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CS Labels today announced the appointment of Gareth Spencer as Production Controller. Mr Spencer arrives from global flexible packaging leader Amcor. He has over 10 years experience in flexible packaging and has served several positions in Process Improvement, Quality Management, Continuous Improvement and Technical Development. He will be assisting in efficiency improvement, waste reduction, identifying training needs as well as supporting Production Director Adam James.
The new role comes shortly after the creation of Charlotte Williams as in-house Quality Manager to manage ISO and BRC (British Retail Consortium) compliance. Mr Spencer will be adding value to those processes and working with Ms Williams in addition to his other responsibilities.
He said: “I’m delighted to join CS Labels. I will be applying my 10 years experience in flexible packaging to the current digital stand-up pouch offering that CS Labels have just officially launched this year which is exciting. Digital print is very dynamic, and CS are already making an impact in the flexible packaging world which of course is traditionally known as flexographic and/or gravure. “
Simon Smith, MD said: “In order for us to remain at the top of our game we have to keep innovating and pushing the boundaries; and that means change, regular improvements, and constant monitoring. We don’t stand still. I’m pleased we have Gareth on board as we enter yet another exciting phase in the CS Labels journey. “
CS Labels continues to grow month-on month and they have just reported a 22% increase in growth for 2014-2015. Mr Smith has just invested another six figure sum in a second CX3 print press to increase capacity. The flexible packaging market is also still at the top of everyone’s list and is said to reach $248 bn in 2020. Flexible stand-up pouches are becoming increasingly popular due to their lighter construction and compact design. CS Labels are the first company in the world to be able to successfully produce a high-end fully functional pouch using Xeikon digital technology, and the work they are doing with Graze has won multiple awards and nominations.
Prior to their appearance at this year’s Label and Print exhibition in the UK, CS Labels are yet again celebrating another period of growth to cope with increased demand.
The Willenhall based company are also celebrating a 22% increase in growth for 2014-2015, now employing over 45 staff, and an initial strong capture of market share in the heat transfer and flexible stand-up pouch sectors. CS Labels now own 6 presses and have purchased 8 presses in 8 years. Most recently they have invested in yet another brand new Xeikon CX3 digital printing press. The CX3, formerly known as the Cheetah, is, one of fastest digital presses in the world.
MD Simon Smith said: “Our existing CX3 has enabled us to work smarter and faster and it has given us the extra capacity. As my team know, I am extremely conscientious when it comes to capital expenditure; at CS Labels we pride ourselves in productivity, combined with satisfying customer needs to a high level. The purchase of the second CX3 was solely driven by customer demand; we’ve seen a definite transition to digital label printing from flexographic and other traditional methods. Quite simply more and more customers are making the switch for reasons of lead times, quality, multiple SKU ability and personalisation. Those customers have headed our way and they continue to do so. Digital is truly no longer confined to shorter print runs and our longest run is now 84,000 linear metres, which would have been unheard of 5 years ago.
New technologies
Smith continues: This demand for labels is combined with the extra capacity we need for our new lines that we soft launched early last year – stand-up flexible pouches and heat transfers; again our customers much prefer the power of digital and word is spreading fast. With all of this happening in the marketplace I had no choice but to increase our capacity once again with this purchase and we’re looking forward to showing off the power of digital and making clients brands stand out at the show in ten days time”
CS Labels will be exhibiting on stand H22 at the Label and Print Show 2016. The Label and Print show takes place at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham - 24-25 February 2016 and is co-located with Empack and Packaging Innovations.
CS Labels have once again scooped an award for their groundbreaking work on digital flexible pouches.
They won 54% of the votes in the 'Packaging' category at the Earth Island 'Solutions Awards' on Tuesday.
Simon Smith, who also spoke about the case study at Wednesday's Digital Print for Brand Success Conference in London said: "Am delighted once again to accept an award on behalf of the team at CS Labels. This is a second official confirmation that digital print is not just for labels any more, and we continue to play an essential part in every stage of the digital printing revolution."
CS Labels today announced that the flexible stand-up pouches they produce for Graze snacks has won the award for Innovation at the 2015 Digital Printer Awards.
Managing Director Simon Smith said: “On behalf of the whole team, I’m really delighted to collect this award from Digital Printer. It is the second year we have won, but the first time we have won an award for our new flexible pouches product which we launched earlier this year. We worked hard to push the boundaries of digital print yet again, and it has paid off. I have seen an unprecedented demand for the pouches in 2015 and this is set to continue into next year.”
The pouches printed for Graze is a fascinating story. Printing stand-up pouches digitally is traditionally known as being very challenging. Graze asked CS if they could do it. In the face of adversity and against the advice of experts, CS Labels believed that stand-up pouches could be digitally printed on a Xeikon press, and spent 6-8 months testing and proofing the concept. They then launched a range of pouches on various substrates in February this year.
Production Director Adam James explains why Graze wanted digital: “Graze wanted digital technology because they had learned the unique benefits from the label work they already did with CS Labels. They knew the quality was up to scratch and would do their brand justice as well as actually adding value to it. They need multiple sorts (over 100) based on what their customers order and this fluctuates immensely based on trends and tastes. Short lead times are key and the idea of no stock was an attractive aspect. Order only what you need, and go – like the boxes themselves!”
The market is changing!
The demand for digital pouches and global flexible packaging has grown significantly and the Industry is set to reach $231 billion by 2018 according to Smithers Pira. Smith concludes: “More and more companies are looking at moving to digital for their pouches, particularly for multiple sorts / SKUs and short run work. As with what we have seen with labels this will soon turn into the longer runs now the market knows what’s possible. Exciting times.”
