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Duane Pekar · CEO · Mark Andy in Conversations with James Quirk · Editor · INKISH

In this engaging interview, Duane Pekar, Mark Andy's new CEO since December, shares his journey from the automotive and aerospace industries to the label industry. With an extensive background in operations and leadership roles at companies like General Motors, Carrier, and Honeywell, Pekar explains how his experiences have prepared him for this new chapter at Mark Andy. Duane Pekar discusses the strategic shifts within the company, focusing on operational excellence, customer support, and breaking down silos to foster collaboration. He also highlights the importance of staying connected with large multinational customers and smaller family-run businesses, ensuring Mark Andy’s solutions cater to diverse needs. Get inspired by Pekar's vision for the future of Mark Andy and the label industry and his advice for young professionals aiming for leadership roles.  

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Morten B. Reitoft · Editor-in-Chief · INKISH · Review PRINTING United

Editor Morten B. Reitoft from INKISH reflected on his two-week US trip, focusing on his experiences at Print United. He expressed gratitude for his small company's recognition in the US market and emphasized the importance of feedback from readers and viewers. Reitoft praised the efforts of the Print United team, particularly Mark Subers and Amanda Kliegl, for continually seeking improvements and introducing new initiatives. He highlighted the Media Day event, allowing media representatives to engage with vendors and learn about new technologies through speed dating sessions, workshops, and Q&A opportunities. Reitoft noted that such events help media focus on important updates, making it easier to communicate valuable information to their audiences. He anticipated that detailed content resulting from Media Day would be shared in the coming weeks and months. Reitoft also discussed the Knowledge Center, a conglomerate of small booths at the entrance where media and industry specialists could educate attendees. While he commended the concept and execution, he suggested that allocating more resources and ensuring consistent presence at the booths would enhance their effectiveness. He stressed the importance of recording and broadcasting educational sessions to reach a broader audience, even if live attendance is limited. However, Reitoft raised concerns about the poor internet service at the Las Vegas Convention Center, describing it as a significant hindrance for media outlets that rely on high-speed connectivity to deliver content. He found it unacceptable that attendees were offered limited internet speeds at high costs, emphasizing that reliable internet is essential for modern trade shows. He also mentioned the separation of the South and Central Halls due to reconstruction, which made the event feel like two distinct shows and disrupted the seamless experience envisioned by the "under one roof" slogan. Morten B. Reitoft admitted that he discovered the second hall only on the second day, suggesting that the layout was not intuitive. Addressing his discomfort with certain aspects of Las Vegas, Reitoft recounted an evening event at The Palm where he observed a noticeable presence of prostitutes. He found this contradictory to industry initiatives promoting respect and opportunities for women, such as the Women for Print Alliance. Reitoft expressed concern over the exploitation inherent in such scenarios and the negative reflection it casts on the event environment. He observed that while the South Hall, featuring large format and apparel exhibits, was busy and crowded, the Central Hall experienced lower attendance, especially afternoon on the third day. Reitoft underscored the necessity of industry support for trade shows to ensure their continued existence and the benefits they provide in networking and showcasing new equipment. In conclusion, Morten Reitoft deemed the show valuable despite the issues highlighted. He hopes future events will address these concerns, particularly regarding internet connectivity and venue layout. He reaffirmed the importance of trade shows for learning and industry advancement, encouraging stakeholders to consider these factors for future participation. LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reitoft/

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Pete Dolfis · Vice President of Sales – Americas · Tecnau · Overview · Printing United Expo 2024

In this film from PRINTING United, Pete Dolfis from Tecnau explains how its guillotine technology enables cleaner cuts when producing high-quality postcards, for example. We also get to talk more about how digital printing is paving its way into the commercial space, constantly raising the bar on the finishing side. But listen for yourself :-)

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Chris Manley · President · Graphco · PRINTING United Expo 2024

President Chris Manley explains why he’s SO excited about Graphco’s one-year-old distribution partnership with SD Italy for its cutting/plotting technology. It’s all about communication, Manley says.

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Giovanni Vitali · Sales Executive · PRINTING United SD – Hybridizing Cut

Giovanni Vitale, international sales director for SD Italy, points out the versatility of the manufacturer’s Augusta F150R PRO. Distributed in the U.S. by Graphco, the hybrid CNC cutting and plotting system is ideally suited for wide-format rigid and architectural signage applications up to six inches in thickness.

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Andrew Bailes Collins · Head of Product · Ultimate Tech · LabelExpo Americas 2024

Andrew Bailes Collins of Ultimate Tech discusses the software developer's partnership with Canon to provide the digital front-end for the press manufacturer's new LabelStream LS2000 water-based inkjet press, unveiled at Labelexpo Americas 2024.

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Brian Kentopp · VP of Sales, North America Corrugated and Folding Carton · BOBST · SuperCorrExpo

Obviously, the corrugated market is important to BOBST, and in this interview from the SuperCORR expo in Orlando, 2024 - VP of Sales Brian Kentopp talks about the dynamics of the industry. He also talks about how BOBST now supplies its customers with sensors that can report usage, uptime, and everything necessary for pre-emptive maintenance. This super exciting interview, and of course, the corrugated market, is important to BOBST - and as a leading supplier, they keep being at the forefront of innovating technology focusing on productivity, sustainability, and smarter and easier-to-use for even not-skilled employees. Super interesting listening to - enjoy!

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Whitney Brooks · Owner · Natural State Label · LabelExpo Americas 2024

Whitney Brooks is co-owner of US converter Natural State Packaging and speaks to INKISH TV about the company's experience using CERM MIS software.

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Andrew Boyd · President · Blue Label Packaging Company · LabelExpo Americas 2024

Andrew Boyd of Blue Label Packaging, a 100% digital label converter based in the US, has used CERM's MIS software for the past ten years. He talks about how the technology has impacted its production and scaled alongside the company's rapid growth.

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David Silbiger · Sales and Product Development · C2C Printing · LabelExpo Americas 2024

David Silbiger of US converter Coast2Coast Label used to specialize in printing telephone cards. When it redeployed its narrow web presses to handle label production, the company realized it needed an industry-specialized workflow system and turned to CERM.