Although the pandemic shuttered in-person conferences and events this year, the industry expos and meetings that celebrate innovation and forge connections found virtual platforms and audiences, with organizers hoping for live events again in 2021. “Packaging is necessary,” says Laura Thompson, vice president–trade shows for Chicago-based PMMI Media Group, producer of the canceled PACK EXPO […]
Read MoreIssues
Parent category for issues. Issues should be in format MM_MM_YY
Trade Policies in 2021
Election Could Shift Priorities
Nov/Dec 2020
Catty Corp. has been buying light-gauge aluminum foil for more than 80 years. So, after the U.S. began cracking down on imports from China in 2017, the flexible-packaging firm began to further lean on longstanding relationships around the world to ensure a consistent supply. But that didn’t mean it was an easy transition, says Bruce […]
Read MoreePac Flexible Packaging Adds Capacity
Nov/Dec 2020
ePac Flexible Packaging is expanding its operations to serve its rapidly growing customer base, the company reported.
Read MoreAMB Buys PTS
Nov/Dec 2020
Italian converter AMB SpA bought German firm PTS (Prime Tray System) Verpackungen, a manufacturer of injection-molded cups, bags, and composite plastics films.
Read MoreComexi Plans New Miami Tech Center
Nov/Dec 2020
Comexi plans a technology center at its new U.S. headquarters in Miami. The specialist in solutions for the printing and converting industry of flexible packaging said its 15,000-square-foot technology facility would open this fall.
Read More2021 Ripe With Political Pros and Cons
Nov/Dec 2020
2020 was not the year anyone expected, and 2021 will not be either. Along with the ongoing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus, the outcome of the elections—with both chambers in play, as well as the presidency—will shape 2021 and the next four years.
Read More
Flexible Packaging: An “Essential” Place to Be
Sustainability Remains Important as Opportunities Grow
Nov/Dec 2020
It’s a great time to be in flexible packaging, especially if you’re a vertically integrated, domestic manufacturer like Plastic Packaging Technologies. I’m guessing many other leaders in this industry feel the same way.
Read More
Despite Setbacks, State Governments Continue Work Into Winter
Budget Deficits Create Intense Pressure
Nov/Dec 2020
As state legislatures have entered the fall election season, 2020 will once again prove to be an exception—many states continue to convene sporadically to address urgent budget and policy issues.
Read MoreHudson-Sharp Names New Regional Sales Directors
Nov/Dec 2020
Hudson-Sharp, part of Paper Converting Machine Company (PCMC) and Barry-Wehmiller’s converting equipment platform, reported that Peter Sztehno and Scott Romenesko were named regional sales directors.
Read MoreDigital Exclusive
Coveris Closes New Deal
October 14, 2020
Coveris based in Vienna, Austria, has bought HLB|SFV, a previously family-owned company focused on the manufacturing and sale of various shapes of paper bags but also paper-based flexibles on reels.
Read MoreDigital Exclusive
PCMC Names Scott Derouin as Regional Sales Manager
October 14, 2020
In his new role, Derouin will be responsible for the sale of PCMC’s PCL products in the eastern parts of the U.S. and Canada, as well as multiple key accounts.
Read MoreDigital Exclusive
Trump and Biden Share Some Trade Goals
The Candidates, However, Differ on The Details
October 12, 2020
The Candidates, However, Differ on The Details. While the candidates for president diverge sharply in many areas, they share the same goals when it comes to trade and economic policy: President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden both want to revive manufacturing jobs in the U.S. and combat unfair trade practices pursued by […]
Read MoreDigital Exclusive
Issues Will Linger Beyond Election
No Matter Who Wins, the Industry Must Prepare, Leaders Say
October 12, 2020
With the presidential election fast approaching, it might not be clear who will be in the Oval Office for the next four years…
Read MoreDigital Exclusive
Workspaces Will Change
Leaders Expect Pandemic to Alter Views About Travel and Work
October 12, 2020
The health and safety policies put in place to combat COVID-19 will prepare companies beyond the immediate crisis, if they continue to stay focused on preventing illness, several leaders in the flexible packaging industry suggest. “Despite any uncertainty, we’re controlling what we can control, and a major part of that is keeping our employees healthy,” […]
Read More
With Summer Over, Advocacy Work Shifts
Sept/Oct 2020
In Washington, Labor Day is seen as the official end to summer, when Congress returns to the Capitol from its August recess and jumps into a busy legislative session as the end of the federal fiscal year approaches. After months of unceasing extraordinary situations—states reopening, police protests/riots, new COVID outbreaks, party conventions, market swings, trade […]
Read More
Novolex Workers Help With Beach Clean-Up
Sept/Oct 2020
After Hurricane Dorian, more than 30 employees from Novolex’s Jacksonville manufacturing plant—plus their families—hit the beaches in September 2019. Part of a coastal cleanup day organized by the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, the workers at Novolex—an alliance member—collected debris using an app to track the type and amount of waste collected. “Beach cleanups are near and […]
Read MoreState Legislatures Rebound During Summer
Sept/Oct 2020
As the summer began, a majority of states had gone back into action following COVID-19 shutdowns. Many of the actions and regulatory proceedings will have a direct impact on flexible packaging for many years to come. New Jersey S2515 was introduced in New Jersey on June 4. It would establish new recycled-content standards for rigid […]
Read MoreDigital Exclusive
Printpack Mourns Loss of Gay M. Love
September 18, 2020
In 1956, J. Erskine Love Jr. started Printpack in a rented basement in Sandy Springs, Georgia, using a small dowry from his wife, Gay M. Love.
Read MoreDigital Exclusive
A Conversation With Steve Nichols
Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Glenroy, Inc.
September 18, 2020
FlexPack VOICE™ occasionally will take a closer look at some of the people who have offered their expertise for our magazine cover stories or features.
Read More
Printpack Mourns Loss of Former Company Leader
Sept/Oct 2020
Gay M. Love, chairman emeritus of Atlanta-based Printpack, died “quietly and peacefully at her home” on May 28 at the age of 90, the company said in a news release. Love was the widow of Printpack’s founder, J. Erskine Love Jr.
Read More