On April 22, 2022, UPM announced its agreement with the Paperworkers Union on business-specific collective labor agreements for five UPM businesses. The resolution allowed for employees to return to work at five UPM mills in Finland, including UPM Raflatac.

With the news that customer deliveries will resume as soon as possible, L&NW sat down with Tim Kirchen, senior vice president, Americas region, UPM Raflatac, to explore the ramifications of the strike and the future outlook for the label and package printing industry.

“For UPM Raflatac, this means enhanced productivity and competitiveness, improved supply security, and more flexible working hours arrangements,” he says. “This all will benefit our customers and the pressure sensitive label industry in the long run.”

Meanwhile, Paper Converting Machine Company (PCMC), part of Barry-Wehmiller, welcomed 70-plus customers, suppliers and area supporters to its new Packaging Innovation Center on April 26 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tour and overview presentation.

Located at PCMC’s headquarters in Green Bay, the state-of-the-art facility – focused on the printing and packaging industries – will serve as a resource for training, demonstrations and industry trials, along with research and development opportunities. The new center features the latest equipment for plate mounting, anilox roll laser cleaning, and central impression and inline flexographic printing.

Here are the highest-trafficked news items for the week ending on May 6:

1. UPM Raflatac sets sights on future following strike’s conclusion
2. PCMC opens Packaging Innovation Center
3. Warren Packaging finds success with Domino N610i digital press
4. Sustainable and floatable shrink sleeve film line opens in Poland
5. UPM Raflatac qualifies with Epson linerless thermal label printer