As Label & Narrow Web prepares for another exciting year covering the the label and packaging industry, we take a look back on what the readers found most interesting in 2017. The most viewed news item on the L&NW website was AWT Labels & Packaging’s announcement of the installation of a 52 inch Miraflex CI flexo press. Here’s the top ten:

10. Fort Dearborn Company names Kevin Kwilinski new CEO
Kwilinski, former CEO of Paperworks Industries, a privately held recycled paperboard packaging company, assumed leadership responsibilities from Jim Buzzard, who resumed his role as non-executive chairman of Fort Dearborn’s Board of Directors.

9. All4Labels to install three Nilpeter Panorama hybrid presses
Upgraded with a complete redesign of the converting and flexo printing units, as well as a major upgrade of press software, Nilpeter’s digital product line, Panorama, covers a wide and varied spectrum of customer requirements – from standalone to all-around, and value-added hybrid configurations.

8. Resource Label Group acquires Gintzler International
Gintzler represented the 10th acquisition since First Atlantic acquired Resource Label. Resource Label now operates 13 manufacturing facilities throughout the US and Canada.

7. RotoMetrics and Electro Optic merge
According to the companies, “the global merger creates unprecedented opportunity for customers to receive the most reliable precision cutting solutions, service and support to enhance their own responsiveness and efficiency anywhere in the world.”

6. Reflex Labels orders seven Mark Andy presses
The order matched the largest single order for Performance Series flexo printing machines since the platform was launched in 2009, with now nearly 700 installed worldwide. It also brought to 23 the number of the manufacturer’s flexo presses currently installed at Reflex’s plants in the UK.

5. Lux Global Label Company acquires National Label assets
As part of the transaction, Resilience Capital Partners committed significant financial capital to a new company. Resilience also assembled a team of industry veterans to strengthen the new company’s operations and industry stature.

4. APR installs Bobst M5 ‘Digital Flexo’ press at Illinois tech center
The 8-color Bobst “unlimited substrate” press has easy drop-in Bobst Ready technology allowing fastest changeovers and interchangeability of flexo, screen and hot foil decoration. APR serves as Bobst’s only demo facility in the North American marketplace for narrow web presses.

3. 3C! Packaging installs new Nilpeter press
The company’s growing demand for labels necessitated the move to a 10-color FB-3 flexo press that reaches a top speed of 750 fpm.

2. Multi-Color to acquire Constantia Flexibles’ Labels Division
The combined annual revenues and EBITDA of the two businesses will be approximately $1.6 billion and $300 million, respectively. The combination brings together Constantia Labels’ high performing Food and Beverage business with Multi-Color’s strong Wine and Spirit, and Home and Personal Care platforms

1. AWT Labels & Packaging installs 52” W&H Miraflex CI press
The W&H Miraflex Central Impression Cylinder press at the company’s South Elgin, IL, USA facility has enabled AWT to expand into the pet foods and gourmet coffee bag and pouch market segments.