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View the May 4th, 2022 Newsletter here.
May 4th, 2022 Newsletter
Month: May 2022
A Tour of Atcam
Enjoy a brief tour of Atcam
ATCAM LLC is a locally owned thermal spray and custom machine shop located in the heart of the Fox River Valley. We’ve recently doubled the size of our modern facility to its present 35,000 square foot size to better provide companies with a variety of coating, machining and repair services.
DWS discusses hybrid printing labels & shrink sleeves with Domino
DWS Printing & Packaging discusses their MPS EF SYMJET ‘powered by Domino’ hybrid press for labels & shrink sleeves. This visit to their Deer Park, NY facility on Long Island was to learn more about the company, why they chose Domino, and the benefits realized in adding this hybrid press to their business.
The interview was captured in the following video
Perfecting the craft since 1865
“So, what’s critical to us is that we are a tried & true and solid partner to our clients. But at the same time, we demand and expect the same level of support and partnerships from our supply chain… namely Domino… and we’ve gotten it,” says Andy Staib, fourth generation owner & CEO of DWS.
Andy continues. “Our great grandfather was one of the original principles. We think that’s pretty unusual to be in business that long and have maintained the family heritage. Our primary niche is in the craft beer, beverage, and food markets, but we also cater to non-alcoholic, to the organic food space. Unlike some of the bigger guys, we can be responsive with shorter runs and quicker turnaround. We like it. That’s really where our comfort zone is.”
Due diligence process in selecting digital
John Gulino, Senior Technical Director at DWS describes the due diligence process they went through in selecting their digital printing partner. “We always like to be innovative. We want to be on the cutting edge. We don’t want to be a follower. So, we vetted out every technology that was out there. During our vetting process we had all the press manufacturers run all the same files on all the same material. We labelled independently each sample from each press manufacturer. We gave our Sales team the exact same samples on the exact same substrates and asked them all for their opinion. And unanimously, it came back to Domino.”
“So, once we decided on a Domino UV inkjet, we decided that hybrid was the way for us. Then came the decision on how are we going to build a hybrid press that’s best for DWS. And that’s when we decided on MPS.”
DWS’ hybrid press configuration
John provides an overview of the configuration they selected for their hybrid press. “This is our MPS EF SYMJET powered by Domino. We have two flexo stations in front for printing UV ink, we have cold foil, we have the Domino N610i with 7-colors, we have two flexo stations in the back for printing UV ink, we have a turn bar for two-sided printing, a lamination station, we have semi and full-rotary die-cutting, and this is Felix our lead pressman, and it’s all powered by one press console.”
The DWS difference
John describes how DWS helps their brand owner customers differentiate product, and standout from the competition. “Clients often come to us because we have our own in-house design team, and they’re looking for how we can make their labels better. One of our brewery clients wanted to put different dogs on all their beer labels, but they had no idea how to do that. We were able to show them how variable data can improve their selling ability. Without having the digital capabilities of Domino, we could not have done that with our traditional flexo or offset printing. So having the Domino hybrid technology has taken us to a completely different level. There’s not many people that are doing what we can do, or do it as well as we can do it. And Domino has been able to give us the technology and the quality to provide those to our clients.”
Andy says, “We took it one step further. We wanted to keep sleeving in-house. And it was the digital technology that helped us get there. And it brings a solution to the table that the other guys just don’t have. It’s a game changer.”
DWS has their own packaging operation where shrink sleeves are applied to empty beverage cans. Andy explains, “One of the reasons that we got into digital printing in the first place was so that we could streamline the process. So, the labels that you just saw hot off the press are going right into sleeving…thanks to my nephew TJ, generation five. The sleeves are getting applied right here in-house, they go through a short conveyor system, and about three seconds later we’ve got a finished pre-sleeved can. Nobody else is doing this. The bottom line… none of this would be possible without our hybrid press. How cool is that?!”
DWS & Domino partnership
Andy summarizes the relationship of DWS & Domino by saying, “Domino has been there, right from the start, to help us get through the learning curve, to understand digital, and to support us throughout the process. So, it’s been great.”
Expanding into Austin, TX DWS installed another Domino – MPS hybrid press.
Domino is a leading manufacturer and distributor of digital printing and product identification solutions. Celebrating its 44th year in business, Domino is a global organization with world headquarters in the UK, and North America headquarters in Gurnee, IL. Domino has 25 subsidiaries, representation in over 120 countries, and over 3,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Domino digital printing, please visit dominodigitalprinting.com
Lindsay Goldberg Enters into Agreement to Sell Pixelle Specialty Solutions LLC to H.I.G. Capital
Leading provider of fiber-based specialty solutions positioned for continued growth and investment
April 4, 2022
SPRING GROVE, PA — Pixelle Specialty Solutions Holding LLC (“Pixelle” or the “Company”), a leading provider of fiber-based specialty solutions in North America and portfolio company of Lindsay Goldberg, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital (“H.I.G.”), a leading global alternative investment firm with $48 billion of equity capital under management. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Pixelle was formed in 2018 by Lindsay Goldberg, a private investment firm that focuses on partnering with families, founders and management teams seeking to actively build their businesses. Pixelle has built an industry-leading four-mill specialty paper platform with mills in Chillicothe, OH; Jay, ME; Spring Grove, PA; and Stevens Point, WI. Collectively the mills operate 11 paper machines and produce more than one million tons of paper annually.
Timothy Hess, Pixelle’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “Together with Lindsay Goldberg, Pixelle has developed a broad, innovative portfolio of industry leading brands across the specialty papers and sustainable packaging markets. In under four years, we have transformed Pixelle into the leading specialty-focused paper producer in North America through three strategic acquisitions and successful implementation of a continuous improvement program. We thank Lindsay Goldberg for their partnership and look forward to our next chapter with H.I.G. Capital.”
Russell Triedman, Managing Partner at Lindsay Goldberg, added, “We are very pleased to have partnered with Pixelle’s management to execute on a strategic plan to position the business as a true market leader and partner of choice to its customers. We are especially proud to have worked with Pixelle’s management team to advance the company’s sustainability initiatives, including responsible sourcing practices, reduced energy consumption, and the continued development of environmentally friendly products. Pixelle is poised for continued success and we wish Tim and his team the best.”
Credit Suisse served as lead financial advisor to Pixelle on the transaction. Houlihan Lokey also served as financial advisor to Pixelle. Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP served as legal advisor to Pixelle. Credit Suisse and Macquarie Capital are providing committed financing in support of the
transaction. Macquarie Capital and Jefferies acted as financial advisors and Ropes & Gray LLP provided legal advice to H.I.G. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2022.
Big Systems brings low cost, flexible printing equipment options to the 5P Community
New GBIG member brings low cost, flexible printing equipment options to the 5P
community.
Please welcome Joe Jones and his team from Big Systems to the GBIG community. Based in Menomonee Falls WI, they have been servicing customers in the Midwest and beyond for nearly 28 years. Joe sells DIGITAL and 3D PRINTING equipment from his company HQ in Milwaukee.
Big Systems and their lead partner HP have just introduced a super high speed “Pagewide XL Pro” family of printers. This family of three models prints speeds up to 20 D/A1 pages/minute! Options include the ability to print on boards, cardstock, paper, various banner materials and the printer has a have a two-sided option. Other features include on board scanning, three-liter bulk ink cartons and easy to use RIP software.
To learn more about Big Systems and HP Pagewide XL Printers: https://bigsys.com/main/Store.php#!/HP-PageWide/c/118936292 or contact Joe Jones at joe@bigsys.com or 262-345-6300.
Women in Business & Manufacturing: Part 3
A Round Table Overview for GBIG
An exclusive interview with Michele Moran, Hoffmaster,
Director of Marketing & New Product Development.
Hoffmaster produces specialty disposable tabletop products.
Hosted by Susan Stansbury, Industry Consultant
Michele Moran, Hoffmaster
Susan: How do you see your business outlook and the key issues you are facing this year?
Michelle: We’re seeing good sales results, and we think it’s going to continue on that track. With all the supply chain issues we are seeing more of a demand for American made products. Our factories in Oshkosh, Clintonville, and GMSP division in Oconto, WI, as well as the paper straw facility in Fort Wayne, IN—are all busy. Of course, there are issues around continuing covid outbreaks, inflation, gas prices, and other factors that could affect growth.
What are some of the other factors and challenges occurring?
Michelle: First, we continue to see raw material difficulties with paper, tissue, and board stock availability. Second, there are labor concerns where we cannot hire enough people to meet our demand. Due to a workforce shortage, figuring out how to further automate becomes increasingly important.
Then, third on the list are freight issues with costs per container going from $4,000 to $20-30,000. Associated with that are a lack of truckers to drive and to pick up product. We are seeing a shortage of people who aren’t entering into the trucking industry, causing more problems with the supply chain. Finally, inflation has led to rising costs for raw materials, electricity, wages, and freight.
How did you work during the pandemic, from home? And now?
Michelle: During the pandemic I worked from home for almost 2 years. Currently, I work at the office three days per week, and I think that will continue very similar to what we see with other businesses. Use of cell phones, zoom calls and Team’s calls makes it easier than in past decades to be efficient at home.
Are your products made of recycled materials?
Michelle: We have several napkins, placemats, and traymats that are made of recycled materials. However, with more online ordering and items being shipped to homes, it has led to less recycling in many cases. Normally the corrugate boxes would have been recycled at the store level, and now with people ordering online they aren’t as good at recycling the boxes. This has caused a shortage of recycled materials and has increased the costs of the tissue and paper. Inflation has impacted the price of corrugate packaging, and we continue to see increases.
Any other thoughts about the industry?
Michelle: We are optimistic about people continuing to go out to eat, seeing travel come back, and concerts happening. This is all great for business. A couple of things could cloud this such as seeing a continued uptick in the COVID variant, or rising inflation, or more supply chain issues with raw materials.
PCMC: New Packaging Innovation Tour and Networking!
PCMC: New Packaging Innovation Center Launch
Converters Expo: Ribbon Cutting
Converters Expo: Ribbon cutting – Glen Gudino BNP, Barb LaMue of the New North and Marty Ochs of the Green Bay Innovation Group
