FPA Flexible Packaging Scholarship & Internship Program: Class of 2010
Jen-Coat, Incorporated Joins FPA
FPA Publishes 2010-211 U.S. Flexible Packaging Converters Directory
Call for Entries: 2011 FPA Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards
FPA Issues 2009 Operating Ratios Report

FPA Flexible Packaging Scholarship & Internship Program: Class of 2010

FPA awards $12,000 in academic scholarships to packaging and printing school students successfully completing summer internships with FPA converter members.

This summer, packaging and printing school students Dan Blackburn, Scott Evers, Kelly Peters, and Rachel Wisth successfully completed flexible packaging internships with FPA converter members American Packaging Corporation, Berry Plastics Corporation, CL&D Graphics, and Constantia Hueck Foils LLC. Selected from a competitive pool of applicants, each intern received an academic scholarship valued at $3,000.

The FPA Flexible Packaging Summer Internship & Academic Scholarship Program provides packaging and printing schools students with career enriching internships that expose them to the diverse industry of flexible packaging. Since 2005, through the Program, FPA has awarded $72,000 in flexible packaging academic scholarships to students successfully completing internships with FPA converter members. 

Active from the Start
During his internship at Berry Plastics Corporation’s facility in Macedon, NY, Clemson University student Daniel Blackburn was involved with a number of process logistics, and control and production projects. “My internship was very active from the start.  I worked with my supervisor to develop a new specification template and guidelines for new equipment. I also participated in several sample testing projects. This internship helped me to realize that I definitely selected the right major, and career field. I certainly can see myself being challenged and successful in the flexible packaging industry,” commented Dan.

A Career Benefit
Participating in a summer internship with American Packaging Corporation at their Story City, IA facility, Scott Evers, a student at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, completed tasks that helped him expand his knowledge and gain a greater appreciation of the flexible packaging manufacturing process. “I enjoyed my internship very much. Settling into duties was a very easy process thanks to the guidance of my supervisor and the support of the American Packaging Corporation team. This internship has been very beneficial to my education and career,” said Scott.

Excited to Learn
During her internship, Kelly Peters, a student at Western Michigan University, was very eager to learn more about flexible packaging production. Kelly participated in a summer internship with Constantia Hueck Foils at their Blythewood, SC facility.

“I enjoyed working on the production floor, which provided me with a visual understanding of flexible packaging manufacturing. I enjoyed being a part of the Constantia Hueck Foils team and learning about ink re-formulations and the organization of systems used for ink matching,” said Kelly. 

Unique Exposure
Participating in a summer internship with CL&D Graphics at their Oconomowoc, WI facility, Rachel Wisth, also a student at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, completed projects in the printing and graphics department, as well as the marketing department.

“I learned so much about flexographic printing. Working hands-on with flexible substrates and printing applications is an experience that I would not have obtained in the classroom. I’m very grateful for this opportunity,” said Rachel.

For more information about the Program, visit the FPA Web site at www.flexpack.org or contact FPA at (410) 694-0800.

Jen-Coat, Incorporated Joins FPA

The Flexible Packaging Association is pleased to announce that Jen-Coat, Incorporated, a division of Packaging Solutions Holding, Incorporated, has joined the association. This FPA converter member supplies the food packaging, health care and industrial markets with a wide range of extrusion coated and laminated, printed, metalized, and adhesive laminated structures. Products include sugar/sugar sub packets, paper/ foil laminations, film/foil laminations, composite can liners, coated nonwovens, QSR wrap, release liners, and many other specialty packaging materials.

Jen-Coat’s headquarters are located in Westfield, Massachusetts. The company’s FPA official representative is Harold Bevis, President and CEO; and the FPA alternative representative is Tim French, COO. For more information,visit www.jencoat.com. 

FPA Publishes 2010-2011 U.S. Flexible Packaging Converters Directory

The 2010-2011 FPA U.S. Flexible Packaging Converters Directory details the manufacturing capabilities and contact information of 411 FPA members and non-member flexible packaging converters. The Directory also includes brief descriptions of FPA supplier members. The Directory is a benefit of FPA membership and is available in the “Members Only” Section of the FPA Web site,www.flexpack.org. 

Mark Your Calendars!

FPA meetings offer educational programs and great networking opportunities with industry peers. Be sure to mark your calendar for these upcoming FPA events:  

2011 FPA Environmental Summit and Safety Conference
February 9-11, 2011
TradeWinds Resort
St. Petersburg Beach, Florida
The FPA 2011 Environmental Summit and Safety Conference will be held February 9-11, 2011. The conferences will explore regulatory issues impacting the flexible packaging industry. Open to both FPA members and non-members, these events offer attendees an excellent opportunity to network with U.S. EPA and OSHA officials, industry experts and peers.

2011 FPA Annual Meeting
March 9-11, 2011
Ritz Carlton Golf Resort
Naples, Florida
FPA’s 2011 Annual Meeting will be held March 9-11, 2011 at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, Florida. The meeting will include general sessions that focus on industry-specific issues, networking opportunities and the presentation of the 2011 Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards’ winning entries and Innovation Showcase. 

Call for Entries: 2011 FPA Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards

Annual competition honors flexible packaging design, technical innovation, sustainability, and printing achievement 

Showcase your company’s most innovative flexible packaging solutions by entering the 2011 FPA Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards Competition. This annual competition, sponsored by the Flexible Packaging Association, honors the best of the best in flexible packaging design and structure, technical innovation, environmental and sustainability achievements, and advancements in graphics and printing. The deadline to submit entries is Monday, November 22, 2010.

The 2011 FPA Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards Call for Entries provides an overview of the Achievement Awards program, the competition rules including eligibility requirements and entry fees, complete instructions on how to enter, and the official entry forms that must be submitted to FPA. Copies (PDF) of the 2011 Call for Entries are available on the FPA website,www.flexpack.org. 

Winning entries will be announced on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 during the Welcome & Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards, which will be held in conjunction with the 2011 FPA Annual Meeting at the Ritz Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, FL (March 9-11, 2011).

The Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards Competition is one of the most respected contests honoring achievements and advancements within the flexible packaging industry.  Winning competition entries are recognized and featured in various domestic and international trade publications. In addition, FPA publishes the Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards & Innovation Showcase, which includes photos and descriptions about all the entries and winning packages, and provides details about package manufacturers, end-users/customers, designers, and key suppliers.

For more information, contact the Flexible Packaging Association at (410) 694-0800 or fpa@flexpack.org. 

FPA Issues 2009 Operating Ratios Report

The 2009 Operating Ratios Report, produced by the Flexible Packaging Association, provides an annual review of operating expenses for flexible packaging converters. Data within the Report is provided to assist flexible packaging converters benchmark their overall performance, as well as, key operating factors and expense components, with that of other flexible packaging converters. The Report is a benefit of FPA membership and is available to FPA converter members that participated in the 2009 Operating Ratios Report Survey. FPA is pleased to report that 52% of FPA converter members participated in the survey.

The 2009 Operating Ratios Report also offers a view of the flexible packaging industry with additional perspective on both total employees, and factory versus non-factory employees; Data regarding profitability, materials, and key operating statistics (for survey participants); and, information on key expense components as a percentage of net sales (2005-2009).

For more information about the 2009 Operating Ratios Report and other FPA business and economic reports including, the State of the Flexible Packaging Industry Report, the Industry Earnings Report, the Pulse of the Industry Report, and the Industry Compensation Report, contact FPA at (410) 694-0800 or visit the FPA Web site,www.flexpack.org.