The Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute (TLMI) has announced that Liverpool, NY-based Syracuse Label & Surround Printing has become LIFE certified and that the company is the 52nd facility to achieve TLMI LIFE certification.

The LIFE program was developed in order to assist TLMI members in finding cost effective ways to reduce their companies’ environmental footprint. LIFE is a program designed specifically for the narrow web marketplace and addresses four key elements of the narrow web printing and converting industry: clean production, energy and greenhouse gases, product and environmentally preferable materials and management practices.

The TLMI LIFE program is the only certification platform tailored to the specific requirements of the narrow web printing and packaging industry.

Syracuse Label President Kathy Alaimo comments on her company’s goals in pursuing LIFE certification. “Syracuse Label & Surround Printing made the decision to pursue LIFE certification because it validates our efforts to reduce our impact on the environment and has also resulted in financial savings associated with environmentally friendly practices,” she says. “We feel it is important to differentiate ourselves from our competitors and LIFE certification demonstrates our commitment to the environment and embodies the sustainable objectives that our customers demand.”

Steve Lee receives honorary life membership from TLMI
TLMI has announced that Steve Lee, vice president of technology for RotoMetrics, has been awarded an association Honorary Life Membership. Granted by the association’s Board of Directors, the honor recognizes an individual’s longstanding dedication and distinguished service to TLMI. Lee will be retiring from RotoMetrics in June of this year and has spent 37 years in the narrow web industry, serving TLMI’s membership in multiple capacities over the past three decades.

TLMI President Frank Sablone comments, “Since attending his first meeting 25 years ago, Steve Lee has been one of TLMI’s most dedicated members. He has been chairman of the TLMI Technical Conference, the association’s Technical and Environmental Committees, and he chaired the TLMI Awards Committee for 18 years. He additionally served three terms on the TLMI Board of Directors. Steve joins a very distinguished list of eight other TLMI Honorary Life Members, and I would like to congratulate him on this prestigious achievement.”

Golfers wanted to support flexo education
The Phoenix Challenge Foundation (PCF) has announced the dates for its annual golf tournament, the organization’s primary fundraiser supporting graphic arts and flexography through education. The PCF Tournament will be held on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at a new location – Stonebridge Golf Club in Monroe, NC, USA.

Converters, printers, prepress trade houses, flexo industry suppliers; anyone inside or outside the industry is encouraged to participate. More than 80 golfers are expected this year, making it a relaxed and fun-filled industry-wide event.

To support the fundraising effort, the Foundation is offering a range of sponsorship opportunities from Platinum, Gold, Silver levels to single hole sponsorships and several other categories including food, beverage or a foursome of players. A few major event sponsors return every year, renewing their commitment to providing scholarships and building awareness of flexo in education. All proceeds go directly to supporting flexography throughout college, vocational and high school scholarship competitions and programs.

The golf tournament itself is a Captain’s Choice four-man scramble with great prize opportunities ranging from a new car, vacation trips, cash and many door prizes. Teams are awarded first, second and third place and players will be recognized for longest drives and closest to the pin.

The Phoenix Challenge Foundation exists solely through generous donations made by industry supporters, businesses and individuals. The primary purpose is building awareness and education of flexography throughout North America. Businesses and organizations participating as sponsors will have access to a variety of options that in-turn deliver a variety of marketing and brand awareness benefits.

For additional information or to donate to the Phoenix Challenge Foundation, contact Bettylyn Krafft at 704-309-3748.

FINAT launches new industry trends report
FINAT, the Europe-based association for the self-adhesive labeling industry, has announced the launch of FINAT Radar. This is a new, wide-ranging half-yearly and professionally-conducted Industry Trends Report. According to the organization, the core of this market report will be trends and developments in the label converter segment of the packaging and labeling supply chain and in the principal market segments across Europe. The report will give FINAT members a recurring overview on the evolution of markets and market segments, employment, profit and loss, purchasing and investment. Other chapters in the report will cover parallel surveys on material supplier trends, equipment supplier trends, end user trends and emerging market trends. The results of the first report will be introduced at the upcoming annual FINAT Congress. (June 5-7, Monaco)

“One of the assets of FINAT is its ability to generate representative first-hand market data and information about the European self-adhesive labels and related narrow web markets directly from its members,” says Kurt Walker, FINAT president. “With the FINAT Radar, we are now taking this asset to the next level. Every six months, converters, label materials and equipment suppliers that are members of FINAT are being approached to participate in this new statistical exchange.”

Additionally, customers in a variety of market segments are interviewed. The result is a comprehensive 20-page market survey prepared by market research agency LPC (with offices in London and Texas).

“It has always been FINAT’s mission to provide a sound and solid knowledge basis on which the whole industry can depend,” says Jules Lejeune, managing director, FINAT. “The FINAT RADAR is one of the newly developed initiatives as part of FINAT’s strategy plan for the coming years. One of the many benefits of being a FINAT member that will help leverage the industry’s combined interests.”