Zumbiel Packaging plays host to IPG technical meeting

Zumbiel Packaging, an independent paperboard packaging company with a 170-year history in the Cincinnati area, played host to the 2013 Annual Technical Meeting for the International Packaging Group (IPG) from April 28 to May 2.

IPG is a non-profit industry association representing folding carton producers around the world. IPG membership extends through: North and South America, with members from the US, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, El Salvador and Mexico; Asia/the southern hemisphere, with members from Australia, China, India, Japan, Saudi Arabia and South Africa; and Europe, with members located in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, and the UK.

The Annual Technical Meeting, hosted each year by a member company, focuses on technology and productivity trends in the packaging industry, and includes plant visits, workshops, benchmarking surveys, and other opportunities for information sharing and professional development.

Zumbiel Packaging, a family owned company operating out of Hebron, KY, has been a member of IPG for five years, and the 2013 meeting drew representatives from 25 companies in 20 countries.

The 2014 Annual Technical Meeting will be hosted by Pawi Packaging in Switzerland.

This year’s Annual Technical Meeting focused on the future of digital technology in the packaging market. Representatives from HP, Fuji Film, Xeikon and Stork Prints shared their latest technologies and led group workshops on digital packaging printing, while member companies Esko and Highcon introduced digital options in cutting and creasing.

Delegates were also given a tour of Zumbiel’s 500,000 sq ft facility.

Robert Zumbiel, chief executive officer of Zumbiel Packaging, said: ‘The annual IPG meeting gives us an opportunity to learn from our sister companies around the world, and to share our own challenges and innovations.

‘We’re very pleased to host this year’s meeting in our hometown.’

He added: ‘Digital technologies are a big part of the industry’s future. Digital printing gives us the flexibility to personalize for our customers, while helping to control costs.’

Read more about the carton market here