• Login
    • Join
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Exclusives
    • Labels & Packaging
    • Markets
    • Technology
    • Equipment
    • Supplies
    • Buyers' Guide
    • Events
    • Jobs
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • Labels & Packaging
  • Markets
  • Technology
  • Equipment
  • Supplies
  • Buyers' Guide
  • Events
  • Jobs
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Editorial
    Columns
    Digital Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Our Team
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    Top Features
    Slitter-Rewinders

    Ink Innovation

    CELAB striving to curb industry’s recycling issue

    Nutraceutical Labels

    Narrow Web Profile: Apogee Industries
    Breaking News
    Converter News
    European Label News
    Industry News
    Industry People
    M&A News
    New Products
    Expert's Opinion
    Live From Shows
    Top News
    Sun Chemical releases Spring 2023 Regulatory Newsletter

    Tageos unveils new RAIN RFID inlays

    Sandon Global joins FINAT

    S-OneLP ReEarth compostable films earn TUV certifications

    BlueStone Label adds two Mark Andy Performance Series presses
    Blog
    Video Bites
    Beauty & Personal Care Labels
    Beer Labels
    Beverage Labels
    Flexible Packaging
    Folding Carton
    Food Labels
    Glue-Applied
    In-Mold
    Industrial Labels
    Medical Labels
    Pharmaceutical Labels
    Pressure Sensitive
    Prime Labels
    Promotional Labels
    Security Labels
    Shrink
    Smart Labels
    Specialty Labels
    Spirits Labels
    Wine Labels

    Tageos unveils new RAIN RFID inlays

    SATO America acquires Stafford Press

    Pure Protein unveils fresh new look

    Overnight Labels receives Safe Quality Food certification

    ABG and Maan Engineering form linerless labeling partnership
    Africa
    Asia
    Australia
    China
    Europe
    India
    Latin America
    Middle East
    North America

    Sandon Global joins FINAT

    EskoWorld promotes networking, inspiration in Orlando

    EskoWorld promotes intelligent automation of packaging

    Labelexpo Europe moves to Barcelona in 2025

    Beontag's Scandstick announces new senior leadership team
    Flexography
    Digital Printing
    Prepress
    Finishing
    Sustainability

    Sun Chemical releases Spring 2023 Regulatory Newsletter

    S-OneLP ReEarth compostable films earn TUV certifications

    BlueStone Label adds two Mark Andy Performance Series presses

    Meyers joins Sustainable Packaging Coalition

    Paul Edwards joins INX as Digital Division VP
    Digital Printers & Presses
    Flexo Presses
    Label Converting Equipment
    Label Finishing Equipment
    Prepress Equipment

    BlueStone Label adds two Mark Andy Performance Series presses

    Abbey Labels adds three ABG finishing machines

    BW Flexible Systems to hold ribbon-cutting event for Minnesota facility

    Label-form adds another Durst digital press

    Imageworx to host grand opening event for new Innovation Center
    Dies And Tooling
    Flexo Supplies
    Ink & Coatings
    Prepress Supplies
    Pressrooom Supplies
    Substrates

    Sun Chemical releases Spring 2023 Regulatory Newsletter

    Sandon Global joins FINAT

    S-OneLP ReEarth compostable films earn TUV certifications

    Colored By INX Can Design Contest entries due

    Avery Dennison announces Global Supplier Awards
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Profiles
    Label Converters
    Trade Associations
    Add New Company
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    K Laser Technology (USA) Co., Ltd.

    KTI

    Meech International

    HEIDELBERG USA

    Martin Automatic Inc.
    Industry Events
    Webinars
    Live from Show Events
    • Magazine
      • Current & Past Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Edition
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • Breaking News
    • Buyers' Guide
      • All Companies
      • Categories
      • Company Profiles
      • Label Converters
      • Trade Associations
      • Add Your Company
    • Labels & Packaging
      • Beauty & Personal Care Labels
      • Beer Labels
      • Beverage Labels
      • Flexible Packaging
      • Folding Carton
      • Food Labels
      • Glue-Applied
      • In-Mold
      • Industrial Labels
      • Medical Labels
      • Pharmaceuticals Labels
      • Pressure Sensitive
      • Prime Labels
      • Promotional Labels
      • Security Labels
      • Shrink
      • Smart Labels
      • Speciality Labels
      • Spirits Labels
      • Wine Tables
    • Markets
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • China
      • Europe
      • India
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
    • Equipment
      • Digital Printers & Presses
      • Flexo Presses
      • Label Converting Equipment
      • Label Fishing Equipment
    • Supplies
      • Dies And Tooling
      • Flexo Supplies
      • Ink & Coatings
      • Prepress Supplies
      • Substrates
      • Pressrooom Supplies
    • Online Exclusives
    • Slideshows
    • Experts Opinions
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Infographics
    • Blog
    • Whitepapers
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live from Show Events
      • Webinars
    • Jobs
    • Resources
      • Supplier Gallery
      • Literature Showcase
      • Homepage Showcase
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Online Exclusives

    Modern flexo presses designed for the next-generation workforce

    Suppliers are hoping to attract new employees with automation and connectivity.

    Modern flexo presses designed for the next-generation workforce
    Nilpeter has designed its flexo presses with intuitive features.
    Greg Hrinya, Associate Editor06.03.19
    It’s no secret: the labels and packaging industry is facing a workforce dilemma.

    While many converters have taken steps to promote the printing industry, there is real concern about who will be running the flexo presses that drive 90% of today’s work. Suppliers, however, are attempting to get out in front of this problem with the designs of their latest machines.

    As flexo press operators head for retirement, equipment manufacturers are looking for ways to modernize their equipment. “Finding the next generation of flexo press operators is a huge industry concern,” adds Todd Blumsack, vice president of Business Unit Web-fed, Bobst North America. “As a matter of fact, I sit on the TLMI Work Force Development Team, and this is the key topic that we’re addressing.”

    “The industry has recognized the workforce concern,” says Paul Teachout, Nilpeter’s vice president of sales and marketing, North America. “The silver tsunami is upon us, and it is not going away. There are more people retiring or leaving our industry than are entering. Workforce development and smarter solutions are the key to overcoming this. We must have the ability to do more with less. This requires operating by the numbers for predictable and repeatable results regardless of operator skill. We must invest in the technologies that allow us to do that, replacing outdated equipment with smarter 4.0 solutions will lead us to a more efficient and profitable workflow. We cannot continue to operate as a craft, it has to be a predictable science and we have to have the equipment that is smart enough to manage it.”

    The industry has undertaken multiple workforce development initiatives to attract a younger workforce. “We must engage in these activities and promote our industry as a very sophisticated process with a very bright future,” adds Teachout. “The packaging markets will only continue to grow, so we must all take part in showing the world that this is a vibrant and rewarding industry that provides exceptional opportunities. It did for me.”

    Most label conferences will include a presentation on this topic, and how the industry plans on solving it. During a recent converter profile, an owner told me that a background in printing wasn’t required to run the company’s new Colordyne digital press. That is not the case with flexo, but there are ways that the top manufacturers are modernizing their equipment.

    The presses must conform with the latest industry trends, including the drive for automation and compatibility with Industry 4.0.

    “Our engineers and designers have focused on improvements to provide a more automated control system, faster press setup times and higher max press speeds,” says Jeff Cowan, director of business development, Performance Series, at Mark Andy. “Key to it all is that we did this without compromising on the machines’ simplicity, reliability and flexibility to increase operator productivity and business profitability.”
    For example, Mark Andy’s Performance Series E line introduces the latest in servo technology, enabling greater accuracy in pre-registration and auto registration. The P9E allows converters to automate intelligently with standard servo controlled impression, side adjust and anilox drive, along with servo print cylinder and impression roll drives. These features offer the option to include full camera based impression and registration control.

    Meanwhile, Nilpeter’s all new FA and the Panorama hybrid are presses designed for the future and the converter’s ever-growing needs in applications, automation and workforce challenges. “The all new FA is a fully automated press with single component operation, single piece inking system, anilox and plate sleeves, along with all Clean Hand technology and operated with a tablet,” explains Teachout. “It is a clean hand, smart press to engage with today’s modern operator. This innovative technology has attracted a younger workforce raised on disruptive technologies.”

    At MPS, the connectivity feature “talk to me” has been designed to link a printer’s flexo or hybrid press to all other equipment and MIS or ERP software. This allows for real-time insights in job management and press performance, a more reliable print result thanks to automated press settings, prepress automation and more.

    MPS has also taken several key steps to properly train its employees. “At MPS, we value the flexo press operator,” says Inge Brinkman, manager, marketing communications at MPS. “We know it is becoming harder and harder to find and keep skilled operators. Therefore, we think it is important to offer training, which we do with means of the MPS Academy. Training is crucial if you want to keep people motivated. The industry could try to motivate young people to join the flexo industry by informing them about the job opportunities and offering education.”

    According to Omet, education is key. “We need to keep our youth interested and exposed to the flexo world,” says says Kaity Kelley, marketing assistant at Omet. “The sooner they are introduced to this industry, the better off the future of our industry looks. Omet has worked with high school and college programs, such as the Phoenix Challenge, as well as started its own program, ‘The Future of Flexo.’ Omet’s Future of Flexo program was designed to support university programs, like Clemson University’s Graphic Communications program, ISU Packaging and Graphics courses, involved in training the next wave of leaders in the flexographic printing industry.”

    Omet has donated to several university programs such as The Sonoco Institute at Clemson University. Omet’s Varyflex 530 narrow web press provides an opportunity for students and industry to experience hands-on learning in the basics of press operation, color management, process control and more. The press is placed in the Institute’s Advanced Print Lab, which also houses ink and platemaking capabilities, and the company has supported Illinois State University courses and activities, as well.

    Gallus has developed press technology that attempts to minimize the training needed to operate the equipment. “Gallus makes sure that the machines are getting easier and easier to operate, which means that the operation of a printing press should be intuitive, thus avoiding long training periods for the staff,” notes Matthias Marx, head of marketing at Gallus. “A high level of automation, for example an automatic register control, allows the printer to concentrate on the essentials of his work, namely to control and ensure the quality of the output. In this way, Gallus enables even complex machines to be operated intuitively and makes it easier for print shops to find and train suitable staff.”
    Related Searches
    • web
    • flexibility
    • mps
    • workflow
    Suggested For You
    GraphTech Ltd. GraphTech Ltd.
    Mark Andy Mark Andy
    Flint Group Narrow Web - USA Flint Group Narrow Web - USA
    NarrowWebExchange.com, LLC NarrowWebExchange.com, LLC
    Omet and Durst highlight partnership at open house Omet and Durst highlight partnership at open house
    INFOFLEX 2019: ‘Find your fit, expand your brand’ INFOFLEX 2019: ‘Find your fit, expand your brand’
    Nilpeter and Screen to debut new partnership at INFOFLEX Nilpeter and Screen to debut new partnership at INFOFLEX
    Nilpeter and Screen come together for Panorama digital press Nilpeter and Screen come together for Panorama digital press
    Omet and ICI together exploring up-and-coming technologies Omet and ICI together exploring up-and-coming technologies
    'When Digital Meets Flexo' coming to Omet Open House
    China China's Top Print installs Omet XFlex X4
    Flexo Presses Flexo Presses
    Nilpeter explores ‘The Age of Automation’ at open house Nilpeter explores ‘The Age of Automation’ at open house
    Nilpeter Nilpeter's 'Age of Automation'
    'Creating an Impression' with TLMI

    Related Buyers Guide Companies

    • GraphTech Ltd.

      ...
      Ivan Ivanov, CEO 04.06.23

    • Mark Andy

      Mark Andy

      ...
      Lena Chmielewska, European Marketing Manager 05.10.22

    • Flint Group Narrow Web - USA

      Flint Group Narrow Web - USA

      ...
      Karin Albrektsson, Global Marketing & Communications manager Flint Group Narrow Web 06.30.21


    • NarrowWebExchange.com, LLC

      NarrowWebExchange.com, LLC

      ...
      Mathew Jones, Owner 08.27.20

    • Digital Printing | Flexography | North America
      Omet and Durst highlight partnership at open house

      Omet and Durst highlight partnership at open house

      Nearly 100 visitors gathered in Elk Grove Village, IL, USA to see the benefits of digital hybrid printing.
      Greg Hrinya, Associate Editor 05.28.19

    Loading, Please Wait..

    Trending
    • Beontag's Scandstick Announces New Senior Leadership Team
    • Labelexpo Europe Moves To Barcelona In 2025
    • Mactac Grows Business With Acquisition Of Label Supply
    • Avery Dennison Names Five More Startups For AD Stretch Accelerator Program
    • Avery Dennison Explores Benefits Of Linerless Labels
    Breaking News
    • Sun Chemical releases Spring 2023 Regulatory Newsletter
    • Tageos unveils new RAIN RFID inlays
    • Sandon Global joins FINAT
    • S-OneLP ReEarth compostable films earn TUV certifications
    • BlueStone Label adds two Mark Andy Performance Series presses
    View Breaking News >
    CURRENT ISSUE

    April 2023

    • Slitter-Rewinders
    • Ink Innovation
    • CELAB striving to curb industry’s recycling issue
    • Nutraceutical Labels
    • Narrow Web Profile: Apogee Industries
    • View More >

    Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
    You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Contact Us

    follow us

    Subscribe
    Nutraceuticals World

    Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

    Premium Label & Packaging Solutions Receives Safe Quality Food (SQF) Certification
    Inulinase Enzymes May Benefit Gut Symptoms of FODMAP Digestion
    Verdure Sciences’ Boswellia Ingredient Receives USP Verification
    Coatings World

    Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

    OQ Chemicals Launches Cost-Cutting Program and Organizational Realignment in Germany
    BASF Strengthens R&D with More Powerful Supercomputer
    Safic-Alcan Expands its Presence in Africa with the Launch of Safic-Alcan East Africa in Kenya
    Medical Product Outsourcing

    Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

    Vascular Surgeon Imprisoned and Fined for Decade-Long Healthcare Fraud
    Remote Monitoring, Digital Health Help Advance Wound Care Treatment
    MLM Biologics Developing Wound Infection Prevention Device for Military
    Contract Pharma

    Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

    Catalent Adds New Cryogenic Capabilities at Japanese Facility
    Lifecore Biomedical Enters into $150M New Financing Deal
    WuXi Biologics Receives 2023 ISPE Facility of the Year Award
    Beauty Packaging

    Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

    How Robots & Artificial Intelligence are Transforming Unilever's Material Innovation Factory
    Top 10 Most Popular Hair Care Brands in the U.S.—Ranked by Searches
    Aloette Cosmetics Launches Daily Mineral Shield Sunscreen
    Happi

    Latest Breaking News From Happi

    Mielle Organics Taps Angel Reese as New Ambassador
    Winnie Harlow’s Cay Skin Launches Isle Nourishing Body Mist SPF 50
    Hair Products Market to Grow by $19.4 Million During 2022-2027: Technavio
    Ink World

    Latest Breaking News From Ink World

    Weekly Recap: INX Digital, Mexar and hubergroup Top This Week’s Stories
    Richnerstutz AG Acquires an EFI VUTEk Q5r Superwide Roll-to-Roll Printer
    BASF Strengthens Its R&D with More Powerful Supercomputer
    Label & Narrow Web

    Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

    Sun Chemical releases Spring 2023 Regulatory Newsletter
    Tageos unveils new RAIN RFID inlays
    Sandon Global joins FINAT
    Nonwovens Industry

    Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

    Suominen Appoints SVP, Transformation Management Office
    Minnesota Signs PFAS Ban in Consumer Products
    Domtar Celebrates Airlaid Nonwovens Expansion
    Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

    AlloSource Launches AlloMend Duo Acellular Dermal Matrix
    TendoNova Inks Partnership With AcCELLerated Biologics
    Stryker Achieves First Surgeries Using Q Guidance System with Cranial Guidance Software
    Printed Electronics Now

    Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

    Weekly Recap: Smart Skis, Universal Display Top This Week’s Stories
    Wiliot Appoints Antony Yousefian as VP of Climate & Circularity
    HID Unveils Eco-friendly Bamboo Access Cards

    Copyright © 2023 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

    AD BLOCKER DETECTED

    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
    Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


    FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login