INDUSTRY NEWS:
Esko and Artwork Systems to Join Forces to Consolidate Packaging Strengths

Esko and the three principal shareholders of Artwork Systems have reached an agreement whereby Esko and Artwork Systems will combine their operations. The resulting new entity, with estimated 2007 revenues in excess of 180 million euros and a combined workforce of close to 1,000 professionals, consolidates the market leadership of both companies in packaging and printing preproduction products and services.

The strategic rationale for the transaction stems from a desire to better utilize each company's complementary strengths in the packaging and commercial printing market segments, complementary expert sales and support channels, and global customer bases. The physical integration will constitute moving the Artwork Systems personnel from their Ghent, Belgium, office into Esko's headquarters, which is only three miles away in Ghent.

"From a cultural perspective, we do not see too many challenges in integrating the business," says Carsten Knudsen, CEO of Esko. Guido Van der Schueren, Artwork Systems' chairman of the board, agrees, noting: "In more than 70% of Artwork Systems' customer base, there is no overlap."

On August 2nd, the three principal shareholders of Artwork Systems Group NV signed an agreement to sell their shares in Artwork Systems Group NV to Esko NV. The transaction enables the combination of the operations of Artwork Systems with those of Esko, a group controlled by the Danish private equity fund Axcel. In recent years, Esko has been growing the breadth of their business with new products and new partnerships to be an end-to-end solution provider for packaging and commercial printing processes.

Currently, Esko is the leading global system integrator to the packaging pre-production industry, and Artwork Systems is a leader in integrated or complete software solutions for pre-press. The target date for completion of the purchase of the shares is August 9, 2007. The three founders of Artwork Systems have expressed their support for the combination as they believe that joining forces with Esko is the right solution and provides the optimal basis for securing future growth and development of Artwork Systems.

"We are completing these product offerings to our customers," says Knudsen, "enabling them to take control of the entire process." Knudsen believes that both companies are on the same page in terms of the high value they place on customer service. There are no immediate plans for new products or services associated with the merger, aside from the streamlining of their business and sales processes.

Carsten Knudsen, who is currently the CEO of Esko-Graphics A/S, will become the CEO of the combined group. Guido Van der Schueren, who is currently the chairman of the board of directors of Artwork Systems Group NV, will become the Chief Commercial Officer leading the new group's integrated marketing and sales operations. Together with Carsten Knudsen, Guido Van der Schueren will form the Executive Management Board, and both will serve as Executive Directors on the Supervisory Board of Esko.

DESIGN:
Rexam's Low Profile Pumps Are Integral to the Package Design of Two Beauty Brands

Rexam helped Lavanila Laboratories selected the 15 mm crimpless Low Profile Pump (LPP), in satin silver, for its debut of a three-item range of natural fragrances. Calvin Klein Inc. and its fragrance licensee Coty have selected Rexam's Super Low Profile Pump (SLPP)—featuring The Crimpless System—for its CKin2u fragrances for men and women.

Positioned as "the premier healthy fragrance," Lavanila Laboratories fuses the concepts of "luxury fragrance" and "natural science." Working closely with the Lavanila product development team, Rexam Dispensing Systems designed the pump and cap around the company's distinctive, tall and narrow glass bottle. The result is a package that offers enhanced shelf-appeal and underscores the brand's core attributes—sensual, natural, eco-friendly and "worry-free."

Targeting the sought-after 20-something, ultra-hip "millennial" generation, CKin2u is this decade's sequel to the iconic, '90s favorite—CK One. To help ensure the commercial success of this important launch, Calvin Klein selected Rexam's SLPP TCS 13 mm for all three sizes, for both Men's and Women's fragrances. Further, Rexam developed custom anodizing for men (blue) and women (gold). These colors match the top of the caps and the actual color of the fragrance.

The super low profile pump (SLPP) developed by Rexam Dispensing Systems offers optimal transparency and neutrality, along with a modern, sleek profile. In combination with the SLPP mechanism's glass ball and absence of elastomers, the pump both enhances neutrality and provides dynamic, clean, on-shelf appeal—thanks to the lowest profile appearance in the fragrance market.

STRUCTURE:
Multi-Component Bottles Create a Functional Circular Design Platform

The dynamically different Eros bottles from Siloa Inc. create a unique inter-connected circular presentation that enables a brand family to capture attention within the crowded mass luxury market. The visually connected circular palette evokes powerful emotional expectations as it extends an invitation to experience four related same-brand products.

Each quarter-turn bottle features two 90º sides and an arc. The marketer, retailer, or shopper is able to assemble mix and match products in same size or graduated sizes to form an attractive and compelling circle presentation of multi-use products. Bottles can be mixed or matched in same-height or multi-height groupings. Individual bottles are available in 2 oz., 4 oz., 6 oz., and 8 oz. sizes.

Yorker Packaging's Injection-Molded Squeeze Tubes Offer Design Flexibility

Plastic squeeze tubes are a fast-growing segment in consumer, personal care, and industrial packaging. Surprisingly, however, only a small percentage of products are currently being packed in squeeze tubes despite market research indicators that reinforce consumers' preference for tubes over bottles. The reason for this underproduction is attributed to the high cost of tube manufacturing (compared to alternative packaging) and the lack of design flexibility and innovation that product manufacturers desire.

Yorker Packaging, a division of Jarden Plastic Solutions and leading specialty packaging provider, has introduced an injection-molded tube technology that is less expensive and overcomes many of the existing limitations of traditional tube-making technology. "This new injection-molded technology allows us to manufacture multi-dose plastic squeeze tubes with novel shapes and profiles, attention-getting designs, and innovative decorating options," said Jim Smeaton, director of Yorker Packaging. "The tubes offer significant cost advantages and their quality and performance is as good, or better, than tubes made from current extrusion technology."

With this new innovation in tube making, Smeaton says Yorker Packaging can now provide makers of personal care products, cosmetics, toiletries, food, adhesives, and sealants with tubes that have textured and embossed surfaces, in-mold labeling, and even integral closures. Smeaton adds that food manufacturers will definitely benefit from the technology's hot and warm fill process resistance.

MATERIAL:
Sonoco Introduces Versatile UltraPeel™ Retort Membrane End

Sonoco, one of the largest diversified global packaging companies, continues to make life easy for consumers and consumer product companies with the launch of its UltraPeel™ retort membrane end, a robust, peelable membrane closure designed specifically for heat-and-eat food applications. The UltraPeel retort membrane end is the first such closure manufactured in the Americas, delivering enhanced convenience to consumers while accommodating the rigors of thermal processing.

Sonoco Phoenix, Sonoco's leading technology ends and closure manufacturing division, is producing the UltraPeel retort membrane end in a 211-diameter with plans for 307- and 401-diameter ends using proprietary technology. This new product is the result of Sonoco's combined technical expertise in retortable laminated structures and convenience closures.

The UltraPeel retort membrane end is a membrane structure heat sealed to an aluminum ring. The closure has lower opening forces than conventional scored convenience ends, has no sharp edges and utilizes current double-seam technology requiring minimal seamer modifications. According to Howard Coker, Sonoco Phoenix division vice president and general manager, the UltraPeel retort membrane end gives consumer product companies and food processors a new high-performance, peelable closure option for the fast growing heat-and-eat food category.

The low opening force of this end is a significant benefit to consumers. Less force is required to remove the UltraPeel retort membrane end than ring-pull ends, making it simpler for children, older adults and those with physical conditions like arthritis to remove from the container. Additionally, the folded rim and pliable membrane offer the ultimate in cut protection. Sonoco Phoenix can print random and registered graphics on the UltraPeel retort membrane end using up to eight colors. This creates opportunities for branding, promotional messages or instructions.

SUSTAINABILITY NEWS:
HBA Global Expo to Feature Sustainability Conference Session

This year's HBA Global Expo, September 18-20 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City, will feature a special session entitled "Sustainable Packaging." Moderated by Package Design's Group Publisher, Christopher Lyons, the session will feature companies at the forefront of reducing waste and being environmentally conscious in the beauty and personal care arena. This session will provide a solid framework for attendees to plan and implement their own sustainable packaging initiatives.

Speaking on this panel will be Joe Grady, Vice President Divisional Merchandise Manager, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. discussing "Wal-Mart's Sustainable Packaging Network;" Sara Hartwell, Environmental Specialist, EPA Office of Solid Waste discussing "Energy and Climate Implications Of Sustainable Packaging;" and John Delfausse, VP, Estée Lauder, Packaging Development - Sustainable Packaging Coalition addressing "The Sustainable Packaging Coalition: Your Answers to Sustainability."

The conference session will be on Tuesday, September 18, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. There will be time for Q&A's on making environmentally conscious product packaging decisions.
Register today online at www.hbaexpo.com and receive substantial savings on the conference program fees and free admission to the HBA Exhibit floors that feature hundreds of leading international suppliers of prestige and mass market packaging components including glass, plastic, metal, pumps, delivery systems, labels, and decoration; point of sale displays, and design houses.

Save the Date — December 5th "Designing for Sustainable Packaging" Webinar

This special two-and-a-half hour sustainability webinar will feature up-to-date insights into the market forces affecting package design and sustainability. Package Design Magazine and the Sustainable Packaging Coalition will cohost the event, and the speakers include:

• Anne Johnson, Director, Sustainable Packaging Coalition
• Martha Leflar, Project Manager, Sustainable Packaging Coalition
• Dr. Elise L. Amel, Industrial-Organizational Psychologist, University of St. Thomas
• Dr. Christie Manning, Cognitive & Biological Psychologist, Center for Global Environmental Education
• Dr. Pamm Smith, Professor of Economics, University of Minnesota
• Garth T. Hickle, Product Stewardship Team Leader, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• Curt McNamara, P.E., Product Design Engineer, o2 Global Sustainable Design Network
• Wendy Jedlicka, CPP, President, Jedlicka Design Ltd.
• Holly Robbins, Creative Manager, Target Corporation
• Debra Darby, Metabolix
• Scott Ballantine, Microsoft

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Pat Harrington Joins Zeller Plastik to Lead Strategy and Marketing Development

Global Closure Systems (GCS), one of the world's largest suppliers of plastic and metal closing and dispensing systems, announces Pat Harrington has joined the Zeller Plastik Inc. USA division. In leading strategy and market development, Harrington will spearhead all marketing efforts for the U.S. office, including support for Zeller Plastik's focus on developing innovative products and entering new markets.

"Pat brings an extensive history of driving marketing strategies in the packaging industry," says Paul Davis, director of sales and marketing. "We are looking forward to leveraging her marketing experience at Zeller Plastik." Harrington joins GCS after holding strategy and marketing leadership positions with USA Strategies and Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation. Throughout her career, she has managed a variety of functions including integrated marketing strategy, market research, marketing materials, web and on-line marketing, trade shows and exhibits, advertising, and sales support.

The Bonne Bell Company Awarded Coca-Cola's Licensee of the Year

The Coca-Cola Company's recognized the Bonne Bell Company as Licensee of the Year for its 2006 "refreshing" partnership that pairs Lip Smacker, the original fun-flavored lip gloss, with iconic Coca-Cola brands. Coca-Cola Lip Smackers offer consumers the authentic taste of their favorite beverage flavors in a lip gloss that's as good for their lips as it tastes.

Coca-Cola is the best known brand in the world, and Smackers is the No. 1 favorite lip gloss among girls with a proven success in developing flavorful partnerships. The award recognizes The Bonne Bell Company's commitment to quality relationships that strengthen the equity of their partners' brands. The companies were introduced during the 2006 Holiday Season and created a lot of excitement within The Bonne Bell Company and its retailers.

Entries Are Now Being Accepted for the 2007 Mobius Awards

Sometimes the most creative package design results from updating an old package, and the 2007 Mobius Awards recognizes this with its Package Redesign category. In addition to the redesign category, Mobius presents Best of Show awards in all of the media categories, so Package Design entrants have a shot at a top recognition. Last year, Design Bridge, London, won the highest honor for its Macallan Amber bottle.

An awards gala will take place in Los Angeles in February, 2008. More information is available at www.mobiusawards.com, which includes online and offline entry kits. Entry packages must be postmarked on or before October 1, 2007. Mobius Awards offers entry to all Media Types. Mobius also has a Student category.

The Pentawards Design Competition Extends the Deadline

Good news for those still wishing to enter the First Pentawards Packaging Design Competition. The awards organization has extended the deadline for this international competition 10 days until midnight August 10th. Visit http://pentawards.org/ for rules and entry forms.