Are you being servo’d? LATMA conference report
The largest ever attendance at a LATMA (Label and Tag Manufacturers Association) conference, heard of the state of the industry from a line-up of international speakers. The conference was headlined by the perennial Mike Fairly of Labels and Labelling Magazine (pictured left) who charted the industry’s course from a craft-based foundation through its technology-driven stage to its current value solutions and service based orientation. He claimed there are 400 digital label presses installed worldwide with seven to eight per cent of all new installations using the technology.
Leading the charge among the corporate heavyweights attracted by the energetic organisers were Klaus Bachstein, ceo of Gallus Group (pictured right) and Christian Simic, group vice president of Avery Dennison roll material worldwide. Bachstein focused on the benefits and advances of servo-driven presses, where just about every function is driven by its own motor. Gallus is a leading supplier of the technology but thankfully there was little sales spiel in his or any of the presentations (other conference organisers please copy).
He made the point that because the label converting industry has traditionally had low barriers to entry, it developed an entrepreneurial style. This is now running up against the pressures of globalisation from customers and also from the equipment and raw material suppliers. It is now imperative that converters move towards industrial manufacturing methods by making use of all the advanced technology that this implies.
Simic (pictured left) attributed two per cent of the world’s pressure sensitive label market to Australia and New Zealand as well as positioning us as the second highest users of the product per capita after North America. The key market dynamics he identified are channel and industry consolidation as well as the pressures of globalisation.
He was followed onto the podium by fellow Avery Dennison executive, Stan Drobac, who gave a ground-breaking overview of the challenges facing early adopters of RFID technology. Scorning to coat the pill with even the slightest sugar, his brutally honest assessment of the likely costs and disasters awaiting anyone stepping into the technolgy too early will surely be remembered by all present as how information at conferences should be presented.
Congratulations to all concerned
The record-breaking attendance at the conference is easily attributed to the energy and commitment put into the organizing by the committee led by new president Brenton Barrett. It set a benchmark for industry conferences in all sectors to emulate with its focused presentations, lack of ‘spiel’, smooth organization and mix of useful information and networking leisure activities.
A strong contingent of Kiwis came over the Tasman from SALMA, and made it worth their while by taking home a number of awards.
And of course, there were some great Barossa wines to help the after hours festivities.
It goes to show that when an industry association caters for its members’ interests in a focused manner it will not lack engagement.
The largest ever attendance at a LATMA (Label and Tag Manufacturers Association) conference, heard of the state of the industry from a line-up of international speakers. The conference was headlined by the perennial Mike Fairly of Labels and Labelling Magazine (pictured left) who charted the industry’s course from a craft-based foundation through its technology-driven stage to its current value solutions and service based orientation. He claimed there are 400 digital label presses installed worldwide with seven to eight per cent of all new installations using the technology.
Leading the charge among the corporate heavyweights attracted by the energetic organisers were Klaus Bachstein, ceo of Gallus Group (pictured right) and Christian Simic, group vice president of Avery Dennison roll material worldwide. Bachstein focused on the benefits and advances of servo-driven presses, where just about every function is driven by its own motor. Gallus is a leading supplier of the technology but thankfully there was little sales spiel in his or any of the presentations (other conference organisers please copy).
Simic (pictured left) attributed two per cent of the world’s pressure sensitive label market to Australia and New Zealand as well as positioning us as the second highest users of the product per capita after North America. The key market dynamics he identified are channel and industry consolidation as well as the pressures of globalisation.