As North America prepares for the return to Labelexpo Americas in September 2022, label industry professionals have been invited to local roadshows to preview the event. The one-day roadshows, taking place in conjunction with TLMI, have touted numerous hot-button issues in the label and package printing industry. From digital printing to sustainability, label experts are exploring the ways in which converters and brands can find success in a competitive marketplace.

On July 28, Haney Packaging hosted nearly 100 industry members at its packaging microfactory in Cincinnati, OH, USA. The roadshow was supported by gold sponsors ABG, Epson, and HP, as well as silver sponsor Xeikon. Labelexpo’s other roadshows have been slated for Orange County, CA, and Toronto, Canada. Labelexpo Americas will take place September 13-15, 2022, in Rosemont, IL.

Dan Haney, president of Haney Packaging, and Tasha Ventimiglia, event director, Labelexpo, welcomed attendees to the event.

“I think this is a worthwhile event and you’re going to enjoy the tour,” explained Dan Haney. “We have a pretty complex business here at Haney. We connect innovation to activation and, ultimately, commercialization. We’re here today to talk about what we do for the brands. The idea here today is a mini tradeshow at a micro-factory.”

Haney Packaging engineers successful package development, from prototype to test markets, in order to help brands find aesthetic and functional success. The roadshow’s attendees also received an inside look at Haney’s library of recyclable and compostable packaging solutions during the tour. The group tours were supplemented by in-depth Q&A sessions. Through its VIA Alliance, Haney tests new materials to advance print aesthetics, performance and sustainability.

“We help brands figure out how to package their products, and does that package resonate with consumers,” added Haney. “And we want to navigate you through that process and how it works. We’re trying to accelerate understanding and tools for brands to understand what’s possible and what’s sellable. Design is a big part of our organization.

In describing Haney Packaging’s process, Dan said, “We have tremendous influence in the supply chain, and we do a tremendous amount of work with innovation teams.” 

Haney was recently profiled in Label & Narrow Web. Learn more about the company’s rich history here.

During the roadshow, label industry experts presented on a diverse range of topics. Matthew Seidner, partner at McKinsey & Company, kicked off the agenda with a deep dive into the next normal of labels and packaging – with an emphasis on sustainability and the supply chain.

“We are in a new era of packaging that is defined by sustainability and digital,” stated Seidner. “With e-commerce, I think there is going to be a dramatic shift in focus over the next five years, especially as there are rapidly changing consumer preferences and customization.”

Sustainability was also a key focus of Seidner’s presentation, as the topic will be at Labelexpo Americas. “We also need to think about the product within the packaging, since the packaging only makes up a percentage of GHG emissions,” he noted. “About 3% of GHG impact of packaged food comes from packaging, with the rest coming from the food and/or product itself.”

Automation and data will continue to find their way into the operations of converters and suppliers alike. “The packaging industry as a whole has work to do to embrace digital and analytics into our businesses,” said Seidner. “Much of our operations can be streamlined, with manual processes lessened or eliminated. We need to accelerate our speed to market. If Amazon can deliver products tomorrow, why can’t you?”

Digital printing was also discussed in-depth. Bob Ochalla, SurePress sales manager – Central US & Canada, Epson America, and Heidi Chambers, business development manager, HP, explored how digital printing will provide a multitude of opportunities to label converters in the future.

“Digital is now a fact of life, and most converters have some form of digital at their shop,” explained Ochalla. “The more automated the process, the less labor will be required. Plus, the more automated the press, the more likely you will be able to find someone at an entry level to run it.”

Ochalla noted SnugZ, an Epson customer, has an arsenal of four Epson digital label presses being run by one operator.

“Digital printing is the fastest growing printing process at 3.5% CAGR,” stated HP’s Chambers. “According to updated data from Smithers Pira, digital packaging will top $35 billion by 2026.”

According to Chambers, the most popular segment service providers are migrating to is the packaging segment, with 38% evaluating the segment. Plus, 77% of packaging converters report evaluating expansion into a segment beyond their primary focus.

“We have a lot of people looking to jump into this market,” she added. “And for people in labels and packaging, we’re looking at what’s next. If I’m in labels, I’m probably looking at shrink sleeves. And everybody is exploring the flexible packaging space.”

Chambers also announced that HP will be debuting a new press at Labelexpo Americas, the HP V12, which, in 6-color mode, runs at 400 fpm.

Meanwhile, ABG’s Jim Kehring explained how automation has changed the game in label finishing. “Automation is a big step and everyone is looking at it throughout the market,” he commented. “We see a huge increase in desire for greater speeds.”

The Labelexpo Roadshow concluded with a “Fireside Chat,” with Resource Label Group’s Tim Bohlke and Michael Degus. They both emphasized the importance of company culture in building a successful label company for the future.

“This is really a people business,” said Degus. “We believe the solution to the current labor issue is much broader than competing against your local Chipotle for getting a new operator. We’re trying to make this industry a place where people want to work and can make a difference with a ‘have fun, get it done’ mentality. We’re in a really fun business and I think a lot of times we forget about that.

“Our culture starts with the RLG family and our approach to M&A,” added Degus. “That national reach, local touch is really who we are. When someone joins RLG, we consider it joining the family because we want to honor that local legacy and not have a cookie-cutter approach to what integration looks like. That approach is very unique in North America, and it’s something I’m very proud of.”

“Culture is everything, and that’s why I joined RLG,” said Bohlke. “The reason I joined was the people. There were thousands of printers I could have joined. From our CEO to our VPs, they leave their egos at the door, and you have to have that with every employee. And that’s how you build a great culture.”