Finat to showcase label community program at Labelexpo

The presence of Finat, the international association for the self-adhesive label industry, at Labelexpo Europe will mark the 20^th anniversary of its partnership with the trade show. The event is to be held at the Parc des Expositions in Brussels from September 28 to October 1. 

The association’s stand, P40 in Hall 11, will serve as a meeting point for members and prospective associates and will feature a series of new and existing programs aimed at the international self-adhesive label community. This year’s edition will see the release of its revised Educational Handbook, that will be made available in electronic pdf version edition to members as part of the association’s on-going education program. The Handbook will be added to Finat’s virtual library of educational, technical and marketing documentation that is available to (prospective) members at the association’s website. 

This year’s Finat stand will also feature the ‘Sustainability and Recycling Desk’, that will allow visitors to obtain information about the growing number of liner recycling programs available across Europe. 

During the show, Finat staff and members of the different committees and groups, including FINAT’s Young Managers Club, will be available to inform visitors about the association’s activities and programs coming up next year, such as the Technical Seminar in Barcelona in March 2012; the Finat Congress in Athens in June 2012; and the first global Young Managers Summit in November 2012. Visitors will be offered Finat’s Yearbook 2011 as well as a pocket guide about its on-going activities and services. A small meeting room will be available upon reservation for brief private meetings. 

The day before the show, on 27 September, Finat will welcome its global counterpart associations for fifth edition of the ‘L9’ Summit. Apart from FINAT, the associations from USA, Mexico, Japan, China and India have already confirmed their attendance. 

Finat managing director Jules Lejeune said: ‘Labelexpo Europe is the world’s showcase event for the label sector. With 600 members in over 50 countries, Finat has proudly been supporting this event for the past two decades. Together we provide a unique global meeting platform for companies with a single common interest: to promote the development of the label sector worldwide. We look forward to welcoming visitors to this year’s edition.’ 

Operators' Day

The association, in conjunction with affiliated European associations and Labelexpo, will organize an Operators’ Day on the final day of the event, Saturday October 1.

The initiative is aimed at production personnel of label companies visiting Labelexpo: those workers involved in design and pre-press, plate production, press operation (conventional or digital) and converting (including die-cutting, slitting, rewinding). 

The tailored program will introduce operators to a special Show Trail featuring member companies exhibiting at the show, and will feature an educational competition with prizes awarded at the closing ceremony. The Operators Show Trail will include a variety of aspects associated with the self-adhesive manufacturing process, from materials and pre-press technology through to the printing process. 

Michael Jagiella, technical and production Leader at Germany’s Gundlach Logo, commented: ‘I regularly visit Labelexpo, as it’s the most important show for our industry. Operators’ Day is a very important initiative – it’s the perfect opportunity to learn about new technologies and get updates on all the key issues affecting our business. It’s also a great place for making new contacts and sharing information. I’m looking forward to discovering how my peers do things, and how I could incorporate what I’ve learned into our production process.’ 

Yohann Peyronnet, operator at French label manufacturer, Stratus Packaging, revealed the company will be taking 100 staff to Labelexpo: ‘Operators’ Day will be a great opportunity to meet face to face with suppliers. We’ll be able to share with them the challenges we’re facing, and discuss how we can overcome them. Also, it’s very nice to have a day dedicated solely to operators – it’s recognition of how important it is that we have the opportunity to build on our print education and develop our skills.’

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