Steve Katz05.30.23
It’s been an active and busy spring for both myself and the label industry. The “public health crisis” that sent everyone home and kept them there for two years is over, and to celebrate, the doors to trade shows, conferences and open house events are open. The masks are off, hands extended for shaking, and airports and airlines are seemingly full once again.
I’ve been back on the road. And as anxious and unprepared as I felt prior, I’m now reflecting on some great trips. My spring travels took me to three different types of cities and three different types of events – FTA Forum & INFOFLEX in Columbus, OH, the inaugural Labelexpo Mexico in Mexico City, and the Xeikon Café in the Chicago metro area.
My summary takeaway, for those who may remain hesitant, is to get up and go. It’s time. Accept the invitations to open house events and demo centers, take your boss up on an offer to go to a trade show, visit with a favorite or prospective customer or supplier.
The show, held April 16-19 at the Hilton Columbus Downtown and Greater Columbus Convention Center, had a fitting theme – “Tradition Reimagined.” Session topics related to modern-day flexo printing: How sustainability can benefit both business and planet; collaboration between design, prepress and printer; mounting tape and sleeve market trends and best practices; ways to find, train and retain employees; reasons to embrace collecting color data and implement color measurement; flexographic essentials; and a forward-thinking examination of the industry’s integrated and automated future.
The workforce topic was particularly appropriate. One of the most impressive things I came across at INFOFLEX was the enthusiasm of the Phoenix Challenge participants. These young, intrepid flexographers are immensely talented, and despite the workforce crisis rhetoric, programs like the Phoenix Challenge are keeping the future bright.
In the end, it’s all about people. And it was good to meet those who will be leading the way into the future and are learning from the
industry stalwarts.
Labelexpo Mexico was well-attended, and the crowd was energized. There were equipment demos aplenty – both digital and flexo presses, finishing machinery, prepress technology and more. For many, in particular the Latin American contingent, it was the first opportunity since the world shut down in 2020 to see first-hand what’s new.
A key takeaway from the show – the label market south of the border is healthy. And this is due in large part to the booming agricultural and spirits (tequila!) label markets.
Based on its health, several suppliers have announced continued investment in the region. For example, Label Traxx, a Labelexpo Mexico exhibitor, announced the appointment of a fully dedicated sales executive in Mexico City, Isaac Velasco, who comes to Label Traxx with digital print experience providing cost and profitability analysis. The MIS specialist also now has a fully dedicated product support and implementation specialist located in Guadalajara, Elías Álvarez. He comes to Label Traxx with seven years at MCC Wine and Spirits as a product engineer.
During the event, Label Traxx met with dozens of customers and prospects, validating their commitment to the region and their focus on recent product innovation. “Label Traxx has been successful and growing nicely in the region with active customers since 2011,” said Rob Mayerson, president of Label Traxx. “We consider this next level of product innovation and local investment as an opportunity to build on that success.”
Mayerson noted social, economic and industry trends all point to accelerated growth in the region. “If you look at drivers such as labor shortages, the drive toward process automation, the adoption of online ordering, the complexity of scheduling, industry consolidation and more – they all point toward solving the challenges of today and tomorrow with software. Label Traxx is perfectly positioned in the region and in the hemisphere to help the industry we’ve come to learn so well be even more successful.”
Business aside, I’d also like to note how special a place I found Mexico City to be, from a tourist perspective. My only regret is not building into my trip extra days for sightseeing and recreation. I did eat really well, though.
The economy, the workforce, and sustainability were all covered in great detail. The venue also served as the backdrop for Xeikon’s new president, Rob Welford, to introduce himself and the company’s evolving vision, where he stressed that sustainability is a key area of focus.
Of course, digital print technology was front and center. The event marked the opening of Xeikon’s new, gleaming Customer Innovation Center in Elgin, where the company’s comprehensive portfolio of digital presses took center stage for demonstrations. Xeikon is touted as being the only label press OEM that offers both toner and inkjet technologies – something for every type of operation and budget.
I think one of the things that sets Xeikon Café apart from other events is the comfort level the company and its organizers foster.
“Xeikon Café is all about ideas,” said Donna Covannon, director of marketing, North America. “Our intent is to provide a comfortable, low-stress environment where you can exchange ideas with professionals from all corners of our industry – each with a different perspective to share…Good ideas can come from anywhere, if you’re open to them.”
Yours truly was a presenter at the Café, and I can attest that what Donna described as Xeikon’s intent was executed flawlessly. Tying into digital printing, I delivered a presentation titled “A Green New World: Cannabis Labels & Packaging,” and afterward had several excellent conversations with many Café attendees. In addition to cannabis as an ideal market to capitalize on digital printing, flexible packaging and pouch converting were also covered in great detail, with a tour of pouch manufacturer Sun Centre USA closing out the event.
Our industry is filled to the brim with smart and engaging people, who also happen to be warm and friendly – a great combination, and I’m excited to continue getting back out there.
Steve Katz is the former editor of L&NW and is now a regular contributor. He is focused on helping companies in the label industry share their news and tell their stories. Follow him on twitter @LabelSteve.
I’ve been back on the road. And as anxious and unprepared as I felt prior, I’m now reflecting on some great trips. My spring travels took me to three different types of cities and three different types of events – FTA Forum & INFOFLEX in Columbus, OH, the inaugural Labelexpo Mexico in Mexico City, and the Xeikon Café in the Chicago metro area.
My summary takeaway, for those who may remain hesitant, is to get up and go. It’s time. Accept the invitations to open house events and demo centers, take your boss up on an offer to go to a trade show, visit with a favorite or prospective customer or supplier.
‘Tradition Reimagined’ in Columbus
My first trip of the three was to FTA Forum & INFOFLEX in Columbus. FTA often hosts its signature event at the downtown convention centers of smaller US cities – places like San Antonio, Indianapolis and Nashville – and Columbus meets the criteria, as well. What I like about these locations is just how easy it is to get around. You’re typically staying in a hotel room that’s a quick walk from the educational sessions and the trade show. Plus, it’s not hard to find good restaurants within walking distance.The show, held April 16-19 at the Hilton Columbus Downtown and Greater Columbus Convention Center, had a fitting theme – “Tradition Reimagined.” Session topics related to modern-day flexo printing: How sustainability can benefit both business and planet; collaboration between design, prepress and printer; mounting tape and sleeve market trends and best practices; ways to find, train and retain employees; reasons to embrace collecting color data and implement color measurement; flexographic essentials; and a forward-thinking examination of the industry’s integrated and automated future.
The workforce topic was particularly appropriate. One of the most impressive things I came across at INFOFLEX was the enthusiasm of the Phoenix Challenge participants. These young, intrepid flexographers are immensely talented, and despite the workforce crisis rhetoric, programs like the Phoenix Challenge are keeping the future bright.
In the end, it’s all about people. And it was good to meet those who will be leading the way into the future and are learning from the
industry stalwarts.
The Inaugural Labelexpo Mexico
Just a week or so after Columbus, I embarked on another trip, but this one was very different in comparison. The very first Labelexpo Mexico took place in Mexico City, April 26-28. As comfortable and familiar as FTA was, Labelexpo Mexico was the opposite as far as locale was concerned – this was an adventure. Mexico City is somewhat far away, massive, and not many people speak English. But once I got there – to both the city and the show – I was so glad I did. Both delivered in very meaningful ways.Labelexpo Mexico was well-attended, and the crowd was energized. There were equipment demos aplenty – both digital and flexo presses, finishing machinery, prepress technology and more. For many, in particular the Latin American contingent, it was the first opportunity since the world shut down in 2020 to see first-hand what’s new.
A key takeaway from the show – the label market south of the border is healthy. And this is due in large part to the booming agricultural and spirits (tequila!) label markets.
Based on its health, several suppliers have announced continued investment in the region. For example, Label Traxx, a Labelexpo Mexico exhibitor, announced the appointment of a fully dedicated sales executive in Mexico City, Isaac Velasco, who comes to Label Traxx with digital print experience providing cost and profitability analysis. The MIS specialist also now has a fully dedicated product support and implementation specialist located in Guadalajara, Elías Álvarez. He comes to Label Traxx with seven years at MCC Wine and Spirits as a product engineer.
During the event, Label Traxx met with dozens of customers and prospects, validating their commitment to the region and their focus on recent product innovation. “Label Traxx has been successful and growing nicely in the region with active customers since 2011,” said Rob Mayerson, president of Label Traxx. “We consider this next level of product innovation and local investment as an opportunity to build on that success.”
Mayerson noted social, economic and industry trends all point to accelerated growth in the region. “If you look at drivers such as labor shortages, the drive toward process automation, the adoption of online ordering, the complexity of scheduling, industry consolidation and more – they all point toward solving the challenges of today and tomorrow with software. Label Traxx is perfectly positioned in the region and in the hemisphere to help the industry we’ve come to learn so well be even more successful.”
Business aside, I’d also like to note how special a place I found Mexico City to be, from a tourist perspective. My only regret is not building into my trip extra days for sightseeing and recreation. I did eat really well, though.
Xeikon Café
Finally, as this issue goes to press, I am just back from the Xeikon Café in Elgin, IL, in Chicagoland. This was a wonderful event. In contrast to Labelexpo Mexico, which was amid the hustle and bustle of one of the world’s largest cities, Xeikon Café stands out as a perfectly intimate gathering, with an educational program that was right on point.The economy, the workforce, and sustainability were all covered in great detail. The venue also served as the backdrop for Xeikon’s new president, Rob Welford, to introduce himself and the company’s evolving vision, where he stressed that sustainability is a key area of focus.
Of course, digital print technology was front and center. The event marked the opening of Xeikon’s new, gleaming Customer Innovation Center in Elgin, where the company’s comprehensive portfolio of digital presses took center stage for demonstrations. Xeikon is touted as being the only label press OEM that offers both toner and inkjet technologies – something for every type of operation and budget.
I think one of the things that sets Xeikon Café apart from other events is the comfort level the company and its organizers foster.
“Xeikon Café is all about ideas,” said Donna Covannon, director of marketing, North America. “Our intent is to provide a comfortable, low-stress environment where you can exchange ideas with professionals from all corners of our industry – each with a different perspective to share…Good ideas can come from anywhere, if you’re open to them.”
Yours truly was a presenter at the Café, and I can attest that what Donna described as Xeikon’s intent was executed flawlessly. Tying into digital printing, I delivered a presentation titled “A Green New World: Cannabis Labels & Packaging,” and afterward had several excellent conversations with many Café attendees. In addition to cannabis as an ideal market to capitalize on digital printing, flexible packaging and pouch converting were also covered in great detail, with a tour of pouch manufacturer Sun Centre USA closing out the event.
Our industry is filled to the brim with smart and engaging people, who also happen to be warm and friendly – a great combination, and I’m excited to continue getting back out there.
Steve Katz is the former editor of L&NW and is now a regular contributor. He is focused on helping companies in the label industry share their news and tell their stories. Follow him on twitter @LabelSteve.