NEWS
Alpha card trick
YORKSHIRE printer Alpha Media Solutions Ltd is banking on the success of a new form of com- pact media after investing £3m to launch the product. The new ‘Alpha Card’ is de- signed to deliver brand messages and according to the firm some of the world’s best-known brands are taking an interest. Marketing director Andy Mil- ner said clients can create Alpha Cards to match their exact re- quirements. It can also be pro- duced in a number of finishes and the different designs can incorpo- rate a range of shapes that are of- ten thought to be too problematic for standard producers to print. He said: “We know we are in a digital age, where social relations and online communications are thriving, but traditional print still plays a very important part in a campaign’s success.”
Andy Milner is sure his company has an ace up its sleeve thanks to its latest innovation.
News in brief
n CLONDALKIN Group com- pany Wentus won a notable printing award at the Proflex Industry Standards Confer- ence in Germany. Wentus secured the DFTA
AWARD 2012 for its print de- livery and presentation in the flexible packaging for hygiene and pharma category.
Health and safety error proves costly
A packaging firm has been hit hard in the pocket after a worker suf- fered serious head injuries when the fork of a forklift truck struck him on the forehead. Saica Pack UK Ltd of Queensway, Hartlepool, was fined along with the worker’s former employer MD Engineering Services (UK) Ltd after both firms admitted breaching health and safety regulations. Jim McGowan, 66, of Felling, Gateshead, was employed by MD when the incident happened in December 2010 at Saica’s facility. Mr McGow- an was helping to remove redundant machinery when he suffered a double fracture to the skull, facial fractures and a fractured eye socket when he was struck on the head by the fork.
Saica was fined £13,000 and ordered to pay £5,489.40 in costs after pleading guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. MD Ltd was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay £4,600 in costs. HSE Inspector Victoria Wise said the incident highlights the importance of ensuring that lifting operations are managed by a com- petent person.
Plenty board room, says packaging chief
AN industry chief who represents the £1.2billion UK corrugated packaging industry is predicting a healthy future for the product. Andrew Barnetson, director of packaging affairs at the Confed- eration of Paper Industries (CPI), is convinced corrugated packag- ing has a long and lucrative future and will remain a common sight on supermarket shelves for years to come.
Although retailers are constant- ly exploring new ways to improve their traditional packaging solu- tions, Barnetson’s faith in corru- gated is undiminished. Indeed, his confidence has been
10 > packagingscotland
boosted further in light of ongoing discussions with the retail sector, which revealed that despite inter- est in other materials, many mul- tiples still see corrugated as one of the best materials for protect- ing goods in transit and promot- ing brands. “It
is clear from my meetings that maximising supply chain effi- ciency and branding is key for the big high street retailers and cor- rugated ticks these boxes,” said Barnetson.
“The emergence of corrugated packaging as a major advertising platform is driving demand and ensuring it holds its strong posi-
tion within retail as part of an in- tegrated supply chain solution.” He acknowledged that retailers are becoming more demanding in terms of value for money, guaran- teed supply and innovation, but says corrugated will “continue to hold sway” based on its efficiency and environmental advantages. However,
Barnetson empha-
sized the need for suppliers to remain focused on customers’ demands particularly at a time when the retail sector is under increasing commercial pressures. He urged the industry to ensure that corrugated remains an eco- nomic and hygienic solution.
The judging panel said the winning design achieved “per- fect realization on register, screens, smallest characters and a well balanced total ap- pearance”.
n RESEALABLE packaging ex- pert Flexico’s Clicky Zipper product was the toast of Eu- rope at the ‘Pack Innovations’ Exhibition in Paris. Part of its ZipGrip range, the Clicky Zipper features a senso- rial effect that allows the user to feel and hear when the zip- per is fully closed.
The panel of judges declared
it to be a “fair and intelligent product” based on both its user and eco friendliness.
n RETAIL-ready packaging specialist
Polymer Logistics
has introduced Roll n’ Pall, a smart pallet that serves as both a pallet and a heavy-duty dolly to improve productivity throughout the supply chain and increase in-store product availability.
It features a four-wheeled base that the firm says can be easily manoeuvred on the retail floor and locked into the sales fixture thanks to a foot- activated mechanism.
n ELEVEN employees at the Coalville-based Board24 cor- rugated
sheet board plant
have achieved a Level 3 Insti- tute of Leadership and Man- agement qualification from Loughborough College. Board24, part of the Logson Group,
manufactures corru-
gated sheet board. With three UK sites in Coalville, Preston and Larkhall, the company employs over 250 people. The Logson Group comprises Board 24, Cases24, Boxes and Packaging and inspirepac.
January-March 2013
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