• 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
    Dscoop Post-Show Coverage

    Slitter-Rewinders

    Craft Beer Labels

    Pharmaceutical Labels

    Luminer Converting Group: Narrow Web Profile
    Breaking News
    Converter News
    European Label News
    Industry News
    Industry People
    M&A News
    New Products
    Expert's Opinion
    Live From Shows
    Top News
    Dantex Group receives accreditation for Pico digital presses

    Heidelberg USA launches new Print Media Performance & Training Center

    Avery Dennison announces Global Supplier Award winners

    Vetaphone adds support for American customers

    EyeC unveils revamped website
    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

    World’s first tequila in a cardboard bottle

    In-Mold Decorating Association announces 2022 IMDA Awards Competition

    Five approaches for more sustainable beauty packaging

    Essentra Packaging invests in Landa Nanographic press

    In 2040 a fifth of all food packaging could still be landfilled or incinerated
    Africa
    Asia
    Australia
    China
    Europe
    India
    Latin America
    Middle East
    North America

    Dantex Group receives accreditation for Pico digital presses

    Heidelberg USA launches new Print Media Performance & Training Center

    Vetaphone adds support for American customers

    Grace Imaging gets boost from GM finishing equipment

    Nazdar to manufacture VFP electronic ink for US Market
    Flexography
    Digital Printing
    Prepress
    Finishing
    Sustainability

    Dantex Group receives accreditation for Pico digital presses

    World’s first tequila in a cardboard bottle

    EyeC unveils revamped website

    Grace Imaging gets boost from GM finishing equipment

    Five approaches for more sustainable beauty packaging
    Digital Printers & Presses
    Flexo Presses
    Label Converting Equipment
    Label Finishing Equipment
    Prepress Equipment

    Dantex Group receives accreditation for Pico digital presses

    EyeC unveils revamped website

    Essentra Packaging invests in Landa Nanographic press

    SunDance moves into flexible packaging with HP Indigo

    Why inkjet and toner systems will be market redefining to 2032
    Dies And Tooling
    Flexo Supplies
    Ink & Coatings
    Prepress Supplies
    Pressrooom Supplies
    Substrates

    Avery Dennison announces Global Supplier Award winners

    In 2040 a fifth of all food packaging could still be landfilled or incinerated

    Nazdar to manufacture VFP electronic ink for US Market

    Asda implements latest ColorCert ScoreCard Server

    Zeller+Gmelin introduces UV-curable and water-based inkjet inks
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Profiles
    Label Converters
    Trade Associations
    Add New Company
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    KTI

    Heidelberg USA

    Delta ModTech

    Meech International

    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
    Features

    Companies To Watch: Watershed Group

    The Irish converter has 10 Mark Andy Performance Series presses across three sites in Europe.

    Companies To Watch:  Watershed Group
    Companies To Watch:  Watershed Group
    Liz Waters
    Companies To Watch:  Watershed Group
    One of Watershed Group’s Mark Andy Performance Series presses
    Related CONTENT
    • Mark Andy
    • Label Insights: Mark Andy addresses growing shrink sleeve market
    • Shrink Sleeves
    • European Label Markets
    • Narrow Web Profile: Nova Label Co., Inc.
    Nick Coombes10.06.17
    Watershed Group
    Unit A1 Hume Avenue, Park West Industrial Pk, Dublin 12, Ireland
    watershedlabels.ie



    When Tom Waters founded Watershed Label Center in Ireland back in 1992, he could scarcely have imagined the international group it would become under the expert guidance of his widow and current CEO Liz, who succeeded him in 2012. From a single production facility in Dublin, the Group soon acquired LPS in the UK, then added Etiko at Szczecin in Poland in 2008, and Römer Etikett at Marburg in Germany in 2011. Most recently, it has acquired The Label Factory, an award-winning drinks specialist company in Ireland in both conventional and digital print categories.

    Innovation has always been a by-word at Watershed, as Liz Waters explains: “We believe that to succeed we need to offer something extra, and the diverse nature of our three main label plants highlights this perfectly.” One area where the company has chosen not to diversify is with its press supplier. Mark Andy is the preferred choice of Watershed, and the Group now has 10 of its Performance Series presses across the three sites, and several legacy models too. In Dublin and Marburg, the Mark Andy presses all have a 430mm web width, while at Szczecin the decision was made to standardize on 330mm.

    The production flexibility offered by the Group allows it to supply locally, where it’s important, but also offer the international brand owners the reassurance of consistent back-up across all plants. “Our philosophy is based on selling the speed and quality of our technology, and combining our centralized buying power with local market knowledge,” she explains.  While the plants are similar, each has a slightly different capability, from the narrower web width in Poland, with a full HD Esko digital platemaking studio servicing the Group, to the screen printing capacity in Germany that adds significant value to self-adhesive labels. And, although each operates as its own profit and loss center, shared culture, knowledge and capacity is central to Group performance. And by standardizing the technology, a healthy internal rivalry amongst the plants offers a meaningful and realistic incentive to excel. 

    One of the benefits of the quality produced on the Mark Andy presses is the ability it gives Watershed to sell into traditionally offset markets. “There is no doubt that today’s HD flexo technology is a commercial match for any print process, and offers significant advantages in certain areas such as color vibrancy. By offering added value finishing inline, such as screen, cold foil and laminating, we can offer premium labels to any market sector – and significantly differentiate ourselves from other label converters,” says Waters. This sits well with the uniformity that the Group has developed, which saw a “Best Practice Manual” introduced across all production plants.  Known as “The Watershed Way,” it was implemented to standardize working operations to achieve maximum consistency for quality while also reaping cost benefits.“I believe there is an optimum size of business for a converter – you have to be big enough to cope and have the ability to constantly reinvest in the latest technology. But, you must be small enough to care and keep close to your customers. We’re as close as a small family but have the process mentality that is required for industrial production – it’s a key strength and one that we intend to build on,” says Waters. One of the benefits of a small top team and a platform style operation is that it allows the quick decision making that drives innovation and allows the rapid bolt-on of facilities when required. In many ways, the Watershed culture is reflected in the Mark Andy technology it utilizes. Just as the company can grow with its customers, the Performance Series presses can be adapted, modified and upgraded to accommodate changes in market demand.

    With more company acquisitions in the cards, Liz Waters is keen to sectorize the business with production facilities across Europe.  Römer is a good example of this. The business grew up producing labels for the health and hygiene markets, and gradually became less competitive through lack of investment largely because of the tight margins in those market sectors. With the power of the new Mark Andy presses, the company has moved into higher value areas, where speed, quality and differentiation yield bigger rewards. “We intend to continue to spread our tentacles throughout Europe, because we believe that the fundamental principles on which Watershed was founded brings clearly defined benefits to us and our customers,” she says.

    But, in addition to acquisition, Watershed Group sees a developing trend in cooperative partnerships. With the cost of capital investment in the latest technology continuing to rise, and a marked shortage of investment funding available across Europe, Liz Waters is excited to attract overseas support and establish the single source supply that so many customers now demand. Highlighting this is a recent agreement reached with a Mediterranean carton converter that will see each company supply printed packaging products that are complementary and produced cost-effectively.  “We see this as the way forward. It fits with our innovative business strategy and culture and offers real prospects for growth in new markets, without the associated investment costs,” she states.

    Clearly the business model works, as current growth is well ahead of the market average. Watershed Group now employs 100 staff across its five locations and in 2017 will see sales of €20 million, en route for Liz Waters’ target of €30 million by 2020. This year has seen further investments in technology, with a Newfoil machine added in Ireland, and a roll out of the LabelTraxx MIS system across all plants, which Waters says has driven growth and helped reduce costs. Significantly, it has also provided pharmaceutical industry traceability across the board.

    Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2017, Watershed Group has come a long way, and is the model of an entrepreneurial business.  With no plans to slow down, it’s definitely a company to watch.    –Nick Coombes
    Related Searches
    • digital
    • color
    • web
    • Platemaking
    Suggested For You
    Mark Andy Mark Andy
    Label Insights:  Mark Andy addresses growing shrink sleeve market Label Insights: Mark Andy addresses growing shrink sleeve market
    Shrink Sleeves Shrink Sleeves
    European Label Markets European Label Markets
    Narrow Web Profile:  Nova Label Co., Inc. Narrow Web Profile: Nova Label Co., Inc.
    Mark Andy and UPM Raflatac renew strategic partnership Mark Andy and UPM Raflatac renew strategic partnership
    Mark Andy addresses growing shrink sleeve market Mark Andy addresses growing shrink sleeve market
    Abbott Label boosts business with Rotoflex Abbott Label boosts business with Rotoflex
    French printer installs second Mark Andy digital press French printer installs second Mark Andy digital press
    Mark Andy addresses growing shrink sleeve market Mark Andy addresses growing shrink sleeve market
    RFID Update RFID Update
    Mark Andy introduces My.markandy.com Mark Andy introduces My.markandy.com
    Mark Andy names new director of Technology Center operations Mark Andy names new director of Technology Center operations
    Considerations for narrow web shrink sleeves Considerations for narrow web shrink sleeves
    Mark Andy helps Decathlon with RFID implementation Mark Andy helps Decathlon with RFID implementation

    Related Content

    • Mark Andy

      Mark Andy

      ...
      Lena Chmielewska, European Marketing Manager 05.10.22

    • Label Insights:  Mark Andy addresses growing shrink sleeve market

      Label Insights: Mark Andy addresses growing shrink sleeve market

      ...
      09.10.21

    • Shrink Sleeves

      Shrink Sleeves

      Converters and suppliers are seeing a sizeable increase in demand for this popular packaging application.
      Greg Hrinya, Editor 09.10.21


    • European Label Markets

      European Label Markets

      Converters throughout the continent continue to invest in new presses, facilities and M&A activity.
      Steve Katz, Associate Editor 09.10.21

    • Narrow Web Profile:  Nova Label Co., Inc.

      Narrow Web Profile: Nova Label Co., Inc.

      The Maryland converter recently installed a Colordyne 3800 Series UV – Retrofit to expand the markets it serves.
      Greg Hrinya, Editor 09.10.21


      Breaking News
      • Dantex Group receives accreditation for Pico digital presses
      • Heidelberg USA launches new Print Media Performance & Training Center
      • Avery Dennison announces Global Supplier Award winners
      • Vetaphone adds support for American customers
      • EyeC unveils revamped website
      View Breaking News >
      CURRENT ISSUE

      April 2022

      • Dscoop Post-Show Coverage
      • Slitter-Rewinders
      • Craft Beer Labels
      • Pharmaceutical Labels
      • Luminer Converting Group

      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

      Kyowa Hakko Appoints Dr. Colin Hill to Immuse Scientific Advisory Board
      Expert Consensus Statement: Diet is Best Primary Intervention to Achieve Diabetes Remission
      Choline May Independently Improve Maternal DHA Status During Pregnancy
      Coatings World

      Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

      Teknos Receives EcoVadis Gold Medal for Sustainability Performance
      AkzoNobel and Partners Team Up to Hack Carbon Reduction Challenges
      Five PPG Facilities in Ohio Recognized for Sustainability, Health, Safety Practices
      Medical Product Outsourcing

      Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

      VenoStent's SelfWrap Bioabsorbable Perivascular Wrap Earns Breakthrough Status
      Guard Medical Closes $11 Million Series B Investment
      OMNIVISION, Silicon Line Partner on Optical Fiber Endoscope Cables
      Contract Pharma

      Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

      Catalent Invests $175M to Expand Mfg. Capabilities at Winchester, KY
      Sartorius Expands Manufacturing Site in Tunisia
      BioMoti Partners with Pharma Company to Develop Ovarian Cancer Treatment
      Beauty Packaging

      Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

      Garance Doré Launches Made in France Skincare Line
      The World’s Most Popular Perfumes & Celebrity Fragrances
      Ulta Beauty Launches Retail Media Network
      Happi

      Latest Breaking News From Happi

      Loum Beauty, Rare Beauty Launch #BeautyCares Voices
      ACI Urges Congress To Ensure Funding for EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
      Dr. Dana’s Nail Renewal System Relaunches Under Rare Beauty Brands
      Ink World

      Latest Breaking News From Ink World

      hubergroup Chemicals Exhibits at Paint India for First Time
      Award for Sustainability: Evonik Receives Platinum Rating Again
      Nazdar Ink Technologies to Showcase Latest Ink Innovations at FESPA Global Print Expo 2022
      Label & Narrow Web

      Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

      Dantex Group receives accreditation for Pico digital presses
      Heidelberg USA launches new Print Media Performance & Training Center
      Avery Dennison announces Global Supplier Award winners
      Nonwovens Industry

      Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

      'Right' Hygiene Conference to be Held in June
      Freudenberg to Present Battery Pack and Liquid Absorbers at Battery Show
      H&V Appoints Vice President and General Counsel
      Orthopedic Design & Technology

      Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

      Paragon 28 Rolls Out TenoTac 2.0 Hammertoe and Soft Tissue Repair
      Cionic Expands Scientific Advisory Board
      First Surgeries Performed Using Globus Medical's Excelsius3D
      Printed Electronics Now

      Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

      NREL Creates Highest Efficiency 1-Sun Solar Cell
      eMagin Wins People’s Choice Award at Display Week 2022
      Wiliot Launches Battery-Assisted Version of its IoT Pixel Tags

      Copyright © 2022 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