With the winter winds blowing in the north, almost 200 gravure industry players gathered in Miami this past February to attend the PLGA Operational Conference: “Fast Forward, the Future.”

Wednesday evening was dedicated to celebrating PLGA Global’s 10th anniversary and the accomplishments of the 2008 Print Quality Award winners. The winners truly represent the
outstanding quality that only gravure can offer. Click here to view.

“Are you ready?” was the question Thom Blischok, Strategic Consulting Information Resources and the conference Keynote
speaker, posed to attendees. Differentiation is what today’s packaging markets are all about, and Thom provided real insights
into consumers’ preferences, the latest packaging developments, and tomorrow’s consumer packaging trends. He really set the tone for the rest of the conference.

Between the formal sessions, PLGA Global Educational Foundation President, Randy Butler, Printpack, presented the 2007-2008 scholarship winners certificates recognizing their achievements. In addition to their scholarships, PLGA Global hosted the four students at the conference.

Throughout the event, they could be found networking, learning more about the industry, and making the connections for future internships and eventual employment upon graduation.

Moderator Sue Kuchta, Flint Group, and speakers Sean Skelley, Jetrion Industry Ink Jet Systems, and Jeffrey O’Reilly, Indigo, introduced the group to the world of digital printing. Examples of teaming gravure with digital print technologies were presented to produce the new looks and product personalization that today’s consumer product companies are asking for. Sean stated that, “The digital challenge to conventional printing is known, can be anticipated, and even leveraged.” And while Indigo founder, Benny Landa, stated that “everything that can become digital, will become digital, including printing,” Jeff was quick to add that there are still huge opportunities for gravure printing well into the future.

Before the lunch break, Laura Hatch, GravurExchange, provided an update on the PLGA Global Gravure Specifications & Tolerances project. An aggressive, but realistic, timeline is in place, with a projected completion date of September 2009. Helping to lead the work is Claus Zack, a newly retired gravure industry veteran. Volunteers can join the work by contacting Laura at laurah@gravurexchange.com.

After a hearty lunch, moderator Dick Chesnut, Chesnut Engineering, brought together a trio of industry experts who projected what the traditional markets will be doing in 2013. Frank Passarelli, Bobst Group, discussed the productivity gains in the light board packaging markets and stressed that there is “truly an opportunity to differentiate yourself with gravure. ”Gary Duncan, Web Resources, outlined the driving factors in the
shrink label market and Bud Gray, Acucote, presented a look forward for pressure sensitive
labels. Bud stated, “It is imperative that today’s gravure printers identify what different actions
and skill sets are required to differentiate their business from similar competition.” He stressed that we cannot expect someone else to “change our worlds.”

“Brand thieves” worldwide are counterfeiting products ranging from the well known Rolex watches to pharmaceutical products and food-products packaging. Moderator Gary Charles, Avery Dennison, brought back Bud Gray, Acucote, and added Grant Stoffle, Hidden Brands, and Kees-Jan Delst, JDSU – Flex Product Group, to share various solutions currently available to stop this problem; and the overt, covert, and forensic technologies behind them. Grant explained a new technology that adds invisible images in print. Kees-Jan expanded on overt, covert, and forensic band protection services his company brings to the table. “For the first time in many years,” Bud explained, “the package converter has the opportunity to be the true solutions provider by providing the bridge between the technology providers and brand owners.”

Wrapping up an information-packed day was the Vendor tabletop reception, which offered conference attendees a chance to spend time with company representatives discussing their latest technology offerings.

Morning two started with moderator Walter Siegenthaler, Max Daetwyler Corporation, and a session on printed electronics. Jay Sperry, Clemson University, presented a benchmarking study of the gravure, flexo, and screen processes for printing electronic devices. He evaluated the pros and cons of each and the opportunities available to gravure printers. Bill Ray, Nth Degree Technologies Worldwide, discussed current technologies and the challenges ahead to take printed electronics to the next level. Alejandro de la Fuente, University of California, Berkeley, provided an overview of his university’s work on printed electronics using both inkjet
and gravure.

The conference closed with a session on sustainability, moderated by Keith Newton, Alcan Packaging. Clemson University’s Liam O’Hara presented an overview of the issues of Sustainability as they relate to the printing and packaging industries. In Liam’s words, “It’s all about People > Planet > Profit.” Michael Hill, Alcan Packaging, discussed the sustainability drivers, the challenges; when green isn’t always greener, and the approach Alcan has taken to become a steward to sustainability. Steve Rach, Megtec Systems, explained how combining energy management with a sustainability program can actually save your company money while protecting the environment. Mike Impastato, Flint Group, wrapped up the session by introducing the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership, a new multi-association initiative to develop criteria to be used to determine the level of sustainability attained by printing operations.

This year’s PLGA Global Operational Conference was a resounding success. As the last session closed, attendees headed for the airport, ready to “Fast Forward” into the future.