With more than 250 employees and 200,000 square feet of manufacturing space spread across its locations, Abbott Label has been steadfast in what has been a successful business model. The company is a 100% trade-only converter, with zero direct label sales. There has been an evolution too, as Abbott Label has shifted from a blank, stock label company to a full service, multi-color provider with a plethora of printing capabilities. The converter has more than 30 presses in its arsenal, spanning flexographic to inkjet and toner-based technologies.

“Over the years, the thing I reflect on is my people,” explains John Abbott. “More than anything, we focus on hiring good people, because you’re only as good as your people. I’m truly blessed as far as that goes. Not only have we been fortunate to have good people work for us, but we have also been very blessed to have great customers who constantly refer other companies to us because of who we are, what we are, and what we do.”

Abbott has made the calculated decision to open a new plant in Shelbyville, TN, near Nashville, to initially focus solely on RFID label production. RFID labeling has emerged as one of the most prominent industry trends.

Courtesy of a new Mark Andy Evolution press and a partnership with ABG, the company will delve into smart label manufacturing. Mark Davenport, whose family owned Mid-South RFID, will head the operation.

Plus, PPG has announced it has appointed Amy Mercante general manager of specialty products, a role in the company’s Specialty Coatings and Materials (SCM) strategic business unit.

In this newly created role, Mercante will provide strategic and operational leadership to the newly formed specialty products segment, comprised of the specialty synthesis group, optical monomers and coatings, and TESLIN products business lines to ensure their profitable and sustainable growth. Mercante is reentering the SCM business, where she previously served as the global business director for Teslin substrate products. She will report to Juliane Hefel, PPG vice president, SCM.

Here are the Top 10 stories from the month of July:

1. Narrow Web Profile: Abbott Label
2. PPG appoints Amy Mercante general manager of specialty products
3. AWT Labels & Packaging acquires American Label Technologies
4. I.D. Images saves with Baldwin inspection system
5. ETI celebrates grand opening of new headquarters in Spain
6. Addressing new plastic packaging solutions
7. Green labeling: What converters should know
8. Domino highlights future of digital label printing at TLMI LLT Excursion
9. drupa returns after eight-year absence
10. UPM releases survey on sustainable packaging