Pennsylvania College of Technology: Trends in The Flexographic Packaging Industry

Pennsylvania College
of Technology
- 1 -

Trends in the Flexographic Packaging Industry

James Lentz
Marie Szabo
Joshua Hayden

September 2004

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This paper was made possible through a research grant provided by The Electronic
Document Systems Foundation (EDSF) to Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Copyright Notice

Copyright 2004 by The Electronic Document Systems Foundation

All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form or by
any means without the permission of EDSF. When reproduced, EDSF requests that
credit to the Foundation be given. The credit line should read Reprinted courtesy of
EDSF.

This report is based on sources considered reliable. However, EDSF cannot
guarantee its accuracy, completeness, or reliability due to errors in fact or judgment.

EDSF provides this white paper at no charge, as a service to the documents
communications industry and to the public at large

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Table of Contents

Table of Figures.......................3

Executive Summary....4

Objectives and Methodology......................5

Findings and Analysis.....6

1. Packaging Market Segments of the Flexographic Printing Industry....6
2. Digital Printing/Imaging Use....7
3. Impact of Digital Printing/Imaging on the Flexographic Industry...8
4. Future Impact of Digital Printing/Imaging in Specific Market Segments9
5. New or Additional Flexographic Equipment Purchases...9
6. Reasons for Flexographic Equipment Purchases....10
7. Future Innovations/Products/Applications in Market Segments11
8. Impact/Reaction from Innovations on Consumers and Society.12
9. Flexographic Technology impacting Consumers Personal Privacy.13
10. Global Forces Affecting the Flexographic Industry in the Future...14
11. Driving Forces in Specific Market Segments..15
12. Future Human Resource Issues....16
13. Upcoming Concerns in Organizations.....17
14. Reactions to Concerns within the Industry...18
Conclusion......19

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Table of Figures

Figure 1 Sample Flexographic Printing Industry by Market Segment6

Figure 2 Use of Digital Printing or Imaging in 2004.........7

Figure 3 Impact of Digital Printing on Industry.....8

Figure 4 Purchase of Flexographic equipment...9

Figure 5 Reasons for equipment purchase.....10

Figure 6 Impact of global forces............14

Figure 7 Driving forces..........15

Figure 8 Human resource issues........16

Figure 9 Future organizational concerns.......17

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I. Executive Summary

What is Flexography?
Flexography is a method of direct rotary printing that uses resilient, relief-imaged plates made of a photopolymer
or rubber material. These plates are attached to plate cylinders and receive the ink through an ink-metering, cell-
structured anilox roll. A fast-drying fluid ink is carried to the plates enabling printing to occur onto virtually
any absorbent or nonabsorbent substrate. An image is produced with each revolution of the plate cylinder.

Objective
The purpose of this research is to determine the impact of numerous technological advancements within the
flexographic printing industry upon our society. The study is to identify global issues that will affect ones
business, driving forces within specific market segments, human resource issues, what average consumers will
see in coming years, and issues that pose concern to ones organization.

Approach
Primary research forms the basis for this study. A series of personal and phone interviews with industry
experts, questionnaires to flexographic printers representing various market segments, and work with a
professional trade association were used to gather data.

Key Findings and Implications

! Although digital printing was identified as being used by 50% of the respondents, the need for digital
imaging may not yet be a priority due to the high cost to convert from film and the quality that some
products require can be easily achieved using conventional methods. Only 24% of the respondents
believe that higher quality can be achieved by using digital printing.

! 31% of the flexography printers reported that they will be purchasing new or additional
equipment in the next three to five years; this is primarily due to new business or products (24%) and
productivity increases (21%).

! The average consumer is likely to see many new products/applications as the result of new
technology. Items identified included RFID, multi-functional labels, increased colorful packaging, and
hexachrome process printing. Re-closable features will increase in a wider market application
influencing purchasing habits of many consumers.

! The use of new flexographic applications will continue to increase the acceptance of flexography as
a high quality-printing medium, resulting in additional growth opportunities. These innovations
will also increase the consumers level of confidence in product quality.

! Although the majority of respondents indicated that the threat of invading ones personal privacy with
the use of smart labels was low, several respondents did express concern that privacy could become
an issue as the use of smart labels increases.

! Competition among flexography printers is strong in the US, but foreign competition is becoming
an increasing concern for many respondents. 22% of the respondents indicated controlling costs
would be the largest global factor, with prices for raw materials and new technology accounting for a
20% response.

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II. Objectives and Methodology

The objectives in conducting this study were to gain information on a variety of technological and
societal issues impacting the flexographic packaging-printing segment of the graphic communications
industry. Specifically these included:

- Growth of digital printing/imaging and its impact in the flexographic market
- Plans to acquire new or additional equipment and its reasons
- What the average consumer will see in the next several years as the result of technological
innovations/products/applications and the impact they will create with consumers and
society
- Global forces taking place in the flexographic industry that will affect ones business in
the next few years
- Potential impact of new technology impacting consumers personal privacy
- Identification of the driving forces in a particular market segment
- Human resource issues that need to be addressed
- Identifying those issue(s) that pose the greatest concern to ones organization and the steps
taken to address them

In an attempt to address these objectives, faculty and students at the Pennsylvania College of
Technology prepared a grant proposal to EDSF to examine the issues. Upon approval of the grant, the
research team began to develop a survey instrument to solicit responses from industry practitioners.
This research was conducted as a two-step process. First, the research team met with members of the
Flexographic Technical Foundation (FTA) to identify an initial group of twelve industry experts
representing various segments of the flexographic printing market. A series of questions were
developed for this group that was contacted and surveyed by telephone or fax. Responses to their
questions served as the basis for the development of a second survey instrument. Again using the
membership of the FTA, two hundred surveys were mailed to a random sample in April 2004.

In total, 33 responses (or 16.5%) of the surveys were returned as indicated in Figure 1 on page 6. A
total of fourteen questions were asked: (1) to identify the industry/market segments represented, (8)
close-ended questions with the opportunity to add information, and (5) open-ended questions
asking respondents to provide text responses.

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III. Findings and Analysis

1. Packaging Market Segments of the Flexographic Printing Industry

The Flexographic Technical Association (FTA), the leading technical society that focuses solely on
the flexographic printing industry, determined the general flexographic market segments for the
industry. According to the FTA, the packaging industry is divided into twelve specific segments
including, corrugated containers, envelopes, flexible packaging, folding cartons, gift wraps and
covering papers, milk and beverage cartons, multiwall sacks, paper sacks, plastic carrier bags, rigid
paper boxes, sanitary or single service (cups or containers), and tags and labels.

As indicated in Figure 1, this study received a response of eight packaging segments. Only 2% of
corrugated containers and 2% of paper sacks companies were identified in this survey. However, over
46% of the responses were found in the tags and labels segment. The segments included in the other
category include printed design, and point of purchase displays. While there are many different
markets in the packaging industry, the tags and labels segment appears to be the leader.

Figure 1: The bulk of survey respondents were from tag and label producers
Sample of Flexographic Printing Industry:
Market Segments
Other
5%
Paper Sacks
2%
Corrugated
Containers
2%
Envelopes 5%
Flexible Packaging
23%
Folding Cartons
12%
Gift Wraps and
Covering Papers
5%
Tags and Labels
46%

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2. Digital Printing or Imaging Use

The results for digital printing use were evenly split 50/50 for the companies that responded in the
survey. This does not mean that the other fifty-percent of flexographers need digital printing or
imaging in their market segment. Non-users of digital imaging reported that many applications do not
need digital printing to complete certain products such as water bottle labels and soda bottle labels,
unless there are added promotions adhered to the label. Many consumers tend to purchase acceptable
looking graphics that stand out more than others. As flexographers realize the customers desire for
finer screens and greater tonal ranges, there will be a push for more vibrant colors. Digital imaging
offers this opportunity according to survey responses. There will be a need for film and conventional
methods of making plates for solid artwork. The need for digital imaging may not be a priority yet,
due to the high cost of equipment when converting from film to digital platemaking.

Figure 2: Digital printing is in use by 50% of the companies surveyed
Use of Digital Printing or Imaging in 2004
Yes
50%
No
50%

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3. Impact of Digital Printing or Imaging on the Flexography Industry

This close-ended question attempted to determine where flexographic printers anticipate digital
printing/imaging will lead the flexography industry in the next three to five years. Many respondents
felt digital printing would take over much of the short run work in narrow and medium web markets.
A majority felt that digital printing will not hurt flexography, but instead allow quicker turn around
times for short run work and improve inline work quality. Although printers with large runs of the
same copy see no need for integrating digital printing/imaging into their workflow due to the lack of
high quality imaging from plates made digitally for most of their work.

However, if the demand for small typefaces and high dot resolutions increase, then digital
printing/imaging would be considered. When flexographic printers using digital printing were asked
what they thought the impact would be on the over all flexographic industry, 28% expressed the
improvement of graphics. This may be attributed to the more complex designs and color schematics
that can be produced with current software. 24% of respondents believe that higher quality is achieved
by using digital printing and imaging. Ease in changing jobs was reported by 19% of the respondents.
Improved marketing and promotional samples was reported by 12% of the respondents.

Figure 3: 28% of respondents feel that digital printing will improve graphics
Impact of Digital Printing
Other Reasons
5%
Marketing/Promotional
Samples
12%
Wider Variety of
Substrates
5%
Higher Quality
24%
Ease in Changing Jobs
19%
Improved
Graphics

28%
Lower Prices
7%

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Figure 4: The vast majority (31 of 33 respondents) indicated they will purchase
new flexography equipment
New Equipment Purchase
31
2
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Yes
No
Number of Respondents
4. Future Impact of Digital Printing or Imaging in Specific Market Segments

This was presented as an open-ended question to allow respondents the greatest freedom in
responding. Several respondents indicated that digital printing would have a significant impact,
especially in small run label printing as speeds increase and consumable costs reduce. This technology
will allow the conversion of short run jobs to a digital format and provide shorter job runs (3 5,000).
It was indicated that short runs would become more common as consumables become more reasonable
in price.

Digital imaging will also provide a vehicle for incorporating variable data on each label, provide better
prototypes and be especially useful for one-time jobs. Long run jobs will continue to be produced
using conventional flexography. Digital imaging will allow higher quality work for customers, giving
them a chance to upgrade their packaging, greater impact, and additional support for JIT. Digital
printing, according to respondents, will provide personalization, quick turnaround time, and less
inventory requirements from customers.

Several responses stated that digital printing would open up new growth markets and continue to take
market share from offset lithography and gravure printing. In the area of wide-web, it was felt that
digital printing will not make significant inroads for the next five to seven years, but has the potential
to make substantial productivity improvements if it can deliver reduced set-ups/changeovers.

5. New or Additional Flexographic Equipment Purchases

In the next three to five years, 94% of the flexographers responded that they would be purchasing new
or additional flexographic equipment. The respondents that indicated they were going to purchase new
equipment identified what they will most likely purchase in Figure 4 and their reasons for purchasing
that equipment are shown in Figure 5. Only 6% of the respondents said that they would not purchase
new or additional equipment.

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Reasons for New or Additional Equipment
24%
15%
18%
21%
0%
2%

0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Business/Products
Changing Technology
Productivity Increases
New Materials
Other
New
Growth within Market Niche

Figure 5: New business and productivity gains are the most important reasons for new flexography
equipment purchases
6. Reasons for Flexographic Equipment Purchases

The major reason for purchasing new equipment, according to respondents, is due to new business
and/or products as (24%). Twenty-one percent of respondents will purchase flexography equipment
because of productivity increases. Changing technology was third highest at 18%, while growth within
a specific market niche followed with 15%. With the constant demand for high quality products it is
not surprising that flexography printers will be upgrading equipment.

Consumers have come to expect high quality graphics and upgrading equipment as one way to
maintain or improve overall quality. Other respondents indicated the need for additional colors,
extended content labeling, improved/enhanced graphic requirements from customers, and the need to
stay competitive with third world nations labor costs as reasons to purchase equipment.

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7. Future Innovations/Products/Applications in Market Segments

To gather data for this question, participants were asked an open-ended question. The most frequently
provided response to this question was Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), the use of smart
labels and anti-counterfeiting measures as part of a package. According to the respondents, there are
additional expected innovations, products, and applications that can be expected in market segments
that the average consumer may see in the next several years. These include multi-functional labels
consisting of combinations of packing lists, shipping labels, return goods labels found on a single
form.

Respondents also mentioned an increase in colorful packaging graphics, higher quality color
separations, hexachrome process printing and crisper graphics. These are expected to be the focus of
many printers that are seeking the latest and greatest products available to the customer. As new
substrates are developed the use of colors are expected to better represent the product as being fresh,
hence moving products faster.

The use of re-closable features on existing and new products can be expected in a wide variety of
markets in the food industry. More in-mold and shrink sleeve technologies are expected to grow as
consumable costs decrease, opening up more markets that can compete on the next level of new
products. All of these features are expected to enhance consumer-buying habits by the quality of the
product represented by the label. This could change the way many people purchase products and can
create additional markets and profits for flexographic printers.

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8. Impacts or Reactions from Innovations on Consumers and Society

When considering new applications in an organization, specifically in the packaging industry, it is
important to consider the affect on consumers and society in general. The survey revealed that the
majority of organizations feel that the innovations will have a positive impact on consumers and
society. A repeated response regarding the innovations affect on quality designs, label designs, and
packaging designs will easily attract the consumer to the product and increase demand for products. In
return the organizations and society will benefit from an increase in sales. However, it was mentioned
that the emphasis on enhancing product graphics and packaging graphics will cause the consumer to
spend more on item purchases.

The use of new applications will increase the acceptance of flexography as a high-quality printing
medium, which will result in growth opportunities and increase market share from other technologies.
Innovations will also increase the consumers level of confidence in product quality. Not only is
product quality affected, but also product cost is lowered. Innovations will cause fewer stockouts,
fewer errors, greater efficiencies, lower cost materials, and better productivity. This will expand the
markets need for these products.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) appears to have only two positive attributes that include speed
regarding checkout for the consumer and purchase traceability. Consumers will have a speedy
checkout without a hassle, and consumer purchase tracking will be more efficient with this
technology. However, this innovation presents the issue of invasion of consumers and societys
privacy, which is expressed in several responses. Though the technology will improve marketing
information through product tracing, it invades consumers confidence and privacy. Other responses
regarding the impact on consumers and society were unknown by participants.

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9. Flexographic Technologies Impacting Consumers Personal Privacy

This question was presented to participants to collect their individual responses. With the projected
and increased use of new technology in flexography there is a possible concern for the consumers
personal privacy. Opinions varied on this topic, but the majority of respondents do not see new
technology as a threat to consumer privacy. Many respondents referred to Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) regarding their reaction. It was mentioned that the concerns for consumer
privacy regarding RFID technology are not yet warranted at this time. Yet, another respondent
included that the code for RFID will be destroyed when the consumer exits the store; thus, there is no
concern for privacy.

Though the majority of respondents feel that there is no concern for privacy, other reactions believe
that there is a threat even if it is a small one. However, it was mentioned that though there may be an
invasion of personal privacy with new technology, the public is not aware that the technology use is
just an extension of current data. Current data includes credit cards, Internet transactions, medical
records, communications, and mailing lists. Some respondents felt strongly against RFID technology
specifically.

Personal purchasing habits will be tracked, homes could be scanned for contents, consumers usage,
and consumers disposal will be monitored. While the majority of flexography printers in this study
didnt view this as a major concern, it will be quite interesting to see the reaction of the average
consumer as more of this technology comes into widespread use and consumers become more
informed about what it is capable of doing.

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Figure 6: Controlling costs, prices for raw materials, and new technology are significant
concerns for flexography printers

Global Forces Impact on Flexography Industry
1%
19%
19%
22%
20%
10%
20%
0 5 10 15 20 25
Other
Economy
Overseas Markets
Controlling Costs
New Technology
Cheaper Labor Rates
Price for Raw Materials
10. Global Forces Affecting the Flexographic Industry in the Future

Flexographers in the next few years will be competing not only with other printers in America but
globally as well. The survey revealed that 22% of the respondents felt that controlling costs would be
the largest global factor. Prices for raw materials and new technology both tied at 20% each as the next
highest global force for flexographers. Keeping up to date with new machinery will always be an issue
for this industry. Another issue relates to raw materials, where prices continue to fluctuate and are
more likely to rise rather than decrease in price.

Oversea markets and economy, also tied at 19%, are considered important global forces affecting the
industry. As the country is presently in a slow economic climate, buying habits fluctuate according to
the state of the nations economy. For printers this can be one of the most difficult times as some
printers may fold while others are able to ride the wave through. Cheaper labor rates account for 10%
of the responses. Cheaper foreign labor is a concern that is sending a lot of work overseas. Finding
qualified personnel for American flexographers is costly and will inevitably continue to be an issue.
The remaining 1% of respondents identified some other global influence than those already
mentioned.

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Figure 7: Getting the product to market and price represent the packaging printers
current challenges
Human Resource
Issues
2%
Speed to Market
28%
Budgets
5%
Complex
Manufacturing
Steps
3%
Package Design
Demands
9%
Other
2%
Quality
23%
Price
28%
Market Segment Driving Forces
11. Driving Forces in Specific Market Segments

It is imperative to understand the driving forces in each market segment because the packaging
industry is highly competitive. Respondents reported 28% of the packaging segments driving forces
are due to their price and speed to the market. Quality of packaging accounts for 23%, and packaging
design demands was reported at 9%.

Interestingly, other driving forces including complex manufacturing steps, budgets and human
resource issues received significantly less importance than speed to market, price and quality issues.
The Other category consisted of two different responses. These driving forces include reverse
auctions and eliminating waste that is associated with obsolete products through shorter run lengths.

In the Tag and Label market segment, currently end users are fixated on price more than ever. Parity
has now entered the Tag and Label segment with quality and delivery being givens. Also, investing in
new technologies will allow companies in the packaging industry to better compete.

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Figure 8: The flexography industry continues to experience challenges with
recruiting, retaining and training personnel
Human Resource Concerns
4%
28%
27%
30%
3%
4%
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Other
Training
Salary/Benefits
Recruiting & Retaining Employees
Litigation
Compliance with Local, State,
& Federal Legislation

12. Future Human Resource Issues

Human resource issues impacting the packaging industry for purposes of this study included training,
salary and benefits, recruiting and retaining employees, litigation, and compliance with legislation
(local, state, and federal). As illustrated in the Figure 8, 30% of the packaging industry is concerned
with recruiting and keeping employees.

Closely related to this, 28% of the respondents felt that adequate training for employees in the next
few years is a major concern. Due to the fluctuations in the economy and the demand for products
27% of the industry is concerned with employee salaries and benefits. Other human resource issues,
according to the respondents, include worker compensation, compliance with laws and regulations,
and the use of electricity. It was also noted that as flexography continues to gain market share from the
traditional printing methods of offset lithography and gravure, consideration must be given to the
technology that will be on the equipment.

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13. Upcoming Concerns in Organizations

Six major concerns that the packaging industry will need to face in the next few years were identified
in this question. Here, respondents indicated 27% of the industry is concerned with growing their
businesses while providing job opportunities for employees, and 18% are concerned with changing
technology. This will force the organizations to purchase new and improved equipment or try to
survive the competitive industry with outdated equipment.

Many companies and consumers are purchasing packaging products from foreign competition, as
indicated by 16% of the respondents. Maintaining the workforce and training employees regarding
safety, productivity, and quality is a future concern according to 14% of the survey participants. Other
concerns for the future include the buying market that is using reverse auctions online, which relates
only to price and not the quality or value of the product.

Retail chain stores are a concern for the future packaging industry because they influence companies
to sell products with minimal profit, causing unemployment and minimal funds for future
development. Price compression in the packaging industry is a concern, and it is predicted that
profitability will remain only for products that require high levels of execution. Finally, the packaging
industry is concerned with current and future language barriers in the workplace.

Figure 9: Growing the business and coping with changing technology are major
concerns for flexography printers
Future Organizational Concerns
Growing the
Business/Providing
Opportunities for
Employees
27%
Maintaining the
Workforce
14%
Changing
Technology
18%
Foreign
Competition
16%
Other
4%
Training
14%
Competition for
Other Print
Processes
7%
Job

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14. Reactions to Concerns within the Industry

To overcome the future issues for the packaging industry, indicated in Figure 9, many respondents are
planning or have already implemented strategies or programs to deal with these issues. Steps that the
respondents are taking to overcome the concerns relate to training and production alterations.
Companies are focusing on and improving training programs for employees, hidden benefits for
employees, and developing a good working environment.

Included in the training area are mentoring programs, prepress training, safety training, quality
training, enhancing training tools, and increasing training resources. Also, the respondents report a
focus on top performing employees while eliminating weak performers to maintain efficiency and
quality. Increasing productivity is another main focus of the packaging industry to adjust to future
concerns.

Respondents are investing in and acquiring new technology, developing and enhancing customer
relationships, implementing strategic planning processes, and utilizing automation and e-commerce to
decrease cost in order to stay competitive and enhance quality. Providing purchasers with more value
to the packaging supply chain and continuing improvements in equipment are among the steps that are
being implemented by survey respondents in the packaging industry.

In several cases the product is the key point to adjust to changes in society and the market, such as
producing a product with better quality, yet increasing the speed of production, decrease lead times,
and develop a faster turnaround. However, some respondents believe that discipline around strategy
and vision along with implementation is the key to future success in the packaging industry.

As indicated in Figure 9, foreign competition is a concern for approximately 16% of the respondents.
To react to this issue companies are decreasing waste, focusing on cost reduction and quality
enhancement, developing new and improved processes and technology, and developing niche markets.
Some respondents report companies are developing global partnerships when appropriate.

Packaging companies are also implementing English as a second language class to employees,
becoming involved in research and development, increasing sales personnel, continuing to be
customer and employee friendly, and adding the presence of the Internet. Several companies in the
packaging industry feel that the use of e-commerce and workflow automation is becoming apparent in
order to preserve margins and provide a greater throughput without related increases in production
staff. However, it was mentioned that some companies are not participating in online bidding due to
the main focus of cost and lack of loyalty to suppliers.

Referring back to increasing sales personnel, a respondent mentioned that their companys strategy is
to grow through focusing on the organization as a whole, specifically realigning the sales force and
involving operations into sales and customer contact. Other responses are simply trying to stay
informed or becoming involved in industry events. Events include trade shows to view new
technology.

Also, customer satisfaction is imperative to maintain a competitive edge in the packaging industry. To
maintain the customer relationship companies are helping control customer inventory and working
closely with customers to anticipate their needs. However, it is noted that uncertainty in the economy
makes long-term planning and reactions to issues difficult to overcome. Therefore, as one respondent
explained, to overcome concerns in the industry one must simply pray.

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Conclusion/Further Research

The flexographic industry is in the prestigious position of having 75-80% of the market share of
flexible packaging in North America. New technological advancements in equipment, substrates, and
applications have created many opportunities for flexographic packaging printers. Quality continues to
increase and it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish flexography printing from other
printing processes. New applications and package designs have created new opportunities and
challenges for flexography printers.

Printers are faced with the challenge of continuing to keep up with changing technology, in particular,
the shift to digital imaging. Those that are able to do so will be able to expand into these new and
growing applications. This study revealed that foreign competition and human resource issues of
recruiting and training employees are challenges that flexography printers are faced with at the present
time. This creates opportunities for strengthening and developing relationships with educational
institutions and other experts to provide needed training and education for flexographic production
workers.

This study explored numerous technological, societal, and human aspects in the flexographic printing
industry and their impact in the years to come. The major technology issue today appears to be the
impact digital printing will create and how it will be incorporated into flexographic production. Issues
regarding personal privacy produced mixed responses relative to its acceptance by consumers.

Respondents also identified continuing to provide a trained and skilled workforce as a major concern.
Of these three major issues, the one representing the newest and least known to this point is the
impact the new smart labels will have on consumers. Will they be readily accepted? How informed
will consumers become of this technology? Will they be welcomed or miss-trusted? This would
represent a very interesting area for further research and investigation.

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About The Electronic Document Systems Foundation (EDSF)

EDSF, an international, charitable (501(c)(3)) foundation, supports and promotes educational
opportunities and knowledge sharing that provide a common benefit to individuals and companies
engaged in document solutions. The Foundation serves vendors and users who design and
implement document solutions for business applications. The scope of these solutions include the
capture and creation of documents, the printing and viewing of documents, the transmission of
documents for the purpose of communications, and the management processes and services
necessary for a complete document solution. For more information about EDSF, please visit
www.EDSF.org or phone (310) 541-1481.

About the Research Team

The research team for this project consisted of the following individuals:

James Lentz, Associate Professor, Graphic Communications, Pennsylvania College of Technology,
Williamsport, Pennsylvania 17701

Ms. Marie Szabo, major in Graphic Communications/Business, Pennsylvania College of Technology, May
2004 Graduate

Mr. Joshua Hayden, major in Graphic Communications/Business, Pennsylvania College of Technology,
May 2004 Graduate

For more information, please contact James Lentz @ 570 320-2400 x7585 or email Jlentz@pct.edu

About Pennsylvania College of Technology

Pennsylvania College of Technology is an affiliate of The Pennsylvania State University and
Pennsylvanias premier technical college. Penn Colleges main campus is located in Williamsport, PA, a
city known around the world as the home of Little League Baseball. Penn College is a special mission
affiliate of Penn State, committed to applied technology education. Bachelor and associate degrees in
over 100 fields are focused on applied technologies ranging from manufacturing, design, transportation,
construction and natural resources to hospitality, health, business and communication. Business/industry
connections, national corporate sponsors, small classes, industry-standard equipment and faculty with
work experience contribute to strong graduate placement rates. For more information, visit Penn
Colleges web site at www.pct.edu or phone (570) 326-3761.

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Pennsylvania College of Technology: Trends in The Flexographic Packaging Industry

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Pennsylvania College of Technology: Trends in The Flexographic Packaging Industry

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