Fast-paced change in the label production market prompted the creation of the new FINAT European Label Forum, which attracted more than 300 participants from Europe and beyond.
Replacing the long-established annual FINAT congress and held in Amsterdam from 11-13 June, the FINAT European Label Forum represented all stages of the complex label value chain and placed a strong emphasis on business concerns – particularly running a profitable business in today’s economic environment. It covered a variety of disciplines, from branding and marketing to innovation, technology, manufacturing, and corporate affairs.
“The definition and role of labels has changed dramatically in recent years with the advent of new product decoration technologies, from sleeves and in-mould labels to printed electronics,” explains Jules Lejeune, Managing Director of FINAT. “With a customer base of brand owners and retailers that is increasingly international, and a world of consumers who are social and online media experts, this is indeed a challenging scenario for label converters. And with the task of achieving change firmly placed on label converters, Europe’s industry association, FINAT, has both the desire and the duty to create a new informational and educational platform for its members.”
The forum featured three in-depth parallel tracks on different business topics – sales, marketing and PR; technology and manufacturing; and management and corporate.
Lars Wallentin, a well-known veteran in brand packaging and the creator of the Packaging Sense platform pointed out that ‘packaging is advertising – it’s talking to people!’
Constantia Flexibles’ VP, marketing, and current chair of TLMI, Dan Muenzer, detailed developments in product decoration technologies that compete with mainstream self-adhesive labelling, including linerless labels, flexible packaging, refillable pouches, sleeving of all kinds, direct print, pre-glued wraps, cans, in-mould labels, personalisation, NFC, and printed electronics, as well as container developments such as paper bottles, and the many different recycling options available today.
Onno Ponfoort of global management and business consultants Berenschot spoke about the impact of 3D printing, or additive manufacturing.
Delegates also participated in a hands-on lean manufacturing workshop and the event also included a supplier tabletop exhibition as well as the 2015 FINAT Label Competition and Recycling Awards.
