div>Posted date</div> <div>1 day ago</div> </div> <div> <div>Short title</div> <div>Smag-X acquires Codimag</div> </div> <div> <div>Short summary</div> <div><p>The two French companies design and manufacture printing machines for labels and packaging.</p> </div> </div> <div> <div>First paragraph</div> <div><p>The two French companies design and manufacture printing machines for labels and packaging.</p> </div> </div> <div> <div>Regions</div> <div> <div><a href="/europe" hreflang="und">Europe</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Related suppliers</div> <div> <div><a href="/.html" hreflang="en">SMAG Graphique (SRAMAG SAS)</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Rate</div> <div><form class="fivestar-form-1" id="vote" data-drupal-selector="fivestar-form-1" action="/rss.xml?content-id=amzn1.sym.c8024b21-28a0-4e6a-8242-ffaaf06a2d70%3Aamzn1.sym.c8024b21-28a0-4e6a-8242-ffaaf06a2d70&qid=1690232009" method="post" accept-charset="UTF-8"> <div class="clearfix fivestar-average-text fivestar-average-stars fivestar-form-item fivestar-basic"><div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-fivestar form-item-vote js-form-item-vote form-no-label"> <div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-select form-item-vote js-form-item-vote form-no-label"> <select class="vote form-select" data-drupal-selector="edit-vote" aria-describedby="edit-vote--2--description" id="edit-vote--2" name="vote"><option value="-">Select rating</option><option value="20">Give it 1/5</option><option value="40">Give it 2/5</option><option value="60">Give it 3/5</option><option value="80">Give it 4/5</option><option value="100">Give it 5/5</option><option value="0">Cancel rating</option></select> <div id="edit-vote--2--description" class="description"> <div class="fivestar-summary fivestar-summary-average-count"> <span class="empty">No votes yet</span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><input class="js-hide button js-form-submit form-submit" data-drupal-selector="edit-submit" type="submit" id="edit-submit" name="op" value="Rate" /> <input autocomplete="off" data-drupal-selector="form-5euqe594uebaj0zpaeuimhb1l7vq3ihzewkcvlox4bo" type="hidden" name="form_build_id" value="form-5euQE594uEbaj0ZpAEUIMhB1L7Vq3iHzeWKcVLox4Bo" /> <input data-drupal-selector="edit-fivestar-form-1" type="hidden" name="form_id" value="fivestar_form_1" /> </form> </div> </div> <div> <div>Top story</div> <div>On</div> </div> <div> <div>Article main topic</div> <div><a href="/ma" hreflang="und">M&amp;A</a></div> </div> <div> <div>Redirected</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>Moved to features</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>Lead image:</div> <div> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/labels/lnl/files/2026-04/smagx.jpg" width="1280" height="720" alt="Smag-X and Codimag logos" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> <div> <div>New batch</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>redirected</div> <div>Off</div> </div> Fri, 03 Apr 2026 16:01:49 +0000 Selah Zighelboim 118515 at http://www.labelsandlabeling.com Lemorau appoints UMS Australasia as distributor http://www.labelsandlabeling.com/news/finishing-embellishment/lemorau-appoints-ums-australasia-distributor <div><p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:auto"><span style="text-decoration-style:solid">Lemorau has appointed UMS Australasia as its distributor for Australia and New Zealand, combining the Portuguese company's 39 years of label converting and finishing expertise with UMS Australasia's local market knowledge and customer support infrastructure.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:auto"><span style="text-decoration-style:solid">The partnership gives Lemorau a local presence in both markets for the first time, with UMS Australasia providing proximity-based customer support and business development across the region.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:auto"><span style="text-decoration-style:solid">'We are very pleased to begin this collaboration with UMS Australasia and with Sean Keogh, whose experience and market knowledge make this partnership especially valuable for Lemorau,' said Lemorau management. 'This is an important step in strengthening our presence in Australia and New Zealand, allowing us to be closer to customers and provide stronger local support.'</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><font color="#000000" face="Aptos, sans-serif" size="3">Lemorau's portfolio includes&nbsp;converting and finishing equipment&nbsp;for a range of production needs.&nbsp;The&nbsp;company positions&nbsp;its <span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">offerings</span>&nbsp;around tailored, cost-effective configurations and long-term reliability.</font></span></p> </div> <div> <div>Posted date</div> <div>1 day 16 hours ago</div> </div> <div> <div>Short title</div> <div>Lemorau appoints UMS Australasia as distributor</div> </div> <div> <div>Short summary</div> <div><p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:auto"><span style="text-decoration-style:solid">Portuguese machinery specialist targets Australia and New Zealand label markets.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </div> </div> <div> <div>First paragraph</div> <div><p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:auto"><span style="text-decoration-style:solid">Portuguese machinery specialist targets Australia and New Zealand label markets.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </div> </div> <div> <div>Regions</div> <div> <div><a href="/asia-pacific" hreflang="und">Asia-Pacific</a></div> <div><a href="/europe" hreflang="und">Europe</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Related suppliers</div> <div> <div><a href="/suppliers/lemorau-industria-de-m%C3%A1quinas-para-etiquetas-unipessoal-lda" hreflang="en">LEMORAU - INDUSTRIA DE MÁQUINAS PARA ETIQUETAS, UNIPESSOAL LDA</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Rate</div> <div><form class="fivestar-form-2" id="vote--2" data-drupal-selector="fivestar-form-2" action="/rss.xml?content-id=amzn1.sym.c8024b21-28a0-4e6a-8242-ffaaf06a2d70%3Aamzn1.sym.c8024b21-28a0-4e6a-8242-ffaaf06a2d70&qid=1690232009" method="post" accept-charset="UTF-8"> <div class="clearfix fivestar-average-text fivestar-average-stars fivestar-form-item fivestar-basic"><div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-fivestar form-item-vote js-form-item-vote form-no-label"> <div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-select form-item-vote js-form-item-vote form-no-label"> <select class="vote form-select" data-drupal-selector="edit-vote" aria-describedby="edit-vote--4--description" id="edit-vote--4" name="vote"><option value="-">Select rating</option><option value="20">Give it 1/5</option><option value="40">Give it 2/5</option><option value="60">Give it 3/5</option><option value="80">Give it 4/5</option><option value="100">Give it 5/5</option><option value="0">Cancel rating</option></select> <div id="edit-vote--4--description" class="description"> <div class="fivestar-summary fivestar-summary-average-count"> <span class="empty">No votes yet</span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><input class="js-hide button js-form-submit form-submit" data-drupal-selector="edit-submit" type="submit" id="edit-submit--2" name="op" value="Rate" /> <input autocomplete="off" data-drupal-selector="form-igabp9uixfsfmsjsxqicxj-husixezl1chntrwngbre" type="hidden" name="form_build_id" value="form-IGAbp9UIXfsFMSjSxqicXJ-HuSIxezL1cHNtRWNGBrE" /> <input data-drupal-selector="edit-fivestar-form-2" type="hidden" name="form_id" value="fivestar_form_2" /> </form> </div> </div> <div> <div>Top story</div> <div>On</div> </div> <div> <div>Article main topic</div> <div><a href="/finishing-and-embellishment" hreflang="en">Finishing &amp; embellishment</a></div> </div> <div> <div>Redirected</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>Moved to features</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>Lead image:</div> <div> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/labels/lnl/files/2026-04/UMS%202_1280x720.jpg" width="1280" height="720" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> <div> <div>New batch</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>redirected</div> <div>Off</div> </div> Thu, 02 Apr 2026 22:42:20 +0000 Piotr Wnuk 118514 at http://www.labelsandlabeling.com Hybrid adds capabilities to Artflow and iC3D http://www.labelsandlabeling.com/news/workflow-mis-inspection/hybrid-adds-capabilities-artflow-and-ic3d <div><p>Hybrid Software Brandz is integrating advancements to its Artflow and iC3D tools. The updates introduce AI-powered automation and enhanced compliance capabilities in Artflow, alongside expanded functionality in iC3D, helping packaging teams improve accuracy, reduce manual effort and accelerate time to market.</p> <p>Artflow 26.03 introduces new AI-powered capabilities to streamline artwork creation and validation. Automated copy import from Product Information Management (PIM) systems, combined with intelligent proofing of regulatory content using GS1 standards, enables teams to identify errors earlier and significantly reduce manual review.</p> <p>Artflow’s enhanced rule engine further strengthens compliance by automatically validating copy sheets against defined criteria, including spelling, measurement units and custom rules aligned with internal guidelines. This ensures accuracy at every stage of the artwork lifecycle.</p> <p>A new customizable dashboard provides real-time visibility into projects, tasks and workflows, delivering a more personalized and efficient user experience.</p> <p>In parallel, Hybrid Brandz has introduced new functionality in its iC3D 3D packaging visualization software. Enhancements include advanced asset categorization, enabling users to organize assets by product line, GS1 standards or other criteria. This capability improves how teams locate, manage and visualize packaging assets across design, marketing and production workflows.</p> <p>iC3D now also supports native CF2 dieline formats for applications such as stand-up pouches and sachets. Users can create and edit dielines using the PACKZ PDF editor, generate accurate 3D visuals and export CF2 files, streamlining workflows for packaging professionals working with complex structures and formats.</p> <p>'Packaging teams are under increasing pressure to deliver accurate, compliant and visually compelling products at speed,' said Igor Vandromme, vice president of Hybrid Software Brandz. 'With AI-driven automation in Artflow and enhanced capabilities in iC3D, we’re helping our customers simplify workflows, reduce errors and bring products to market faster.'</p> </div> <div> <div>Posted date</div> <div>1 day 21 hours ago</div> </div> <div> <div>Short title</div> <div>Hybrid adds capabilities to Artflow and iC3D</div> </div> <div> <div>Short summary</div> <div><p>The updates add AI-powered automation and enhanced compliance capabilities in Artflow, and expanded functionality in iC3D.</p> </div> </div> <div> <div>First paragraph</div> <div><p>The updates add AI-powered automation and enhanced compliance capabilities in Artflow, and expanded functionality in iC3D.</p> </div> </div> <div> <div>Regions</div> <div> <div><a href="/europe" hreflang="und">Europe</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Related suppliers</div> <div> <div><a href="/suppliers/hybrid-software-group" hreflang="en">Hybrid Software Group</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Rate</div> <div><form class="fivestar-form-3" id="vote--3" data-drupal-selector="fivestar-form-3" action="/rss.xml?content-id=amzn1.sym.c8024b21-28a0-4e6a-8242-ffaaf06a2d70%3Aamzn1.sym.c8024b21-28a0-4e6a-8242-ffaaf06a2d70&qid=1690232009" method="post" accept-charset="UTF-8"> <div class="clearfix fivestar-average-text fivestar-average-stars fivestar-form-item fivestar-basic"><div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-fivestar form-item-vote js-form-item-vote form-no-label"> <div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-select form-item-vote js-form-item-vote form-no-label"> <select class="vote form-select" data-drupal-selector="edit-vote" aria-describedby="edit-vote--6--description" id="edit-vote--6" name="vote"><option value="-">Select rating</option><option value="20">Give it 1/5</option><option value="40">Give it 2/5</option><option value="60">Give it 3/5</option><option value="80">Give it 4/5</option><option value="100">Give it 5/5</option><option value="0">Cancel rating</option></select> <div id="edit-vote--6--description" class="description"> <div class="fivestar-summary fivestar-summary-average-count"> <span class="empty">No votes yet</span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><input class="js-hide button js-form-submit form-submit" data-drupal-selector="edit-submit" type="submit" id="edit-submit--3" name="op" value="Rate" /> <input autocomplete="off" data-drupal-selector="form-kkdkzpcx9taqdxfxzxhsqllnivk-rec-lbjyqxgdj0" type="hidden" name="form_build_id" value="form--kkdKzpcx9TAQDxfxZXHSqLLNiVK_REc_LbJYQXgDj0" /> <input data-drupal-selector="edit-fivestar-form-3" type="hidden" name="form_id" value="fivestar_form_3" /> </form> </div> </div> <div> <div>Top story</div> <div>On</div> </div> <div> <div>Article main topic</div> <div><a href="/workflow-mis-inspection" hreflang="en">Workflow, MIS &amp; inspection</a></div> </div> <div> <div>Redirected</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>Moved to features</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>Lead image:</div> <div> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/labels/lnl/files/2026-04/ic3d.jpg" width="1280" height="720" alt="iC3D on a computer screen" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> <div> <div>New batch</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>redirected</div> <div>Off</div> </div> Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:36:02 +0000 Selah Zighelboim 118513 at http://www.labelsandlabeling.com RAM Labels adds hot foil embossing unit http://www.labelsandlabeling.com/news/finishing-embellishment/ram-labels-adds-hot-foil-embossing-unit <div><p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:auto"><span style="text-decoration-style:solid">RAM Labels has installed a Pantec RHINO flatbed hot foil embossing unit and achieved ISO 9001 certification, strengthening its finishing capabilities for the South African wine and spirits label market.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:auto"><span style="text-decoration-style:solid">The Cape-based converter, founded in 2016, has worked exclusively with Rotocon since its inception and sourced the Pantec Rhino through the company, which serves as Pantec's sub-Saharan Africa representative. The unit, used globally in sectors including banking and tobacco for its precision and security features, makes RAM Labels among the first South African companies to offer this level of finishing capability domestically.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:auto"><span style="text-decoration-style:solid">'Our industry has long been shaped by technological limitations,' said Thomas Veenstra, owner of RAM Labels. 'Designers and brand owners lowered expectations to match what was locally possible. We saw that gap early and decided to aim higher. Now, we can confidently show marketing, design and sales teams what can be done right here.'</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:auto"><span style="text-decoration-style:solid">The investment targets a growing premiumization trend in the South African wine sector, where hot foil embossing, intricate textures and precise detailing are increasingly used to signal quality and authenticity on shelf. The technology also addresses rising counterfeiting concerns in premium wine, with complex foiling and embossing providing security features that are difficult to replicate.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:auto"><span style="text-decoration-style:solid">Rotocon provides around-the-clock technical support for the equipment, a factor Veenstra describes as central to RAM Labels' service model for wine producers working within tight bottling windows.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:auto"><span style="text-decoration-style:solid">'If we have a crisis, Rotocon reacts immediately,' noted Veenstra. 'That responsiveness keeps our machines running and downtime to an absolute minimum, benefitting our clients directly.'</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </div> <div> <div>Posted date</div> <div>2 days 16 hours ago</div> </div> <div> <div>Short title</div> <div>RAM Labels adds hot foil embossing unit</div> </div> <div> <div>Short summary</div> <div><p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:auto"><span style="text-decoration-style:solid">South African converter targets wine sector with Pantec Rhino installation and ISO certification.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </div> </div> <div> <div>First paragraph</div> <div><p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:auto"><span style="text-decoration-style:solid">South African converter targets wine sector with Pantec Rhino installation and ISO certification.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </div> </div> <div> <div>Regions</div> <div> <div><a href="/africa" hreflang="en">Africa</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Other topics</div> <div> <div><a href="/installations" hreflang="und">Installations</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Related suppliers</div> <div> <div><a href="/suppliers/rotocontrol-international" hreflang="en">Rotocontrol International</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Rate</div> <div><form class="fivestar-form-4" id="vote--4" data-drupal-selector="fivestar-form-4" action="/rss.xml?content-id=amzn1.sym.c8024b21-28a0-4e6a-8242-ffaaf06a2d70%3Aamzn1.sym.c8024b21-28a0-4e6a-8242-ffaaf06a2d70&qid=1690232009" method="post" accept-charset="UTF-8"> <div class="clearfix fivestar-average-text fivestar-average-stars fivestar-form-item fivestar-basic"><div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-fivestar form-item-vote js-form-item-vote form-no-label"> <div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-select form-item-vote js-form-item-vote form-no-label"> <select class="vote form-select" data-drupal-selector="edit-vote" aria-describedby="edit-vote--8--description" id="edit-vote--8" name="vote"><option value="-">Select rating</option><option value="20">Give it 1/5</option><option value="40">Give it 2/5</option><option value="60">Give it 3/5</option><option value="80">Give it 4/5</option><option value="100">Give it 5/5</option><option value="0">Cancel rating</option></select> <div id="edit-vote--8--description" class="description"> <div class="fivestar-summary fivestar-summary-average-count"> <span class="empty">No votes yet</span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><input class="js-hide button js-form-submit form-submit" data-drupal-selector="edit-submit" type="submit" id="edit-submit--4" name="op" value="Rate" /> <input autocomplete="off" data-drupal-selector="form-dyhnrotffujwx63rerdayoqapnyq5z7ubhie22bqchc" type="hidden" name="form_build_id" value="form-DyHNrotfFUJWX63reRDaYoQaPnyq5z7UBHIe22BqCHc" /> <input data-drupal-selector="edit-fivestar-form-4" type="hidden" name="form_id" value="fivestar_form_4" /> </form> </div> </div> <div> <div>Top story</div> <div>On</div> </div> <div> <div>Article main topic</div> <div><a href="/finishing-and-embellishment" hreflang="en">Finishing &amp; embellishment</a></div> </div> <div> <div>Redirected</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>Moved to features</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>Lead image:</div> <div> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/labels/lnl/files/2026-04/02-PPM-ROTOCON-RAM-Lables-images-3_1280x720.jpg" width="1280" height="720" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> <div> <div>New batch</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>redirected</div> <div>Off</div> </div> Wed, 01 Apr 2026 22:33:51 +0000 Piotr Wnuk 118512 at http://www.labelsandlabeling.com Flexcon and Auxilium to open materials science lab http://www.labelsandlabeling.com/news/substrates-adhesives/flexcon-and-auxilium-open-materials-science-lab <div><p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:auto"><span style="text-decoration-style:solid">Flexcon has partnered with Auxilium Worcester to open a 3,000 sqm materials science lab in downtown Worcester, addressing a gap in accessible lab space for early-stage technology companies in the state.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:auto"><span style="text-decoration-style:solid">The Flexcon Lab at Auxilium will provide startups with testing equipment, laboratory technicians and process engineers with experience across medical diagnostics, functional structures, aerospace, clean technology and electronics. The facility is expected to open in summer 2026 and will also serve as the home of the Tech Solutions Group, a division of 44 Maple Group, of which Flexcon is a part.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:auto"><span style="text-decoration-style:solid">Auxilium, founded in 2025 and backed by Rucker Investments, supports early-stage companies with capital, mentorship, workspace and operational support. Participants in its programs will gain direct access to the lab's equipment and expertise, alongside a joint accelerator cohort focused on materials science.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:auto"><span style="text-decoration-style:solid">'The combination of specialized equipment and direct access to industry experts allows us to attract startups from across the country that need real-world environments to develop and test their technology,' said Zachary Dutton, executive director of Auxilium.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:auto"><span style="text-decoration-style:solid">'This lab is more than a space; it's a commitment to the future of our community,' noted Neil McDonough, executive chair of 44 Maple Group. 'By investing in local innovation and entrepreneurship, we're creating opportunities that will ripple across generations.'</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </div> <div> <div>Posted date</div> <div>2 days 17 hours ago</div> </div> <div> <div>Short title</div> <div>Flexcon and Auxilium to open materials science lab</div> </div> <div> <div>Short summary</div> <div><p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:auto"><span style="text-decoration-style:solid">Worcester facility to provide startups with specialist equipment and technical expertise.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </div> </div> <div> <div>First paragraph</div> <div><p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:auto"><span style="text-decoration-style:solid">Worcester facility to provide startups with specialist equipment and technical expertise.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </div> </div> <div> <div>Regions</div> <div> <div><a href="/north-america" hreflang="und">North America</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Related suppliers</div> <div> <div><a href="/suppliers/flexcon-company-inc" hreflang="en">Flexcon Company Inc.</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Rate</div> <div><form class="fivestar-form-5" id="vote--5" data-drupal-selector="fivestar-form-5" action="/rss.xml?content-id=amzn1.sym.c8024b21-28a0-4e6a-8242-ffaaf06a2d70%3Aamzn1.sym.c8024b21-28a0-4e6a-8242-ffaaf06a2d70&qid=1690232009" method="post" accept-charset="UTF-8"> <div class="clearfix fivestar-average-text fivestar-average-stars fivestar-form-item fivestar-basic"><div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-fivestar form-item-vote js-form-item-vote form-no-label"> <div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-select form-item-vote js-form-item-vote form-no-label"> <select class="vote form-select" data-drupal-selector="edit-vote" aria-describedby="edit-vote--10--description" id="edit-vote--10" name="vote"><option value="-">Select rating</option><option value="20">Give it 1/5</option><option value="40">Give it 2/5</option><option value="60">Give it 3/5</option><option value="80">Give it 4/5</option><option value="100">Give it 5/5</option><option value="0">Cancel rating</option></select> <div id="edit-vote--10--description" class="description"> <div class="fivestar-summary fivestar-summary-average-count"> <span class="empty">No votes yet</span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><input class="js-hide button js-form-submit form-submit" data-drupal-selector="edit-submit" type="submit" id="edit-submit--5" name="op" value="Rate" /> <input autocomplete="off" data-drupal-selector="form-pisc6lxx6aypedg4imfkrnb917zoaf-wkb-puc5hf4k" type="hidden" name="form_build_id" value="form-piSC6LXx6ayPeDg4IMFKRnb917ZoaF-wKb-PUC5hf4k" /> <input data-drupal-selector="edit-fivestar-form-5" type="hidden" name="form_id" value="fivestar_form_5" /> </form> </div> </div> <div> <div>Top story</div> <div>On</div> </div> <div> <div>Article main topic</div> <div><a href="/substrates-adhesives" hreflang="en">Substrates &amp; adhesives</a></div> </div> <div> <div>Redirected</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>Moved to features</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>Lead image:</div> <div> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/labels/lnl/files/2026-04/687c0263c0455a56ea34b8fd_rs%3Dw_1280_1280x720.jpg" width="1280" height="720" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> <div> <div>New batch</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>redirected</div> <div>Off</div> </div> Wed, 01 Apr 2026 21:47:37 +0000 Piotr Wnuk 118511 at http://www.labelsandlabeling.com Ultimate Tech and HP deepen workflow integration http://www.labelsandlabeling.com/news/workflow-mis-inspection/ultimate-tech-and-hp-deepen-workflow-integration <div><p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:auto"><span style="text-decoration-style:solid">Ultimate Tech has announced an enhanced integration between its Ultimate Impostrip imposition software and HP PrintOS Site Flow, delivering improved job tracking, bidirectional data flow and end-to-end workflow automation for print service providers.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:auto"><span style="text-decoration-style:solid">The integration enables detailed imposition data and real-time press status to flow through HP Site Flow from job imposition through device transfer to automatic job completion updates. The connection supports applications including on-demand books, mailings and true shape nesting, and is designed for high-volume environments with tight turnaround requirements.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:auto"><span style="text-decoration-style:solid">HP Site Flow is a cloud-based workflow platform using zero-touch workflows and API integrations to optimize print production from order intake through shipping. The addition of Ultimate Impostrip broadens its imposition capabilities across a range of production types spanning marketing campaigns, transactional print and short-run books.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:auto"><span style="text-decoration-style:solid">'By integrating HP PrintOS Site Flow with Ultimate Impostrip, we connect end-to-end production automation with advanced imposition capabilities, helping print service providers streamline prepress and scale high-volume production without compromising visibility, control or operational efficiency,' said Montse Vila, head of product for HP industrial print software and solutions.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </div> <div> <div>Posted date</div> <div>2 days 17 hours ago</div> </div> <div> <div>Short title</div> <div>Ultimate Tech and HP deepen workflow integration</div> </div> <div> <div>Short summary</div> <div><p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:auto"><span style="text-decoration-style:solid">Enhanced connectivity links imposition automation with the HP PrintOS Site Flow platform.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </div> </div> <div> <div>First paragraph</div> <div><p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="text-decoration-thickness:auto"><span style="text-decoration-style:solid">Enhanced connectivity links imposition automation with the HP PrintOS Site Flow platform.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </div> </div> <div> <div>Regions</div> <div> <div><a href="/north-america" hreflang="und">North America</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Other topics</div> <div> <div><a href="/new-products" hreflang="und">New products</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Related suppliers</div> <div> <div><a href="/suppliers/ultimate-technographics" hreflang="en">Ultimate TechnoGraphics</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Rate</div> <div><form class="fivestar-form-6" id="vote--6" data-drupal-selector="fivestar-form-6" action="/rss.xml?content-id=amzn1.sym.c8024b21-28a0-4e6a-8242-ffaaf06a2d70%3Aamzn1.sym.c8024b21-28a0-4e6a-8242-ffaaf06a2d70&qid=1690232009" method="post" accept-charset="UTF-8"> <div class="clearfix fivestar-average-text fivestar-average-stars fivestar-form-item fivestar-basic"><div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-fivestar form-item-vote js-form-item-vote form-no-label"> <div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-select form-item-vote js-form-item-vote form-no-label"> <select class="vote form-select" data-drupal-selector="edit-vote" aria-describedby="edit-vote--12--description" id="edit-vote--12" name="vote"><option value="-">Select rating</option><option value="20">Give it 1/5</option><option value="40">Give it 2/5</option><option value="60">Give it 3/5</option><option value="80">Give it 4/5</option><option value="100">Give it 5/5</option><option value="0">Cancel rating</option></select> <div id="edit-vote--12--description" class="description"> <div class="fivestar-summary fivestar-summary-average-count"> <span class="empty">No votes yet</span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><input class="js-hide button js-form-submit form-submit" data-drupal-selector="edit-submit" type="submit" id="edit-submit--6" name="op" value="Rate" /> <input autocomplete="off" data-drupal-selector="form-uvpslrgrovzbfkw9svsdl9v4hnlfqbxgjqcwug6rpew" type="hidden" name="form_build_id" value="form-UvpSlRgrOVzBfkw9SVsdl9V4HnlFqBxGjQCWug6RPew" /> <input data-drupal-selector="edit-fivestar-form-6" type="hidden" name="form_id" value="fivestar_form_6" /> </form> </div> </div> <div> <div>Top story</div> <div>On</div> </div> <div> <div>Article main topic</div> <div><a href="/workflow-mis-inspection" hreflang="en">Workflow, MIS &amp; inspection</a></div> </div> <div> <div>Redirected</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>Moved to features</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>Lead image:</div> <div> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/labels/lnl/files/2026-04/PrintWorkflow%402x_1280x720.jpg" width="1280" height="720" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> <div> <div>New batch</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>redirected</div> <div>Off</div> </div> Wed, 01 Apr 2026 21:38:19 +0000 Piotr Wnuk 118510 at http://www.labelsandlabeling.com McDowell Label’s differentiation factor http://www.labelsandlabeling.com/features/conventional-printing/mcdowell-label%E2%80%99s-differentiation-factor <article class="flow post"> <header class="post-header grid twelve"> <span class="post-category" > <a href="/conventional-printing" hreflang="en">Conventional printing</a></span> <time class="post-date" > <time datetime="2026-04-02T21:02:00Z">02 April 2026</time> </time> <h1> McDowell Label’s differentiation factor </h1> <div class="primary-msg" > <p>The Texas converter’s proprietary technology enables its customers to stand out on the shelves.</p> </div> </header> <div > <figure class="post__lead-image" > <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/labels/lnl/files/2026-04/mcdowell.jpg" width="1280" height="720" alt="Jeff McDowell, John McDowell and David Wayne McDowell holding awards" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </figure> <div class="post__content grid twelve"> <div class="flow"> <div class="dropcap" > <p>The Texas converter’s proprietary technology enables its customers to stand out on the shelves.</p> </div> <p><em>This article and interview with John McDowell were completed prior to McDowell’s last day at Resource Label Group on February 9. McDowell says: ‘I am exploring many new opportunities that have been presented since the separation. For now, I am excited to serve my board of director duties with the FTA and remain engaged with the Regulatory Affairs Committee at TLMI.'</em></p> <p>The walls at McDowell Label’s facility in Plano, Texas, serve<br /> as a testament to the company’s achievements. From floor<br /> to ceiling across multiple hallways, these walls showcase the<br /> 1,347 print awards that the converter has won, starting with its first TLMI recognition in 1997.</p> <p>‘There’s really nothing more gratifying than when you have<br /> third-party industry peers recognize the quality of work that<br /> you manufacture and execute, day in and day out, as among the world’s best,’ says John McDowell, president of McDowell Label, a Resource Label Group (RLG) company. ‘The brand owners that we serve, they value that. They want to be part of that.’</p> <p>McDowell attributes this success to the company’s blend<br /> of proprietary technology and its strong sense of identity,<br /> centered on partnering with brands that seek differentiation.<br /> The converter focuses on creating labels with crisp image quality and unique embellishments, helping clients stand out<br /> in competitive marketplaces.</p> <p>‘We don’t try to be all things to all people,’ McDowell says<br /> about McDowell Label’s brand identity. ‘We’re hyper-focused<br /> on identifying verticals or market segments, and brands within those verticals and market segments. At the end of the day, these brands, whether they’re traditional retail brick and mortar or even direct to consumer, it’s a very competitive landscape. We allow our brands to out-graphic their competition because the reality is, as a consumer, whenever you shop – whether it’s online or traditional<br /> brick-and-mortar retail – a brand has only one-sixth of a second to capture your attention.</p> <p>‘We afford that brand the ability, through our technologies,<br /> our printing excellence, to provide brand cohesion, to attract<br /> that customer, the consumer, and invoke them to engage with the brand.’</p> <blockquote> <p>“RLG recognized our market differentiation, the unique brand identity that we have, the culture of quality that we employ”</p> </blockquote> <p>McDowell Label produces pressure-sensitive labels, shrink<br /> sleeves and flexible packaging – all with solely flexographic<br /> technology. While the business breakdown does change from year to year, John McDowell said that currently about 70 percent of the company’s revenue comes from shrink sleeves, while about 28 percent is labels and the last 2 percent from flex pack. Its primary end-use markets are functional beverages, wine and spirits, health, beauty and cosmetics, dietary supplements and sports nutrition. A fast-growing segment for McDowell Label is pet care products.</p> <p>As a Resource Label Group company, McDowell Label is part of a network of more than 30 facilities across North America. In Plano, McDowell Label has about 100 employees. It operates 10 flexo presses, but as part of RLG, it can tap into a broader system of locations and technologies to meet customer needs.</p> <h3>From father to son</h3> <p>Dave McDowell founded McDowell Label in 1981, after a decade of working for Stan Avery at Avery Label. He started the business in a room in John McDowell’s childhood home and built it from the ground up.</p> <p>‘I’m the youngest of three boys, raised largely by a single father,’ says John McDowell. ‘Growing up, it was a very competitive, machismo household. The two older boys and I used to always grapple and verbally position the moxie of who’s the best. We never considered that the best was dad, but a time eventually came when we ultimately realized it was him all along.’</p> <p>John McDowell and his brothers initially worked in different<br /> industries, with John McDowell owning Gold’s Gym health clubs in Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston. He sold the health clubs in 1996 and joined his father’s business. He thought he would move on to a new business venture after a few months.</p> <p>The experience proved pivotal to McDowell Label’s future.<br /> Dave McDowell had been thinking of selling the business. John McDowell convinced him to teach him how to run it instead.</p> <p>Over the next few years, John McDowell brought his two<br /> brothers into the company. David Wayne, the eldest brother,<br /> serves as plant manager, while Jeff, the middle brother, is the production manager.</p> <p>Their father officially retired when Resource Label Group<br /> acquired McDowell Label in October 2020.</p> <h3>RLG acquisition</h3> <p>John McDowell had not initially intended to sell the company. But McDowell Label eventually grew to the point where it became a challenge to self-fund its accelerated growth, and John McDowell began looking for a partner.</p> <p>He wanted to make sure he selected a partner that would<br /> benefit the company. He spent about two years considering<br /> six potential companies before deciding to move forward with Resource Label Group. </p> <p>RLG stood out as a partner because it recognized McDowell Label’s identity as one focused on high excellence and<br /> skilled craftsmanship.</p> <p>'RLG recognized our market differentiation, the unique brand identity that we have, the culture of quality that we employ,’ John McDowell says. ‘We’ve been able to proliferate that throughout the entire enterprise. They didn’t want to come in and change what we did. They wanted to optimize who we are.’</p> <p>Additionally, John McDowell believed that RLG, with its dozens of facilities and diverse capabilities, was well-suited to navigate market challenges. This felt especially pertinent at the time, as the pandemic disrupted workplaces, supply chains and global markets.</p> <p>With access to RLG’s capital, McDowell Label has grown its workforce and upgraded its technology.</p> <p>‘We’re able to respond more swiftly, more intentionally, to market segment growth, specific brand growth or specific technology growth,’ John McDowell says. ‘We’ve recapitalized the company. We’ve reinvested in the company. Like any relationship or partnership, both parties have to uphold their end of the bargain. We grew the sales revenue of the business, and they capitalized the infusion for us to reinvest in order to add capacity, optimize our technologies, and continue to grow. We’ve enjoyed the dynamics of the enterprise network. We move business to other facilities, and in time, they move business to us.’</p> <p>John McDowell’s role also included responsibilities at the greater RLG network, where he purveyed and parlayed subject matter expertise, cultivated talent, developed key strategic accounts and identified cohesive technology for and throughout the entire network of facilities.</p> <figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="Awards line the walls at the McDowell Label facility in Plano, Texas" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4f548804-43b5-44c6-ae71-28557ed11067" height="720" loading="lazy" src="/sites/labels/lnl/files/inline-images/mcdowellhall.jpg" width="1280" /><figcaption>Awards line the walls at the McDowell Label facility in Plano, Texas</figcaption></figure><h3>Printing capabilities</h3> <p>McDowell Label utilizes eight Omet and two Gallus presses.<br /> ‘We have a fantastic partnership with Omet,’ John McDowell says. ‘I’m a big fan of its press technology. It is an Italian, multi-generation, family-owned company. Omet is about as nerdy about manufacturing presses as we are about manufacturing labels and packaging.’</p> <p>McDowell Label’s machines are combination and multi-process printing presses, capable of printing multiple substrates, high-definition UV flexo, rotary screen printing and micro-embossing stereograms. Each press has multiple foil, die-cutting and emboss/deboss stations.</p> <p>McDowell Label only has flexo presses. The converter was an early adopter of digital technology in the packaging space in 2005. However, the technology was still in its early days and not quite yet ready to meet the company’s production demands. The current technology makeup works well for the company, and it can tap into RLG’s network to meet customers’ digital needs.</p> <p>‘I’ve always believed that the digital print engine and digital technology are the way of the future, and in my lifetime will be the primary print engine in our industry,’ John McDowell says. ‘It’s made some quantum leaps and great advancements, but it still hasn’t arrived to serve our niche of business.’</p> <p>McDowell Label’s finishing technology is from BW Converting/Accraply and Rotoflex. The converter is renovating its pre-press department by adding capacity to address a recent bottleneck issue. The company recently upgraded with a new, wider Esko CDI Crystal unit for platemaking.</p> <h3>Proprietary technology</h3> <p>John McDowell attributes much of McDowell Label’s success to its proprietary technology, which he calls the company’s<br /> ‘secret sauce’.</p> <p>‘We’ve always been on the leading edge of innovation, innovative technologies,’ he says. ‘We’ve coveted technology, a lot of which has been, over the years, proprietary, which we’ve developed here. We’ve certainly invested in it, too.’</p> <p>At the heart of this is the company’s Crisp-Dot-Technology, or CDT, its proprietary pre-press and art production technology developed many years ago. CDT came out of a long-time goal of the converter’s, a priority since Dave McDowell’s days, to create the perfect dot.</p> <p>CDT enabled the company to print very fine dots, long before the rest of the industry’s pre-press technology caught up. It allows the converter to print screen tones and vignettes with no discernible dot gain.</p> <p>‘There were times people accused us of printing offset and digital when 100 percent of our operations are flexo because we can print a very crisp dot,’ McDowell says.</p> <p>McDowell Label operates on two principles to achieve this perfect dot.</p> <p>The first is the importance of the original artwork quality. McDowell Label often rebuilds art files received from customers. Sometimes a received artwork file looks nice on the screen, but when the file is preflighted and distilled into vector layers, it becomes clear that it is not high-quality enough to manufacture an excellent product, necessitating the rebuilding.</p> <p>The other principle is that environmental quality can also not be compromised, so McDowell Label aims to operate a clean, quality-controlled facility.</p> <blockquote> <p>“There were times people accused us of printing offset and digital when 100 percent of our operations is flexo because we can print a very fine dot”</p> </blockquote> <p>John McDowell notes the importance of skilled operators in printing fine dots. ‘One thing that often gets lost in our industry, even with the advent of innovative technologies, is that our industry is still very much a craft,’ he says. ‘It’s very artisanal, and our press operators are, in kind, very much like craftsmen, because it’s a skilled trait. In our industry, you can take two identical presses that employ the same prepress, same plate technology, same material, same substrates, and you may or may not get the same results. Hence, the training curated for our team of operators, specific to our standard, is also what sets us apart.’</p> <p>McDowell Label has worked with its suppliers to create other<br /> proprietary technologies as well, such as embellishments, inks and coatings. One example is the company’s micro-shimmer technology, developed with one of its ink suppliers, Cyngient. These proprietary technologies, which McDowell Label does not sell, provide customers with a tool to distinguish themselves from their competition.</p> <p>‘We’ve been able to bake into our DNA and culture an award-winning mindset,’ McDowell says. ‘We treat every job, every order and every portfolio that we serve as an award winner.’</p> </div> <div class="post__aside"> <div class="author-teaser" > <div class="edit-btn"> <a href="http://www.labelsandlabeling.com/node/115752/edit" hreflang="en" tabindex="-1">Edit content</a> </div> <figure > <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/labels/lnl/files/styles/large/public/2024-10/Selah_web.png?itok=cOVVHZ3K" width="480" height="480" alt="Selah" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </figure> <div class="wrapper flow"> <h3> <a href="/profile/selah-zighelboim" hreflang="en">Selah Zighelboim</a> </h3> <ul class="l-rs"> <li class="job-title"> North American Editor </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="tags"> <span>Article Also Filed in: </span> <ul class="l-rs tags__list"> <li class="tag" > <a href="/north-america" hreflang="und">North America</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="subscribe-block bg-grey-light flow" > <h2>Stay up to date</h2> <p>Subscribe to the free Label News newsletter and receive the latest content every week. We'll never share your email address.</p> <script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/iframe-resizer/4.1.1/iframeResizer.min.js"> </script><script src="https://www.labelsandlabeling.com/pardot/forms/js/v2/tarsus.iframe-resizer.iframe-window.js"></script> <div class="width-100" id="parent-wrapper"> <iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" id="pardotframemulti2" scrolling="no" src="https://go.labelsandlabeling.com/l/707733/2020-09-18/34tl7b" style="border: 0; width: 1px;min-width: 100%; min-height:0px;" type="text/html" width="100%"></iframe> </div> <script> iFrameResize({ log: true}, '#pardotframemulti2'); </script> </div> </div> </div> </article> <div> <div>Top story</div> <div>On</div> </div> <div> <div>Related magazine Issue</div> <div><a href="/magazine/jan-mar-2026" hreflang="en">Jan - Mar 2026</a></div> </div> Wed, 01 Apr 2026 19:23:41 +0000 Selah Zighelboim 118509 at http://www.labelsandlabeling.com Durst appoints Wolfgang Knotz as CTO http://www.labelsandlabeling.com/news/people/durst-appoints-wolfgang-knotz-cto <div><p>Durst Group, a global manufacturer of digital printing and production technologies, has appointed Wolfgang Knotz as chief technology officer (CTO) of the group, effective April 1.&nbsp;</p> <p>Knotz has held various leadership positions at Durst for many years, most recently serving as managing director of Durst Austria, where he was responsible for technological and operational activities at the Lienz site. Since joining the company in 2013, he has played a key role in shaping core production and technology structures. In particular, as head of development since 2016, he has been instrumental in advancing and optimizing digital printing systems.</p> <p>The appointment as CTO comes amid Durst Group’s strategic realignment, with initiatives such as Kyveris accelerating the shift toward data-driven, connected production technology.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> 'As part of an intensive selection process involving more than 600 applicants, we conducted a global search for the ideal candidate for this key position,' explained Christoph Gamper, CEO and co-owner of the Durst Group. 'In the end, it became clear that the right person for the role was already within our organization. Wolfgang combines technological expertise, strategic vision and deep knowledge of our company like few others.'<br /> &nbsp;<br /> Gamper added: 'Our task as management was no longer to look externally, but to create the right internal framework conditions, enabling Wolfgang to fully focus on shaping the technological future of the Durst Group.'<br /> &nbsp;<br /> Knotz said: 'The in-depth discussions during the CTO selection process highlighted the tremendous opportunity in further developing our technology approach. In my conversations with Christoph, it quickly became clear that we share the same vision: Durst must consistently evolve from a machine manufacturer into a holistic technology and solutions provider.'<br /> &nbsp;<br /> In his new role, Knotz will be responsible for the group-wide technology agenda, with a strong focus on integrating software, data, automation and new business models. The goal is to further strengthen Durst Group’s innovative capabilities and provide customers worldwide with even more comprehensive, integrated technologies.</p> </div> <div> <div>Posted date</div> <div>3 days ago</div> </div> <div> <div>Short title</div> <div>Durst appoints Wolfgang Knotz as CTO</div> </div> <div> <div>Short summary</div> <div><p>Knotz's new role will focus on integrating software, data, automation and new business models.</p> </div> </div> <div> <div>First paragraph</div> <div><p>Knotz's new role will focus on integrating software, data, automation and new business models.</p> </div> </div> <div> <div>Regions</div> <div> <div><a href="/europe" hreflang="und">Europe</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Other topics</div> <div> <div><a href="/digital-printing" hreflang="en">Digital printing</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Related suppliers</div> <div> <div><a href="/suppliers/durst-group-ag" hreflang="en">Durst Group AG</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Rate</div> <div><form class="fivestar-form-7" id="vote--7" data-drupal-selector="fivestar-form-7" action="/rss.xml?content-id=amzn1.sym.c8024b21-28a0-4e6a-8242-ffaaf06a2d70%3Aamzn1.sym.c8024b21-28a0-4e6a-8242-ffaaf06a2d70&qid=1690232009" method="post" accept-charset="UTF-8"> <div class="clearfix fivestar-average-text fivestar-average-stars fivestar-form-item fivestar-basic"><div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-fivestar form-item-vote js-form-item-vote form-no-label"> <div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-select form-item-vote js-form-item-vote form-no-label"> <select class="vote form-select" data-drupal-selector="edit-vote" aria-describedby="edit-vote--14--description" id="edit-vote--14" name="vote"><option value="-">Select rating</option><option value="20">Give it 1/5</option><option value="40">Give it 2/5</option><option value="60">Give it 3/5</option><option value="80">Give it 4/5</option><option value="100">Give it 5/5</option><option value="0">Cancel rating</option></select> <div id="edit-vote--14--description" class="description"> <div class="fivestar-summary fivestar-summary-average-count"> <span class="empty">No votes yet</span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><input class="js-hide button js-form-submit form-submit" data-drupal-selector="edit-submit" type="submit" id="edit-submit--7" name="op" value="Rate" /> <input autocomplete="off" data-drupal-selector="form-z0pmwu7jyhz31lr1fi8-0hikcwu1cbz7i4gp3rpee-m" type="hidden" name="form_build_id" value="form-Z0pmWU7jyhz31lR1fi8_0hIkCwu1cBZ7i4gP3rPee_M" /> <input data-drupal-selector="edit-fivestar-form-7" type="hidden" name="form_id" value="fivestar_form_7" /> </form> </div> </div> <div> <div>Top story</div> <div>On</div> </div> <div> <div>Article main topic</div> <div><a href="/people" hreflang="und">People</a></div> </div> <div> <div>Redirected</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>Moved to features</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>Lead image:</div> <div> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/labels/lnl/files/2026-04/ctoceo.jpg" width="1280" height="720" alt="Wolfgang Knotz and Christoph Gamper" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> <div> <div>New batch</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>redirected</div> <div>Off</div> </div> Wed, 01 Apr 2026 14:28:21 +0000 Selah Zighelboim 118508 at http://www.labelsandlabeling.com Security Label invests in Nilpeter FA-17 http://www.labelsandlabeling.com/news/conventional-printing/security-label-invests-nilpeter-fa-17 <div><p>Security Label, a Paragon Central Europe company based in Sarstedt, Germany, has invested in a customized Nilpeter FA-17.&nbsp;</p> <p>After extensive testing and detailed comparisons, the management and technical teams at Security Label opted for a machine from Denmark. ‘The project with Nilpeter a/s and Nilpeter GmbH, and of course the results, convinced us and set the FA-17 apart from the other&nbsp;suppliers. Added to this was the strong sales and service organization in the DACH region. We are looking forward to the new machine and the collaboration. The Nilpeter FA-17 marks the beginning of a new chapter for us in terms of technology,’ said Claas Hartung, technical&nbsp;director at Security Label, commenting on the decision.&nbsp;</p> <p>Specializing in the aviation sector, Security Label works with over 400 airlines and airports in over 100 countries.&nbsp;</p> <p>The requirements for producing airport tags, baggage tags for international air travel, are high. In addition to consistent print quality, mechanical precision, high production speeds and reliable finishing, these factors play a key role. The Nilpeter FA-17 is a particularly suitable platform for this application, featuring a modular design, stable web guidance, and powerful die-cutting technology. The machine offers decisive advantages for the industrial production of airport tags, especially in the area of rotary die-cutting.&nbsp;</p> <p>Airport tags are produced in huge quantities worldwide and must also meet strict technical requirements. Typical materials are often special synthetic substrates with integrated barcodes that enable reliable baggage tracking. Perforations and holes are also required.&nbsp;</p> <p>The decisive processing step here is precise rotary die-cutting. This involves cutting the characteristic shapes of the baggage tags, usually with a slot, tear-off perforation, or reinforced ends, out of the material web with high accuracy. Even the smallest tolerances can lead to problems in automatic baggage systems. The requirements for register accuracy, tool precision, and web tension are extremely high.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Nilpeter FA-17 offers a robust platform with stable web guidance for this application.&nbsp;</p> <p>Particularly relevant is the integration of high-precision rotary die-cutting units, which are integrated directly into the modular printing line.&nbsp;</p> <p>The die-cutting module uses hardened rotary tools designed for the complex contours of airport tags. The machine's precise servo control ensures exact registration between the print image and the die-cut contour. Positioning accuracy remains constant even at high production speeds.&nbsp;</p> <p>Another advantage is the stable tool holder and the quick changeability of the punching cylinders. This significantly reduces setup times, especially when dealing with different tag formats or changing customer requirements. For printing companies that frequently have to&nbsp;switch between different airline layouts or airport standards, this is a key productivity factor.&nbsp;</p> <p>Die-cutting airport tags typically produces a relatively complex waste grid. The FA-17 features efficient grid removal and web tension control systems, ensuring reliable removal of the die-cut grid even with intricate contours. This is particularly important for thin thermal papers, which are sensitive to mechanical stress.&nbsp;</p> <p>Precise web guidance also ensures uniform material flow, thereby increasing the service life of the punching tools and enabling consistent die-cut quality.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Nilpeter FA17 offers advantages, particularly in rotary die-cutting, with its precise servo technology, stable web guidance and flexible tool changes. Combined with modular expandability and in-line finishing, the result is a production platform that meets both the high-quality requirements of a highly automated flexographic printing press and the economic demands of modern printing companies.&nbsp;</p> </div> <div> <div>Posted date</div> <div>3 days 8 hours ago</div> </div> <div> <div>Short title</div> <div>Security Label invests in Nilpeter FA-17</div> </div> <div> <div>Short summary</div> <div><p>After extensive testing and detailed comparisons, the management and technical teams at Security Label opted for a machine from Denmark.</p> </div> </div> <div> <div>First paragraph</div> <div><p>After extensive testing and detailed comparisons, the management and technical teams at Security Label opted for a machine from Denmark.</p> </div> </div> <div> <div>Regions</div> <div> <div><a href="/europe" hreflang="und">Europe</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Other topics</div> <div> <div><a href="/installations" hreflang="und">Installations</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Related suppliers</div> <div> <div><a href="/suppliers/nilpeter" hreflang="en">Nilpeter</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Rate</div> <div><form class="fivestar-form-8" id="vote--8" data-drupal-selector="fivestar-form-8" action="/rss.xml?content-id=amzn1.sym.c8024b21-28a0-4e6a-8242-ffaaf06a2d70%3Aamzn1.sym.c8024b21-28a0-4e6a-8242-ffaaf06a2d70&qid=1690232009" method="post" accept-charset="UTF-8"> <div class="clearfix fivestar-average-text fivestar-average-stars fivestar-form-item fivestar-basic"><div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-fivestar form-item-vote js-form-item-vote form-no-label"> <div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-select form-item-vote js-form-item-vote form-no-label"> <select class="vote form-select" data-drupal-selector="edit-vote" aria-describedby="edit-vote--16--description" id="edit-vote--16" name="vote"><option value="-">Select rating</option><option value="20">Give it 1/5</option><option value="40">Give it 2/5</option><option value="60">Give it 3/5</option><option value="80">Give it 4/5</option><option value="100">Give it 5/5</option><option value="0">Cancel rating</option></select> <div id="edit-vote--16--description" class="description"> <div class="fivestar-summary fivestar-summary-average-count"> <span class="empty">No votes yet</span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><input class="js-hide button js-form-submit form-submit" data-drupal-selector="edit-submit" type="submit" id="edit-submit--8" name="op" value="Rate" /> <input autocomplete="off" data-drupal-selector="form-ngcnn-5ptcw6wg8r-xzjlqpv6ogrpnvyw99ju0-6jay" type="hidden" name="form_build_id" value="form-NgCnN-5PtcW6wG8R_xZJlQPv6oGrPnVYW99jU0-6jAY" /> <input data-drupal-selector="edit-fivestar-form-8" type="hidden" name="form_id" value="fivestar_form_8" /> </form> </div> </div> <div> <div>Top story</div> <div>On</div> </div> <div> <div>Article main topic</div> <div><a href="/conventional-printing" hreflang="en">Conventional printing</a></div> </div> <div> <div>Redirected</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>Moved to features</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>Lead image:</div> <div> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/labels/lnl/files/2026-04/security.jpg" width="1280" height="720" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> <div> <div>New batch</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>redirected</div> <div>Off</div> </div> Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:13:25 +0000 Akanksha Meena 118507 at http://www.labelsandlabeling.com Cosmo Films wins three SIES SOP Star Awards 2026 http://www.labelsandlabeling.com/news/associations-events-awards/cosmo-films-wins-three-sies-sop-star-awards-2026 <div><p>Cosmo Films, specialty films manufacturer, has been honored with three SIES SOP Star Awards 2026 in its 9th edition, under the packaging materials and components category. &nbsp;</p> <p>The awards were presented on March 17, 2026, recognizing the company’s continued excellence in developing high-performance, application-driven packaging solutions.&nbsp;</p> <p>The three award-winning products include: CPP Film for Deep Freeze Application (HST-1 (DF) CPP), High Barrier Pigmented BOPP Film (HST-1 (HBOM)) and Lidding Film for Retort Application (HST-1 (LRT) CPP).&nbsp;</p> <p>These innovations reflect Cosmo Films’ strong focus on addressing evolving packaging requirements across food and FMCG sectors, particularly in areas demanding durability, barrier performance and process efficiency. In the previous edition, the company’s two products, metallized BOPP for high-speed packaging and next generation UHB-HR MO high heat resistance BOPP film for replacing METPET mono carton packaging application, were awarded with the SIES SOP Star Awards.&nbsp;</p> <p>The CPP Film for Deep Freeze applications is engineered to deliver superior performance in extreme low-temperature conditions, ensuring product integrity and seal reliability. The high barrier pigmented BOPP film offers enhanced protection against moisture and oxygen, making it ideal for sensitive packaged products. Meanwhile, the retort lidding film is designed to withstand high-temperature sterilization processes while maintaining seal strength and product safety.&nbsp;</p> <p>Commenting on the achievement, Kulbhushan Malik, global business head, Cosmo Films, said: ‘Winning three SIES SOP Star Awards is a testament to our continued focus on innovation and customer-centric product development. These recognitions reinforce our commitment to delivering high-performance specialty films that cater to evolving industry needs while ensuring quality, efficiency, and sustainability.’&nbsp;</p> <p>The 9th edition of the SIES SOP Star Awards had 227 entries from 51 companies, with the top 49 percent entries coming from user industries and 34 percent from packaging user converter/printer segments. Cosmo Films has consistently strengthened its specialty portfolio, which today constitutes a significant share of its overall business, supported by strong R&amp;D capabilities and a deep understanding of global packaging trends.&nbsp;</p> <p>With a growing emphasis on value-added films and sustainable packaging, the company continues to invest in advanced technologies and product innovation to stay ahead in the global specialty films market.&nbsp;</p> </div> <div> <div>Posted date</div> <div>3 days 8 hours ago</div> </div> <div> <div>Short title</div> <div>Cosmo Films wins three SIES SOP Star Awards 2026 </div> </div> <div> <div>Short summary</div> <div><p>The manufacturer wins awards for high-performance, application-driven packaging.&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> <div> <div>First paragraph</div> <div><p>The manufacturer wins awards for high-performance, application-driven packaging.&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> <div> <div>Regions</div> <div> <div><a href="/south-asia" hreflang="en">South Asia</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Other topics</div> <div> <div><a href="/substrates-adhesives" hreflang="en">Substrates &amp; adhesives</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Related suppliers</div> <div> <div><a href="/suppliers/cosmo-films" hreflang="en">Cosmo Films</a></div> </div> </div> <div> <div>Rate</div> <div><form class="fivestar-form-9" id="vote--9" data-drupal-selector="fivestar-form-9" action="/rss.xml?content-id=amzn1.sym.c8024b21-28a0-4e6a-8242-ffaaf06a2d70%3Aamzn1.sym.c8024b21-28a0-4e6a-8242-ffaaf06a2d70&qid=1690232009" method="post" accept-charset="UTF-8"> <div class="clearfix fivestar-average-text fivestar-average-stars fivestar-form-item fivestar-basic"><div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-fivestar form-item-vote js-form-item-vote form-no-label"> <div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-select form-item-vote js-form-item-vote form-no-label"> <select class="vote form-select" data-drupal-selector="edit-vote" aria-describedby="edit-vote--18--description" id="edit-vote--18" name="vote"><option value="-">Select rating</option><option value="20">Give it 1/5</option><option value="40">Give it 2/5</option><option value="60">Give it 3/5</option><option value="80">Give it 4/5</option><option value="100">Give it 5/5</option><option value="0">Cancel rating</option></select> <div id="edit-vote--18--description" class="description"> <div class="fivestar-summary fivestar-summary-average-count"> <span class="empty">No votes yet</span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><input class="js-hide button js-form-submit form-submit" data-drupal-selector="edit-submit" type="submit" id="edit-submit--9" name="op" value="Rate" /> <input autocomplete="off" data-drupal-selector="form-m7jwgtxqus0hmdkf9chdz9lf3xfikj94jo8si6evwhi" type="hidden" name="form_build_id" value="form-m7jWgtxQUS0hmDkf9chDZ9lF3XFIkJ94Jo8SI6EvWHI" /> <input data-drupal-selector="edit-fivestar-form-9" type="hidden" name="form_id" value="fivestar_form_9" /> </form> </div> </div> <div> <div>Top story</div> <div>On</div> </div> <div> <div>Article main topic</div> <div><a href="/associations-events-awards" hreflang="en">Associations, events &amp; awards</a></div> </div> <div> <div>Redirected</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>Moved to features</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>Lead image:</div> <div> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/labels/lnl/files/2026-04/cosmo.jpg" width="1280" height="720" alt="Kulbhushan Malik, global business head, Cosmo Films" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> <div> <div>New batch</div> <div>Off</div> </div> <div> <div>redirected</div> <div>Off</div> </div> Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:03:03 +0000 Akanksha Meena 118506 at http://www.labelsandlabeling.com