The search is on to find the newest high flyers and innovators in the label industry. Now in its 14th year, there are four gongs up for grabs as the Label Industry Global Awards honor those organizations and individuals who have excelled in the label field. Renowned as the Oscars for the label printing trade, the Awards provide the sector’s finest a worldwide stage to celebrate and showcase excellence, innovation and best practice.

Nominations are sought for the prestigious R. Stanton Avery Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Avery Dennison, which will be awarded in recognition of the contribution an industry professional has made during their time working within the label sector. Bestowed in memory of Stan Avery’s pioneering spirit and values, the worthy recipient must have worked in the industry for over 25 years. Previous winners include: Bruce Bell from Belmark Inc, FINAT’s Kurt Walker, Ritrama’s Tomas Rink and Steve Lee from RotoMetrics.

The Award for Innovation, sponsored by Flint Group Narrow Web, consists of two prizes; one for companies with over 300 employees and the second for organizations with less than 300 employees. Entries must be for the development of a specific innovation in 2016 and can either be for a new business process or technology-related. Jindal Films Americas won 2015’s award for its development of a white surface-printable polyolefin film, Platinum Thermal. Eshuis BV won the second Innovation Award (for companies with less than 300 employees), for the production of its three-layer bow label for Coca-Cola bottles. 

The Award for Sustainability, sponsored by Xeikon, acknowledges a new sustainable product or process that has been introduced during 2016. Dow Chemical Company triumphed in this category last year for its Chemical Sustainability Tool initiative, which was designed to let teams quickly evaluate sustainability opportunities, document their thoughts and create an effective visual way of communicating the results.

Mike Fairley, chair of the judges explains: “The Label Industry Global Awards are a tremendous way of highlighting significant developments and accomplishments within the label community. Every year it is a genuine pleasure and privilege to meet the finalists and winners at the ceremony and see how much the awards mean to them. Rigorously judged, these awards set a solid benchmark of achievement, as well as showcasing the talent in our profession. While recognizing great performance in the label world, the awards are the greatest vindication of success and have also promoted their winners, leading many to find new clients and opportunities. We look forward to giving even more trailblazing organizations and their employees the chance to shine and be part of 2017’s success story.”

Entry is free and submissions must be received by May 19, 2017. The winners will be announced during Labelexpo Europe at a gala evening event on September 25 at Brussels Expo. Entry forms and full details of how to enter are available here.