Packaging

EXCITING NEW FORMAT FOR LABEL SUMMIT LATIN AMERICA

Thursday 05. March 2009 - This year's Label Summit Latin America is taking place on 28-29 April 2009 at the Hotel Transamerica in Sao Paulo, where a number of industry experts will gather at this highly acclaimed conference and table-top exhibition. The summit returns to Brazil with a new format which allows delegates to choose between two streams, business management and technology, during the afternoon sessions. The conference program has been expertly put together to emphasize the latest developments in the label industry worldwide and the Latin American labeling industry.

Opportunities in new markets
The business management stream will focus on giving converters informative and instructive presentations on topics that are particularly relevant to the current economic climate. Roger Pellow, Managing Director of the Labelexpo Global Series, will outline where opportunities lie in new markets, both technological (such as printed electronics and brand protection) and geographical, while Gece Renó, Lean Manufacturing Manager of 3M (Brazil), will advise converters how best to streamline their businesses, citing the successful example of the company’s own in-house project. Further presentations will focus on how to obtain finance in difficult economic conditions, and how mergers & acquisitions, an increasing trend in the label sector, can be a tool in the converter’s armory.
Explore high-tech developments
The technology breakout sessions will educate delegates about the latest developments in areas such as pre-press and smart technology. Alexander Mercon, Latin America Manager for HP Indigo, will focus on digital technology, and Rubens Wilmers, Managing Director of Nilpeter (Brazil), will discuss adding value to the converting process through combining flexo, offset, gravure, screen, inkjet and foiling, as well as hologram printing and other security features. The conference’s keynote session, to be delivered by Avery Dennison, the Summit’s Gold Sponsor, will outline the current state of the Latin American label industry and its place in the global market. ABIEA, the Brazilian self-adhesive label association, will then present the findings of its research into the growth and trends of self-adhesive labeling in Brazil. Also Manoel Müller, President of ABEDESIGN, the Brazilian Association of Design Companies, will be discussing end user requirements and trends in materials and processes from the designer’s perspective.
The next generation
A large proportion of the world’s label converters are family-run businesses, and the smooth integration of the new generation is of paramount importance for long-term success. Two brothers, Fabián and Amín Silva Yedra of leading Mexican converter Etiquetas Anro, will share their experiences and demonstrate the importance of defining roles and gaining experience in other markets. Another topic of great relevance to the label industry is training – an area consistently identified by converters as crucial to maintaining success. Manoel Manteigas de Oliveira, Director of Escola SENAI ‘Theobaldo de Nigris’ based in Sao Paulo, will discuss how local converters and international suppliers can make the most out of the school’s excellent system of investment and education.
Further presentations
Labels & Labeling Editor Andy Thomas will reveal the results of the magazine’s extensive survey of converters throughout Latin America; while L&L’s US-based reporter Danielle Jerschefske will cut through the jargon-filled world of environmental sustainability to demonstrate the business case for how ‘green’ can make converters more profitable. Additional presentations will focus on security and brand protection and opportunities in the beverage sector. Roger Pellow, Labelexpo Managing Director, said: “It is great to be back with Label Summit Latin America in Sao Paulo for the third time. It is an exciting time for the labeling industry in this region so we are pleased to yet again be able to provide a forum where the industry can congregate to focus on the key developments that are happening both locally and internationally. The conference is a brilliant opportunity for people to network with their peers and identify potential international collaborations. Those at the summit will take away valuable information that will help the profitability and efficiency of their business.”