11 February 2013

BPIF Labels AGM and Visit to CPI Sedgefield

BPIF Labels AGM and Visit to CPI Sedgefield

On 6^th February BPIF labels held their AGM at the offices of CPI (Centre for Process Innovation Limited) in Sedgefield. In total 20 label converters and suppliers attended. At the AGM Chairman John Bambery informed those present of the achievements that have been made over the past 12 months. We have held 2 well supported technical seminars and published a definitive Good Manufacturing Guide for the printing of labels and related packaging for the food, drinks and sensitive products sectors. This guide sought to address the issues surrounding ink migration. For the coming year there will be 2 technical seminars which will be incorporated with the 2 annual golf days.  The first seminar will have a conventional bias and be held at Breadsall Priory, Derbyshire on 21^st and 22^nd May.  The second seminar which will have a digital printing theme will be held at The Forest of Arden, Warwickshire on 8^th and 9^th October. In addition work will start on 2 more Good Manufacturing Guides. One will tackle the issue of Waste Management and the other concerning label specifications. Representatives from both sides of industry will be chosen to help draft these guides which it is hoped will be published in early 2014.

Following on from the AGM the group were informed about the services that CPI have to offer.  An outline was presented by Alan McClelland Commercial Manager and there then followed, a detailed presentation of the type of products that CPI have been prototyping, by Neil Porter ISS Technical Print Manager.  A practical example of what has been achieved was then given by Richard Price of Pragmatics.  Full details of all these presentations are available on the BPIF labels web site www.bpiflabels.org.uk

There then followed a tour of the facility and Neil Porter explained the equipment that had been installed and the achievements that have been made so far.  The facility was unique in that all prototyping and production sampling is being carried out on standard production equipment the main item being a Nilpeter 6 colour 330mm wide press fitted out with UV Flexo, Gravure, Silk Screen and Litho print heads plus a DEK 248 lineo pick and place machine. CPI was anxious to keep industry informed of the prototyping that is being developed and the production samples that are being produced. They need to know what companies would be prepared to take any of these developments to full production. John Bambery agreed that BPIF labels would become a clearing house and keep a record of those companies who were willing to become involved in this process. It would appear that this facility is keeping the UK firmly ahead in the area of printed electronics and some of the possibilities shown were really inspirational. If any company wishes to know more about this please contact [email protected] for further details.

John A. Bambery, Non-executive Chairman  [email protected]

Notes to Editors:

The British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF)

The BPIF is the principal business support organisation representing the UK print, printed packaging and graphic communication industry. It is one of the country's leading trade associations. The federation strives to ensure their members' requirements come first.

Through listening to their needs they have developed an unrivalled range of products and services that go well beyond those provided by a traditional trade association.

They provide the highest standard of support for printers to grow and develop healthy, sustainable and profitable businesses, aiming to provide an environment geared towards their businesses success.  The BPIF offer practical, value-adding solutions for all areas of a print organisation, ranging from Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality issues; with the implementation of HR requirements; provide resolutions of technical or legal issues; as well as advice and support on marketing, sales and finance. This is all delivered by individuals and teams of highly skilled and experienced print industry specialists.

They also offer a wide range of opportunities for networking both regionally and nationally, including prestigious events, special interest groups and popular short courses on a wide range of topics.

For more information on the BPIF, visit: www.britishprint.com