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Aquaflex, a division of F.L. Smithe and based in Duncansville, PA, USA, reports that 2008 sales revenue increased 73 percent over 2007. The number of presses sold internationally in 2008 increased four-fold.

Mac Rosenbaum, vice president of Aquaflex / F. L. Smithe, says, “2008 was a surprisingly dynamic year for Aquaflex. While the economic slowdown has impacted the entire industry, Aquaflex experienced far less reduction in activity than anticipated. At a time when our industry is busy adjusting its expectations, a 73 percent increase in revenue is a very respectable number. We’re also very pleased with the four-fold increase in the number of presses sold to international customers. This reflects the quality and performance of our growing international distribution and service base.”

Aquaflex introduced the new ELS-D series as a variant to their popular ELS Servo platform at the 2008 Labelexpo Americas. The ELS-D added sleeved technology and greater automation to the line.

“In the few short years since F.L. Smithe acquired Aquaflex, the infusion of advanced technology into the line has been dramatic,” Rosenbaum says. “Our ability to customize our presses to match our customers’ specific needs has been key to our growth. We know that going into 2009, printers will be even more discerning and value-conscious in their equipment purchases. Fortunately, value and performance is what we build—you might even call it our brand promise.”

Chemsultants International has announced an addition to its 2009 Technical Training Workshop Program. This year, Chemsultants has added the Introduction to PSA Technology and Testing Workshop to provide an introductory technical education on PSA product technology and testing. The program joins two existing workshops: PSA Tape Testing, and Liquid Adhesives & Sealants.

The series of workshops, all held in the company’s headquarters in Mentor, OH, USA, are all a combination of classroom lecture and lab demonstration modules covering a wide variety of product and technology topics. Designed to provide a solid introduction to those new to the industry or serve as a refresher to others, these educational programs are geared to be beneficial to R&D, and QA/QC personnel in product development, testing or manufacturing positions.

The workshops and dates are:

• Introduction to PSA Technology and Testing Workshop, June 2-5
• Introduction to Liquid Adhesives and Sealants: Laboratory Technician Test Methods Workshop (endorsed by the Adhesive and Sealant Council), October 6-7

• PSA Tape Testing Training and Certification Workshop (endorsed by the Pressure Sensitive Tape Council), April 14-15

Chemsultants International is a worldwide leader in research, development, testing, test equipment, product scale up and educational training in the area of novel polymer based products and technologies.

Sani-Blast LLC has finalized a distributor agreement with Serviflex Arco International Ltda. of Bogota, Colombia, as exclusive distributor in the South American and Central American markets. Serviflex Arco will distribute Sani-Blast automated on- and off-press anilox roll cleaning systems to Latin America. Serviflex Arco will also offer a roll and sleeve cleaning service as well as various flexographic supplies to printers in the region.

“Serviflex Arco will be a valuable partner for Sani-Blast in this growing market. The people of Serviflex Arco are flexo industry veterans and have a reputation for high integrity,” says Peter Mulheran, CEO of Sani-Blast.

Sani-Blast’s roll cleaning systems utilize a baking soda blasting method, which the company says eliminates the potential of roll damage and the inconsistent cleaning associated with manual methods. Baking soda is also an environmentally neutral product.

“The ABCs of IML: A Basic Course,” now in its 20th year, will be presented March 19, at the DoubleTree Hotel & Conference Center Chicago North Shore, Skokie, IL, USA.

Offered annually since 1989, this seminar is an introductory in-mold labeling (IML) course designed for those considering entry into the IML market, as well as a refresher course for more experienced current participants in the field. The seminar, updated yearly, provides a basic grounding in in-mold labeling along with the fundamentals of extrusion blow molding, injection IML, the in-mold process, production of in-mold labels, current markets, functions across the IML value chain and future growth opportunities. The seminar covers all aspects of in-mold labeling, as well as in-mold decoration of durable products.

The event is presented by RBS Technologies, a consulting firm serving the flexible packaging, labeling and converting industries and their suppliers.

For details and registration information, email Ron Schultz at RBS Technologies or call 480-473-0301. Click here for the program outline.

Jurmet, a Polish manufacturer of slitter rewinders, label inspection rewinders, rotary label diecutting equipment, core cutters, and rewinders for the flexible packaging market, has appointed Weldon Celloplast Limited to represent the company in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, and Sri Lanka.

Jurmet is a family run company established in 1989. The complete development process, from initial design to finished machines, is carried out in Jurmet’s facility in Lubicz.

“I was impressed by the technical level of the slitter rewinders that Jurmet manufactures,” says Pawandeep Sahni, the director head of the marketing division of Weldon Celloplast. “In my opinion, at present it is one of the most dynamic slitter rewinder manufacturers in Europe. There is no doubt that Jurmet will be successful in our market.”

Weldon Celloplast is a Delhi-based manufacturer of self-adhesive labelstocks, tamper-evident security label products, and specialty tapes.

Finishing behemoth Celloglas has gone into administration today, however PrintWeek understands that a deal to sell part of the business is imminent.

Stewarts has confirmed that it has been forced to liquidate the recently acquired business of Summerhall Press following "unforeseen circumstances" which made the business unviable.

David Rubin & Partners has been confirmed as the liquidator for Borcombe SP, following the news that all staff had been made redundant just days before Christmas.

Polestar has appointed Karen Hardy to the newly created role of purchasing director as part of a drive to make savings and increase efficiency across the group.

Goss International's board of directors has appointed current chief operating officer Jochen Meissner to succeed Bob Brown as the company's chief executive.

Nearly 20% of the UK's top 100 loyalty schemes are now printing transpromo adverts in the white space of their statement mailings, a report has found.

St Ives has conditionally agreed to sell its US division, St Ives (USA), to a management buyout team led by US chief executive and chairman Wayne Angstrom for $39m (£26.8m).

Magazine printer Buxton Press has said it will install a five-colour B2 double coating press during 2009.

New guidelines aimed at making the pre-pack administration process more transparent have come into force.

New legislation aimed at making the pre-pack administration process more transparent has come into force.

Chesapeake's UK bosses are gearing up for growth after parent company Chesapeake Corporation's announced an agreement to sell its business operations, as a going concern, to a group of investors for $485m (£331m).

The Two Sides campaign has said it will bolster its efforts to get printers on board, as suppliers UPM and Sun Chemical become the latest companies to announce their support.

A teenager who started up his print management company when aged just 14 is looking to expand his business after reporting average sales of £2,000 per month.

Systems Labelling has scooped the Innovation Award at the 2008 Flintshire Business Awards. The company was recognised for its record of developing innovative products

Antalis has launched its own YouTube channel, which features videos explaining how to make 12 origami models that appear on the Antalis 2009 calendar.