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Filed under: General Business Topics --- khevenor @ 12:52 PM

Much has been written about the competition from overseas service providers, but not much has been said about competition from overseas consumers. A recent article in Advertising Age magazine explains that as the spending power of consumers in emerging countries grows, marketing professionals are turning their attention to these high-growth areas and consumer packaged goods companies (CPGs) will be spending more of their marketing dollars overseas. Could this be a "double whammy" for U.S. converters and package printers? Not only will we see manufacturers looking for lower labor costs overseas, but we will see the design and marketing dollars that relate to those products moving as well. In the continued uncertainty of the U.S. economy, we can't afford to let any of this business slip away, so expertise, differentiation, and stellar customer service will be required to keep the work here. Will it work or is it too late?
- Keith Hevenor
Editorial/Conference Director
CMM International

Filed under: General Business Topics --- khevenor @ 12:55 PM

Much has been written lately about the environmental and economic effects of bottled water. Some groups claim that irresponsible disposal and inadequate recycling of these bottles is causing an environment crisis. Some claim that carbon effects of producing and shipping these bottles is the problem. Some claim that increasing reliance on bottled water is rendering this country's staggering capital investment in potable tap water useless.
An article in Time magazine this summer looks at some of the issues, while a recent story in Packaging World also looks at the pros and cons of bottled water.
I don't have the necessary knowledge to argue the environmental implications of our culture's obsession with bottled water, but I have always been puzzled by our willingness to pay so much for something we can get free almost anywhere. In most cases, a bottle of water costs the same or more than a bottle of soda or juice, which obviously required additional ingredients and processing. I guess it's sort of like our ridiculously overpaid professional athletes--as long as people are willing to pay, the costs will continue to go up.
Let me know what you think.

- Keith Hevenor
Editorial/Conference Director
CMM International

Filed under: General Business Topics --- khevenor @ 08:37 AM

Two years ago on this blog,a very interesting dialog took place. Sparked by a thought-provoking post from PFFC Editor Yolanda Simonsis that questioned the future of CMM International, a number of industry professionals weighed in with varying opinions. Now that CMM International 2007 has concluded, I would love to hear what attendees and exhibitors thought.

As part of the management team, I know that my views are biased on this topic. When we (PennWell) first acquired CMM right after the 2005 event, we knew we faced an uphill battle. The previous management had steered the event badly off course, and it had been on a downhill trend for a number of years. However, in speaking extensively with experts in the industry, the consensus was that the brand remained strong and the potential for turnaround was great. Almost without exception, everyone we spoke with told us they wanted us to "fix it."
The number-one request from those we surveyed was to have more running equipment on the show floor (also referenced in the Converting Blog posts from 2005). By implementing the two new Technology Centers in 2007, we not only added more running equipment, but did so in a way that showed attendees the equipment producing actual jobs in a live production environment, demonstrating real-world workflow and integration issues. In addition, we worked with Rosemont Exhibition Services to make it much more affordable for all exhibitors to bring equipment to the event. The result was a floor filled with running equipment (more than 1.5 million pounds of it!).

Our other objective for CMM was to improve and increase the marketing efforts that draw high-quality attendees to the event. With the confidence that comes from having listened to the industry and focusing on delivering value, we were able to aggressively promote the new features of the show and the advantages of participation rather than spending our time knocking other events. The success of CMM is our only goal, while the failure of any other events is irrelevant.

The feedback we have received from exhibitors has been extremely positive. Almost all complimented us on the quality of the sales leads and the energy level on the show floor. Nearly 7000 converting professionals made their way around the floor during the four-day event, more than in 2005 but fewer than in the heyday of 10 or 15 years ago. What we are seeing is that converters are sending fewer employees today because of tighter travel budgets and leaner workforces--but those who do come are the decision makers and executives, not just the tire-kickers or employees looking to get out of the office.

PennWell is a 100-year-old, family-owned company that publishes 45 magazines and runs more than 60 highly successful conferences and exhibitions around the globe. It invests for the long term and leverages its expertise and resources to be #1 in all markets it serves. CMM is no exception, and over the next two years, you will see a lot more of CMM in the market. Our goal is to make CMM a year-round, 24/7 industry resource, offering web news, e-newsletters, webcasts, product guides, and a variety of other features that help converters do their jobs better, smarter, and more productively.
Let me (and the converting community) know what you think. I don't expect or want to hear that we did everything right--in fact I know we didn't. But we did learn a lot, and I feel like we've put CMM back on track and we're excited to do even more moving forward.

Keith Hevenor
CMM Editorial/Conference Director

Filed under: General Business Topics --- khevenor @ 01:12 PM

I've spent the better part of the last few months traveling around to all the industry meetings and conferences, and I must admit that I was a bit concerned that I would start hearing the same information over and over again. But I've been pleasantly surprised. From events offered by Packaging Strategies to AIMCAL to RadTech and others, I've found that the converting and packaging industries are so dynamic that professionals must take advantage of all these educational opportunities to remain competitive and knowledgeable. So whether you are seeking insight in a particular area of technology or simply a better understanding of the business of converting and packaging, industry events remain the place to be.
As CMM approaches, I feel confident that the comprehensive conference program together with a wide variety of exhibitors and this year's new Technology Centers (which will feature running equipment on the show floor producing live jobs in a true integrated production environment) will equip attendees with the information and skills needed to succeed in the market. Since acquiring CMM about a year and a half ago, we've worked really hard to re-focus the event and restore it to its strong position of many years ago. Working closely with most of the key publications and associations in the converting market, we have put the industry's most important event back on track and are excited about the overwhelmingly positive feedback we have received.
Having said that, I know that there is always room for improvement, and I invite you to contact me with any suggestions you have. I'm sure I'll see you all at CMM in Chicago in June!
- Keith Hevenor
Editorial/Conference Director
CMM International

Filed under: General Business Topics --- Tim Walker @ 10:40 AM

I got a phone call today regarding my post of March 2006 on calculating wound roll inertia. The called asked if there might be an error in my calculation, since he was working it out and couldn't get the same answer I had. It ended up that we both had some math errors. My calcs were right, but in the post I had left out multiplying by width as part of the inertia calc (now corrected). The caller rang back and said they are used a gravity term with the wrong units. In the end, we both got it right.

It was nice to have some live input from what can otherwise by a low interaction experience, blogging, that is. In blogging, you post and....nothing. Where's the immediate gratification. There isn't any. It's like writing a book. If you write email, you get replies. If you write a magazine column, at least a check comes in the mail and you see your writing in the magazine when it comes in the mail. But blogging, is hard to feel the reward, especially when I'm just writing about what I've been thinking lately. It's much more fun when this blogging thing is more a dialogue and less a monologue.

So my request to you convertingblog.com readers is PLEASE send me some questions.

Filed under: General Business Topics --- khevenor @ 06:10 AM

I had the opportunity last week to attend the RadTech winter meeting in West Palm Beach, and was impressed by the passion of its members as well as their ability to come together as peers and competitors and work for the good of their particular market segment. The group is involved in diverse markets such as automotive, wood finishing, plastics, composites, and of course printing and packaging, and does a great job representing the needs and benefits of UV/EB technology across each market. In fact, the group is hosting a show/conference March 6-7 in Los Angeles and is offering a substantial discount to end users in the package printing and converting industry. You can find the details for uv.eb West 2007, and if you are interested in registering with a discount, send an email to Mickey Fortune of RadTech.
This is just one of the many active associations in our industry. Are there others that you feel your peers should be aware of? Or are there other resources you rely on? Share with us!
- Keith Hevenor
Editorial/Conference Director
CMM International

Filed under: General Business Topics --- khevenor @ 04:31 AM

A recent article in Time magazine about a company called Enfucell got me thinking about some of the hot new technology opportunities on the horizon for converters. Printed electronics and RFID represent two of those areas, and both are important in the vision of Enfucell. The company's product is a thin, paper-based battery that is extremely inexpensive and, at least in the short term, holds a lot of promise for applications such as RFID. Using coating technology to apply zinc on one side and manganese dioxide on the other, the company creates the product it calls SoftBattery. Enfucell notes that RFID tags, which do not draw constant power and lend themselves to the battery's thinness, are the perfect fit for such a power source. These are just the kinds of developments that will keep the converting industry strong moving forward.
- Keith Hevenor
Editorial/Conference Director
CMM International

Filed under: General Business Topics --- khevenor @ 05:56 AM

I don't know for sure, but I always assumed that the confetti dropped on New York's Times Square was scrap paper from somewhere saved temporarily from the landfill and chopped up to be flung through the air in celebration of the big event. I thought maybe it even came from the printer scraps of the office buildings in the area. Whatever the case in the past, this year the confetti and the messages it conveyed were deliberately produced and tied into a mass marketing campaign. Target sposnored this year's confetti drop (as well as 3D glasses to help viewers see the company's logo pop from the crystal ball dropping above Times Square) and had the confetti specially produced with themed words to be dropped in stages during the hours leading up to midnight. From what I've read, the messages--words such as "peace," "celebrate," and others--were a nice idea and brought a new twist to the evening. But in the end, the whole thing was still a marketing effort, and I just hope that Target's converting and printing partners were able to get a piece of the action. In this increasingly competitive marketing environment, converters and printers need to actively pitch their clients new and innovative ideas that can benefit everyone involved.
- Keith Hevenor
Editorial/Conference Director
CMM International

Filed under: General Business Topics --- webmaster#1 @ 03:35 PM

A wine company out of Australia has introduced a revolutionary new solution that delivers the wine and a glass from which to drink it all in one package. Hardy Wine Company has unveiled a product it calls the "Shuttle," which reportedly is designed to be served in areas where glass is not permitted (makes sense); meet the needs of those who prefer "safe," sealed, single-serve containers in group situations (also makes sense); and enable quick delivery of large quantities of alcohol in crowd settings (kind of scary). But however you look at it, this product truly represents the innovation that characterizes the converting and packaging market. The delivery and usability of a product has become just as important as the quality of the product, and retailers are having to find ways to differentiate themselves to strengthen market share. I can just see the wealthy crowds picnicking at the symphony this summer with their wine Shuttles and single-serve string cheeses ...
- Keith Hevenor
Editorial/Conference Director
CMM International

Filed under: General Business Topics --- khevenor @ 01:40 PM

An article recently in USA Today revealed Wal-Mart's plans to "go green." The company is putting in place a number of programs to encourage sustainability and motivate its suppliers to produce goods that do no harm to the environment. Part of this plan calls for smaller or reduced packaging and more recyclable content.
All this sounds good for the environment, but it will also be good for Wal-Mart. Part of the statement from the company says "Wal-Mart said Friday that it will start 'grading' suppliers on how well they do. Less, in this case, is more. When it cut excess packaging on its private-label line of toys, Kid Connection, the company estimates it saved $2.4 million a year in shipping costs, 3800 trees and 1 million barrels of oil. Downsizing a product's package is tricky, though. Products are sold on store shelves by volume. Bigger packages get more shelf space and can catch consumers' eyes better."
Is this good for the package printing and converting industry in the long run? I think that ultimately, we must all work toward what is good for the environment, even if that means an adjustment in our industry today. What do you think?
- Keith Hevenor
Editorial/Conference Director
CMM International

Filed under: General Business Topics --- khevenor @ 08:47 PM

Earlier today, I had the opportunity to visit and tour Accord Carton in Alsip, Illinois. Still being fairly new in this segment of the graphic arts industry, this was my first experience in a package printing facility, and more specifically, in a folding carton plant. But having toured dozens of commercial printing plants over the past 15 years, I was struck by how smooth and calm the atmosphere was. I know that part of this is due to the excellent third-generation management of the Codo family, but I also think that to some extent it's because of some of the key differences between commercial printing and package printing. Much of the work in Accord Carton is contracted on a regular basis and involves fairly long runs, as opposed to the unpredictable flow of short-run, quick turnaround jobs that often flood a commercial printing facility. And also, the nature of packaging work means that the finishing and converting must be tightly integrated into the process to allow for a smooth flow from raw material to finished product. If Accord Carton is indicative of the typical package printing plant, then the industry has a bright future. Using a variety of equipment from Bobst, Nordson, Kluge, Creo (now Kodak), Akiyama, and a brand-new 56-inch Roland 900 press from MAN Roland, the company is well positioned to grow and be passed down to future generations of the family.
- Keith Hevenor
Editorial/Conference Director
CMM International

Filed under: General Business Topics --- khevenor @ 01:35 PM

Just a few weeks ago, I wrote about the importance of maintaining safety and having comprehensive disaster plans in the workplace. You can read that post here. Right before Thanksgiving, those of us in the Boston area had a startling example of just how important that is. CAI, a manufacturer of inks and coatings for applications such as flexible packaging and paperboard containers, suffered a massive explosion in its Danvers facility just before dawn on November 22. Fortunately, no one was killed or seriously injured, which is amazing to those of us who have seen the footage and photos of the damage. The Boston Globe article describes in detail the blast that blew people out of bed, shattered windows, destroyed cars, and rendered homes uninhabitable.
Exactly what caused the explosion has yet to be determined. But from all indications, CAI had an impeccable safety record and had always been respected in the community. Perhaps this is a sign that no matter how hard we try to prevent accidents, they do happen. Picking up the pieces after the accident is a challenge, and I'll be anxious to see how CAI does in that respect. This may be a good time to review your own plans ...
- Keith Hevenor
Editorial/Conference Director
CMM International

Filed under: General Business Topics --- khevenor @ 07:31 PM

It's not like we work in a particularly glamorous business. Converting and packaging is certainly a critical element in today's culture, but not one that is typically an object of much mainstream attention. So you can imagine my surprise the other evening when I was flipping through the channels on the TV and stumbled across some very familiar subject matter on the National Geographic Channel. The program was called "Shrink-Wrapped and Boxed Up," and is described this way by the channel:

Packages have been a cornerstone of consumer culture ever since the ancient Greeks and Romans stated storing wine in ceramic vases. Shrink-Wrapped & Boxed Up takes viewer to the cutting edge of modern industry where researchers and scientistsare developing packages that can withstand the impact of an F16 airplane, outwit shoplifters and reduce the amount of landfill trash.

It's by no means a technical program, but one worth catching if and when it comes back on the air. I have to assume that like most cable channels, the National Geographic Channel cycles its programs several times during the month. Watch for it on your local cable system, and when you do see it, call your friends and family and enjoy your moment in the spotlight!
- Keith Hevenor
Editorial/Conference Director
CMM International

Filed under: General Business Topics --- khevenor @ 08:32 AM

A recent story in the Packaging Digest e-newsletter reported that "A major generic drugmaker Thursday recalled 11 million bottles of its store-brand acetaminophen after it found the pain pills might contain metal fragments." Now I don't know about you, but the thought of choking on a metal fragment when I'm trying to relieve a headache just isn't appealing. Fortunately the company found the problem and is taking steps to remedy the situation and prevent any further potential risk. If it hadn't been for the quality control system and steps put in place to detect these kinds of problems, something much worse could have happened to unsuspecting consumers.
According to the original story on the CNNMoney website, "The Michigan-based Perrigo Co. said it noticed a problem when the equipment making the tablets was wearing down sooner than expected. Its quality control system detected traces of metal pieces in a small number of the caplets, it said."
Converting, package printing, and packaging are manufacturing processes, and as such are always at risk for these kinds of problems. As consumers in a highly regulated market such as the United States, we have a kind of blind faith that what we buy on the store shelves is safe for us. But as manufacturers of products or packages, it is our responsibility to monitor quality and ensure that all safety precautions are taken and all regulatory guidelines are followed.
The FDA says the metal pieces found so far range in size from a microdot to a wire fragment 8mm in length, which is certainly not insignificant. If you are providing converting or packaging services, be sure that your machine operators and quality control inspectors are current in their training and be sure that you have created an environment that encourages employees to speak up if they suspect there is a problem.
Are there other ways that you maintain safety and quality?
- Keith Hevenor
Editorial/Conference Director
CMM International

Filed under: General Business Topics --- khevenor @ 09:41 PM

Is the success of a show always an indicator of the industry it represents? After a slower first day, Pack Expo picked up steam on Monday and crowds in many of the main areas built steadily throughout the day. But it's not just the size of the crowd that matters...for many exhibitors, the quality of the crowd can be even more important. That's a lesson that has been hard for many observers to accept after the heyday of the late '90s and early 2000s. As total numbers dropped in most of the converting, packaging, and printing shows, many felt that perhaps the shows had peaked. But indications this week from Pack Expo are that the packaging industry is alive and well and robust growth is on the horizon.
As I get out in the market to talk about CMM 2007, I hear many supporters speculating that the health of the converting industry is likewise beginning to gain momentum and that the timing of CMM next June is perfect to capitalize on the trends of increased spending from exhibitors and attendees alike. As new owners of CMM, initiatives we have underway to bring running equipment back to the show floor through a variety of "Technology Centers" represent an important step in delivering the experience attendees tell us they want.
What do you look for in a show?
- Keith Hevenor
Editorial/Conference Director
CMM International

Filed under: General Business Topics --- khevenor @ 01:17 PM

Early sessions at this week's AIMCAL Fall Technical Conference in Reno, NV focused on a variety of safety issues for converters. Some of the topics are "no-brainers," but others may not come immediately to mind when considering the safety of both employees and facilities. For individuals, personal protective equipment (PPE) is the most important component of a safety program--clothing, face shields, gloves, footwear, head protection, etc. Another aspect to employee safety is an ergonomic study, which includes analyzing the way your employees lift, move, sit, etc. and finding ways to change the process to avoid potential injury.
Equipment maintenance and making sure that all the safety features of those devices are in place is another key in the safety plan. Too often, operators may remove or bypass equipment safety features to make a process "easier," but that only puts everyone at risk. And finally, one of the speakers related his story of a devastating plant fire earlier this year. Fortunately, no one was injured in the four-alarm blaze, and although a storage building was completely destroyed, having worked closely with local emergency responders paid off. All businesses should plan regular drills with first responders and have a comprehensive emergency plan in place for dealing with the unthinkable.
Do you have an emergency plan? Are there other aspects to consider in plant and employee safety?
- Keith Hevenor
Editorial/Conference Director
CMM International

Filed under: General Business Topics --- khevenor @ 05:57 AM

I may have just made up that term, but my point is that successful education today must take advantage of the full variety of media available. For example, most industries have independent and association conferences, tradeshows, magazines, user groups, newsletters, webcasts, and blogs, and the user community can choose what works best for its needs. I've been involved in many of these media as a content provider, and have found that each has its own pros and cons. The converting industry has dozens of key associations, such as AIMCAL, PLGA, TAPPI, FTA, and IADD to name just a few, offering educational opportunities. Likewise, shows such as CMM and magazines such as Paper, Film & Foil Converter and Converting all offer additional educational opportunities. And this blog (in which I hope more of you will participate!) as well as the AIMCAL blogs, also enable a discussion among industry influencers.
I've been thinking about all these outlets for education because I am about to launch a series of CMM webcasts, and my goal is to make them valuable and relevant for attendees. Finding timely topics and knowledgeable speakers can be a challenge, but I think we're off to a good start with our first event. This free event takes place at 1:00 EDT on Thursday, October 12, and I invite you to join us. If you can't make it on the live date, check out the archive.
Where do you go for education?
- Keith Hevenor
Editorial/Conference Director
CMM International

Filed under: General Business Topics --- khevenor @ 01:25 PM

One of the things I hear over and over again as I begin to organize our conference program for CMM next June is that I will have trouble getting converters and package printers to participate because they prefer to keep their experiences, and particularly their successes, secret. I haven't made enough inquiries yet to know if this is true, but I'm hoping that it's not. I've always found that a great way to share information and strengthen an industry is through panel discussions at events that enable attendees to interact with their peers and find out what's working for others. If a service provider is truly a trusted partner with its clients, there is no risk in talking about specific projects and processes. If as an industry, converters and package printers can work together to help their customers make the most of available technology, everyone wins.
- Keith Hevenor
Editorial/Conference Director
CMM International

Filed under: General Business Topics --- khevenor @ 06:02 PM

An article the other day in USA Today revealed Wal-Mart's plans to "go green." The company is putting in place a number of programs to encourage sustainability and motivate its suppliers to produce goods that do no harm to the environment. Part of this plan calls for smaller or reduced packaging and more recyclable content.
All this sounds good for the environment, but it will also be good for Wal-Mart. Part of the statement from the company says "Wal-Mart said Friday that it will start 'grading' suppliers on how well they do. Less, in this case, is more. When it cut excess packaging on its private-label line of toys, Kid Connection, the company estimates it saved $2.4 million a year in shipping costs, 3800 trees and 1 million barrels of oil. Downsizing a product's package is tricky, though. Products are sold on store shelves by volume. Bigger packages get more shelf space and can catch consumers' eyes better."
Is this good for the package printing and converting industry in the long run? I think that ultimately, we must all work toward what is good for the environment, even if that means an adjustment in our industry today. What do you think?
- Keith Hevenor
Editorial/Conference Director
CMM International

Filed under: General Business Topics --- khevenor @ 11:30 AM

I've covered the commercial printing industry as a journalist for a lot of years, and I've ridden its ups and downs during that time. From the explosion of desktop publishing in the late '80s to the introduction of digital printing in the early '90s to the hype of computer-to-plate (CTP) technology in the mid '90s and the dot-com craziness around the end of the millennium, I've watched it all. But the last few years have brought a more sobering change in commercial printing as the number of printers has dropped significantly, with firms either merging or folding in the face of very tough competition. Printing industry trade shows such as On Demand, Graph Expo, and others have dropped from their peaks in 2000 and 2001 as the market works to establish its new reality.
Since taking on my new responsibilities with CMM last fall, I've been out attending as many shows and conferences as I can to learn the market and meet the players. I immediately noticed a big difference in the mood and energy at events in the converting and packaging space, no doubt because of the stability and growth that lie ahead. Commercial printing faces challenges from all other media, but on the converting and packaging side, those issues don't exist. The market will never deliver a box of cereal online, or a bag of chips via a mobile device, or a cardboard box on a CD. Products will always need to be packaged, and the production of those packages will continue to demand technological advancement because the package has become more important than ever in the success of the product.
Last week's LabelExpo was evidence of the market's vitality. Attendees covered the floor and exhibitors had a host of new products to show, resulting in what seemed to be a successful event for all. I think I'm going to like it over here.
- Keith Hevenor
Editorial/Conference Director
CMM International

Filed under: General Business Topics --- Tim Walker @ 09:31 AM

If you've googled web handling and converting topics, such as wrinkling, winding, tension control, you'll find two guys popping up again and again. You're reading one of them now (moi...tjwalker, tjwa inc.) and the other is Dr. David Roisum of Finishing Technologies.

Dave has been an independent consultant a few more years than I have and his Beloit and Kimberly-Clark days give him much more paper industry experience than I'll ever have (I'm more of a film guy).

Dave has been more than gratious as I left 3M and became an independent consultant. The web handling areas is a 'big pond' with more than enough room for two fish.

Dave and I run into each other often (that sounds like it hurts). It's good to compare notes with a fellow consultant. I always read his stuff...and you should, too.

I write a monthly column for Paper, Film, and Foil Converter - WEB LINES.
Dave writes a montly column for Converting magazine - WEB WORKS.

I'm in the blogging game (you're reading it now).
Dave is also in the blog-o-sphere, via AIMCAL.
www.webhandlingblog.com

Enjoy. I hope we aren't giving away too many free answers. We both got families to feed (and hobbies to support).

Filed under: General Business Topics --- Tim Walker @ 07:30 AM

Two news items on the AWEB front.

1. AWEB is drawing a crowd.

A lot of late registrations are rolling in and the attendance for AWEB is now set for over 100. A great draw for our first conference.

2. AWEB-IWEB make peace

I wrote last month how it seems there was some minor contraversy about the IWEB folks at Oklahoma State University's Web Handling Research Center being a little miffed at our plans for another web handling conference (bothered by our similar name or playing a little too close to their sandbox).

I'm glad to say that it looks like any conflict is now well on the way to being resolved.

Dr. Keith Good from OSU called and said he'd like to take us up on the offer to advertise next year's IWEB at AWEB next week and that they would be happy to reciprocate.

This is great. I've been making the case for how AWEB-IWEB is a great 1-2 punch to help the how web handling community. I think both events will prosper by working together.

tjw

Filed under: General Business Topics --- Tim Walker @ 01:49 PM

Though convertingblog.com is necessarily designed as a ask-the-experts site, we are happy to take your questions. Often the best blog posts have been in response to questions I've gotten from clients or blog-visitors. So ask away.

One caveat. Question will obviously become part of our growing database of converting knowledge. Sharing information is the whole point of convertingblog.com.

What to contribute with an answer? Please do. If you tripped along something that solved a problem - share it with us. Maybe you've found a solution to something, but don't know why it works, or maybe it doesn't work all the time. We'll try to help.

So ask and post. We're interested.

tjw

Filed under: General Business Topics --- Tim Walker @ 06:02 PM

AWEB is around the corner, the new Applied Web Handling Conference sponsored by AIMCAL. I've had my fingers deeply into this conference from it conception.

AWEB-IWEB controversy? What controversy?

It's seems some of the folks involved with IWEB (the International Conference on Web Handling, sponsored by Oklahoma State University's Web Handling Research Center) have some hard feelings about this new AWEB conference.

I wish they didn't feel this way. I view the AWEB conference as a complementary effort to the IWEB conference. I've felt this way since before AWEB was even on the drawing board.

I've attended the IWEB conference for years, starting in 1991. It's a great conference. I've learned a great deal about the most advanced work in web handling, with many papers covering work at the PhD or Master's engineering thesis level.

But after attending IWEB for many years, I felt there was room for something more, something that would help bring the advanced concepts down a notch to the applied level. While at 3M, one of my jobs was to learn something from the advance research at the WHRC and figure out how to apply it to make better 3M products or processes.

I feel that there is a great appetitie to help more engineers understand how to apply the advanced concepts of IWEB and similar advanced or academic resources. In the post IWEB conference discussion sessions in 2003 and 2005, I advocated for IWEB to expand and find a way to address this need. Alas, IWEB is quite successful and being so doesn't always create the driving force for growth or change.

In comes AIMCAL and their interest in a possible applied web handling conference. AIMCAL has been sponsoring web handling as part of their summer school program and held technical conferences for many years on topics of coating, drying, metalizing, etc., often with a equipment supplier's POV, but open to others.

I jumped at the opportunity to help AIMCAL get this concept off the ground, something that the WHRC seemed to have little interest (at least little action) in pursuing. That said, very early in the AWEB planning process, I contacted Dr. Karl Reid, the WHRC Director and invited him to the table, seeing an obvious win-win situation for these two conferences to complement each other.

How IWEB and AWEB work together?

IWEB - Advanced web handling papers, aimed at top web handling experts of academia and industry, held in odd-numbered years at OK-State Univ.

AWEB - Applied web handling papaers, aimed at the next tier of the web handling technical community, held in even-numbered years at a rotating location.

The idea is for AWEB to fill a niche. In business, it's called the loose brick theory. When you go into a market, don't go at it's strength, don't try to compete with the strongest product out there. Go where the market has a need. If the product is web handling technology transfer, the high and low end are strong bricks.

IWEB is the premier, Lexus-BMW of WH technology transfer. There are tens or hundreds of engineers looking for this product.

There are many Kia-Hyundi, fundamentals seminars for web handlers. There are thousands to tens of thousands of technical folks needing this product.

The loose brick is the middle of the pyramid, the Toyota-Chevy product, something between fundamentals and advanced. What we are calling applied. There are hundreds to thousands looking for this product. We hope to bring it to them.

So what controversy is there? I hope none. I think some IWEB folks saw the new conference name, AWEB, and found it too close. That imitation wasn't flattering. From there, it's easy to see what you want to see and hear what you want to hear.

For the few of you in this camp, it's probably hopeless to convince you otherwise, but please give AWEB another look and realize that this new conference is an opportunity to grow the web handling community, including driving more people up from the Toyota product to the Lexus product.

I hope this isn't too much of a rant, but I feel strongly about smoothing the waters of the web handling world.

tjw

Filed under: General Business Topics --- Tim Walker @ 10:56 AM

AWEB: The Applied Web Handling Conference
May 6-10, Charlotte, NC

I first gave you the heads up on this new conference last October.

This week, AIMCAL put up the conference program on their website. Look it over. Plan on attending.

Full Disclosure: I'm on the AWEB conference program committee, I'm presenting one or two papers and leading a bonus 1/2 day short course on web wrinkling.

Filed under: General Business Topics --- Tim Walker @ 07:36 AM

AWEB 06: The Appliced Web Handling Conference 2006

There's an exciting new conference just announced, being arranged by AIMCAL. AWEB, to be held in May 7-10, 2006 in Charlotte, NC, will focus on sharing practical knowledge of web handling and converting technology.

I want everyone in the 'web handling community' to strongly consider attending, better yet, presenting at this event next year. (continued...)

Continue reading"AWEB - a new conference on practical web handling"

Filed under: General Business Topics --- Tim Walker @ 07:23 AM

A post came in wondering where to get a copy of Ron Swanson's (3M) landmark IWEB paper on spreading and antiwrinkle roller performance. Besides finding a past attendee that has a copy of the proceedings, they are all available from Oklahoma State University.

The abstracts, prices, and how to order info for all past IWEB proceedings are available through this link.

IWEB Proceedings Order Info and Abstracts

I don't believe any individual papers are available, so you have to buy an entire year's proceedings at $150-200. (BTW, Ron's excellent paper is in the 1997 proceedings.)

Filed under: General Business Topics --- Tim Walker @ 08:27 AM

Not everybody in the "Converting" industry knows what "Web Handling" is. Even less know what about the WHRC, the Web Handling Research Center at Oklahoma State University.

The WHRC was founded in 1987 as part of a National Science Foundation program that created many UICRCs (University-Industry Cooperative Research Centers). [So it meets the government standard for acronyms...WHRC, a NSP UICRC.] UICRC were started under Pres. Reagan in an effort to increase university research, especially in engineering, applied to industry needs. Now, almost 20 years later, the WHRC is an exemplary example of of what the UICRCs were meant to do.

For more info on the WHRC, try:
www.engext.okstate.edu/info/WWW-WHRC.htm

I am extremely thankful for the many years that I attended the WHRC semi-annual review meetings as 3M's representative to the WHRC Industrial Advisory Board. Now that I'm not involved with a WHRC corporate sponsor, I still enjoy learning about their advances in web handling technology (and other advances worldwide) at the IWEB (Int'l Conf on Web Handling) that they host every odd-numbered year.

What has the web handling world gained from the WHRC?
More...

Continue reading"The Web Handling Research Center @ Oklahoma State University"

Filed under: General Business Topics --- Tim Walker @ 06:18 AM

TJWalker reporting from IWEB '05 in Stillwater, OK.
This is the 8th International Conference on Web Handling held at Oklahoma State University, sponsored by their Web Handling Research Center.

About 110 attendees from 45+ companies and 6 universities, including several attendees from Asia and Europe.

What going on here? Besides some good BBQ and music last night with Oklahoma hospitality, the IWEB is the most advanced educational opportunity for web handling and winding technology. The attendees represent the top experts in handling paper, films, foils, nonwovens, and other continuous thin materials. At 100+ people, it's a relatively small conference, but for understanding why things wrinkle, scratch, vary their tension, or make bad rolls, it hard to find a better group to handle it.

Of course, much of it is over my head. Not the concepts and conclusions, but advanced calculus or computer modeling is not my stength. Can you learn something at IWEB without the math? Certainly algebra is required. If you can convert from the conference metric units into lbs and ft its a plus. The biggest gain is learning what is known and what isn't. What problems are understood and what aren't.

I'll file a series of posts on my highlights of the conference. Stay tuned.

Filed under: General Business Topics --- Tim Walker @ 08:51 AM

Several times a year, I get involved as the "middle man" between buyers and sellers of converting equipment. I'm usually brought in to help develop a specification for a new process or product.
I used the analogy the other day that I'm a race car driver. I know what I want in a car and how to describe it, but I wouldn’t plan on building one myself. Similarly, many mechanics and design engineers building race cars would not say they are great race car drivers. So if the race car driver is asked to help in buying a new car that makes sense. At least a little bit, but if the buyer doesn't need a race car, just a family car or a go-cart for the kids, the race car driver better have a experience at all levels. OK, this analogy can only take you so far.
Writing the specification is the easy part. Recommending a converting line builder would be easy, but the converting world has as many levels as four-wheeled vehicles, ranging from go-carts, to NASCAR, to Hot Wheels toy cars, to space shuttle transports, and beyond. It's impossible to know everything.
Who do you send your Request for Quote (RFQ) to? If you send it out generously, you reduce the odds greatly of any one supplier getting the job. It costs a supplier time and money to reply to your RFQ. By including a supplier in your RFQ process, you automatically increase their overhead. But if you don't do enough fishing, you might not get the best supplier.
I've had a few conversations with suppliers on this issue...

Continue reading"Etiquette in the Request for Quote Process"

Filed under: General Business Topics --- Yolanda Simonsis @ 11:15 AM

As a first-time blogger, the burning questions I have on my mind beg for converters to respond . . . although converter suppliers' answers wouldn't be unwelcome.

The biennial CMM Show just concluded on April 21st at Chicago's McCormick Place. I gotta tell ya, I was bafffled by the lack of attendance, still many suppliers said they weren't displeased with the sales they negotiated on the show floor. The show was significantly smaller and the number working pieces of equipment was definitely in the minority.

The show is moving to Rosemont, IL (just outside of O'Hare Airport's boundaries). My first reaction was this new venue will hopefully attract more converters who want to get in and out quickly from Chicago. Other's say visitors want the "Chicago experience." I say that can always be addressed with shuttles.

The bigger question is, will the new location attract suppliers with working equipment?

We need to inject some excitement into this industry!

PFFC Editor/Associate Publisher
Yolanda Simonsis

Filed under: General Business Topics --- Sean Craig @ 09:08 AM

During a recent CMM International exposition in Chicago I was asked "What makes a product ergonomic and how does your new line of products qualify?" Here is my response.
A product is ergonomic, or an ergonomic solution, when it aids employers in matching human capabilities and limitations with the tools they are required to use in the workplace. Use of such products reduce the risk of Work-related Muskuloskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) which is the goal of ergonomic solutions.

Continue reading"What makes a product ergonomic?"