Frontline

• PCMC to be acquired by Barry-Wehmiller: The Green Bay, WI, maker of presses, nonwovens and tissue-converting machinery signs a letter of intent for the sale June 20 to Barry-Wehmiller Cos. (St. Louis). "This move will ensure the long-term viability of the company,"

  says PCMC president and chief executive officer Frederick W. (Rick) Baer. "By combining forces with Barry-Wehmiller, we will be able to compete more effectively in the global marketplace." Barry-Wehmiller specializes in packaging automation equipment, corrugating and sheeting equipment and IT and engineering consulting. PCMC facilities will remain in Green Bay and retain the PCMC brand name.

• Kodak wraps up Creo buy: Rochester, NY-based Eastman Kodak completes its acquisition of prepress systems provider Creo, Inc., June 15. The deal is worth approximately US$988 million. Creo has helped transform the graphic arts industry by driving the widespread adoption of digital workflow and computer-to-plate imaging.

• Chesapeake opens Euro-chic design center: Paperboard converter Chesapeake Corp. (Richmond, VA) launches a design studio and product development group dedicated to pharmaceutical and healthcare packaging. Located at the company's Field Boxmore plant in Nottingham, UK, the center features the latest CAD equipment with 3D simulation and a new Kongsberg prototype samplemaking table.

• Irish eyes are smiling on automation: Dublin-based Label Tech, Ltd., installs an automated converting system from Bridlington, UK-based AB Graphic Intl. The new Omega SR 330 DC slitter/inspection rewinder incorporates inline diecutting and a Vectra four-spindle turret rewinder. Label Tech prints UV-flexo labels for various markets.

• Great minds think alike: Rancho Cordova, CA-based PackageOne joins forces June 3 with American River Packaging (Sacramento, CA). The combined company is called American River-PackageOne, Inc. American River Packaging is a converter of custom corrugated containers. Package-One is a distributor of industrial packaging, janitorial and office supplies.

• Sales of metallocene and single-site polymers is forecasted to top $5.3 billion in 2009, says a new study by Cleveland-based market researcher The Freedonia Group. Film and sheet uses for LLDPE are especially amenable to the performance and processing advantages offered by metallocenes. Applications include stretch and shrink films, overwraps, trash bags and films for meat and dairy products, fresh produce and frozen foods.

First Impression

Converters and strictly package printers? Listen up. Although there is an intimidating "packaging culture" barrier between commercial printing and packaging operations, it's not unscalable, and the general print industry's commitment to packaging continues to grow. That's the conclusion of a new study by New York-based researcher TrendWatch Graphic Arts.

The number of commercial printers and trade shops with serious investments in package printing and converting is climbing, and these businesses are producing a wide variety of applications beyond traditional cartons and labels. But that "culture" barrier is high, and serves an important purpose—weeding out the serious players from those who are just playing.

The TWGA report, "Printers Eye Packaging Diversification: Opportunities, Process, and Applications," says there are gaps and unmet needs in the packaging marketplace that are well served by the unique skill sets of commercial printers.

Among the report's findings:

• 24 percent of commercial printers currently produce packaging in-house

• 15 percent of graphic arts firms are currently producing flexible packaging (non-standup pouches)

• 15 percent of commercial printers are producing packaging on a flexographic press

• 43 percent of trade shops are using wide-format (inkjet) printers to produce packaging jobs, and

• For 10 percent of graphic arts firms overall, packaging is 50 percent or more of their overall service mix.