PLGA technical conference focuses on Internet procurement

The annual technical conference of the Packaging & Label Gravure Association kicked off the morning of Feb. 27 in Clearwater, Florida with "Auction Bidding, the good, the bad and the possibly ugly." More and more companies in the gravure industry are taking advantage of the Internet bidding

By popular demand from last year's conference, the PLGA presented speakers, including suppliers, converters, and packaging and label users, with worldwide experience on the topic of electronic procurement.

Steve Haransky, account executive for A.T. Kearney Procurement Solutions, says "internet negotiation is a tool out there to use." Other speakers had both good and bad personal experiences to share. Terri Westerhaug, sales rep for Smyth Companies Inc., says one company actually used Smyth's electronic bid as a negotiating tool to get a better deal with its current supplier. Even though Smyth submitted the lowest bid, it still didn't get the business in the end.

Another topic discussed concerned the most important considerations for determining which printing method should be used. According to Mark Walchak of Philip Morris, the most important consideration is the volume of the specific print job. He also touched on the competitive disadvantages of using gravure printing, which include: heavy traps, high cylinder cost, expensive press changeover, and approval of all ink color needs.

The conference ended with an overview of what's new in lightweight polymers and hybrid sleeves. Harry McKay of Stork Rotaform spoke on lightweight conventional sleeves for gravure. The time has come to look at new ideas for sleeves, says McKay.

Mike Keating from Keating Gravure Systems, Ltd., Mold, Flintshire, UK, spoke on a hybrid lightweight cylinder that he jointly developed with Max Daetwyler and Amcor Flexibles, Europe. This technology is not yet available in the U.S. Keating says that will hopefully take place in the near future.