March 2020
AWT Operations Update: Coronavirus Impacts
Dear Customers and Suppliers,
As promised, AWT will continue to provide our customers and supply chain partners updates on our status during the current health emergency. Minnesota, Illinois and New York have all instituted some form of ‘Stay-at-Home’ orders, and AWT has facilities in those states. Due to our critical manufacturer status, AWT continues to operate at normal levels, and our supply of raw materials has not been interrupted. However, we have been notified that lead times for some raw materials have been extended up to 4-5 days.
As we have communicated in previous updates, it is the position of AWT Labels & Packaging that we are an Essential and Critical Manufacturer. As defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and as described by the Critical Manufacturing clause of CISA* guidelines, AWT Labels & Packaging is a critical manufacturer because our products support industries including; food & beverage, personal care & hygiene, household cleaning & sanitation, healthcare, medical supplies, medical device manufacturers, pharmaceutical clinical trials, and personal safety products for military & civilian applications. Because of this, we will remain open and our operators can come to work despite any shelter-in-place orders in communities where we have manufacturing facilities.
* CISA Guidelines – “Workers necessary for the manufacturing of materials and products needed for medical supply chains, transportation, energy, communications, food and agriculture, chemical manufacturer, nuclear facilities, the operation of dams, water and wastewater treatment, emergency services, and the defense industrial base.”
Operationally, we are taking steps to mitigate any potential impact of the outbreak within our facilities:
- We are monitoring daily updates and recommendations by our local Public Health Agencies
- We are complying with local and national laws and guidelines for responding to contagious diseases
- Any employee who does not feel well is being asked to stay home
- We are educating employees about good hygiene practices to prevent spreading the virus
- We implemented additional cleaning of common areas and personal workstations during and between shifts
- We have implemented social distancing practices in our production areas and break areas
- Hand sanitizer and soap/water are provided throughout each facility
- All employees in all plants who can work from home are doing so
- Meetings are being held via video or phone conferencing
- All in-person customer and supplier visits are restricted unless deemed business critical
- We have suspended AWT business travel, limited only to business-critical situations
- We have implemented staggered lunch/break schedule for all employees
We will keep providing updates as needed to keep everyone up to date about our status.
Sincerely,
Michelle Zeller
Chief Operating Officer
Brice Plote Joins AWT Labels & Packaging
Minneapolis, MN March 25, 2020 – AWT Labels & Packaging is pleased to announce Brice Plote has joined the company as a Sales Executive. Brice is a very experienced sales professional, focusing on flexible packaging during his highly successful, 25-year career. He has an extensive background in converted films, chub films and pouches within the processed meats, cheese, snack food, coffee and pet food industries. While his primary focus has been flexible packaging, Brice also has sold labels over the course of his career.
“We are extremely excited about adding Brice Plote to our team of experts,” said Chip Fuhrmann, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for AWT. “His knowledge and experience will be a great benefit to our customers, and to our company. “
Brice lives in the Fox Valley area of Wisconsin – Kaukauna specifically – and has been a resident in the area for over 20 years. He served as a firefighter and paramedic in the U.S. Air Force. Brice is married and has two children.
January 2020
Scott Farkas Joins AWT Labels & Packaging
Scott Farkas
Minneapolis, MN January 13, 2020 – AWT Labels & Packaging is pleased to announce that Scott Farkas has joined the company as Senior Production Engineer. Scott has been in the printing industry for over 20 years, with a focus on flexographic label printing. He has spent the majority of that time as a design engineer, developing innovative label constructions for unique package applications and operating environments.
“Scott’s knowledge, design skills and industry experience will bolster AWT’s ability to offer a wide range of label solutions to our customers,” said Ted Biggs – Vice President of Manufacturing at AWT. “We’re excited to have his unique skills and the passion he brings to his work.”
Scott is based at AWT’s headquarters in Minneapolis. He joined the company in November of 2019.
December 2019
“Investment, Initiative, and a Sales Growth Program Set AWT Labels & Packaging on Path to Growth”
From Packaging Impressions Magazine
Investment, Initiative, and a Sales Growth Program Set AWT Labels & Packaging on Path to Growth
Topping the annual honor roll of the Printing Impressions 400 are its “Fast Track” companies: those with significantly higher rates of year-over-year revenue growth than the majority of other listees. One of the six exceptional strivers are profiled here.
Their stories reaffirm that whatever else may be said about the state of the printing industry, its enterprising business-people still know how to make money in ways that revenue leaders in any other industry would be the first to recognize and endorse.
Although it always seems a bit facile to search for “common denominators” in distinctive stories like these, our “Fast-Track Firms” do exhibit some shared traits of excellence.
One of them, surely, is staying locked onto customer satisfaction as the ultimate objective of everything that happens in the planning and the execution of a job.
Another is scrupulously measuring all steps of execution to make sure that the objective is being upheld.
Not as tangible, but no less crucial, is leadership: engendering the kind of pervasive enthusiasm that inspires pride of accomplishment as it spurs everyone in the organization to make the next job even better than the one that preceded it.
These are best practices that all printing businesses can emulate, and by publishing these exemplary vignettes, that is exactly what we are encouraging all of our readers to do. We salute the Fast-Track companies and to all of the other enterprises joining them on the 2019 Printing Impressions 400 list.
AWT LABELS & PACKAGING, MINNEAPOLIS
Most Recent Fiscal Year Sales: $70.2 Million
Previous Fiscal Year Sales: $52 Million
Percentage Growth: 35%
Jim Lundquist, CEO, AWT Labels & Packaging.
Jim Lundquist, CEO of AWT Labels & Packaging, says his company’s recipe for success is “a kind of a combo platter” in which the key ingredients are judicious acquisition, methodical capital investment, closely measured customer service, and an exceptional commitment to professional education and training.
All are integral to the continuing growth of the 43-year-old business, which has been under private-equity ownership since 2004. With the acquisition of Citation Healthcare Labels in Hauppauge, N.Y., in 2018, AWT became a three-plant operation, employing more than 300 people in the production of custom labels, flexible packaging, shrink sleeves, and other items for verticals that include medical and pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and consumer products.
Lundquist stresses how closely AWT’s progress is tied to that of the “exceptional, growing brands” it serves.
“As they grow, we grow,” he says, noting that the essence of AWT’s strategy is to equip and staff in step with the needs of its clientele. “If you are growing along with your customers,” he observes, “you’re doing something right.”
This is what drives AWT’s policy of investing 5% of annual revenue in capital equipment, which funded the purchase of an HP Indigo 6900 label and packaging digital press in 2019. In recent years, the investment program also has led to the installations of two Mark Andy P5 flexo presses and a 52˝ central-impression Miraflex flexo press from Windmöller & Hölscher (W&H).
In Lundquist’s view, the point of acquiring production capability like this is all about what it can do to make a printer more responsive to the needs of its customers. “We don’t say no to unique printing or converting situations,” he says. In and of itself, owning a press doesn’t assure growth, “but it does have you servicing your customers with high-quality printed product;” and that is where the growth comes from on the provider side.
AWT pays the same kind of scrupulous attention to the quality of its customer service. “Having a culture that embraces client requirements is extraordinarily important,” Lundquist says, noting that the right way to nurture such a culture is to measure the elements of its performance.
This means monitoring things like the frequency of deliveries by customer-requested dates; numbers of corrective actions taken; and instances where corrective action was needed but not applied. Follow-up along these lines is what produces “world-class” customer service, according to Lundquist, who encourages the embrace of the culture among AWT employees with incentive programs for virtually everyone in the organization. Then, he says, “your customers don’t leave you.”
Understanding that nothing is possible without filling the right staff positions with the right people, AWT has taken an unusual step toward developing the talent it depends — not just on its own behalf, but also for the benefit of other printing businesses with similar personnel needs. This is the creation of a 501(c)(3) entity called Flexographic Tech, a training program AWT co-founded with Computype, a barcode solutions supplier based in St. Paul, Minn.
Given that it’s become “extraordinarily rare” to find qualified flexo press operators, says Lundquist, Flexographic Tech incubates its own with a variety of hands-on courses led by flexo training expert Shawn Oetjen. Fifteen of the program’s 58 graduates work for AWT; the rest, according to Lundquist, are employed by other flexo plants, including some AWT competitors.
Investment, initiative, and a sales growth program that uses the resources of salesforce.com will keep AWT on its upward trajectory, Lundquist believes. “We will just sell, sell, sell, and focus on everything that fits us.”
Bill Denzen Joins AWT Labels & Packaging
Bill Denzen
Minneapolis, MN December 16, 2019 – AWT Labels & Packaging is pleased to announce that William (Bill) Denzen has joined the company as Vice President of Operations. Bill has over 28 years of experience in the printing industry, with most of that time spent in flexographic printing operations management. He also brings with him extensive experience in finance and lean manufacturing methodology.
“Bill Denzen has an established record of operational excellence, and leading organizational change toward improved operations,” said Michelle Zeller, CFO/COO of AWT. “I’m confident AWT will benefit greatly from Bill’s broad experience and influence.”
Bill’s responsibilities at AWT will include operations management; business strategy development; support of sales & marketing strategies; and continuous improvement efforts.
Bill is based at AWT’s headquarters in Minneapolis, MN. He joined the company in September 2019.
October 2019
Beer, Bites & Banter with AWT & QTS 2019
Join AWT & QTS for our annual post-show recap!
Wednesday, October 23
4:30-7:00pm
Enjoy an evening connecting with industry peers and suppliers while enjoying complimentary snacks and beverages.
Stop by either (or both!) of our MD&M booths for details: AWT #1830 & QTS #2005
September 2019
AWT Labels & Packaging Recommits to PIM Great Printer partnership
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – For the eleventh straight year, Printing Industry Midwest (PIM) has certified AWT Labels & Packaging under PIM’s ‘Great Printer’ environmental initiative. Participation in the Great Printer initiative is voluntary, and printers must demonstrate their commitment to minimizing impact on human health and the environment while producing quality printed products. Additionally, Great Printer companies commit to going beyond Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) requirements for minimizing waste; recycling waste; maximizing energy efficiency; and creating healthier and safer workplaces.
“We are proud to once again commit to the Great Printer initiative, and will continue looking for ways to operate in a sustainable manner,” said Doreen Praschak, Director of Quality at AWT. “We’ve been an environmentally responsible manufacturer for many years, and the certification from PIM validates what we’ve been doing in the normal course of our business, and beyond compliance.”
In addition to AWT’s environmentally-friendly operations, the company also offers a line of sustainable label and flexible packaging materials. AWT’s ‘Terrene’ portfolio of materials consists of paper and film stocks with a range of sustainable properties.
July 2019
AWT Launches ‘Terrene’ Portfolio of Sustainable Label & Packaging Materials
Minneapolis, MN July 29, 2019 – AWT Labels & Packaging, Inc. (AWT) has unveiled a robust selection of sustainable label and packaging materials designed to meet the increasing call for ‘earth-friendly’ packaging options by AWT customers and consumers. AWT’s ‘Terrene’ portfolio of materials provide a host of sustainable options which are recyclable, compostable and biodegradable, depending on the labeling or packaging goals of AWT clients. The launch comes after extensive research into sustainable material options which will perform in the marketplace and deliver on sustainability promises.
“We are very excited about this new material portfolio,” said Chip Fuhrmann, Sr. Vice President of Sales & Marketing for AWT. “We’re always listening to our customers, and we’ve been hearing their desire to have cost-effective sustainable options for labeling and packaging for some time now. We’re now able to fulfill those wishes with our Terrene line.”
Depending on sustainability goals and the final application for the package or label, AWT can offer material options which are composed of a high percentage of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content; recycle-ready; compostable; or biodegradable. Additionally, most of the Terrene portfolio materials are lighter and thinner than traditional materials offered in this industry. These traits will help AWT customers realize reductions in transportation costs as well as their own carbon footprints.
‘Terrene’ is a Latin word for Earth. AWT wanted branding reflecting the company’s commitment to providing sustainable products and services to the market, as well as aligning with AWT’s core values.
Marketing Personnel Announcement at AWT Labels & Packaging
Minneapolis, MN July 29, 2019 – AWT Labels & Packaging welcomes Bill Orme as the company’s new Marketing Manager. Bill previously served in the same capacity at Smyth Companies in St. Paul, Minnesota. He has more than 17 years of experience in marketing within the label and packaging industry, and he’ll be applying that experience helping raise the profile of AWT and obtaining new customers. Bill also has extensive experience utilizing CRM systems to improve and streamline marketing processes. Please join us in welcoming Bill to AWT!
June 2019
AWT Labels & Packaging Wins 3M Supplier of the Year Award
L-R: Eric Hammes, Sr. VP Mfg. & Supply Chain 3M; Kevin Twohy, Dir. Of Procurement 3M; Jim Lundquist, CEO AWT; Mark Stebbing, Sr. Sales Exec. AWT; Shelly Falkenhagen, Customer Service AWT; Scott Vescio, Customer Care Mgr. AWT; Mike Roman, Chairman of the Board & CEO 3M
St. Paul, MN June 26, 2019 – AWT labels & Packaging, a label and flexible packaging converter headquartered in Minneapolis, was honored with the 2018 3M Supplier of the Year Award in recognition of the company’s contribution to improving 3M’s competitiveness.
This year, 3M recognized 13 suppliers, among thousands in its global supply base, for world class performance in providing products and/or services. These suppliers were identified and rated based on strategic spend, contract compliance, actions taken to improve 3M’s relevance and overall supplier performance (quality, delivery, responsiveness, cost, and technology roadmaps). An awards ceremony was held June 20, 2019 at the 3M Innovation Center.
Jim Lundquist, AWT CEO stated “We are delighted to be presented the 3M Supplier of the Year Award, and we thank 3M for this great honor. AWT has been doing business with 3M for decades, and they’ve taught us how to be a great supplier to all our customers. 3M is always moving forward with state of the art management programs and efficiency directives. These constant improvements are reflected in 3Ms consistent success throughout the years. We look forward to continuing to grow with the 3M team into the future.”
“Supplier collaboration is critical to supply chain success,” said Debora Fronczak, vice president, 3M Strategic Sourcing. “We are fortunate to work with great suppliers who are committed to fostering a relationship with 3M. These partnerships help us to serve our customers with innovative and valuable solutions. It’s important that we recognize our most outstanding suppliers, and that’s what this award is all about.”
About 3M
At 3M, we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily. With $32 billion in sales, our 91,000 employees connect with customers all around the world. Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Twitter @3M or @3MNews.
May 2019
AWT Labels & Packaging Installs HP Indigo 6900 Digital Press
Minneapolis, MN – AWT Labels & Packaging completed installation of a new HP Indigo 6900 digital press. The new 6900 is equipped with options such as an ILP (in line priming) unit, ability to run HP Silver ink, imaging oil recycling system, reinsertion capability, and an inline spectrophotometer.
“The new HP 6900 gives us additional capabilities, added capacity and also redundancy within our digital platform, which is critical for us to be able to consistently serve our customers’ needs,” said Ted Biggs, Vice President of Manufacturing. This is the third HP Indigo press AWT has installed since 2007.
Image courtesy of HP
South Elgin, IL – On Wednesday, April 17, 2019 the team of AWT Labels & Packaging South Elgin was honored to receive the Enjoy Life Foods Supplier of the Year Award, Second Place.
The recipients of the Supplier of the Year Awards were evaluated by their success in on-time delivery, quality, customer service, tech support and impact on business. Present were Enjoy Life Foods management and their top suppliers of flexographic packaging, corrugated containers, Ingredients, paper, oil, flavoring, and more.
Tom Nelson, Executive Vice President & General Manager at AWT Labels and Packaging South Elgin said, “It was a total team effort in AWT winning this award. All of our folks back in South Elgin are responsible for us winning this award, from the guys in the plant, to the people in the front office and including our customer service, quality and operations people; we couldn’t have done this without them! We are honored to have received this award. Our commitment to provide quality products, on-time to Enjoy Life Foods will continue. Enjoy Life Foods has been a great company to work with and we look forward to growing with them; as their vision and commitment to creating allergy free foods continues to grow.”
The ceremony occurred during Enjoy Life Foods Supplier Summit held at the historic Seelbach Hilton in Louisville, KY. The focus of the Summit was to bring together Enjoy Life Foods top suppliers to meet with Enjoy Life Foods personnel in the following areas: Procurement & Technology, Marketing, Innovation & RDQ, Operations, & Sales.
AWT Labels & Packaging wins Printing Industry Midwest Star Award
Minneapolis, MN – AWT Labels & Packaging was honored to take home an Award of Recognition in the Flexo Narrow Web Labels & Wraps category at Printing Industry Midwest’s 2019 Star Awards program on April 25, 2019. AWT was given the Award of Recognition in the Flexo Narrow Web Labels & Wraps category for the Williams Sonoma Frosted Clove Hand Soap label.
Award of Recognition, Flexo Narrow Web Labels & Wraps Williams Sonoma Frosted Clove Hand Soap Product photo credit
January 2019
Sales Personnel Announcement at AWT Labels & Packaging
Minneapolis, MN – AWT Labels & Packaging welcomes sales executive Kevan Kent to the sales team. Kevan’s flexible packaging expertise further strengthens the AWT Labels & Packaging sales team. He will office in Minneapolis and primarily focus on business development activities for the South Elgin Flexible Packaging facility.
August 2018
AWT Labels & Packaging acquires Citation Healthcare Labels, LLC
Minneapolis, MN August 20, 2018 – AWT Labels and Packaging (“AWT”) announced today that it has closed on the acquisition of Citation Healthcare Labels, LLC, a global leader in clinical labeling since 1963 and based in Hauppauge, NY. The business will be owned by AWT and management and operate under the name of Citation Healthcare Labels, LLC (“Citation” or the “Company”).
Citation provides clinical trial labels for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, clinical research organizations, and clinical packagers. The Company was founded in 1963 by the family of Richard Bolnick, who will remain as President of Citation, as a diversified distributor of printing and labels. Citation’s products serve mission critical applications by ensuring the accuracy and effectiveness of trials, improving participant safety and helping customers introduce drugs to the market more efficiently. The Company provides world-class product quality, project management, customer service, and speed to market, which are imperative characteristics for pharmaceutical customers.
This acquisition strengthens AWT’s commitment to the global healthcare labeling market and will allow AWT to take advantage of growth opportunities in the clinical trial label markets. For Citation customers, they will now have access to AWT’s resources and investments in state-of-the art print and production technologies as well as access to AWT’s Minneapolis, MN facility for additional healthcare label capabilities.
Both Rich Bolnick, President of Citation, and Frederick Youngs, Chief Operating Officer of Citation, will continue in leadership roles with the Company and will become shareholders of AWT. The Company operates out of a single pharmaceutical and medical grade facility in Hauppauge, NY and employs approximately 100 employees. The employees and suppliers of Citation have played an integral role in the company’s success and will continue to do so in the future.
“Citation looks forward to the next chapter of growth by joining the AWT organization. Citation and AWT share many of the same philosophies including providing our customers with a world-class experience, a commitment to healthcare labeling and quality systems, the development of our employees and continually investing in state-of-the-art equipment”, said Rich Bolnick, President of Citation. “We believe the best is yet to come for our customers as they will benefit from additional facilities, personnel and resources of the combined businesses.”
“We are excited about our acquisition of Citation. Rich Bolnick and Fred Youngs have spent many years building a great company with outstanding people and tremendous capabilities and we proudly welcome the Citation team to AWT,” said Jim Lundquist, President and CEO of AWT. “We will leverage the unique capabilities of both organizations to continue to serve our customers with world class quality and excellent service. The addition of Citation meaningfully increases our healthcare labeling capabilities and allows AWT to become one of the largest healthcare-focused label providers for pharmaceutical clinical trial and medical device manufacturers in the U.S.”
August 2018
AWT Labels & Packaging renews PIM Great Printer Certification for 10th year
Minneapolis, MN – Certified annually since 2008, 2018 marks AWT Labels & Packaging’s 10th anniversary of receiving the Printing Industry Midwest Great Printer Certification. Participation in the PIM Great Printer Environmental Initiative is a voluntary effort by printers to demonstrate their commitment to minimize their impact on human health and the environment while producing quality printed products.1
“Year after year, AWT demonstrates its commitment to sustainability. As a zero-landfill facility, we work closely with recycling and waste repurposing companies to ensure we are utilizing processes that support both the future of our company and the environment,” says Doreen Praschak, Director of Quality at AWT Labels & Packaging.
- PIM Great Printer: https://www.pimw.org/environment-safety/great-green-printer/
June 2018
AWT Labels & Packaging receives ISO 9001:2015 Certification
Minneapolis, MN – Certified annually since 1996, AWT Labels & Packaging has received ISO 9001:2015 Certification. Over one million certified companies in the world take advantage of ISO 9001 as a tool for managing their organization and continually improving performance. At the time of AWT’s certification, only 20% of the current ISO 9001 companies had been certified to the new 2015 standard.
Michelle Zeller, Chief Operating Officer at AWT Labels & Packaging notes, “ISO 9001:2015 is the cornerstone of our quality management system, ensuring consistent delivery of processes and products. It’s the standard for global requirements on the quality of products and services.”
The best evidence of an organization’s quality is continuously improving results. Benefits include:
- Improved customer satisfaction
- Increased employee engagement
- Clearly defined responsibilities
- Efficient and effective processes
- Reduced risk
- Continuous improvement
A copy of the certificate can be found at www.awtlabelpack.com/awards-certification
May 2018
Minneapolis, MN – AWT Labels & Packaging was honored to take home two Best in Class awards at the Printing Industry Midwest 2018 Star of Excellence Award program on April 26, 2018. Best in Class, Flexo Narrow Web Labels & Wraps was awarded to the detailed, intricate label AWT produced for Backwards Contortionist Gin. Best in Class, Environmentally Sound Materials, was given to the first ever compostable label that AWT built for Green Bottle Compostable Water Bottle. Winning pieces were chosen based on print quality, technical difficulty and overall visual effect.
Best in Class, Flexo Narrow Web Labels & Wraps: Backwards Contortionist Gin
Best in Class, Environmentally Sound Materials:
Green Bottle Compostable Label
AWT congratulates our nominees for Customer Service Representative of the Year Award, Shelly Falkenhagen, Kristy Lenartz, and Maika Yang.
March 2018
Personnel Announcement at AWT Labels & Packaging
Minneapolis – AWT Labels & Packaging welcomes Tom Nelson as the new Executive Vice President – Flexible Packaging focusing on their flexible packaging facility based in South Elgin, IL. Tom previously served as General Manager of Amcor’s Mundelein, IL and Madison, WI facilities. He is now the General Manager of AWT’s South Elgin plant applying his 36 years of experience in the flexible packaging industry to improve the performance in all phases of the business. Please join us in welcoming Tom to AWT!
January 2018
AWT Labels & Packaging Installs Mark Andy P Series 17″ Press
On January 15, 2018, AWT Labels & Packaging completed installation of a new Mark Andy P5 Series 17″ press. The new ten unit press is equipped for rotary screen, cold foil, film package, full chill system, LED curing, and has a rail for the turn bar and unwind/rewind units. It also features a Quick Change Die Cut System, which allows for die change overs in less than two minutes.
“The new P5 gives us the additional capacity and capabilities we need to continue to pursue our targeted markets. We are also expanding our use of LED curing technology. This is a very exciting and busy time for all of us at AWT as we continue to grow.” said Ted Biggs, Vice President of Manufacturing. This is the third P5 17″ press AWT has installed since August, 2014.
December 2017
Personnel Announcement at AWT Labels & Packaging
Minneapolis – AWT Labels & Packaging is pleased to welcome Jennifer Watana as the new Purchasing Clerk/Buyer at our Minneapolis narrow web, labeling and packaging conversion facility. Jennifer brings with her over 10 years of experience in purchasing roles at medical/non-medical filling and packaging suppliers, where she was responsible for packaging products and sourcing flexographic labels from various suppliers around the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Jennifer looks forward to using her expertise to ensure that AWT Labels & Packaging offers the highest quality, best cost resources in the labels and packaging we produce for our customers. Please join us in welcoming Jennifer!
September 2017
AWT Labels & Packaging Wins Pewter Award in Annual Gold Ink Awards Competition
Minneapolis, MN – Printing Impressions magazine, producer of the annual Gold Ink Awards, announced that AWT Labels & Packaging has won a Pewter Award for the entry, titled Loon Liquors Lac Coeur Organic Coffee Liqueur, in the Digital Printing, Labels & Packaging category. All winners can now be found at http://www.GoldInk.com/winners-revealed
This year’s Gold Ink Award winners were chosen by nearly a 1,000 entries submitted within 50 different categories, including:
- Books
- Magazines
- Digital Printing
- Commercial Printing
- Packaging
- Catalogs
- Direct Mail
- Brochures
- Annual Reports
- Calendars
- Posters and many more!
Winning pieces were chosen based on print quality, technical difficulty and overall visual effect.
August 2017
AWT Labels & Packaging Wins Two packagePRINTING Excellence Awards
Minneapolis— AWT Labels & Packaging is the recipient of two packagePRINTING Excellence Awards– First Place: Sustainability-Labels, for the innovative structure and design of Green Bottle Compostable Water Bottle Label; and Second Place: Labels – Digital, for the complex printing of Natural Inspirations Sea Salt Citrus Ultra-Hydrating Hand Crème
First Place: Sustainability – Labels: Green Bottle Compostable Water Bottle Label. “In developing a 100% fully compostable label for the world’s first 100% compostable water bottle, we had to overcome registration, die cutting and ink curing challenges associated with running a clear biodegradable/compostable film on press. Of course, there were many trial and error steps on our road to success, but identifying solutions to each welcome challenge is what AWT is all about,” says AWT sales executive, Dave Tovar.
Second Place: Labels – Digital: Natural Inspirations Sea Salt Citrus Ultra-Hydrating Hand Crème. Complex, visual textures of blue and green combined with metallic accents give eye-catching depth and dimension to the majestic under-the-sea design. Label was printed on HP Indigo, with two passes through the Delta press, to imprint the silver and matte UV varnish.
August 2017
Sales Personnel Announcement at AWT Labels & Packaging, Minneapolis
Minneapolis—AWT is proud to announce that Blake Insteness has been promoted to Director of Business Development- Healthcare. Since joining the AWT team in September 2011, Blake has been a key contributor to the growth of the Healthcare segment by identifying innovative labels and packaging solutions for medical device companies and healthcare contract manufactures.
Since Dave Olson, “Dr. O’s,” retirement in early 2016, Blake has been AWT’s “go to-spokesperson” for Medical Device packaging. He is an active member of International Organization of Packaging Professionals (IOPP) and the Medical Device Resource Group (MDRG), a coalition of independent Twin Cities companies that collectively offer the broad expertise needed to get new medical devices to market – and support them once they’ve launched.
Blake is deeply networked in the Healthcare and OEM market segments from his 20+ years’ experience in package engineering and design across multiple industries. Blake is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Stout with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Industrial Technology with a packaging concentration.
June 2017
Sales Personnel Announcements at AWT Labels & Packaging, Minneapolis
Minneapolis—AWT Labels & Packaging is pleased to announce sales personnel additions.
Kenneth J. Franzwa
: Account Executive, specializing in Prime and Consumer Goods market segments. AWT welcomes Ken back to the AWT Minneapolis team after he spent time working as a Sales Account Manager at Esko, helping printing companies improve efficiency in their prepress departments. Prior to Esko, Ken worked at AWT Labels & Packaging (previously known as Advanced Web) in prepress and sales for nearly 17 years.
Michael Scott: Account Executive, concentrating on market segments that depend on Wet Wipes Packaging, Printed and Laminated Films. An award-winning sales professional, Mike brings AWT experience in all stages of package development, including the identification and selection of materials, qualification, pricing, artwork, and order processing.
AWT Labels & Packaging is proud to welcome Ken and Mike to the company. Their wealth of experience, product expertise and impeccable customer service skills truly complement their ability to build meaningful business relationships.
May 2017
Personnel Announcements at AWT Labels & Packaging, South Elgin Facility
South Elgin—AWT Labels & Packaging would like to announce personnel additions in their South Elgin, IL flexible packaging facility.
Doug Becker, Quality/Continuous Improvement Director. Doug joined the AWT South Elgin team on May 1, 2017. In his new role, Doug will further implement our SQF quality systems, develop standard work, and drive Research and Development. Doug brings extensive knowledge in Quality Assurance, Food Safety/Regulatory, and Technical Services. He has experience managing ISO based quality management systems (QMS), implementing current good manufacturing practices (GMP’s) based on GFSI, AIB, as well as HACCP programs for food, medical and pharmaceutical packaging.
Joe Urback, Plant Manager. Joe joined the AWT South Elgin team on April 24, 2017. He will lead his team in their ongoing mission to identify and implement improvements in processes and waste reduction programs. We look forward to having Joe share his 20+ years of management experience with AWT South Elgin.
AWT is proud to welcome Doug and Joe to our South Elgin team. Their deep experience and expert leadership will help AWT South Elgin onboard new business opportunities for the new 52-inch, 10-color, W&H Miraflex Central Impression Cylinder press. This state- of-the-art press has surface matte registration capabilities, auto ink station wash up and closed loop registration.
January 2017
AWT Labels & Packaging Launches New W&H Miraflex Central Impression Cylinder Press
South Elgin—AWT Labels & Packaging has a new 52” 10 color W&H Miraflex Central Impression Cylinder press at its South Elgin, Illinois facility. The new press is equipped with ten printing decks, automated wash up decks and several state-of-the-art setup reduction modules that allow for faster make readies and color changes, automated viscosity controls for more consistent print quality, and automated tension controls.
The press also
has the capability to register a top coat to an already printed design. The AVT system will provide automated sensing of visual defects while printing. The press can accept roll widths from 31.5 inches to 52 inches and can print an image up to 50 inches wide. The large repeat capabilities up to 31.5 inches will accommodate large format bags and pouches. Other features include:
- Print speed up to 1,300 ft./minute
- Auto registration
- Flying splices
- 100% print inspection
- Registered matte coatings
- Higher definition print quality
“This Press has the latest CIC features available and expands our capacity significantly.” said Mike Gallagher, Vice President and General Manager of the AWT South Elgin facility. “We intend to grow our complex film structure business in our existing market segments and allow us to expand into the Pet Foods and Gourmet Coffee segments too.”
Watch the press in action:
November 2016
AWT Labels & Packaging’s Vice President of Manufacturing presents at 2016 Flexographic Trade Association Fall Conference
Minneapolis—Ted Biggs, Vice President of Manufacturing at AWT Labels & Packaging was honored to be a presenter at the 2016 Flexographic Trade Association Fall Conference, October 10-12 at The Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville, KY.
Biggs led an interactive presentation titled A New Paradigm in Press Operator Training, addressing the dilemma between continued growth in the flexographic printing industry and the lack of trained press operators available to fill open positions. He provided resources to help employers identify qualified candidates and weighed in on various flexographic press training methods. While Biggs recommends hands-on training courses he acknowledges that there is a limited number of all-inclusive programs available. As a solution, AWT Labels & Packaging and Computype partnered to develop Flexographic Tech, a Nonprofit 501 C (3) corporation, dedicated to providing hands-on flexographic training programs. Other major sponsors of this important industry initiative include Platinum Level: Green Bay Packaging, Mark Andy, Eaglewood Technologies; Silver Level: Flint Group and UPM Raflatac; Bronze Level; Avery Dennison, Harper Corporation.
Flexographic Tech classes range from two days to three months, enabling students from across the country to receive intensive, hands-on flexographic press room training on a Mark Andy press supplemented with lectures and structured activities. Flexographic Tech provides an opportunity to work alongside competitors to develop trained operators. According to Manpower Group: For the sixth consecutive year, skilled trade vacancies are the hardest to fill in the U.S., and for the fourth consecutive year, skilled trade roles are the hardest to fill globally.
“It’s time to work together because training is needed to support the vitality and growth of the printing industry,” says Biggs.
Visit www.flexographictech.org to learn more about how to increase press operators’ skillsets by providing effective, hands-on training.
About FTA/FFTA: Flexographic Technical Association (FTA), chartered in 1958, is a professional society dedicated to bringing all members of the flexographic printing community—printers, suppliers, consumer product companies, institutions, prepress houses and others–together by providing opportunities for the free exchange of technical ideas and discussion of mutual concerns. It is a proponent of maintaining and advancing quality standards and includes 1,300 member sites that represent more than 35,000 individuals. Foundation of FTA, founded in 1974, is the educational arm of FTA and is dedicated to supporting and advancing the flexographic printing industry.
About Flexographic Tech: Flexographic Tech is a Minnesota Non-Profit 501 C (3) Corporation dedicated to providing flexographic press operators and others in the flexographic industry hands-on training that ranges from a 2-day color theory course to a 12-week deep dive of flexographic press operation, Flexo Tech is led by a nationally recognized instructor with over five years of teaching experience at Dunwoody Technical College. Flexo Tech’s mission is to provide the Midwest with a local source of training, filling the gap in the print industry’s need for qualified press operators. Flexographic Tech was founded and continues to be supported by AWT Labels & Packaging and Computype.
October 2016
AWT Labels & Packaging Wins Bronze in NJPEC’s Package of the Year in Personal Care Category
Minneapolis—The Bod Man Body Wash label printed by AWT Labels & Packaging was recently honored with the NJPEC Package of the Year Bronze award.
With the ever-expanding variety of body wash options available at the store, it’s critical for manufacturers to have product package and label designs that make a commanding visual impact. The modern, edgy packaging of Bod Man Body Wash immediately compels the consumer to pick up and explore its intricate design. Light bounces around the dramatic, geometric angles of the sapphire blue bottle, inspiring the consumer to rotate a full 360 degrees. The bold, foil Bod Man logo combined with metallic gradients catch the eye and ignite curiosity.
The award will be presented in New Jersey on November 17, 2016.
About NJPEC: NJPEC (New Jersey Packaging Executives Club) is an organization of packaging professionals who represent both manufacturers and client companies throughout the packaging industry, whose purpose is to share and promote packaging technologies and perpetuate the art and business of packaging. They are a cross section of packaging in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, household industrial and personal products industries.
September 2016
AWT Labels & Packaging to Install New Press
South Elgin—AWT Labels & Packaging will be installing a new 52” 10 color W&H Miraflex Central Impression Cylinder press at its South Elgin, Illinois facility. Installation begins in October with production scheduled for mid-November. The new press is equipped with ten printing decks, automated wash up decks and several state of the art setup reduction modules that allow for faster make readies and color changes, automated viscosity controls for more consistent print quality, and automated tension controls. The press also has the capability to register a top coat to an already printed design. The state of the art AVT system will provide automated sensing of visual defects while printing.
The press will accept roll widths from 31.5 inches to 52 inches and can print an image up to 50 inches wide. The large repeat capabilities up to 31.5 inches will accommodate large format bags and pouches.
“This Press has the latest CIC features available and expands our capacity significantly.” said Mike Gallagher, Vice President and General Manager of the AWT South Elgin facility. “We intend to grow our complex film structure business in our existing market segments and allow us to expand into the Pet Foods and Gourmet Coffee segments too.”
August 2016
AWT Labels & Packaging Personnel Announcements
Minneapolis—AWT Labels & Packaging would like to announce changes to their sales personnel effective as of July, 2016.
Nancy Brake: South Elgin Vice President of Operations. Nancy joined the South Elgin facility on April 25th, relocating from North Carolina and bringing extensive knowledge in the flexible packaging food, pharmaceutical, and industrial markets. Nancy has experience in areas of manufacturing, quality, safety, GMP, pricing and sales service, as well as a strong focus on lean manufacturing and continuous improvement. We are excited to welcome Nancy to our South Elgin team.
Brad Beskau: Minneapolis transition from Label Development/Project Manager to Sales. Brad has been with our Minneapolis facility since 2012, bringing valuable contributions to our pre-press group and most recently working as a project manager supporting the medical segment. His drive to identify his customers’ project requirements has enabled him to achieve a high level of results on a wide range of projects. In his new role, Brad will manage assigned accounts and assist the Medical Business Development Manager to grow the company’s Medical segment.
Nan Jaeger: Human Resource Generalist/Manager. Nan joined us in June as our new Human Resource Manager. Nan brings over 20 years of Human Resources management experience to AWT, and places a high value on communication and maintaining confidentiality and trust in the workplace. We look forward to having her as a part of our company.
April 2016
AWT Labels & Packaging Wins Bronze in NJPEC’s Package of the Year in Household/Industrial Category
Minneapolis—The Clorox® Antibacterial Soap label printed by AWT Labels & Packaging was recently honored with the NJPEC Package of the Year Bronze award.
There are options galore in the household cleaner aisle of local retailers. Products have to standout on shelf to generate the immediate purchase, and make a lasting impression to become a brand loyalist. Using shapely appeal, modern metallic color pops, and clear product messaging, the Clorox® label was strategically designed and printed to stand out amidst the masses.
The award was presented in New Jersey last November. AWT’s newest East Coast representative, Mike Dispenza, was in attendance to receive the award.
About NJPEC: NJPEC (New Jersey Packaging Executives Club) is an organization of packaging professionals who represent both manufacturers and client companies throughout the packaging industry, whose purpose is to share and promote packaging technologies and perpetuate the art and business of packaging. They are a cross section of packaging in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, household industrial and personal products industries.
February 2016
AWT Labels & Packaging Personnel Announcements
Minneapolis—AWT Labels & Packaging would like to announce changes to their sales personnel effective as of February, 2016.
Dave Olson: Minneapolis Sales. After 31 years in the labels & packaging industry, Dave Olson, a.k.a. Dr. O, is transitioning into retirement. Dave will be consulting for AWT for the next 22 months, ensuring his breadth of knowledge, specifically in the medical device community, continues.
Blake Insteness: Minneapolis Sales. With over two decades of experience as a leader in the packaging and labeling industry, Blake has worked alongside AWT personnel as a Packaging Engineer customer since 1995. After joining the AWT sales force in 2011, Blake has been collaborating closely with Dave Olson for the past two years as he takes on the succession as AWT’s medical device point person. Blake is already actively involved in both the Medical Device Resource Group (MDRG) and the Institute for Packaging Professionals (IOPP).
Mike Dispenza: New Jersey Sales. Mike joined the AWT team in the last quarter of 2015, bringing 25+ years working in the label and packaging industries. His career includes key roles in business development and national account management for a major label converter. Mike has focused in the markets of health and beauty, food and beverage, household products, and automotive brands.
Dave Tovar: Minneapolis Sales. Dave has a proven track record in developing and managing new business for multiple national accounts. His experience developing and managing flexographic packaging media for strategic national accounts across the United States equips him with a great strength to add to AWT’s talented and seasoned sales force.
AWT Labels & Packaging Helps Fortune 500 Company Win WorldStar Award
Minneapolis—A tear tab closure strip AWT Labels & Packaging assisted in both the design and manufacturing of has been give a WorldStar Award by the World Packaging Organization. The award was presented to the Fortune 500 company in Milan, Italy in the summer of 2015.
The ergonomically-designed strip provides easy access to med devices stored within a carton by simply pulling away from the packaging. The tab then stays attached to the carton, eliminating a loose piece that needs to find its way to a trash bin. The design is intuitive and user-friendly, an essential duo in any healthcare setting.
The Tear Tab previously won an Ameristar award in 2014 for its innovative and complex structure.
April 2015
AWT Labels & Packaging Adds Shrink Sleeve Capability
Minneapolis—AWT Labels & Packaging is now able to produce Shrink Sleeves on state of the art Karlville Sleeving equipment.
Shrink Sleeves have become increasingly popular based on the need for “eye catching” shelf appeal and durability of labels. The label, which is shrunk around the package, is a great choice for contoured bottles as the label is able to fit around all of the curves without tearing. Since the label covers the entire container, product graphics can wrap entire surface.
Shrink Sleeve labels are also a great option for attaching a sample to a product, combining 2-for-1 promotions or products that require a tamper evident solution.
March 2015
AWT Labels & Packaging Captures Seven Star of Excellence Awards
Minneapolis—AWT Labels & Packaging won a Best of Category, two Best of Class and four Certificate of Merit awards from the Printing Industry Midwest Star of Excellence competition.
AWT’s work for The Village Company earned them three Certificate of Merits for their Small Format Screen/Digital Printing labels. The Blissful Body collection by The Village Company also earned a Best of Class and a Best of Category for the Small Format Screen/Digital Printing category/class.
Norseman Distillery was another winner with one Certificate of Merit award for the Flex Narrow Web Labels and Wraps, Rolled Products/Pressure Sensitive class and one Best of Class.
The Star of Excellence Awards, a five-state printing competition hosted by the Printing Industry Midwest, honors those who have achieved excellence in the production of print communications. For more information about the Printing Industry Midwest and the Star of Excellence Awards, call Lola Faufau at 612.789.5504.
November 2014
AWT Labels & Packaging Honored With Two NJPEC Awards
Minneapolis—AWT Labels & Packaging was recently honored with two NJPEC Package of the Year awards.
AWT won a Technical Merit Award for their work on the Mrs. Meyer’s Dish Soap label and a Bronze Award for their work on UV Ready to Drink- Salty Watermelon. The Package of the Year Award honors the top packages in a variety of market segments.
To see all of the honors, visit Beauty Packaging.
About NJPEC: NJPEC (New Jersey Packaging Executives Club) is an organization of packaging professionals who represent both manufacturers and client companies throughout the packaging industry, whose purpose is to share and promote packaging technologies and perpetuate the art and business of packaging. They are a cross section of packaging in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, household industrial and personal products industries. Please visit NJPEC to read more about the organization.
October 2014
AWT Labels & Packaging is Featured as a Company to Watch
AWT Labels & Packaging was featured as a ‘Company to Watch’ by Label & Narrow Web. The story, which appeared in the October issue of the magazine, highlights where AWT Labels & Packaging has been and where it is going. Read the full story here.
August 2014
AWT Labels & Packaging Receives Narrow Web Print Award
Flint Group presented AWT with an award for their excellence in Narrow Web Print. The 10th annual awards honors companies around the world based on exceptional use of color, design and materials.
Flint Group 10th Annual Print Awards
July 2014
AWT Labels & Packaging Installs Mark Andy 17” P5 Press
Minneapolis— AWT Labels & Packaging installed a Mark Andy 17” P5 press July 21, 2014.
The new press is equipped with two screen units, ten UV units, cold foil, film package, full chill system and a rail for the turn bar and unwind/rewind units. It also features a Quick Change Die Cut System that allows die change overs in less than two minutes.
“The new P5 gives us the additional capacity and capabilities we need to continue to pursue our targeted markets. This is a very exciting and busy time for all of us at AWT as we continue to grow,” said Ted Biggs, Vice President of Manufacturing.
July 2014
AWT Labels & Packaging, Minneapolis, welcomes Kristy Lenartz, Customer Service/ Project Management Representative. Kristy brings over 10 years of experience in the flexographic label industry including customer service, pricing proposals, job planning and customer presentations.
AWT Labels & Packaging, South Elgin, welcomes Nancy Dean, Accounting Analyst. Nancy has been with AWT as a contract employee for the past several months, working as the accounting liaison between South Elgin and Minneapolis.
June 2014
Boston Scientific Corp. and AWT Labels & Packaging Win 2014 AmeriStar Award
Minneapolis—On June 10, 2014 the Institute of Packing Professionals presented AWT Labels & Packaging and Boston Scientific Corp. (BSC) with a 2014 AmeriStar Award for their innovative Tear Tab Closure.
The AmeriStar Award is presented annually to those considered to be ‘trailblazers in the packaging industry.’ The award “honors those packaging professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the packaging community, recognizing their foresight and innovative spirit.”
AWT and BSC partnered to solve various problems presented by their customers. The new design had to be easy to open one-handed, invisible to customers until it was to be opened and obvious to inventory managers during the restocking process. Additionally, it had to be easy to apply and be made of the same materials and adhesives as previous closure tabs.
May 2014
AWT Labels & Packaging, Minneapolis, welcomes Lindsay Percival, Marketing Specialist. Lindsay is a 2014 graduate of The College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in Communications. Lindsay has been a Communications and Marketing Intern for Peter Hill Design since May 2013, while completing her studies at St. Ben’s.
February 2014
AWT Labels & Packaging welcomes Michael Corbin, Sales Executive for the Southeast region, focusing on flexible packaging. Michael’s long career in the printing industry includes National/International Business Development in laminated films in the food, personal care and industrial markets, as well as shrink film business in the soft drink, flooring and food industry.
January 2014
AWT Labels & Packaging became Safe Quality Food (SQF) certified in their South Elgin, Illinois flexible packaging plant in January, 2014. SQF certification of the South Elgin plant was consistent with AWT’s commitment to well documented and implemented formal quality systems. AWT’s South Elgin flexible packaging plant was purchased in late 2011. “We are very proud of the South Elgin team and the effort they spent expanding and preparing documentation, implementing the quality systems, training the employees and completing the certification of the SQF quality program. I want to specially thank three employees for their dedication to this one year long project, Tony Zagaros, South Elgin Plant Manager, Julie Yang, Quality Systems Specialist and Doreen Praschak, AWT Director of Quality,”” Said Jim Lundquist, CEO, AWT Labels & Packaging.
November 2013
AWT Labels & Packaging, Minneapolis, welcomes Pete Bibelhausen, R&D Specialist. Pete’s expertise spans more than 25 years in R&D technical and project management within the inks, labels and packaging industry.
AWT Labels & Packaging, Minneapolis, welcomes Bruce Zutter, Lean Process/Continuous Improvement Coordinator. Bruce brings over 11 years of experience in Lean Operations/Continuous Improvement and is Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certified.
November 2013
Advanced Web, a worldwide provider of high quality labels, flexible packaging and converting, recently announced their new company name: AWT Labels & Packaging. The new brand name will more effectively position the company as a labeling and packaging provider.
CEO Jim Lundquist states that it’s time for the change. “Over the past several years our name, Advanced Web, became increasingly confusing because of the proliferation of the term ‘web’ in connection with internet software and services. We determined that ‘AWT Labels & Packaging’ more clearly tells our customers, prospects and others what we do.”
Reliable service and market expertise is at the center of what makes AWT Labels & Packaging an award-winning company. AWT Labels & Packaging offers deep expertise in five markets: medical, food & beverage, OEM/Industrial, household, personal care/health & beauty and specialty. The years of market-specific expertise comes through loud and clear in the company’s tagline, “Label Us Experts.” This tagline is integral to AWT’s rebranding efforts, and conveys the market expertise many labeling, converting and flexible packaging companies lack.
In conjunction with the rebranding, AWT Labels & Packaging has launched a redesigned website, which is now live at AWTLabelPack.com. The website features a wealth of information on their market expertise, certifications, and commitment to quality systems. Details of their products are also featured on the site and include, digital labels, flexo labels, flexible packaging, security labeling, and an array of specialty products.
June 2013
Advanced Web was recently selected for CSI’s 2012 Circle of Champions, which is a short list of top performing suppliers. This award recognizes Advanced Web for meeting Cardiovascular Systems, Inc’s criteria for excellence in supplier performance.
June 2013
Advanced Web Technologies, Minneapolis, welcomes Jeff McCoy, Sales Executive for the Midwest area. Jeff offices in Chicago and brings over 25 years in the label and flexible packaging.
Advanced Web Technologies, Minneapolis, welcomes Tony Zagaros, Quality and Process Project Engineer for both our South Elgin, IL and Minneapolis, MN facilities. Tony has more than 30 years of experience in labels and flexible packaging manufacturing.
November 2011
Standardizing Labels For Arthroplasty Devices
Manufacturers push back with concerns over label real estate and costs for multiple skus.
By Dave Olson
Vice President, Technical Sales
Advanced Web
A number of years ago when the FDA proposed nutrition labeling on all food packages, the angst and outcry were tremendous. Artistic directors were horrified that this box would have to be in a prominent place on their packages, operations folks wondered what kind of package modifications would be needed to accommodate this very specific info, and the bean counters lost sleep over the amount of money it would take to modify the thousands of SKUs that had to be managed.
In the end the change was implemented, the apocalypse was averted, and consumers have benefited from easy access to the nutritional content of what’s going into their bellies.
A similar standardization initiative is in process right now for standardized labeling of orthopedic arthroplasty devices, and the field of battle and debate is Committee F04 Medical and Surgical Materials and Devices, Subcommittee F04.22 Arthroplasty of ASTM International.
Article continued at PMPNews.com
October 2011
Advanced Web Technologies, LLC acquires US Converting, Inc.
Advanced Web Technologies, LLC, based in Minneapolis, MN announced today it has acquired the assets of US Converting, Inc. of South Elgin, IL.
Advanced Web is a pressure sensitive label and flexible packaging converter that serves the Medical Device, OEM, Prime and Specialty Product Markets. Through mergers and acquisitions, Advanced Web has been doing business since 1976.
US Converting, Inc. is a wide web flexible packaging converter that was established in 1985. As a superior quality printer and laminator, US Converting provides innovative solutions for customers in the consumer packaged goods industry.
“With the proven track record and expertise US Converting has in flexible packaging, we believe this merger will add tremendous value to our stakeholders. Our valued customers in both companies will directly benefit from the combined companies capabilities and expertise. US Converting will continue to operate at their current facility in South Elgin, IL. We look forward to working with the flexible packaging experts at US Converting to continue to expand both customer bases in the years to come.” says Kip Colwell, CEO of Advanced Web.
General Manager of US Converting, Mike Gallagher states , “We are very excited about joining Advanced Web. The business philosophies between the two companies are very similar and we anticipate great things to come from this new venture. I believe our employees, customers and suppliers will all benefit with this exciting news. By positioning US Converting with Advanced Web, we will be able to expand our customer base and provide our clients with expanded capabilities from both companies that are second to none.”
Advanced Web is known for delivering total applied cost solutions to customers with labeling and flexible packaging products. This is accomplished by using a variety of proven techniques and innovative methods. Advanced Web provides the creativity necessary to streamline and add flexibility to any labeling system. We produce products that stand up against the toughest conditions and the company’s proven knowledge and experience promotes and protects brands.
Advanced Web was named “companies to watch” by Label and Narrow Web magazine in October, 2010.
Interview Advanced Web CEO, Kip Colwell
October 2010
Advanced Web appears in Label & Narrow Web’s “Companies to Watch”.
Full article: Label and Narrow Web
In 2005, two label printing companies based in Minneapolis, MN, USA, merged to form a new company, Advanced Web. The new entity was able to condense four plants down to one, and now occupies an 80,000 square foot plant in the city. The company today enjoys post-recession growth in the double digits, and sees that continuing through 2011.
The two former companies were Advanced Web Technologies and Web Label, both narrow web flexo converters. The former was founded in 1991, the latter in 1976. John “Kip” Colwell had been president of Web Label, and continues at the helm of Advanced Web. Today the company prints with a digital press as well as flexo, and is deeply focused on meeting customer needs, Lean Manufacturing, and sustainability.
Advanced Web’s customer base ranges from local companies to multi-nationals. “Our business is across the continent, and we also distribute our products globally,” says Colwell. The company’s sales force is 100 percent in-house, based mostly in Minnesota with reps in Chicago and Dallas.
The customer focus at Advanced Web has evolved into the creation of a strong IT department and investment in a supplier managed inventory (SMI) program. “We have a portal that lets customers set up and look at whatever type of information they deem important about their print work,” he notes. “We manage their inventory, and a big part of our offering is the SMI program, either here or in their operation. We also have a logistics partner in Mexico.”
Customers have always been demanding, but as the recession weakens, Colwell sees that they are “even more focused on JIT and having as little inventory in their pipeline as possible. It continues to move in that direction. Yes, it’s an expense for us, and it’s also the reason we continue to make capital investments on tools to reduce the overall makeready and waste in our process.”
Colwell says that the company’s Lean Manufacturing journey began three and a half years ago, and was certainly a help during the recession. “It showed us the importance of eliminating any kind of waste. Not working harder but working smarter, standardizing work, focused on eliminating anything that isn’t needed in that process.”
The company continues to run multiple kaizen events and ongoing improvement events. “It has been a very strong part of our success,” says Colwell. “We work various events with our customers directly, so that they can learn the total applied cost, and help us understand how can we improve the overall cost structure: how we deliver, inventory, materials.
“We also have begun sending groups of employees out to visit our customers, so that they can learn how our product is being used,” Colwell adds. “So many people throughout our operation have never seen a bottling or automated production line, so they don’t know what happens when there’s an issue with our product at their plant. The customers enjoy the opportunity to show off their operations and talk about what they do, and why they do business with Advanced Web, and let employees see what’s going on.”
Advanced Web employs 133 people. “Like everyone else we were hit fairly hard at the end of 2008,” Colwell recalls. “We took the necessary steps, managers took pay cuts, the majority of our hourly folks started working 32 hours, and we were able to keep all of our skilled people here. Then in late spring of 2009 a couple of significant projects started, and we have been running quite strongly since then.” The company manufactures seven days a week with two 10-hour shifts Monday through Thursday, and a Friday to Sunday shift.
Sustainability is an active pursuit at Advanced Web. “We continue to look at how we can take not only waste out of our process, but continue to cut obsolescence for our customers,” says Colwell. “We have our waste hauled to a Minneapolis incinerator to help power and heat some of the city’s main buildings. Our challenge is getting to where we can recycle release liner. We have a couple of customers we are working with to get into the recycling program with TLMI.”
The company today is working toward ISO 14000 certification, addressing environmental management. Back in 2007 and early 2008, everyone was pushing sustainability,” Colwell recalls. “Then it stopped, when the recession began, and it’s starting now to come back. We have continued our programs, bringing different materials and constructions to our customers, recycled or recyclable material. We are just now again seeing them start to push for more environmentally sound products and practices.”
Advanced Web acquired an HP Indigo ws4500 digital press a couple of years ago to complement its flexo capabilities, which include Webtrons, Mark Andys, Aquaflex presses, and a 50” CI press. “The digital press has justified itself on cost reductions,” Colwell says. “We want to work closely with our customers, within their operations, handle everything from soup to nuts, whatever their needs might be. With the digital press we were looking at multi-color processes that could be 1,500 to 25,000 label runs. It shouldn’t matter to a customer how we run it, but it should sharpen our position, serve as another tool for us. We have been able to utilize the digital press in marketing, telling customers that we can handle whatever their needs are, from the very shortest difficult jobs to the longest.” Today the press is running two shifts a day.
The company’s next press is already on order: A P5 Performance press from Mark Andy. “We’re really looking forward to the makeready speed and cost improvements it will bring to the process,” Colwell says. — Jack Kenny
March 2010
Advanced Web Receives Top Award in Statewide Print Competition
Advanced Web received an award for outstanding achievement in “Digital Printing – On Demand” in the annual Star of Excellence Awards, a statewide printing competition hosted by the Printing Industry of Minnesota, Inc., the state’s trade association for printing, communication and graphic arts industry.
Competing against entries from printing and graphic arts firms throughout the state, Advanced Web received four awards in total, including the highest award possible for Best of Category. The company’s golden submission was in the “Digital Printing – On Demand” category for their customer, 45th Parallel Spirits, LLC. Their Midwest American Vodka label also received a “Best of Class” award in the same category.
Other awards for Advanced Web include a “Best of Class” for our flexographic work for the Minnesota State Lottery, as well as a “Certificate of Merit” for our Caribou Coffee Series.
PIM President David Radziej comments, “This was a close competition with a very impressive standard of entries. The judging process was very challenging. Advanced Web should be proud of their achievement and the excellent work done by their employees.”
The Star of Excellence Awards recognizes those responsible for the creation and production of print communications in Minnesota. The competition promotes excellence in print communications and rewards companies and individuals who produce the best in print media.
PIM is the association of choice for the graphic arts industry, representing Minnesota’s second largest manufacturing industry, with more than 75,000 jobs and $6.1 billion in annual sales.
June 2009
Advanced Web Celebrates 10th Year as 3M ESPE Award Recipient
For ten consecutive years, Advanced Web has met stringent requirements in order to maintain the 3M ESPE Dental Products Division Certification. The 3M ESPE Certification recognizes Advanced Web as a provider of innovative dental services, as well as being a dedicated partner to the highest possible standards of dentistry. Advanced Web is proud to be considered one of 3M’s top, valued suppliers and will continue to manage the account with streamlined efficiency in on-time delivery, receipt quality and administrative accuracy. As Advanced Web looks to the future, they have their sights set on yet again achieving an overall rating of 99% across all of 3M’s measured attributes. With each label printed, Advanced Web is driven to deliver practical and ingenious solutions that make a difference in dental practices across the globe.
November 2008
Advanced Web LLC is pleased to announce our certification as a Great Printer by the Printing Industry of Minnesota, PIM.
The PIM Great Printer Environment Initiative is a voluntary program aimed at increasing environmental, health and safety compliance and pollution prevention within the printing industry. A printer that chooses to participate in the PIM Great Printer Environmental Initiative is one that has demonstrated that minimize their company’s impact on human health and the environment.
The are three criteria companies must meet before qualifying for the program:
- Commit to the PIM Great Printer Environmental Initiative Principles
- Complete an Environmental, Health and Safety Compliance Audit
- Pursue Beyond Compliance Projects.
Michelle Zeller, CFO of Advanced Web says, “Qualifying as a Great Printer is a big step towards achieving our sustainability goal and reducing the impact we have on our envirionment, but it is not the only initiative we have planned.”