With the holidays upon us and 2021 on the horizon, Label & Narrow Web took a deep dive into what readers were most interested in during a tumultuous 2020. While the pandemic impacted every facet of daily life, mergers and acquisitions, new product launches, and industry activity were aplenty over the past year.

We look back at the top ranked stories that drew the most site traffic:

10. Brook & Whittle acquires shrink sleeve facility
The acquisition of this label converting facility in Croydon, PA, USA enhances Brook & Whittle’s position in the supply of high-end shrink sleeve labels in North America, while also providing additional capacity to support a growing pressure sensitive film label business.

“Croydon is a unique business based on their depth of experience in and knowledge of the shrink sleeve category, which remains a significant strategic focus for us,” states Mark Pollard, CEO of Brook & Whittle. “We are eager to focus our combined efforts on sustainable packaging solutions and to utilize the operational capabilities that Croydon provides to more effectively serve our growing customer base.”

9. Maxcess and RotoMetrics merge
Maxcess, the global supplier of products and services for web handling applications, has announced its intent to merge with RotoMetrics, a global manufacturer of precision cutting dies and support tooling solutions, under the Maxcess International name.

“The merger of these two world-class organizations will further expand our one-stop-shop offering, providing our OEM and end user customers with the most comprehensive product portfolio available for enhancing their productivity and efficiency,” says Odd Joergenrud, CEO of Maxcess. 

8. CCL Industries acquires CSI
CSI, a label producer based in Garden City, NY, USA, specializes in patient information booklets and has developed a new software driven “eLabel” product for clinical trials providers. The enterprise value of the transaction, net of cash and debt, is approximately $19.4 million.

Geoffrey Martin, president and chief executive officer, of CCL Industries, says, “This transaction significantly expands our capabilities in the clinical trials space, providing new software and opportunities to expand internationally.”

7. Resource Label Group acquires McDowell Label
McDowell Label represented Resource Label’s 16th addition to a continually growing portfolio of packaging companies and its second location in Texas.  Started in 1981 by Dave and Elaine McDowell, McDowell Label has been a pioneer in the label industry. With a focus on customer service and award-winning production and design, the company has secured more than 500 national and international awards for their work in the packaging industry.

“This is the right time to partner with an organization like Resource Label Group,” states Dave McDowell, chairman of McDowell Label. “We are excited to be part of a company that recognizes the importance of quality, excellence and customer service. Our customers come first and by joining the Resource Label family we will be better able to serve our customers and offer an extended reach of products and capabilities.”

6. Abbott Label installs Domino N610i press
Abbott Label, a converter established in 2000 under the leadership of long-time label industry veteran John Abbott, has installed a Domino N610i digital UV inkjet label press.  

Digital is a necessity in today’s market. We learned about Domino in 2013, which is when we first started seriously investigating digital printing,” says John Abbott. “Our costing models with the Domino have led us to believe we can be extremely competitive on consecutive barcode work.”

5. Fortis Solutions Group goes with Gallus
For its rapidly growing facility in Napa, CA, USA, Fortis Solutions Group has installed the Gallus RCS 430 from Heidelberg in order to further expand the company’s ability to execute intricate label designs for its customers.

“The RCS 430 definitely has a niche for the market we are in,” says Brendan Kinzie, president of wine and spirits for Fortis Solutions Group. “We work with many talented creative agencies and designers, and their pursuit of excellence in design means that we need to offer a platform that can accommodate everything from offset, to flexography, to digital, all with the highest level of execution. This press allows us to receive a job and adjust the press to the label design to create exactly what our demanding clients need in a matter of a few minutes.”

4. Brook & Whittle acquires ILS and Wizard Labels
Brook and Whittle has announced the signing of definitive agreements to acquire Innovative Labeling Solutions, Inc. (ILS) and Wizard Labels LLC in partnership with founders, Jay Dollries, Steve Wolf and Steve Smith.

“We are thrilled to acquire leading providers of digital and custom online prime label solutions in North America. The founders of ILS and Wizard Labels have built remarkable companies that are exceptionally well-positioned for growth and we are incredibly excited for them to join Brook & Whittle as significant shareholders,” comments Mark Pollard, CEO of Brook & Whittle.

3. Brook & Whittle acquires Label Impressions
Based in Orange County, California, Label Impressions is a well-established label manufacturer that has deep partnerships with leading brands and customers in growth-oriented segments of household and personal care, premium beverage, beauty and cosmetics, nutraceuticals, food, cannabis, and other end-use markets.

“Label Impressions is a very exciting business that we are thrilled to acquire. We have uniquely aligned cultures focused on market leading innovation, which we believe will result in a very productive partnership,” says Mark Pollard, CEO of Brook & Whittle. 

2. PIA requests print be considered essential service
On March 19, the Department of Homeland Security’s CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) published guidance to state, local, tribal and territorial jurisdictions and the private sector defining essential critical infrastructure workers imperative to responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Without doubt, printed and graphic communications are essential in a time of national emergency,” states PIA.

1. Label industry mourns loss of Thomas Staib
A fixture in the label and packaging industry, Thomas Staib, president and owner of DWS Printing, has passed away at the age of 56. Beloved husband of Jean and loving father of TJ and Carly, Staib passed on October 2, 2020.

Tom grew up in Huntington Bay, Long Island, where he loved boating, skiing and family travels, especially his summer vacations at Corlear Bay, Lake Champlain, NY.