ActionPak, a contract packager of global brands for more than 30 years, has completed the purchase of a new Tunnel Tornado from Karville Development Group to support increased demand for short-run shrink sleeve labeling. The company’s goal is to stand out from established and entrenched brands with greater shelf appeal.

“This is an ideal opportunity for shrink sleeve labeling,” says Ira Smith, CEO and president of ActionPak. “Both niche products and test market runs require limited quantities. Digital printing makes production of small label quantities very affordable, but until recently, many brands with small volume needs would not have considered shrink sleeve labeling to be a viable decorating option. Cost, and the fact that most shrink sleeve labeling operations in the US are set up to accommodate much larger runs, have been considered the primary obstacles.”

ActionPak will feature the Tornado Tunnel as part of the AWA International Sleeve Label Conference & Exhibition 2015, April 29-30 in Miami, FL, USA.

“The Tornado Tunnel represents a decisive advancement in shrink sleeve labeling,” adds Smith. 

According to ActionPak, the patented High Airflow Tornado section achieves higher quality shrinkage than conventional steam or hot air tunnels without the need for product rotation, while saving energy at the same time. Shrink wrapped containers also leave the tunnel dry, eliminating concerns about exposure to moisture. The heated air inside the Tornado Tunnel circulates at high velocity around the container, giving rise to the product’s name.

The result is a uniform shrink, without wrinkles, and with no need to rotate the container. A special preheat section, combined with the High Airflow Tornado, allows the material to shrink quickly and easily. This design makes the Tornado Tunnel suited for short runs of shrink-wrapped containers, including containers with unusual shapes and sizes.

Ben Smith, director of New Business Development at ActionPak, will also be making a presentation on short run shrink sleeving at the conference. A veteran with over six years of experience with ActionPak, Ben Smith is responsible for development of new business projects that often require small-to-large volume contract shrink sleeve labeling services.

In his presentation, Smith will discuss the barriers to entry, such as cost and availability that traditionally block use of short-run shrink sleeve labeling. He will also compare the initial cost of in-house start-up versus outsourcing to a turn-key provider and illustrate why it makes most sense to work with a partner who specializes in smaller volume shrink sleeve printing and application. Finally, he will summarize shrink sleeve benefits versus alternatives, concluding with a dramatic case study of how a national brand salvaged more than $1 million worth of potentially unusable product through its use of a shrink sleeve.