• 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
    Paper Substrates

    Wine Labels

    Static Control

    Narrow Web Profile: OMNI Systems

    Digital and Hybrid Printers and Presses
    Breaking News
    Converter News
    European Label News
    Industry News
    Industry People
    M&A News
    New Products
    Expert's Opinion
    Live From Shows
    Top News
    Xeikon launches two new digital label printing presses

    UFlex adds capacity in packaging films

    CEC expands into labels and packaging with Heidelberg

    ABG delivers Digicon Series 3 to UK printer

    Graham Packaging rewarded with top environmental rating
    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

    Avery Dennison optimizes adhesives for pharmaceutical labeling

    S-OneLP adds to growing team

    INX International and VerifyMe sign supply agreement

    Poland's Alu-Lids purchases first MPS flexo press

    Crypto codes combat fake malaria drugs in Africa
    Africa
    Asia
    Australia
    China
    Europe
    India
    Latin America
    Middle East
    North America

    Avery Dennison optimizes adhesives for pharmaceutical labeling

    UFlex adds capacity in packaging films

    CEC expands into labels and packaging with Heidelberg

    ABG delivers Digicon Series 3 to UK printer

    C&A debuts bitter tasting coating line for labels and packaging
    Flexography
    Digital Printing
    Prepress
    Finishing
    Sustainability

    Xeikon launches two new digital label printing presses

    CEC expands into labels and packaging with Heidelberg

    ABG delivers Digicon Series 3 to UK printer

    Tecnocut unveils new diecutting unit

    DTM Print announces Mac compatibility
    Digital Printers & Presses
    Flexo Presses
    Label Converting Equipment
    Label Finishing Equipment
    Prepress Equipment

    Xeikon launches two new digital label printing presses

    Dantex set to install first PicoJet digital press in US

    Poland's Alu-Lids purchases first MPS flexo press

    Phoseon announces NIR LED lamps

    Hamillroad Software appoints Carl Brock senior application specialist
    Dies And Tooling
    Flexo Supplies
    Ink & Coatings
    Prepress Supplies
    Pressrooom Supplies
    Substrates

    Avery Dennison optimizes adhesives for pharmaceutical labeling

    C&A debuts bitter tasting coating line for labels and packaging

    INX International providing relief to Texas

    Eaglewood Technologies debuts new anilox cleaning system

    Grand Rapids Label offers custom diecutting services
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Profiles
    Label Converters
    Trade Associations
    Add New Company
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    KTI

    Mechanical Specialties, Inc.

    UPM Raflatac

    Flexo Label Advantage Group LLC (FLAG)

    OMET Americas, 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
      • Pressrooom Supplies
      • Substrates
    • 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

    Lofton Label finds success in Twin Cities

    With both flexo and digital capabilities, Lofton Label now produces labels for a broad array of industries.

    Lofton Label finds success in Twin Cities
    Mike Gaughan, COO of Lofton Label
    Judy Abelman, Principal, LPC, Inc.02.04.20
    Lofton Label is no newcomer to the scene. It was founded 40 years ago when Rick Gajewski, an inventor and entrepreneur, started the company with a used 4-color 650 Webtron, one of those ubiquitous work horses of the narrow web industry. 

    In 1981, Lofton Label moved to its first facility in West St. Paul, and in 1987 the company relocated to its current location in Inver Grove Heights (southeast of the Twin Cities).  Here, the company purchased 17 acres and built on green space what would ultimately become an industrial park. Since then, Lofton Label has put on an addition in 1992 and another in 2005. And with more acreage in the back – and a robust pipeline of business – there is still room for future expansion.

    The 65,000 square foot facility now houses two HP Indigo 13” 6800 digital presses and nine flexo presses (7.5 - 24” wide from Aquaflex, Webtron, and Mark Andy.) Lofton Label also distributes and services labeling equipment for Universal Labeling out of Florida and desktop printers from Zebra and Datamax, as well as blank labels and ribbons that go with these desktop printers. According to Mike Gaughan, COO, “We started doing this in 1994 because we discovered that there was finger pointing between manufacturers and label printers. If we could do both then only one company had complete responsibility – and that translates to great support for our customers.”

    The company’s greatest challenge was one that affected most label converters – the general decline of the economy in 2009-10. Before that, Lofton Label had been built up to 135 employees; but some of its largest customers were in housing construction and digging equipment – two markets most adversely affected by the crisis, and revenue went down 50%. Lofton Label reduced its manpower to only 65 employees – a painful action for a family-run organization. Today, revenue is back up but the company is doing the same amount of sales with only 87 employees. Gaughan adds, “We’ve learned that the good times won’t be around forever – and we have become leaner and smarter in our plant, relying more on digital printing and being careful about adding staff.”

    Lofton Label started investigating digital printing in 2008, and by the fall of 2009 had purchased its first HP Indigo. Times were getting tough by 2009 and it knew it needed to be more efficient. Timing was perfect, as Lofton Label wanted to get a jump start and purchase one of the first 6000’s on the market. Gaughan remembers, “It was certainly a challenging time to make that kind of investment – a real roll of the dice. We felt strongly that this would be the best way for our company to keep growing.” 

    Within a short time, that press was filled with work. With OT around the clock, it was time for a second HP digital press, which was purchased in April 2014.

    With both flexo and digital capabilities, Lofton Label now produces labels for a broad array of industries, including agriculture, animal health, food and beverage, health and beauty, industrial chemical and beverages. One large portion of its business is extended content booklets, which they print both flexo (offset) and digitally. The company has also become known for high-end, high-quality peel and reseal booklets.  

    Another large focus of their business has become flexible packaging from its 24” Aquaflex 10-color press. Lofton Label prints unfinished pouch materials for customers who have their own pouching equipment and create gusseted pouches and sachets.  Additionally, Lofton Label partners with pouching companies so that it can provide its customers with a total flexible package product.

    Lofton Labels’ customers – and competitors – are primarily located in Minnesota and Wisconsin. When asked how the company differentiates itself, Gaughan notes five distinct capabilities:
    1. Flexibility: With flexo and digital presses Lofton Label as the right machine for the right application.
    2. Speed in quoting: Customers want a price, and they want it instantly.  Lofton Label strives to be the first one there every time.
    3. Speed of reconciliation: “Everyone makes mistakes but customers get upset when you can’t fix your mistakes quickly and to their satisfaction.”
    4. General reputation for quality and service.
    5. Tenure: The company has been around for 40 years and brings considerable expertise and experience. Nine senior managers have an average tenure of 21.56 years and 11 press operators have an average tenure of 15.55 yrs.
    A banner proclaiming  “We Love our Customers” is prominently displayed throughout the Lofton Label facility. This slogan is driven by customer service, which is known throughout the organization as the direct voice of the customer. The folks in the shop know this and understand that when a customer service rep is pushing something through the shop, it’s really the customer who is behind this extra effort. When a customer has an urgent requirement, the plant will push to get the job out the same day. 

    For example, Lofton Label has a chemical customer who uses barrel labels. One of its plants had about 180 barrels that needed to go overseas and were missing a key label, which needed to ship the next day. With no art and no tooling, Lofton Label quickly got its graphics department to design the label, and it printed it digitally and hand cut the labels on a paper cutter. Gaughan notes, “We just found a way to do it. That’s how ‘loving our customers’ comes to life.”

    The largest challenge Lofton Label faces today, like so many businesses in and out of the printing industry, is finding the right manpower to keep growing. The company is constantly looking at ways to add capacity without adding people. Additionally, Lofton label has invested in a local training school: Flexo Tech in Minneapolis. Flexo Tech helps train operators and finishers who come to Lofton Label from other industries. 

    In the future, flexible packaging is seen as the biggest opportunity, and the company intends to invest in a wider press to build on its current knowledge and growth and take it to the next level. 

    Lofton Label has also been a FLAG member since 2015 and will be hosting the Member Tour at this year’s annual meeting in October.  The company has benefited from quarterly rebates and the ability to connect with peers from other independent converters at the Annual Meeting. FLAG membership has provided other benefits, as well. One is new business from other FLAG Members. Lofton Label regularly attends Peer Group Meetings and credits the respect and trust that develops at these meetings as a catalyst for exchanging business opportunities. Second is a catastrophic backup plan with FLAG members across North America. Lofton Label uses this capability, both to gain new business and to help when current customers ask during an annual audit,  “What’s your backup plan?”

    Lofton Label's plant tour will take place during the FLAG Annual Meeting in Bloomington, MN, which is being held from October 27-29, 2020.
    Related Searches
    • label
    • Digital printing
    • packaging
    • printers

    Related Online Exclusives

    • Ink and Coatings | North America | Pharmaceutical Labels
      Avery Dennison optimizes adhesives for pharmaceutical labeling

      Avery Dennison optimizes adhesives for pharmaceutical labeling

      The company’s wide range of products must perform in the most challenging environments.
      Greg Hrinya, Editor 02.26.21

    • Dies And Tooling | Finishing | North America
      Wilson Manufacturing drives die development to assist label converters

      Wilson Manufacturing drives die development to assist label converters

      The supplier has engineered new flexible dies and a “digital” adjustable anvil roll system to further promote printing efficiency.
      Greg Hrinya, Editor 02.22.21

    • Digital Printing | North America
      Domino details surge in variable data printing

      Domino details surge in variable data printing

      Label industry veteran Gary Peterson sits down with L&NW to discuss the changing needs of converters and the benefits of digital printing technology.
      Greg Hrinya, Editor 02.17.21


    • North America | Smart Labels
      Online shopping necessitates RFID technology

      Online shopping necessitates RFID technology

      RFID and NFC have grown from use in the supply chain to driving more value for brands, retailers and consumers alike.
      David Savastano, Editor, Printed Electronics Now 02.03.21

    • North America | Security Labels
      Avery Dennison ramps up security labeling efforts

      Avery Dennison ramps up security labeling efforts

      The global COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the need for anti-tampering and track-and-trace features in packaging.
      Greg Hrinya, Editor 01.27.21

    • North America
      Fathom Optics unleashes new technology targeting packaging industry

      Fathom Optics unleashes new technology targeting packaging industry

      The software produces impressive moving prints for applications such as prime labels, shrink sleeves, as well as product authentication.
      Greg Hrinya, Editor 01.12.21


    • North America | Substrates | Sustainability
      L&NW sits down with PPG

      L&NW sits down with PPG's Amy Mercante

      Mercante, who has spent nearly 30 years with PPG, discusses the newest label and packaging offerings, as well as her role with the company.
      Greg Hrinya, Editor 01.06.21

    • North America | Substrates
      ATL Corp, Nova Label benefit from FLAG network

      ATL Corp, Nova Label benefit from FLAG network

      When a supplier was unable to meet an order, ATL Corp turned to Nova Label for help sourcing a holographic piggyback paper.
      L&NW Staff 01.04.21

    • North America
      L&NW

      L&NW's most read features in 2020

      A deep dive into tabletop digital printers was our most popular feature of the year.
      Greg Hrinya, Editor 12.22.20


    • North America
      L&NW

      L&NW's top online exclusives of 2020

      An exclusive interview with Anantshree Chaturvedi, CEO of FlexFilms, garnered the most interest among readers in 2020.
      Greg Hrinya, Editor 12.22.20

    • North America | Pharmaceutical Labels
      Pharmaceutical labeling poised for strong future

      Pharmaceutical labeling poised for strong future

      Avery Dennison has addressed this ever-growing industry segment with several advanced portfolios.
      Greg Hrinya, Editor 12.21.20

    • L&NW’s top headlines of 2020

      L&NW’s top headlines of 2020

      Mergers and acquisitions, new product launches, and industry activity highlighted the tumultuous year.
      Greg Hrinya, Editor 12.17.20


    • Flexo Supplies | North America
      LLFlex relies on legacy technology from Flexo Wash

      LLFlex relies on legacy technology from Flexo Wash

      LLFlex, a manufacturer based in Louisville, KY, USA, uses the first FW 3000 Flexo Wash Anilox Cleaner to meet demand.
      L&NW Staff 12.10.20

    • SPGPrints brings printing expertise to COVID-19 biosensors

      SPGPrints brings printing expertise to COVID-19 biosensors

      The company's rotary screen printers are producing millions of COVID-19 rapid tests.
      David Savastano, Editor, Printed Electronics Now 12.04.20

    • North America | Wine Labels
      Vintage 99 enhances inspection capabilities with BST North America

      Vintage 99 enhances inspection capabilities with BST North America

      Vintage 99, which operates presses from Nilpeter, Mark Andy and HP, has installed TubeScan 100% inspection systems and PowerScope viewing systems.
      L&NW Staff 12.04.20


    Trending
    • Dantex Set To Install First PicoJet Digital Press In US
    • Avery Dennison Expands Automotive Portfolio
    • UFlex Adds Capacity In Packaging Films
    • Graham Packaging Rewarded With Top Environmental Rating
    • Poland's Alu-Lids Purchases First MPS Flexo Press
    Breaking News
    • FTA converts Forum & INFOFLEX to virtual events
    • Xeikon launches two new digital label printing presses
    • UFlex adds capacity in packaging films
    • CEC expands into labels and packaging with Heidelberg
    • ABG delivers Digicon Series 3 to UK printer
    View Breaking News >
    CURRENT ISSUE

    January/February 2021

    • Paper Substrates
    • Wine Labels
    • Static Control
    • Narrow Web Profile: OMNI Systems
    • 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

    Preliminary Study Links Markers of Impaired Bone Health to Vegan Diet
    Refined Grains Linked to Heart Attack Risk, Early Death
    Kappa Bioscience Extends Research Partnership For COVID-19 Research
    Coatings World

    Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

    Nippon Paint Marine Wins Korea Export Award
    Universal Display Corporation, PPG Expand Global Production of UniversalPHOLED Materials
    PPG Introduces Premium Iso-free Primer Surfacer, Catalyst
    Medical Product Outsourcing

    Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

    January AI Raises $8.8 Million in New Funding
    FDA Clears Ava Fertility Tracking Wearable Device
    First Patient in Europe Treated With Diamondback 360 Coronary Orbital Atherectomy System
    Contract Pharma

    Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

    Spark Therapeutics Appoints CTO
    Cryoport Launches ESG Program
    U.S. Govt. Purchases 100k Doses of Lilly's COVID-19 Antibody Cocktail
    Beauty Packaging

    Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

    The Top Beauty Products of 2021, According to HelloGiggles
    Estée Lauder Taps Ana de Armas as Global Brand Ambassador
    Sephora Announces Significant Expansion
    Happi

    Latest Breaking News From Happi

    ACI Urges Senate to Approve Regan as EPA Administrator
    Estée Lauder Signs Actress Ana de Armas
    GUM Recalls Oral Spray
    Ink World

    Latest Breaking News From Ink World

    Etiflex Enters New Markets with Nilpeter FA-22 Installation
    Hydrocarbon Solvents Market to Surpass $8.1 Billion by 2030
    Marshall & Bruce Adds Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106 41-Inch Seven-Color Press
    Label & Narrow Web

    Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

    FTA converts Forum & INFOFLEX to virtual events
    Xeikon launches two new digital label printing presses
    UFlex adds capacity in packaging films
    Nonwovens Industry

    Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

    Texas Medical Technology Partners with My Protect Kit
    Mexico City Single-Use Plastics Ban Leads to Tampon Shortage
    Believe Diapers Launch in U.S.
    Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Fusion Robotics Receives FDA Clearance for Spinal Navigation and Robotics System
    Kaia Health Unveils Next-Gen Complete MSK Care Solutions
    First Implantation of CTL Amedica's Minimally Invasive Flex Tower
    Printed Electronics Now

    Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

    Comercial Kywi Improves Customer Service, Front-Store Operations with Zebra Mobile Solution
    Global Printed Circuit Board Market Projected to Reach $69.32 Billion by 2027
    Global Smart Glass Market to Register 6.8% CAGR Between 2021-28: Grand View Research

    Copyright © 2021 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