Mark Andy Event Spotlights Label and Packaging Trends
Mark Andy event welcomed over 170 attendees from 16 countries and four continents
Automation, digital transformation and sustainability were the focus as narrow- and mid-web printing and finishing equipment manufacturer Mark Andy held an open house event on 12 June at its European Technology Center in Warsaw, Poland. The event, which marked the opening of the facility, also featured the European premiere of the company's Series S9 flexo press alongside demonstrations of its hybrid and digital solutions.
Duane Pekar, Mark Andy CEO
erving as a prelude to the upcoming Labelexpo Europe, which runs from 16-19 September in Barcelona, Spain, the event's program was designed to showcase technological capabilities of modern label and packaging production in practice. Over 170 attendees from 16 countries and four continents specialising in narrow-web printing were present.
Anke Frieser-Tausch, head of the German flexo association, the DFTA's Technology Centre, spoke at the event about the future of the label and packaging industry alongside the trends impacting the sector, including digitalisation, automation and the need to comply with ESG requirements. Magdalena Fertsch-Slek, an expert in GS1 standards, introduced attendees to the concept of Product Digital Passport. She explained how this EU initiative will "revolutionise" the way products are identified and tracked throughout their lifecycle, from production and logistics to recycling, with major implications for packaging and labelling across industries.
A Q&A session featuring Duane Pekar, Mark Andy's CEO, Tom Cavalco, Mark Andy's vice president of international sales, Ms Frieser-Tausch and Ms Fertsch-Slek, shared insights on the global geopolitical issues impacting print businesses and supply chains. Other topics discussed included Mark Andy's R&D activity in hybrid production.
Q&A session during Mark Andy Europe open house
Those in attendance were also able to witness Mark Andy's Performance Series S9 flexo press integrated with a Rotoflex VLI rewinder. The company said that attendees also showed strong interest in other flagship solutions from its portfolio, including the hybrid Digital Series HD HighSpeed 1200 and the Evolution Series E5 flexo press. The technology on display also included Mark Andy's ProWorx Label Suite workflow software, developed to automate processes, streamline production and improve overall print shop efficiency.
Mr. Pekar told attendees at the open house of the company's plans to continue investing in its local structures to stay close to its customers and respond quickly to their evolving needs. He said that the new opening of the European Technology Center is more than just symbolic, it is a tangible answer to market growth, direction and rising customer expectations in Europe.
Mr. Cavalco added: "It is a space designed to offer real support to customers for testing, training and consulting. Our latest investment in expanding the facility is a strategic response to the growing demands of the global label and packaging market and the dynamic changes occurring across the print industry."